This week’s all about live music. Catch it on the bay, inside a punk rock bar, or on the seaside patio at Hotel Maya.
We’ve also got a pet photography photoshoot for a good cause, two restaurant grand openings (one even offering free meals) and a free outdoor movie screenings kids can enjoy. And, to cap things off, a makers mart and the Downtown Taco Festival.
Get to scrollin’!
MOVIES & MOONLIGHT: SECRET LIFE OF PETS – 2ND & PCH (Thursday)
Catch a free outdoor movie screening of “The Secret Life of Pets” at 2nd & PCH Thursday, May 20 as part of the Movies & Moonlight series at the dining and shopping center.
The movie begins at sunset (roughly 7:30), but it’s best to arrive early to stake your spot along the main street, which is blocked off to traffic. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets as complimentary seating is limited.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
TATTOOS AND RESCUES ANIMAL FUNDRAISER – V BURGER (Thursday)
Bring your dogs and your proud parent-selves over to vegan burger joint, V Burger, Thursday May 20 between 10 a.m. and noon or 2 to 4 p.m. to have your photo professionally taken with your pup for $20.
The event is in collaboration with Long Beach Food and Beverage that will donate the proceeds to the city’s animal shelter, Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Though the event is marketed toward tattooed individuals and their pups, any dog owners are welcome to come get their photos taken, but reservations are required. Those photographed will have their photo hung inside V Burger, as well as a print of their own to take home.
To book your appointment, click here.
V Burger is at 420 Cherry Ave.
BANDS ON THE BAY – SAN PEDRO FISH MARKET (Thursday)
The San Pedro Fish Market Long Beach, the one not located in Ports O’ Call San Pedro, but at Alamitos Bay, kicked off its new spring series Bands on the Bay in April where guests can enjoy live music while they dine.
This week’s featured act is acoustic artist Paul Lemire performing a selection of Top 40 covers from 3 to 6 p.m. which is also Happy Hour at the restaurant and features $5 draft beer, $6 wines by the glass and a selection of $7 specialty cocktails.
Enjoy a wide selection of family-style seafood trays, fresh fish entrees, cocktails and more while you listen to some relaxing tunes and catch those sweet waterfront views on their very spacious outdoor patio (or dining room, that’s open, too).
The San Pedro Fish Market Long Beach is at 6550 E. Marina Drive.
CINNAHOLIC GRAND OPENING – 2ND STREET (Friday)
The vegan, gourmet cinnamon roll company that blew judges’ minds on ABC’s show “Shark Tank,” Cinnaholic, is opening its first brick-and-mortar in Long Beach Friday, May 21.
Enjoy a wide variety of cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies and cookie doughs you can tailor to your liking with over 40 different frostings and toppings to choose from.
The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cinnaholic is at 5305 Second St.
UPTOWN COMMONS GRAND OPENING (Saturday)
The first 50 customers to dine at Portside Fish Co., Shomi Noods Ramen Bar, Main Chick Hot Chicken and Oi Asian Fusion at Uptown Commons Saturday May 22 can enjoy a free meal from one of the restaurants as part of a “grand opening” promotion.
Though the outdoor dining area in North Long Beach has been open since fall 2020, Uptown Commons is finally celebrating with the community now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased.
The event will also feature live music by Santa Ana’s Academy of DJs and a raffle for a new TV. Event starts at noon.
Uptown Commons is at 625 E. Artesia Blvd.
LGBTQ MARIACHI PRIDE CELEBRATION – FUEGO AT HOTEL MAYA (Sunday)
Latin Fusion restaurant Fuego at Hotel Maya is celebrating pride week with a specialty brunch and live entertainment from Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, considered the word’s first LGBTQ+ Mariachi band.
The eight-piece outfit was founded by Carlos Samaniego, an out gay man, and Natalia Melendez, who is known as the first transgender female in the history of mariachis, who sought to create their own safe space to perform despite traditional and sometimes discriminatory notions within Mexican Mariachi culture of who can perform the beloved genre.
Fuego’s brunch includes house specials such as Cuban braised short ribs, cilantro lime chicken tacos and executive chef Victor Juarez’s recommendation, caramelized plantains.
The show runs from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Fuego is in Hotel Maya at 700 Queensway Drive.
FRANK AND DINO SHOW – ALEX’S BAR (Saturday)
Catch a live set with two musicians—Frank Meyer and Dino Everett—of the LA punk outfit Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs Saturday, May 22 at Alex’s Bar. Lineup also includes Albert At 6 Garcia and Rico Villanueva.
Expect both original music and covers. Show starts at 4 p.m. No cover charge.
Alex’s Bar will be providing the booze with food by Outwest Kitchen.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
CREATIVE COMMUNAL LOCALS MARKET – 2nd & PCH (Sunday)
Since near the outset of the pandemic, 2nd & PCH has blocked off Seaport Way, its main road inside the shopping center to traffic, allowing guests to freely roam about.
This Sunday, May 23, Creative Communal locals market is taking over Seaport Way inviting locals to come check out the wares from over 20 local and regional artists and makers during this open-air event, which is free to attend.
2nd & PCH is also offering activities for children and photo ops for families.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
LONG BEACH TACO FESTIVAL – SCOTTISH RITE EVENT CENTER (Sunday)
On Sunday, May 23, the parking lot at the Scottish Rite Event Center will be overrun with the sights and smells of sizzling tacos from 10 vendors with the inaugural Long Beach Taco Festival.
Though the lineup of vendors is still being nailed down, so far, the festival will feature tacos from Mini Birrieria, Bryan’s Birrieria, Savage Tacos Truck and Junkies LBC.
More restaurants and vendors will be announced leading up to the festival.
Entertainment for the six-hour event (noon-6 p.m.) will feature performances by Boyle Heights-based Spaghetti Cumbia, Los Angeles’ Cara Borracho, funk DJ and producer King Steady Beat, groove-infused cumbia band Los Surlys, and genre-blending Long Beach DJ Tiki Rumbero.
The festival is brought to you by lifestyle website Long Beach Living in collaboration with Roxanne’s Bar.
Tickets range from $20 to $60. A $20 ticket buys entry and one taco. $40 includes entry, one taco and beer. And a $60 VIP ticket includes entry, one taco, beer, a paleta and specialty access to the VIP bar. Click here to purchase tickets.
To ensure the safety of attendees, the event organizers require all guests have their temperatures taken upon entry.
The Scottish Rite Event Center is at 855 Elm Ave.