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.
If you thought summer took away festivals with it, this weekend says otherwise. This weekend we’ve got your natural festival: music. Then, a festival for Veterans Day. Even a festival for shopping.
There’s more, of course, but you know what to do: Get to scrollin’!
STORM LARGE – CARPENTER CENTER (Thursday)
Kicking off the Carpenter Center’s “Cabaret Stage” portion of their 2021-2022 season is Storm Large, a dynamic and “sensational,” as the New York Times once said, singer and performer, who will be performing her interpretations of the American songbook and Broadway showstoppers Thursday, Nov. 11.
In her 30-year run as a vocalist, Large’s career is extensive, with high points reaching to performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Grammy winner k.d. lang, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer George Clinton and, most recently, an impressive run with “America’s Got Talent.”
Check out Large’s stunning audition performance with America’s Got Talent this year:
Tickets range from $45-$55 and may be purchased online, click here.
The Richard and Karen Carpenter Center is at 6200 E. Atherton St on the Cal State Long Beach Campus.
MOVIES & MOONLIGHT “MAMMA MIA!” – 2ND & PCH (Friday)
Catch a free outdoor movie screening of “Mamma Mia!” at 2nd & PCH Friday, Nov. 12 as part of the Movies & Moonlight series at the dining and shopping center.
The movie begins at 6 p.m. but early arrival is encouraged so you can stake your spot along the main street, Seaport Way, which is blocked off to traffic.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets as complimentary seating is limited and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. There will be heaters stationed outside, though getting a spot near those will also be first-come-first-serve.
The center requests that all attendees adhere to social distancing.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
NEW BLUES FESTIVAL – SHORELINE AQUATIC PARK (Saturday)
Fourteen bands will take stage this Saturday, Nov. 13 at Shoreline Aquatic Park for the 8th annual New Blues Festival, a feel-good affair heralding some of the most revered jazz and blues artists of our time—and right here in Long Beach no less.
This year’s headliner is singer and guitarist Tito Jackson, one of the brothers from the Jackson 5. Attendees can also catch sets from Sugaray Rayford, Laurie Morvan, Lester Lands and the New Blues Revolution band, whose frontman produces the festival every year.
In good festival fashion, the New Blues Revolution will have food trucks and vendors, bars and a beer trailer. Tickets range from a $50 general admission ticket to $150 VIP ticket, which offers special backstage access and meet and greets with the artists, among other perks.
Festival starts at 9 a.m. For more information, to purchase tickets and to see the rest of the lineup, click here.
Shoreline Aquatic Park is at 200 Aquarium Way.
HARVEST FOR HEROES FESTIVAL – PINE AVENUE (Saturday)
A free block party with live music, food and drink, roaming street performers, art and more will be taking over multiple blocks on Historic Pine Avenue Saturday, Nov. 13, in honor of Veterans Day.
The day-long festival is produced by local cannabis chain Catalyst Cannabis and will feature three stages—two for music and performances and one featuring guest talks from veterans and top experts in natural medicine and health.
Featured performances include Chali2na and House of Vibe Allstars, Common Sense, Kaleo from Pepper, Long Beach Dub All Stars and more. Professional goofy-style skater, Boo Johnson, will be treading on a special skatepark that will be at the intersection of Fifth Street and Pine Avenue.
The first 250 veterans to receive a special Veterans wristband by stopping by the veteran’s booth on Fifth Street and Pine Avenue will be gifted a free BBQ dinner courtesy Stiizy and also the option to purchase a gift bag of natural medicine products for $1 at the Catalyst dispensary at 433 Pine Ave.
Donations from the event will benefit a number of veterans organizations, including Veterans Cannabis Group; Local Hearts Foundation; MEDVETS; Patriots and Paws; VetNet; Vet Paw and Warriors Road.
Harvest for Heroes is from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Pine Avenue in Downtown. Catalyst Cannabis is at 433 Pine Ave.
PATCHWORK SHOW MAKERS FESTIVAL – MARINE STADIUM (Saturday & Sunday)
The Patchwork Show Makers Festival is a free biannual craft fair that sets up shop around Southern California offering local artists, crafters and designers a space to showcase their handmade goods in an affordable venue. After a fateful hiatus for reasons we’re all aware, the Patchwork Festival is back again this Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14 at Marine Stadium.
Long Beach is Patchwork’s biggest event each year, and Saturday’s festival will be no exception with over 200 makers and artists expected, selling a variety of goods such as handbags, jewelry, home goods, ceramics, clothing for men, women, children, knits and crochets, apothecary items—a lot of stuff, you get it.
What’s more, every vendor selected in the show has been selected by a jury as a way to ensure that the festival offers a wide array of high-quality, one-of-a-kind gifts and products.
Attendees can also check out some art demonstrations, live music, and in the inevitability that all that shopping makes you hungry, rest assured there will be food trucks stationed on-site.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Click here for more information.
Marine Stadium is at 5255 E. Paoli Way.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Saturday & Sunday)
For the last 20 years, the Aquarium has honored and celebrated the diversity and traditions of Asian cultures with the Autumn Festival, a two-day event with live music and dance, cultural arts exhibits, craft demonstrations, and storytelling from China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines.
Now back and in-person, the Aquarium will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13-14.
The event is free to attend, so long as you’ve bought entry into the aquarium which costs $36.95 per adult (ages 12+), $26.95 per child (ages 3-11), $33.95 per senior (ages 62+). Children 3 and younger get free entry.
The Autumn Festival starts at 9 a.m. with ongoing festivities until 5 p.m. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.
MIDDLE EASTERN RECIPES AND STORIES WITH CHEF AVI SHEMTOV – ALPERT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER (Sunday)
Learn the ways of Israeli and Middle Eastern cooking from lauded chef and “The Simcha Cookbook” author, Avi Shemtov Sunday, Nov. 14 at Alpert Jewish Community Center.
Shemtov, who also owns the Chubby Chickpea Food Truck, will share recipes and stories from his travels and career as a chef working toward popularizing Middle Eastern food, without compromising on integrity of quality.
The event costs $10 to attend. Deadline to purchase a ticket is Nov. 12. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Guests must show proof of being fully vaccinated in order to attend.
The Alpert Jewish Community Center is at 3801 E. Willow St.
SPONSORED BY LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
BEETHOVEN AND FOOD TRUCKS? (Saturday)
An unlikely pairing, but a match made in heaven!
After 20 months away the Long Beach Symphony launches its 2021-22 Classical Series season on Saturday, November 13th with a celebratory return. Arrive at 6:30pm to enjoy a selection of food trucks and cocktails, fire pits and lounge seating on the Plaza of the Terrace Theater.
The evening will feature Aaron Copland’s stirring Fanfare for the Common Man followed by the brilliant Ballade for Orchestra by highly acclaimed British composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
The program concludes with the melodically rich Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven, which he considered his most excellent symphony. Buy a subscription to the entire 5-show season, starting at $110, or single tickets starting at $32. Masks and proof of vaccination are required. Concert begins promptly at 8pm. Saturday, November 13, 8pm. Long Beach Terrace Theater.
Tickets available at LongBeachSymphony.org or at 562-436-3203, ext. 1.
SPONSORED BY THE LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS
LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS CONCERT LEVERAGES MUSIC TO FOSTER HUMAN COMPASSION – JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL (Sunday)
The Long Beach Camerata Singers return to the stage Sunday, Nov. 14, with “PEACE PROJECT FIVE: Reconciliation,” a performance designed to leverage music as a force for understanding.
The 75-voice chorus — led by Grammy Award winning Artistic Director, Dr. James K. Bass — will perform works composed and arranged by Black musicians.
Featured on the program is a newly-commissioned piece by Richard Danielpour, and Vice Mayor Rex Richardson will participate in the concert as the Narrator, connecting the audience to the music with information, inspiration and poetry.
The 4:30 p.m. concert at Jordan High School includes admission to an advance 3 p.m. roundtable moderated by Dr. Derrell Acon, who will guide Black community leaders through a dialog about the power of the performing arts in fostering human compassion.
Tickets to the event at Jordan High School start at $40 and are available now, click here to purchase.