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.

From a new musical production to a community-centric art contest, this weekend the arts scene is inviting locals to enjoy all the fun. Also, an intimate chocolate and wine tasting by Long Beach’s much-adored Romeo Chocolates.

Plus, we’ve found a free spooky movie screening and a relaxing music experience that sends you off with a glass of cider.

Get to scrollin’!

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST PRESENTS “DAMN YANKEES” (Friday – Sunday)

Musical Theatre West’s “Damn Yankees” stars Broadway powerhouse Lesli Margherita (left), James Olivas (center) and Jeff Skowron. The production will run Friday-Sunday beginning Oct. 14 through Oct. 30. Photo courtesy Musical Theatre West.

Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West has always had a knack for pulling in exceptional talent for its shows and this weekend the theater company is returning to the Carpenter Center with a star-studded cast for its production of “Damn Yankees,” opening Friday, Oct. 14.

The 1950s Broadway hit musical (which was also made into a film in 1958) is about a middle-aged baseball fanatic who trades his soul to the devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory against the New York Yankees, meanwhile dealing with the devil’s ploys to thwart his dreams and ensnare his soul for eternity. Bringing the musical to life is Broadway darling Lesli Margherita (best known for her Olivier Award-winning role in West End’s “Zorro The Musical”), as Lola; James Olivas (“American Horror Stories,” “Encore! with Kristen Bell”), as Joe Hardy; and Jeff Skowron (Broadway’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Lion King,” “Bad Santa”) as Mr. Applegate.

Tickets range from $20 to $96 and may be purchased online, click here. The show will run Friday-Sunday until Oct. 30.

The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is at 6200 E. Atherton St.

ROMEO CHOCOLATES AND WINE TASTING (Saturday)

Courtesy photo.

Romeo Chocolates is hosting an intimate chocolate and wine tasting at the historic House of Broadway, Saturday, Oct. 15.

Award-winning gourmet chocolatier Romeo Garcia will be pairing his artisan chocolates with wines from Silva Road Wine while also sharing the techniques behind creating his confections.

The tasting costs $50 (or $27 for those who only want to taste either chocolate or wine). Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

House of Broadway is at 209 Temple Ave.

BELMONT SHORE SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST (Saturday)

Jacqueline Ramos draws Zeno the Husky along Second Street at the 2019 Annual Belmont Shore Sidewalk Art Competition. Photo by Sarahi Apaez.

Over 50 artists are expected to break out the colored pastels (we’re going to pretend it’s chalk) and compete for cash prizes Saturday, Oct. 15 during a favorite local event of sidewalk art-making, presented by community activist Justin Rudd and his nonprofit, Community Action Team.

Take a stroll between St. Joseph and Glendora avenues on Second Street to see the artists working on their pieces starting as early as 9 a.m. If you’re less into the process and more into checking out the finished pieces, show up between 3:30 and 4:10 p.m. in front of Chase Bank (5200 E. Second St.) to see the judging and prize-giving; Best in Show will receive $350, first place will receive $250, second place $150 and five honorable mentions will receive $50 each.

Also, if you’re an artist looking to participate—it’s not too late. Click here for more info and to sign up.

Chase Bank in Belmont Shore is at 5200 E. Second St.

BAMBOO CLUB’S SPOOKTACULAR MOVIE NIGHTS (Sunday)

The Bamboo Club, a tiki bar, is located in the Zafaria District in Long Beach. Photos courtesy of The Bamboo Club.

Every Wednesday and Sunday through the month of October, tiki bar Bamboo Club is hosting a spooky movie night.

Sunday, Oct. 16th’s showing will screen the 1987 film “Monster Squad.” The event will have complimentary popcorn available, as well as Halloween-themed cocktail specials. Full-service dinner will also be available for those who’d like to dine during the movie.

The event is free to attend. Movie starts at 7:30. Check out Bamboo Club’s Instagram for more information, click here.

Bamboo Club is at 3522 E. Anaheim St.

SOUNDBATH WITH CIDERS (Sunday)

Courtesy flyer.

This special event at Ficklewood Ciderworks in Downtown is emulating the popular beer and yoga-styled events with a sound bath and ciders version.

Patrons who purchase a ticket can experience an hourlong sound bath presented by a practitioner from The Sound Bath Studio and afterward enjoy a complimentary glass of cider.

For those who are unfamiliar with sound baths, it’s essentially a music experience popular in holistic medicine that creates ambient music by gongs, singing bowls, chimes, rattles, tuning forks, and other instruments that aim to guide participants into a meditative state. Generally, though, it’s a very pleasant and relaxing experience that’s great for reducing stress and anxiety.

Tickets for the experience cost $40 and may be purchased online. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

Ficklewood Ciderworks is at 720 E. Broadway.

THE ENERGY OF COLOR EXHIBITION (Sunday)

A glass sculpture by artist Paula Prager. Image courtesy Paula Prager.

Local artist Paula Prager is hosting an artist’s reception Sunday, Oct. 16 for her latest exhibition, “The Energy of Color,” inspired by the creative process and how artistic energy can transfer to the viewer.

Prager’s art is largely focused on watercolor paintings and glass sculptures. Her exhibition at the Alpert Jewish Community Center features 24 paintings and 14 sculptures. The exhibition, which is free to attend, will be up until Oct. 28, but those who visit on Sunday can meet the artist.

The reception is from 2-4 p.m. Click here for more information.

The Alpert Jewish Community Center is at 3801 E. Willow St.

SPONSORED BY THE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES

Former President George Bush kicked off the inaugural season of the Distinguished Speaker Series of Long Beach taking the stage Sept. 20, 2021. Courtesy photo.

Already well established as a Southern California cultural institution, the Distinguished Speakers Series of Long Beach has lined up an all-star array of live presenters. Now in its second season at the Terrace Theatre in Long Beach, the speakers include Ken Burns, Misty Copeland, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Admiral James Stavridis, Cristina Mittermeier, and Bob Eubanks sharing the stage with Ticket to Ride.

The Series is sold in subscription packages ranging from $210 to $660 for all six evenings. Each presentation begins at 8:00pm. The season runs from October 2022 to April 2023. On six different evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series will bring neighbors together for some of the world’s most influential, timely, and captivating speakers.

“We search the globe to find great speakers whose leadership, accomplishments and opinions challenge us. This season we look forward to riveting personal stories, epic photos taking us on global adventures, learning from science and historical greats and laughing and listening in awe, “said co-owner Kathy Winterhalder. “What makes our series unique is that instead of the media selecting the sound bites or quotes, our patrons can listen, submit questions and create their own opinion,” said Winterhalder. For information on the series visit – www.speakersla.com.

The Terrace Theatre is at 300 E. Ocean Blvd.