On Saturday, a small pocket park in the East Village held most of the night’s energy during the first LB Artwalk under the Arts Council for Long Beach’s leadership. For Senay Kenfe, the launch of his Eddie’s Liquor Collective was about providing real equity and leverage for artists in the City of Long Beach, to ensure the support of rap, hip hop, and other scenes that have been underrepresented when it comes to city programming in public spaces.

Kenfe posted on Instagram the next day, “They’re always trying to sell the idea of diversity but we never see it in the programming. Whether it’s intentional or not, I know the impact of that narrative and it’s not to the benefit of the community I speak for.” He called being able to partner with the ACLB to launch his initiative during the art walk, “a community revolution in progress.” Attendees packed the space, ages five to 65, to witness the moment. Rapper Huey Briss said on the mic to a crowd of about 200, “This alley could have been another cut where I run from the police but instead they let me perform here.”

Other stops on the art walk included artist-activist Carole Frances Lung opening her studio to promote the current campaign of The Institute 4 Labor Generosity Workers and Uniforms, Dave Van Patten’s second exhibition in his “Blah Blah Cloudmachine” series saw plenty of viewers at MADE by Millworks, District Wine showed off the abstract paintings of Katie Stubblefield and Katrina Rocha’s dimly lit neighborhoods, the Dark Art Emporium held a packed reception for “Prone to Exaggeration”, while around the corner artists sold their wares and live painted an old Land Rover outside Hops & Vine

Red Bag cools down as he pours water on himself as he performs at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
The crowd reacts as Red Bag performs at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
The crowd reacts as Red Bag performs at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Red Bag performs with high energy as he entertains at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Seafood Sam performs at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Senay Kenfe prepares to take the stage at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Red Bag works the whole stage as he performs with high energy. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Goop Massta shows a photo of how he plans on painting a Land Rover with aerosol paint during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Goop Massta starts his painting on a Land Rover with aerosol paint. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Painting curbside Goop Massta paints a Land Rover with aerosol paint during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Frau Fiber, lefts stands next to Lisa DeSmidt of the Arts Council for Long Beach just outside of Fiber’s studio during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Andrew Kincaid looks at the art while at The Dark Art Emporium. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Vladimir Noel does his painting as he performs at the East Village Arts Park.  Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Red Bag works the whole stage as he performs with high energy at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Red Bag performs his music as he performs with high energy. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
The crowd packs the floor as Seafood Sam performs at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Seafood Sam performs his music at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Huey Briss, left, joins Seafood Sam, right, on the stage during his performance. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Huey Briss, right, belts it out as he performs with Seafood Sam, left, on the stage during his performance. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Seafood Sam asked the crowd to light it up during his performance at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Dez Yusuf entertains the crowd at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Senay Kenfe talks to the crowd while performing at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Senay Kenfe performs as the crowd gathers at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Senay Kenfe is greated after his performance at the East Village Arts Park. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
The hands of Nice Guy Vinny as he spins music for Senay Kenfe as he performs at the East Village Arts Park during the East Village LB Artwalk in Long Beach Saturday, May 11, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

Check out the Twitter thread below for more photos and video from LB Artwalk: