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.
Long Beach is starting off the weekend strong with two local markets worth checking out—one that’s all about garden-grown produce, and the other about supporting local businesses. And, locals can welcome the launch of a new queer community gathering and unique, thought-provoking art exhibition.
Of course, there’s more, but you know what to do: Get to scrollin’!
CHEERS FOR QUEERS MIXER – BEACHWOOD BREWING (Thursday)
A new monthly event series organized by Visit Gay Long Beach and the Safe Spaces Alliance is launching Thursday, March 24 at Beachwood Brewing, inviting Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ community and allies to an evening of drinks, dancing, giveaways and fun.
“We are ecstatic to launch our new initiative, ‘Cheers for Queers’ with Beachwood Brewing sponsoring and hosting,” said Ellie Perez, Executive Director of Visit Gay Long Beach and Co-Founder of the SafeSpaces Alliance and Cheers to Queers in a statement. “It’s the next step in directly connecting our LGBTQ+ community to the businesses that have taken our “You Are Welcome Here” pledge, sending a bold message of inclusion and solidarity to our community in Long Beach and beyond.”
The free mixer will offer attendees a variety of drink specials and giveaways with a live DJ spinning lively tunes throughout the three-hour gathering. Future “Cheers to Queers” events will happen at LGBTQ+ and allied businesses across the city. Follow Visit Gay Long Beach to stay updated.
“Cheers to Queers” is from 5-8 p.m. Click here to RSVP. Must be 21+ in order to attend.
Beachwood Brewing is at 210 E. Third St.
WETLANDS CLEAN UP – DEFOREST PARK (Friday & Saturday)
View this post on Instagram
Help spruce up the DeForest wetlands in the DeForest Park area Friday and Saturday March 25-26 with the helpful folk from nonprofit Pueblita.
The clean-up is free to attend, but the first 50 who arrive will be awarded with free breakfast.
The Wetlands Cleanup is from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP.
DeForest Park is at 6255 De Forest Ave.
MERKADO POP-UP – BIXBY KNOLLS (Saturday)
View this post on Instagram
KUBO, a new community and event center, is hosting its first Merkado Pop-Up, a market featuring local Filipino-owned food and arts businesses Saturday, March 26 in Bixby Knolls.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. check out eight local food businesses featuring Filipino cuisine including hot food, pastries and desserts. Guests can also peruse nine booths with wares from local artists and makers.
Merkado Pop-Up is open to the public, however entry is donation-based and costs $2-5 on a sliding scale.
KUBO event center is at 345 E. Carson St.
SEEDLING MARKET & FUNDRAISER – ZAFERIA JUNCTION COMMUNITY GARDEN (Saturday)
Long Beach Organic’s annual plant fundraiser, Plants R Us, is back Saturday, March 26 with a four-hour farmers market where visitors can purchase seedlings from the Zaferia Junction Community Garden to get their head start on their own gardens.
Pick from a variety of spring and summer vegetable seedlings, including tomatoes, peppers, squash, lettuce, eggplant, herbs and more. Those who would like to order ahead of time can visit Long Beach Organic’s website, here, and pick your produce. Proceeds will benefit Long Beach Organic.
Plants R Us is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Zaferia Junction Community Garden is at 3709 E. 10th St
“CONCEPTS OF HOME” EXHIBITION – RANCHO LOS CERRITOS (Sunday)
On Sunday, March 27 Rancho Los Cerritos Museum is unveiling a new and never-before-seen exhibition that’s all about home life, exploring the complex concept of family, belonging and domestic life through oral histories, video interviews, photographs and autographs.
“Roots in California: Concepts of Home” is a multidimensional show, where guests can check out historical photos and artifacts of Mexican and Mexican-Americans who lived at the Rancho Los Cerritos adobe home over a century ago while also hearing the stories from those tenants. Juxtaposing those historical elements will be contemporary stories throughout the gallery in video interviews where Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living across California today will share what home means to them.
See the year-long exhibition first and for free by RSVPing to the opening day celebration, click here, which will include a tour, children’s activities and food and beverage for sale.
Rancho Los Cerritos is at 4600 E. Virginia Road.
SPONSORED BY LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
PAUL SHAFFER PRESENTS: AN EVENING OF LEGENDARY ANECDOTES AND MUSIC (Saturday)
Presented by your Long Beach Symphony, and series sponsor F&M Bank, the legendary Paul Shaffer will share symphonic renditions of his favorite pop, R&B and jazz tunes. David Letterman’s longtime sidekick and musical director, will take you on a fascinating journey with his stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes, and will welcome special guest and Motown legend Valerie Simpson (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “I’m Every Woman”) to the stage as a part of this exciting show.
Join in an evening of music, dancing, picnicking and libations on Saturday, March 26th. Doors of the Long Beach Arena (300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach) will open at 6:30. Performance starts at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased at LongBeachSymphony.org. Single tickets start as low as $30. For tickets, go to LongBeachSymphony.org or call 562-436-3203, ext. 1. Proof of Covid vaccination is required for entry. Masks are recommended though not required at this time. This performance is generously sponsored by Craig Dougherty and Jayne Lastusky, and Dougherty Company Insurance Brokers.
The Long Beach Arena is at 300 E. Ocean Blvd.