The following is a curated roundup of weekend events in Long Beach published every Wednesday on the Hi-lo/Long Beach Post. Have an event to share? Email [email protected] with “Things to Do” in the subject line.
This week we’ve found some stellar live shows to enjoy nearly all weekend long, plus a unique Catalina Island dinner and movie show, a free comic book drawing and podcasting tutorial and even a music video shoot you can make a cameo in.
Get to scrollin’!
CAL HEIGHTS JAZZ NIGHTS – F/8 STUDIOS (Thursday)
On Thursday, Aug. 19, enjoy an intimate jazz performance under the stars with the Grammy-nominated Billy Mohler Trio.
Tickets cost $20. Guests also have the option of purchasing a bottle of wine and/or charcuterie box meals to enjoy during the performance (pre-order required).
Only 30 spots are available for each performance, however, there will be one more show in September. Proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend.
f/8 Studios is at 3764 Orange Ave. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY – CARROLL PARK (Friday)
LB Spike City will be hosting a back-to-school giveaway for local kids entering their 2021 school year.
Organizers of the event will be handing out backpacks, notebooks, pens, paper from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug 20 at 2325 E. Third St.
It’s free, so go already.
MOVIES & MOONLIGHT “SUPER BUDDIES” – 2ND & PCH (Friday)
Catch a free outdoor movie screening of “Super Buddies” at 2nd & PCH Friday, Aug. 20 as part of the Movies & Moonlight series at the dining and shopping center.
The movie begins at sunset (roughly 7:45 p.m.), but it’s best to arrive early to stake your spot along the main street, which is blocked off to traffic. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets as complimentary seating is limited. The center requests that all attendees adhere to social distancing.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
DINNER AND A MOVIE: FUN IN ACAPULCO – CATALINA ISLAND (Friday)
A $50 ticket and the price of your ferry to Catalina Island buys you a four-hour evening of fun including dinner, movie and live musical performance at the Catalina Island Museum Friday, Aug. 20.
While you watch the classic 1963 Elivs film, “Fun in Acapulco” guests will also enjoy a multi-course meal designed by acclaimed Orange County chef Diego Velasco that features shrimp ceviche tostadas, smoked chicken enchiladas, cochinita pibil, and more.
Afterward, patrons will be entertained by a popular Elivs impersonator Jordan Kruk, who is so good at his impersonations of the icon that he was chosen to portray Elvis for comedian Steve Martin in the Broadway tour of his hit play “Picasso at The Lapin Agile.”
The event starts at 6 p.m. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Catalina Island Museum is at 217 Metropole Ave, Avalon.
VOICEWAVES YOUTH WORKSHOP: PODCASTING – COMPOUND (Friday)
Join Voicewaves editor Carlos Omar and multimedia journalists Rachel Livinal and Yesenia Pacheco as they give you a free, crash course in podcasting at Compound art gallery and community hub Friday, Aug. 20.
The two-hour, beginner-level course will instruct on how to conceptualize and produce a polished product using equipment you already have (like your phone) or gear that won’t break the bank.
Introductions will be given by Omar with the lecture led by Livinal and Pacheco who will also share their experiences and know-how producing their podcast series “COVID-18” which showed how Merced students in their senior year dealt with the pandemic.
Click here for more information and to register.
Compound is at 1395 Coronado Ave.
LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL BAND – VARIOUS LOCATIONS (Friday & Saturday)
The lauded Long Beach Municipal Band is back with two weeks of free, outdoor shows in the park. Catch the 40-piece brass band perform live at Marine Stadium Park Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21 at El Dorado Park West starting at 6:30 p.m.
Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and settle in for a great show. Alcohol is prohibited at public parks.
Click here for more info.
Marine Stadium Park is at 5255 E. Paoli Way. El Dorado Park West is at 2800 N. Studebaker Rd.
UPTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Friday & Saturday)
Photo by Stephen Carr
Back for their 10th year, the free Uptown Jazz Festival is returning to Houghton Park this time as a two-day festival beginning Friday, Aug. 20 through Saturday, Aug. 21.
Expect to hear from 18 artists/bands including the Queen of Percussion Sheila Escovedo, known by fans as Sheila E.
This year’s festival theme promotes a healthy safe summer, with a focus on health resources, COVID-19 outreach, vaccinations and education.
The festival will feature a block party, numerous vendors and food trucks. The festival will also feature on-site vaccinations and testing.
Click here to see the full lineup.
Houghton Park is at 6301 Myrtle Ave.
SPAGHETTI & FRANK MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT – THE GOOD BAR (Saturday)
Show up at noon to The Good Bar for a rock show that’s doubling as a music video shoot for rock outfit, “Spaghetti and Frank,” comprised of the dynamic frontmen from Eddie Spaghetti and the Supersuckers and Frank Meyer of the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs. The pair are recording their new song “I Think It Sucks (And Don’t I Like It)” that appears on their new album “Motherfuckin’ Rock’n’Roll.”
Why not show up, grab a drink, rock out and then a few weeks from now try to spot yourself in the video? Shouldn’t be too hard—The Good Bar is tiny. We suggest flailing your arms for good measure.
No cover charge for this show.
The Good Bar is at 3316 E. Seventh St.
LEARN HOW TO DRAW COMICS (Saturday & Sunday)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CR7hM1_pu1C/
Learn the art and structure of comic book making with resident Arts Council for Long Beach artist Tevy Khou Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22.
The two-hour webinar from 9-11 a.m. is free to attend, just make sure your computer has access to Zoom.
Click here for more info.
FARMERS MARKET OF LONG BEACH (Sunday)
They do this every week, y’all: This Sunday, the Farmers Marketplace of Long Beach will set up shop from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering fresh and organic produce, organic chickens, and fresh eggs, seafood and fresh-cut flowers. The market also sells produce from pastries to homemade hygiene produces.
The Farmers Market of Long Beach will be held at 5000 E. Spring St.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
AUTHOR EXPLORES HUMANS’ RESPONSIBILITY TO ANIMALS – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC, SEPT. 1
Provocative environmental writer Emma Marris asks us to question our relationship with and what we owe the “wild” animals living in our human world, especially creatures housed in zoos and aquariums
As part of the First Wednesdays lecture series at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and in her recently published book, “Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World,” Marris challenges us to change the way we think about nature and our place within it as animal life and human life become ever more intertwined.
The free event — capped off with a cocktail hour and book signing — will take place in-person from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Reservations are required, click here.
Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.
Crystal Niebla contributed to this story.