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.
This weekend we’ve found events for parents looking for something both enriching and fun to do for their kids. We’ve also found a unique (and free) classical concert. Those who live for brunch on the weekends ought to check out a new drag show. And for our oenophiles, we’ve got something for you too.
Get to scrollin’!
VAL DELLE ROSE WINE DINNER (Thursday)
Michael’s on Naples and Val delle Rose Winery have teamed up to present a unique tasting event that pairs the winery’s wine with pork dishes prepared by the restaurant.
The six-course meal was devised by the Italian restaurant’s chef, Eric Samaniego, and features dishes such as pancetta (pork belly) with fried chickpeas and fava beans purée, pappardelle con cinghiale (ribbon pasta with boar sugo) and maiale al latte (milk-braised Beeler’s pork cheeks). Each dish will be paired with one of Val delle Rose’s wines, with the overall experience designed to transport guests’ tastebuds as if they were dining on a Tuscan villa. Click here to see the full menu.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and costs $110 per person. RSVP is required to attend, guests can do so by calling (562) 439-7080.
Michael’s on Naples is at 5620 E. Second St.
“SCANDINAVIAN SUITE:” VIOLIN AND ORGAN CONCERT (Friday)
Historic sanctuary First Congregational Church of Long Beach will be employing its dynamic 70-rank Moeller pipe organ for a special concert by violin and organ musical duo Jochen Brusch and Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen on Friday, March 10.
The world-performing pair, with Brusch on violin and Mikkelsen on organ, will be playing “Scandinavian Suite” by lauded composer Percy Grainger, along with a variety of other works by Scandinavian composers designed specifically for organ and violin accompaniments.
The concert, which begins at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) is free to attend, though the church will accept donations if guests are able to give.
First Congregational Church of Long Beach is at 241 Cedar Ave.
GARDEN ADVENTURES (Saturday)
Adventures to Dreams, a youth-oriented nonprofit that works to help kids within the city’s most under-resourced communities better connect with nature and their food, is hosting its “Garden Adventures” program on Saturday, March 11.
The four-hour event (from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) utilizes the venue’s outdoor garden to teach children about food and gardening and often invites other organizations to provide fun workshops on a variety of educationally enriching subjects. This Saturday, the program has invited Shared Science, a local nonprofit that offers children greater access to fun STEM-related education will be on-site hosting a LEGO building workshop that will tie in engineering design concepts.
The event is free to attend and open to children ages 4 to 16 years old. Snacks and lunch will also be provided.
Adventures to Dreams is at 903 Fairbanks Ave.
“BEAUTY OF ACCEPTANCE” EXHIBITION (Saturday)
When Melissa Watkins was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022, her world shifted. As she grappled with the fear and grief that came with her diagnosis and tough treatments, she decided to take that energy and channel it into something creative.
Enlisting the talents of Los Angeles-based photographer Zachary Lee, she worked to create an exhibition that explores the five stages of grief. Though Watkins is almost on the other side of her battle with breast cancer (she still has one more treatment to go) she hopes her exhibition helps attendees “discuss grief from and positive and hopeful perspective.”
The opening reception is on Saturday, March 11, at the Hellada Gallery from 4-8 p.m. The event is free to attend, but RSVP is recommended. Those who can’t make it to the opening reception on Saturday can see the works at the gallery until March 13.
Hellada Gallery is at 117 Linden Ave.
CHILDREN’S DRAWING AND PAINTING WORKSHOP (Saturday)
Enrichment and learning center Scholars Collective is offering $25 drawing and painting classes with local artist LaJon Miller on Saturday, March 11.
The two-hour workshop is designed to guide children ages 8 and older to develop their artistic skills with a pencil or a brush while getting to create some of their favorite video game or comic book characters.
The class which runs from 3-5 p.m. costs $25. Supplies will be provided. Click here for more information and to sign-up.
Scholars Collective is at 236 E. Third St., Suite 100C.
FIRME: A LATINÉ DRAG BRUNCH (Sunday)
Brunch at El Barrio Cantina on Sunday comes with a vibrant drag show featuring three Latiné drag queens with all the spice, power and grace that one can rightfully expect from a drag show in Long Beach.
The show “Firme: A Latiné Drag Show” will star Long Beach’s own Missy Vee, Compton makeup artist Joseph Gascon, and Athena Kills, with host Paradisa LaHore.
The Mexican restaurant on Retro Row is offering $25 bottomless mimosa specials and $5 alcohol shots, as well as their full brunch menu to enjoy for the show. Brunch starts at 10 a.m. and the show at noon. Those interested can also stick around for an after party from 2-4 p.m. Click here to make a reservation.
El Barrio Cantina is at 1731 E. Fourth St.
PLANT MARKET AT THE BAMBOO CLUB (Sunday)
Returning on Sunday, March 12, to The Bamboo Club is the Long Beach Plant Market, a pop-up created by owners of the plant and interior design company Maison Elysium to help connect local plant enthusiasts to a range of plant vendors across Southern California.
The event usually features eight to 12 vendors, including local favorites like Foliage LB, Pippi & Lola, and Vida Plantshop, offering common and rare houseplants and even those ideal for landscaping. The market also showcases ceramics and potted plants from local artists.
Guests who stop by the market are welcome to grab a tiki cocktail from the bar to sip while they shop. Local all-female vinyl DJ collective MeowHaus will also be spinning tunes during the event. Find the market on the outdoor patio of the Bamboo Club from noon to 4 p.m. Entry to the market is free.
The Bamboo Club is at 3522 E. Anaheim St.
ALMOST ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN BIXBY KNOLLS (Sunday)
Those looking to get their fill of St. Patrick’s Day festivities without the crowds can celebrate early on Sunday, March 12, in Bixby Knolls.
The “Almost St. Patrick’s Day” celebration sponsored and organized by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is a pub-crawl type event that will shuttle guests to and from various pubs, restaurants and businesses in Bixby Knolls. A $30 ticket ($15 for kids) will include the ride service and a host of other complimentary food and drinks that vary between businesses. Click here to see what’s included with a ticket and other promotions. There will also be a few shops offering special discounts on in-store purchases.
The event runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets and for more information.
Pickup for the event starts at the Expo Arts Center at 4321 Atlantic Ave.
SPONSORED BY THE PIE BAR
COME CELEBRATE THE SWEETEST DAY OF THE YEAR ON PIE AVENUE – (Tuesday, March 14)
Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π. Pi Day is observed on March 14 and where better to enjoy it then at The Pie Bar in Downtown Long Beach. Come party with us and enjoy some fun specials like: Special $3.14 key lime pie shots for the first 200 guests!
If March 14 is your birthday (lucky you!) then come on by, show your ID, and get a free slice of pie. We’ve got some fun new flavors this year including creme brulee and red velvet cheesecake. Buy five slices and get the sixth one free! Plenty to share with your family and friends. Or keep them all to yourself – we won’t judge 🙂
The Pie Bar opened its doors in June 2016 and serves fresh baked, from scratch pies. From the classics like Dutch apple and banana cream, to fun unique flavors like red velvet cheesecake and lemon lavender you will find something to satisfy your sweet tooth. Owner Laurie Gray says, “Pie is still one of the simple pleasures of life. It brings back memories of time spent with family and friends and is the ultimate comfort food. And when our customers are here, I want them to feel like they’re home. Because we consider them all family!”
The Pie Bar is located at 450 Pine Ave. in downtown Long Beach with two-hour free parking in the garages behind the shop.
SPONSORED BY THE LONG BEACH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
LONG BEACH SYMPHONY PLAYS POWERFUL CLASSICAL CONCERT WITH CARL ORFF AND ANA LARA COMPOSITIONS (Saturday)
In a concert of powerful musical extremes, Long Beach Symphony presents Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Ana Lara’s “Angeles de Llama y Hielo.” Under the direction of Maestro Eckart Preu, the symphony’s talented musicians will perform with soloists Anna Schubert, Ashley Faatoalia and James M. Schaefer as well as Long Beach Camerata Singers, South Bay Children’s Choir, and returning to Long Beach, the audience-favorite Silver-Garburg Piano Duo.
Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” which debuted in 1937, is the German composer’s most famous suite of works based on several medieval poems exploring the joys of the tavern, nature, love and lust. Lara’s “Angeles de Llama y Hielo”—or “Angels of Fire and Ice”—ignites the stage with music by one of the most notable, versatile and respected Mexican composers of the modern age.
Long Beach Symphony takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. Doors to the concert hall open at 6:30 for a 7 p.m. pre-concert talk that promises additional insights into the evening’s music. Individual concert tickets start at $32. For tickets, visit LongBeachSymphony.org or call 562-436-3203, ext. 1.