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 this new year already has you feeling like drinking, we feel you. What’s nice is that Long Beach is one of those cities that’s overflowing with businesses ready to hand you an ice-cold beer or a room-temp whiskey. Speaking of whiskey, we’ve heard word that The Social List is upping its ante and has a rather nice selection of top-shelf whiskey for you to splurge on. This weekend also has a lovely variety of live shows to catch, from rock powerhouses to some all-vinyl DJ sets spinning funk, soul and Latin beats.
We’ve also found a few food events, one where you can help give back to the community and another with some unique game meats to sample.
Also, Happy Lunar New Year!
Get to scrollin’!
PAY IT FORWARD – EVERYTABLE (Wednesday – Friday)
Locals who patronize the new Everytable restaurant in Downtown will also have the option of buying a meal for a person in need.
Whether you plan to dine or not, patrons can visit the store to purchase a meal (or more) that will be donated directly to people experiencing food insecurity in Long Beach.
The five-day promotion, dubbed “Pay It Forward,” is a collaboration between Everytable, which sells healthy and affordable grab-and-go meals, and local non-profit, Local Hearts Foundation.
Promotion ends Feb. 4. For more information click here. Everytable is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Everytable in Downtown is at 421 W. Broadway.
WHISKEY TIME – THE SOCIAL LIST (Wednesday – Sunday)
If fine whiskey is your jam, now would be the time to visit The Social List in Retro Row. For a limited time (meaning, until it’s gone), The Social List will be pouring a selection of top-shelf whiskeys, including some brands such as Pappy Van Winkle, which are notoriously difficult to get your hands on—and not cheap if you do.
Their selection includes:
- E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon
- A Midwinters Night Dram, Act 9, Scene 4
- Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year
- Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year
- Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
- George T. Stagg Straight Bourbon
- Stagg Jr.
- Rock Hill Farms Bourbon
- Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye
- W.L. Weller Full Proof
- W.L. Weller 12 Year
- W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B.
- William Larue Weller
The Social List is open Tuesday through Sunday. Click here to visit the restaurant’s website.
The Social List is at 2105 E. Fourth St.
INK & DRINK – SUPPLY & DEMAND (Thursday)
Sip a pint while you draw and doodle with other artists at the Ink & Drink art party Thursday, Feb. 3 at Supply & Demand. If you’ve never been before, just know it’s a great place to meet fellow artists in a relaxed setting with some great tunes; spinning vinyl on Friday will be DJs Buckshot Pennyworth and Father of Chrome.
Supply & Demand provides supplies, such as pencils and pens as well as the butcher paper covering tables, which are stationed throughout the whole bar. But, guests are welcome to bring their own supplies if so inclined.
Ink & Drink starts at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old to enter the bar and proof of full vaccination is required. As per city regulation, masks are required while indoors except while eating or drinking.
The event is free to attend.
Supply & Demand is at 2500 E. Anaheim St.
THE CRUZADOS CONCERT – ALEX’S BAR (Friday)
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Rock out Friday, Feb. 4 at Alex’s Bar with the Cruzados, an LA-based rock band that burned hard and fast in the ’80s, opening on worldwide stages with Fleetwood Mac, Joe Walsh, Billy Idol, Warren Zevon, Stevie Wonder and the Hot Red Chili Peppers before calling it quits two albums later.
Alas, the siren’s call to keep performing has beckoned the band back along with a new album, “She’s Automatic!” which was released on Jan. 28. The new album is also dedicated to original drummer Chalo Quintana who died in 2018 and guitarist Marshall Rohner who died in 2005.
Local rock outfit Blind House will also be performing, alongside Tastee Nuggz and the Soviet Machine. Tickets cost $12.80 and may be purchased online, click here.
Must be 21 years or older to see the show along with proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test taken at least 72 hours before the show. Masks are required while indoors. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
THE JUMP OFF DJ NIGHT – THE GRASSHOPPER (Friday)
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Local DJ The Portuguese Lover (formerly Esubio Akasa) is taking over the turntables at The Grasshopper Friday evening, prepped to spin all the old- and new-school funk, soul, hip-hop and Latin beats that’s made his DJ nights (Swim Skool/De La Playa) some of the most popular in Long Beach.
Joining him is DJ Eclectic1uan (co-founder of La Pheeque and Not Quite Disco).
The Feb. 4 show is free to attend; music starts at 9 p.m. Must be 21 years or older and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Masks required when indoors.
The Grasshopper is at 136 E. Anaheim St.
FIRST FRIDAYS – BIXBY KNOLLS (Friday)
This Friday, Feb. 4, the Bixby Knolls Business Corridor, a stretch of businesses along Atlantic Avenue between Cartagena Street and Claiborne Drive, will unfurl into a block party of sorts, with restaurants and businesses hosting activities and promotions, artists setting up tables and booths for perusing and heaps of live music on nearly every corner.
Generally, the event would host part of its festivities in the Expo Arts Center, but in light of omicron the event is keeping things outside. But, visitors can check out displays out front from Able Arts and the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, as well as artists’ pop-ups and live music by Majic Bullet Theory.
If you’re not too keen on walking the entire event, the double-decker Big Red Bus will be motoring around the Bixby Knolls district offering guests a free ride to the area’s myriad breweries and restaurants.
Click here for a complete list of music and events. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
First Fridays takes place along a stretch of Atlantic Avenue, but a good starting point is the Expo Arts Center at 4321 Atlantic Ave.
SELTZERLAND – BIXBY VILLAGE GOLF COURSE (Saturday)
A new hard seltzer tasting festival is taking over the grass at the Bixby Village Golf Course Saturday, Feb. 5.
Attendees can sample over 100 flavors of hard seltzers from market-dominating brands like White Claw and Truly to newer varieties like Cool Cat and Playamar by Jose Cuervo.
Set on the grass that will be free of golfers, guests will be taken on a two-and-a-half-hour tour, staggered and spaced out along a two-mile trek to comply with social distancing. Expect to stay about 10 minutes at each booth while you sip two-ounce pours, hear about the brands, play games, grab some free merch and pose for photo ops along the way.
Tickets for Seltzerland are offered in two tiers. General Admission is $35 and includes the full tasting experience. A VIP ticket costs $55 and includes the full tasting experience plus a free commemorative tasting glass, a complimentary can of hard seltzer, a specialty cocktail and a free snack.
Tickets can be purchased online, click here. Tickets may only be purchased in advance; tickets will not be sold at the door. Click here for more information on the event.
Bixby Village Golf Course is at 6180 Bixby Village Drive.
FREE SAUSAGE & CHICKEN WING TASTING – BBQLAND (Saturday)
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East Long Beach barbecue business, BBQland, is hosting a free sample tasting on Saturday, Feb. 5, inviting the community to try out eight different varieties of game sausage and some of their specialty chicken wings.
Some of the game tasting sample options include southwest buffalo, hickory-smoked ostrich, pork and alligator andouille, plus venison with merlot wine and more. Chicken wings will be available in a variety of rubs and sauces including garlic Parmesan, honey BBQ, buffalo, ghost pepper and lemon pepper.
BBQland will also host a free raffle, with prizes including tickets for the Long Beach Dirtbags opening game night weekend and some high end meats.
The sample tasting is from 1-4 p.m.
BBQland is at 6336 E. Spring St.
SPONSORED BY THE LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
LOVE IS IN THE AIR IN FEBRUARY – LONG BEACH SYMPHONY (Saturday)
Love is in the air in February… and there’s no better place to celebrate than the Symphony! On February 5th, Valentine’s Day comes early as the Long Beach Symphony presents the stunning works of two romantic era composers (and siblings) Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn alongside contemporary composer Anne Clyne.
Bookended by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s virtuosic Overture in C and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian,” which projects the brilliance and vibrancy of his travels through that country, Anne Clyne’s “Dance” is inspired by the poetry of the 13th century Persian poet and mystic, Rumi. The Long Beach Symphony will be joined by Israeli-born cellist, Inbal Segev, for whom this piece was composed.
Show starts at 8:00pm with a 7:00pm pre-show talk featuring Long Beach Symphony Musical Director, Eckart Preu. Outdoor bars, lounge seating and firepits on the Plaza. Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and masks required for entry. Individual tickets as low as $32 or bundle 3 concerts for $66! LongBeachSymphony.org or call 562-436-3203, ext. 1.