This is “The 7”, Thanksgiving edition! A list of seven things that are either fun, healthy or socially conscious to do this Thanksgiving weekend. Also, the Lindyhop.
We’re hoping, though, that this list will also make you grateful. Grateful that there are more than a few places you can go and have a great Thanksgiving meal without having to cook it. Grateful that there are places you can go and do some holiday shopping that allow you to support local businesses while avoiding blunt force trauma. Grateful that it affords you yet another opportunity to run competitively while dressed as food because, well, America.
And grateful that you’ll be able to do all of this in Long Beach, California where it will be 68 degrees on Turkey Day and not, say, Long Beach, New York, where it will be 28.
THURSDAY
The Long Beach Turkey Trot returns for its 16th year of fun, exercise and people dressed like condiments, side dishes and dining utensils. (The event has a strict policy about people not dressing up in Native American costume, so be cool.)
Justin Rudd again hosts the 5K and 10K run with start times at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. If you sign up on Wednesday or the day of the race, it’ll cost you $40, cash. A kids’ half-mile “wingding” will also be held at 9:40 a.m. (ages 8-12) and 9:45 a.m. (age 7 and under). What makes the run great is not only does it offer you an excuse to overeat as much as you want (Shut up, Gretchen! I ran dressed as a casserole!”) but also offers an opportunity to help others. Please bring non-perishable food items to donate to the AIDS Food Store.
To register: JustinRudd.com/trot (use code FIVEOFF for 7 and 10 a.m. adult races, and kids’ run) To volunteer: JustinRudd.com/2018trotvolunteer.
Now Thanksgiving is also all about food. But, let’s face it, you don’t always want to cook. Fortunately, a number of Long Beach restaurants, as well as the Aquarium of the Pacific, are having special Thanksgiving meal events. For a list, click here. You’ll find options ranging from to-go dinners to champagne buffets to vegan options to I-don’t-care-as-long-as-I-don’t-have-to-do-it.
FRIDAY
https://www.facebook.com/snapbacklive/videos/vl.2120984301251202/848460325344774/?type=1
So, you just spent most of yesterday indoors, with family, eating and trying to avoid eye-contact any time anything remotely related to governance insinuates itself into the conversation. What you need now is to get up, get out and get moving, preferably in a rhythmic-choreographed manner that may involve throwing your hands in the air without fear of repercussions.
And that’s why you will find yourself tonight at the Federal Bar, Underground, dancing and moving at Snapback, an old school Hip Hop and R&B party where you can just listen, or dance to your favorites. They do this every Friday, but you’re gonna need this tonight.
Federal Bar is located at 102 Pine Avenue.
SATURDAY
Small Business Saturday was launched eight years ago to promote and support local businesses hurting from the recession. We have a few favorites to get our capitalism on. The 6th annual Maker’s Mart, features a curated market showcasing small businesses, artisans and designers, in-store happenings, live music and more, all organized by MAKE Collectives. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s more info here.
Makers Mart starts on 1st Street and Linden Avenue.
Three years ago, Vegan From Mars and LB Vegan decided to create their own version of Black Friday, but one featuring all vegan, cruelty-free small businesses. Green Saturday was born!
This year’s event is at the Long Beach Petroleum Club, with a full bar, separate dining area and plenty of free parking. You’ll be able to explore two large rooms of vendors selling everything from food to art to skincare, cosmetics and accessories. You’ll also be able to enjoy entertainment and maybe adopt an animal if you’re so inclined. In fact, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Whiskers & Tails Foundation.
The Petroleum Club is located at 3636 Linden Avenue.
No doubt you’ve been under Xmas audio assault with a never ending stream of carols and hymns leaving your ears in need of rescue. Actually, a good scrubbing could be in order. Save us Metalachi!
Yes, Metalachi, which claims to be the world’s first, and only, heavy metal mariachi band, plays tonight at DiPiazza’s. The five-piece band, which has drawn apt comparisons to Spinal Tap and Cheech and Chong—we’d throw in a bit of Dethklok and Steel Panther (metal really is ripe for silliness)—but all of that should not distract from the fact that the members can really play.
The five-piece band claims they came to the U.S. as babies in the saddlebags of a burro and once they set foot on American soil, they unearthed the album “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath which then served as their musical guide. (Get in line, brother.)
The band does play it’s share of Sabbath, Ozzy and Dio, not to mention Zeppelin, Slayer and Metallica and apparently does a ripping good “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
DiPiazza’s is located at 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway.
SUNDAY
You know, the holidays are a time for giving. Sure, they’re also a time for tense exchanges with your significant other, but also giving.
There are some swell people who will be putting on a Dance in the Park event as they are wont to do. As events go, this one is pretty simple and pretty sweet: you show up today at Bixby Park, they provide free dance lessons from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. They’ll be making with the academics regarding East Coast swing and the Lindyhop, among others. They may even throw in a “Daddy-O!” if they’re so willing. After that, it’s all about dancing and having a good time to the music of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s until 5p.m.
The gig is open to the public and kids are very welcome. You should go.
Bixby Park is at 101 Junipero Avenue.