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.
Leading up to this weekend we’ve found some events that encourage you to get outdoors, have a few laughs or chill out to some cool tunes.
An animal theme also seemed to make its way onto this week’s list, with a bulldog meet up and a Jaguar show, though the latter runs on four wheels than legs.
Get to scrollin’!
DOWNTOWN RUNNERS 5K – BIRDIES N’ BREWS (Wednesday)
Downtown Runners, a non-profit designed to encourage community exercise, is hosting a group 5K run in the Downtown area this Wednesday, Feb. 16.
All you need to do is bring a pair of running shoes and meet at the Downtown brewery Birdies n’ Brews at 6:15 p.m. Group sets off at 6:30 p.m. to Lions Lighthouse and back. Afterwards, grab a well deserved slice of (free) pizza courtesy Speak Cheezy.
The event is free to attend and happens every Wednesday. Follow Downtown Runners Facebook page, click here, to keep up with future runs.
Birdies n’ Brews is at 90 E. Fourth Street.
“TIKI HA HA” COMEDY SHOW – BAMBOO CLUB (Thursday)
Last month the local tiki bar, Bamboo Club, launched a new comedy series known as “Tiki Ha Ha” that starred five rising comedians, and they’re back for a second rendition this Thursday, Feb. 17.
Hosted by Christian Senrud, this week’s lineup includes comedians Dave Stone, Rivers Langley, Kelly Ryan, Cooper Lyden and Jessica Rosas.
In addition to a stellar selection of tiki cocktails, the bar offers its full menu until 1 a.m and a late-night yakitori menu until 2 a.m.
Show is from 7-10 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased online for $10, click here, dinner and cocktails not included. Tickets cost $15 if purchased at the door.
Bamboo Club is at 3522 E. Anaheim St.
THE GOOD FOOT – ALEX’S BAR (Friday)
Long Beach’s favorite (and longest-running) funk and soul dance party is back at Alex’s Bar Friday, Feb. 18.
Starting at 8 p.m., catch the original Good Foot crew—DJ Dennis Owens, DJ Lili Bird and DJ Scott Weaver—spinning all the funk, soul, cumbia, Latin sounds and more. No cover.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
SIPPING N’ SHOPPING – LONG BEACH BEER LAB (Saturday)
Wrigley’s Long Beach Beer Lab is hosting an all-ages craft market fair at its brewery Saturday, Feb. 19.
Check out over 15 local vendors, selling vintage and artisan wares, including clothing, jewelry, mixed media art and more.
There will also be games and crafts as well as a free raffle for all attendees who arrive by 4 p.m.
The pop-up will run from 1-6 p.m. and is free to attend.
Long Beach Beer Lab is at 518 W. Willow St.
LONG BEACH BULLDOG MEET UP – HEARTWELL PARK (Sunday)
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Bulldog owners are invited to spend the morning together on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Heartwell Park.
Organized by Long Beach Bulldog Meet Up, the local group is hoping to create a pup-loving community around the bully breeds.
The gathering from 9 to 11 a.m. is free to attend, just bring your pooch.
Heartwell Park is at 5312 Parkcrest St.
‘MAYA-ANIMALS’ JAGUAR CAR SHOW – FUEGO RESTAURANT (Sunday)
Brunch at Hotel Maya’s Fuego restaurant will also feature a car show Sunday, Feb. 20 courtesy of the hotel’s “Maya-Animals” attraction, a new dining series that aims to highlight and educate patrons about the many animals whose characteristics the Mayans assigned to their deities.
This month’s animal spotlight is the jaguar, considered to be the most famous and spiritual of the Mayan animals, according to the hotel. The jaguar is also a “near-threatened” species according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) so a live demonstration, as Hotel Maya had with a hawk last month, wasn’t gonna happen.
So, Fuego called upon the Jaguar Owners Club, Los Angeles, to bring over more than 30 of their pristine Jaguar cars, including one you could consider endangered—the classic 1956 Jaguar XK140MC OTS.
The event from noon to 3 p.m. is free to attend but does require a dining reservation. Reservations can be made online, click here, or by calling 562-481-3910.
Hotel Maya is at 700 Queensway Drive. Fuego restaurant is located inside the hotel.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
EXPERTS SHARE HOW REPURPOSED OFFSHORE RIGS CAN SERVE AS ARTIFICIAL REEFS – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Wednesday, March 2)
A presentation by Blue Latitudes Foundation Co-Presidents Emily Hazelwood and Amber Sparks, “Rigs as Reefs: Reimagining our Energy Past as our Eco-Friendly Future,” digs into how oil platforms can be repurposed into artificial reefs and used as monitoring stations for marine life.
During the First Wednesdays event series at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the guest speakers — both on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the energy sector — will showcase their work to develop sustainable, creative and cost-effective solutions for complex environmental issues that surround the offshore energy community in California and beyond. They will talk about what the future might look like at the intersection of industry and the environment.
The free event will be capped off with a cash bar cocktail hour, coloring, music and a paint-a-fish activity from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Honda Pacific Visions Theater. Reservations are required and may be made online or by calling 562-590-3100. Attendance requires proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or a negative test.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
PRESIDENT’S DAY EXTENDED HOURS – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Saturday & Sunday)
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific with special extended hours during President’s Day Weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20, the Aquarium will remain open until 8:00pm so visitors can enjoy a sunset over Rainbow Harbor from the Aquarium’s Harbor Terrace and Veranda and take in the nighttime activities of over 12,000 animals including sharks, jellies, and sea otters and more than 100 exhibits!
Advance reservations are required so book your holiday weekend tickets while they last and come enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Aquarium after dark.
Visit aquariumofpacific.org for reservations and details.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.