File photo courtesy of the Long Beach Airport. 

It’s November. It’s Friday night. And you just, just, just, just….got paid! Cue the *N Sync classic, because we’ve got some pretty “fly” ideas for you on ways to spend this first weekend of November in Long Beach—*N style, no less.

First up: First Fridays in Bixby Knolls. Tonight’s event in the area marks the grand opening of Twig & Willow’s second store, Twig & Willow General, from 6:30PM to 9:00PM! The store will share its grand opening with Lola’s, selling the usual collection of bohemian clothing, jewelry and gifts, with more home products, on Atlantic Boulevard. Other features include a larger space with more square footage, white walls and a “modern aesthetic.” The grand opening will coincide with the anniversary of the Fourth Street location’s opening years ago, during the height of the Great Recession. Stroll on over and enjoy a celebration of all things old and new.

This Saturday, November 7, Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson is inviting the community to celebrate Veteran’s Day with the 19th Annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Vets Fest, which will immediately follow the parade in Houghton Park. According to a release issued by Richardson’s office, Vets Fest, sponsored by Molina Healthcare and the Long Beach Airport, is an outdoor festival featuring free food, music and a play area for children that is meant to celebrate the lives of U.S. veterans. Rex Richardson, the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine and the Vets Fest Resident Committee are joining forces to host the event. A Career Expo and “Vets Club” will also be featured this year, as well as an area for veterans to rest and relax, according to a release. The line-up for the day includes the Veterans Day Parade, beginning at 10:00AM, followed by the Vets Fest, which begins at 10:30AM, with two bands. Parking is available in the neighborhoods surrounding the event, and at the corner lot of Atlantic Avenue and Artesia Boulevard.

At once chaotic, ridiculous, and hilarious, Noel Coward’s classic comedy Hay Fever will light up the Long Beach Playhouse’s stage beginning tomorrow, November 7 through December 5. Long Beach Playhouse veteran James Rice will direct the performance, having proven himself on the Mainstage with productions A Flea in Her Ear and The Final Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, among others. Performances are 8:00PM Friday and Saturday and 2:00PM Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3:00PM to 8:00PM and Sundays from 1:00PM to 2:00PM on scheduled matinees. Tickets are available here and at 562.494.1014 (option 1).

Vintage aircraft buffs and fans of modern aviation alike will have the chance to convene at the Long Beach Airport (LGB) during the third annual LGB Fly-In on Saturday, November 7 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. Airplanes and helicopters old and new will be flown into LGB to stand as static displays for attendees to view them up close. For guests ages 21 and over, an adjacent beer garden entitled The Paradies Fly-In Festival will benefit Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Auxiliary and Leadership Long Beach. Guests are also encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to local nonprofit Food Finders. The Fly-In will be held on the west end of the airfield. Parking is free of charge and located on East Wardlow Road and Globemaster Way. Gourmet food trucks will offer lunch, available for purchase, alongside live entertainment, giveaways, pet adoptions courtesy of Long Beach Animal Care Services and more. Guests are encouraged to bring water and wear close-toed shoes. All ages are welcome. No pets will be allowed, except service animals. Anyone interested in reserving a static display should contact Long Beach Airport at 562.570.2678. For more information, please follow Long Beach Airport on Facebook here or visit the website here.

On Saturday, November 7, Pine Avenue will close to traffic between Sixth and Seventh streets, in preparation for the Second Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration in Long Beach. The long-celebrated Mexican holiday, with its signature skull iconography, will be presented by Councilmember Lena Gonzalez in the First District on Pine Avenue from 5:00PM to 10:00PM. The agenda for the festivities includes live performances by Los Rakas, La Banda Skalavera, Very Be Careful, Casi Son and DJ Ra, in addition to traditional folklorico dancers, face painters, decorated altars, food, arts and crafts, a kid zone and more. Free parking is available to participants at the City Place parking structure. Other parking lots close to the celebration include Lot A: 50 East Sixth Street (entrance on Sixth and Fifth Streets) or Lot B: 50 East Fifth Street (entrance on Fifth and Fourth Streets). The city encourages public transportation.