10:40am | Sometimes being the Culture Agent can be a bit daunting, especially when there’s way too much to cover. For example, in addition to the Long Beach Unity Festival that I wrote about this morning, did you know that the Art Theatre is showing an amazing and celebrated new documentary called Exit Through The Gift Shop, which explores the international Street Art scene and, ultimately, the celebrated British artist, Banksy, when he comes to Los Angeles. The film, started by French ex-pat Thierry Guetta, is soon taken over by Banksy, and Guetta becomes the subject. The film is being shown at 7 PM tonight, and 10% of the ticket sales will go to support the Arts Council for Long Beach.
There’s also the launch of Summer and Music with Future Legends: Now Sounds of the Long Beach Bloodline, taking place Saturday from 4 – 9 PM on 1st & Elm. Catch performances by Korey Dane, So Many Wizards, Boris Smile, Deep Sea Diver, Jay Buchanan, and British import Phantom Limb. You can feel extra good while enjoying a day of free music because the stage is solar powered!
But wait! There’s more! Long Beach opera is presenting the celebrated production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s amazing Orpheus & Euridice, staged in (literally) the Belmont Plaza Pool. While some younger people may think of opera, especially modern opera, as overly challenging, I can say that Gordon’s music is beautifully lyrical, and the setting a perfect match for both the music, and the story. There are three performances: Tonight, Saturday, and Sunday, all at 9 PM.
Aren’t we lucky to live in such a culturally rich, diverse, and dynamic City? I say ‘YES!’