Photos courtesy of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

In a ceremonious launch at Fingerprints Music the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) held the kick off for its 10th annual Summer and Music series as part of May’s Live After 5 event, the DLBA recently announced.

“With this being the tenth year, we really want to reflect on where SAM has been and what it continues to bring to our community,” said DLBA President and CEO Kraig Kojian in a statement. “SAM is a perfect means to activate Downtown through spotlighting our local talent and providing the artists a platform to entertain the community while being introduced to new audiences.”

Live Entertainment Headed to Downtown, East Village Next Thursday for Live After 5

Local artists and SAM favorites Bearcoon, Rudy De Anda and Korey Dane performed at the East Village record store where SAM co-founders and siblings Ashley and Justin Hectus, and Fingerprints Music owner Rand Foster announced the upcoming dates for the series of free and family-friendly events put on by the DLBA and aforementioned organizers.

“When we launched SAM in 2009, we just wanted to pay tribute to the rich tradition of music in this city,” Justin Hectus said in a statement. “Ten years later, we’re still hitting our stride and trying to keep pace with the amazing musicians, artists and volunteers that make downtown sing. I’m excited to celebrate our tenth year of SAM with friends and neighbors throughout Long Beach.”

2018 SAM Series Schedule:
FKA 720: June 23 at The Promenade between Broadway and Third Street
Twisted at The Pike: July 14 at The Pike Outlets
Bicycle Drive-In: August 4, location TBD
Buskerfest: September 8 in the East Village Arts District

Look for more details on performers, artists and times, soon to be posted, visit the website here.