Blair Cohn has been ramping up the summer fun in Bixby Knolls with big events like last weekend’s Dragster Expo and Car Show (where both Greggory Moore and I were unlikely judges) and yesterday’s Kidical Mass bike ride. Tonight at 6:30PM, Cohn and his Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association are presenting Concerts in the Park(ing lot) that is taking place on the east side of Atlantic, just south of Wardlow Road.
The Long Beach Municipal Band’s budget was cut again this year, so its annual summer concert series had to be shortened. Cohn saw this as an opportunity.
“We wanted to see how we could use this theme to create something fun that would connect the community to our businesses,” said Cohn. “At the time, Alex Automotive had just received a facade improvement from us with RDA funding and the owner was very happy to use his lot for an event and show off his space. Dave’s Burgers is right next to it, so it was an easy concept.”
Last summer, the BKBIA held a similar event, with just a DJ spinning tunes, and more than 60 people showed up. This year, Cohn is expecting even more attendees since the ever-popular Shake and the Chantoosies will be performing classic jazz and swing standards.
“They are a perfect band for a summer night,” said Cohn. “They played our BK holiday party and people loved them!”
The concert is free and people are encouraged to bring their own tables and chairs. Food is available from Dave’s Burgers and from other nearby restaurants. Street parking is available on Lime Avenue, and free lot parking is available at Denny’s and El Torito, across the street near 33rd Street.
Alex Auto is located at 3360 Atlantic Avenue. People are encouraged to arrive early as the music is scheduled to start promptly at 6:30PM.