Now that Long Beach has qualified for the less restrictive “red tier,” many of the simple joys we took for granted, such as seeing a movie in an actual theater, live music and indoor dining have returned, albeit in limited capacity. This means lots more for you to consider doing this weekend. Hooray! Also, since it’s St. Patrick’s Day today, we’ve got a couple of ideas for you, too.

Have at it!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN LONG BEACH (Wednesday)

Bird’s-eye view of Seaport Way, an area of 2nd & PCH shopping center blocked off to traffic. On St. Patrick’s Day local Irish musicians will be performing a blend of traditional Irish music. Image courtesy 2nd & PCH.

All across the city, bars that serve food are ready for indoor and outdoor St. Patricks Day celebrations, including the Auld Dubliner (open from 11 a.m. to midnight) with kegs of Guinness, traditional Irish fare and live music by the Irish folk outfit, The Whooligans. More info, click here.

Irish-owned tavern The Ordinarie, is offering a special St. Patricks Day menu with corned beef and cabbage, corned beef sandwiches and and Irish whiskey cocktails. The Ordinarie will be open for limited indoor and outdoor dining from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details, here.

Punk and rockabilly band THE ROCKETZ will be hosting a socially distant show on the patio at Alex’s Bar for the holiday, with a special St. Patrick’s Day menu provided by Outwest Kitchen. Click here to see the menu. Alex’s Bar will be open with limited capacity from 4 to 11 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Click here for more info.

The Gaslamp will also be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Irish food and drink specials. Live Irish tunes will be provided by The Privateers. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. Click here for details.

Outdoor shopping center, 2nd & PCH will be hosting local musicians from 2:30 to 8 p.m. playing a blend of traditional Irish music featuring bagpiper Dave Champagne, Celtic folk band Reaver Ship led by uilleann pipe player Steve Pribyl and the Long Beach-based Irish band The Peatheads. 2nd & PCH is located at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.

PARK THE VAN SXSW ONLINE SHOW (Friday)

In lieu of the Austin-based festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), where musicians signed to Long Beach’s record label, Park the Van, would have been performing live, the indie record label is hosting a special livestream performance featuring the talents from six of the label’s newly signed artists. Catch short sets from BOYO, Neighbor Lady, Mae Powell, Steven Bamidele, Best Move and Johnny Aries.

Click here to register and for the lineup schedule. Show starts Friday March 19 at 6:55 p.m. Texas time, which means show starts at 4:55 p.m. for you, Long Beach.

DINO GLOW DRIVE-BY CIRCUS WITH AERIAL BUTTERFLIES (Friday)

Like many entertainment businesses, cirque performance group, Aerial Butterflies, had to pivot its  business model in keeping with coronavirus restrictions of public gatherings. For this live performance company, part of that meant offering curbside cirque shows (see above video). This Friday, March 19, Aerial Butterflies will be performing a birthday celebration show for 7-year-old Pete Toulios.

A selection of performers from the company, including a fire dancer, LED lit juggler, stilt walker and giant dinosaurs will be performing out front of the Toulios home in East Long Beach where the public is also allowed to come watch the free show. Guests are invited to either drive or bike by, or set up their own lawn chairs (socially distant from others) or watch from the street. Show runs from 7 to 8 p.m.

Click here for more info, including address of the event.

SKATE TOURS LONG BEACH MURAL TOUR (Saturday)

Local skate fanatics have organized a special roller-skating tour, inviting anyone in the community to come see the city on four wheels. This Saturday, March 20, locals can meet at the Starbucks at the Pike Outlets (11 The Paseo) and embark on a tour of the city and its many murals led by Jennifer Zimmerman (@lil_lady_kill_her). This tour is made special for beginners, but does require the skater to feel both comfortable and able to safely cross the street.

Here’s a Google map of the route. Meet up is at 11 a.m., roll out at 11:30 a.m. For any inquiries, DM “Coach Nikki” on Instagram, click here or Jennifer Zimmerman.