inkniron

inkniron 

Ink & Iron
This is one of the jewels in the crown of Long Beach’s annual summer events, folks. Three days of incredible live music (This year: Iggy and the Stooges, Dead Kennedys, The Selecter, Girl in a Coma, Rocket From the Crypt and at least 45 other bands), 280 tattoo artists in action (yes, you can get inked here), a pin-up model pageant, cabaret shows, classic car and art exhibits, and a vintage fashion bazaar with over 70 indie vendors. How much do you wanna bet Kat Von D shows up to this one?
Where: The Queen Mary and surrounding areas, 1126 Queens Hwy.
When: Friday, June 7, 2PM-midnight; Saturday, June 8, 11AM-1AM; Sunday, June 9, 11AM-10PM
Website: ink-n-iron.com
Admission: $60 to $450
What else?: Ticket prices too rich for your blood? Go to the pre-party on Thursday, June 6—it’s free and open to the public. Another tip: If you get a tattoo during the event, you get $20 taken off your ticket.

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2nd Saturday Art Walk
If you’re even just slightly familiar with the East Village, you probably know that the 2nd Street Art Walk is practically a Long Beach institution. Now in it’s 16th year, artists range from locals to gallery-seasoned vets—musicians and old school street performers, too. Feel free to get in on the action yourself—want an easy $75 and praise from your Long Beach artesian equals? Submit an original piece of your art to the Hellada Gallery (117 Linden Ave.) by 5pm to be entered in the LB Masterpiece Contest. Judges announce the winner (possibly you) at 6pm—all media is accepted, but the competition is hardcore so bring your best.
Where: East Village Art District, Linden Avenue between 1st Street & 4th Street
When: Saturday, June 8, 4PM-10PM
Website: www.artwalklb.com
Admission: Free
What else?: Free parking in lot #7 on Elm and Broadway—take advantage of that—it gets crazy by 5pm. Kids welcomed, too—there are several booths where they can get their mitts dirty with paints and chalks.

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Style 2013: Long Beach Home Design Tour
If last week’s Great Homes of Long Beach tour didn’t satiate your voyeuristic lust for the interiors of some of our city’s smartest-designed dwellings, maybe this tour will. Steel Magnolias (a local foundation that raise funds for Long Beach’s Miller Children’s Hospital kids), host its biggest annual fundraiser with a house tour where you’re encouraged to explore five homes, ranging from sleek post-modern ranchos to rustic Spanish cottages. But it must be noted, like last week—the Ferris Bueller home of Bixby Knolls is not on this tour. One of these weeks, though, a Long Beach home tour will feature Bueller’s house, and when that happens…
Where: Coldwell Banker Coastal Alliance, 1650 Ximeno Avenue
When: Sunday, June 9, 11AM-4PM
Website: www.thesteelmagnolias.org/content/149/2013HomeTour.aspx
Admission: $35
What else?: Technically, the tour starts at Coldwell, but that’s just were you pick up your map—the tour travels through Seal Beach, Belmont Heights and Park Estates.

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Jon Bono & the Decoys
There aren’t many better ways to put a hot June weekend in bed than spending it at a roadhouse bar on PCH (Nadine’s is arguably more a classic American roadhouse than a traditional Irish pub), sucking down a few pints, and taking in a no-nonsense four-piece rock band as you watch the sun set through plate glass windows. Part classic rock, part outlaw country in the vein of Waylon Jennings, Jon Bono and his backing band (partially made up of the obscure, but celebrated Long Beach power trio, The Clams) can rip through AC/DC into The Doors and an original with surprising fluidity and precision. Simple pleasures, this one.
Where: Nadine’s Irish Mist, 16655 Pacific Coast Hwy., Sunset Beach, CA 90742
When: Sunday, June 9, 4PM to 8PM
Website: nadinesirishmist.net
Admission: Free
What else?: I know, I know—Sunset Beach is technically Orange County, but Nadine’s is only a couple miles outside Long Beach proper.

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AM & Shawn Lee: In-Store Performance
Fingerprints scores another great, exclusive in-store performance from Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter AM and London’s multi-instrumentalist/producer Shawn Lee. The duo’s second LP (“La Musique Numerique” which can be heard in its entirety here: amandshawnlee.tumblr.com) is a slick blend of looped beats, Beck-like tropicalia, Euro disco (sorta like Air or Phoenix), and lazy reggae rhythms. In a just world, this duo would be topping summer festivals—not Foster the People or MGMT. But Long Beach benefits from the music industry’s oversight: this Fingerprints gig marks the first performance of a 14-date national tour.
Where: Fingerprints, 420 E. 4th Street
When: Tuesday, June 11, 7PM
Website: www.fingerprintsmusic.com
Admission: Free
What else?: Every Fingerprints in-store is free, but limited. If you want in, call them at (562) 433-4996 and RSVP now—this event will fill up quick.

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