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.
To send off the end of February, we’ve found a few Black History Month-inspired events, one an art show and wine tasting, the other a free beachside concert. Plus, a new fried chicken chain opening offering a sweet promotion and some gatherings that get you outside.
Get to scrollin’!
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICHES BOGO – MOM’S TOUCH (Thursday)
South Korea’s fried chicken darling, Mom’s Touch, recently opened up its second location in the Southland this month right here in Long Beach. The fried chicken chain took over the former WaBa Grill at the Harding Plaza on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Harding Street, and is offering a buy-one-get-one-free special on all of their fried chicken sandwiches in honor of the launch on Thursday, Feb. 24.
There are three fried chicken sandwiches to choose from, including the original, fuego and a creamy garlic option that can be made with either dark thigh meat or chicken breast. Each sandwich includes lettuce, onions, pickles and a “special sauce” that’s sandwiched between a soft brioche bun.
Click here to read more about the restaurant.
Mom’s Touch is at 6191 Atlantic Ave.
ART IN THE PARK – BLUFF PARK (Saturday)
Downtown’s Bluff Park is a public space always bustling with activity, from yoga sessions, drum circles, to even the occasional demonstration. But this Saturday, Feb. 26 from 2-8 p.m. artists of any stripe are invited to gather at the seaside park and make some art together.
Paint, draw, crochet—whatever, anyone is welcome. Organizers will also have a pop-up gallery by Atom St. George on display and live music all day.
Click here to learn more.
Bluff Park is at 2500 E. Ocean Blvd.
BLACK ART EXHIBITION & WINE TASTING – C.O.T.A (Saturday)
West Long Beach venue space and community hub, Children of the Avenues (C.O.T.A) is hosting a Black art exhibition and wine tasting in honor of Black History Month from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26.
The $30 event is designed to celebrate and honor Black artists and art in all forms, according to organizers, and will include samples of wine for guests to enjoy as they peruse the gallery space.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Children of the Avenues is at 1924 W. Willow Ave.
LO-FI LAUGHS IMPROV SHOW – AURORA THEATER (Saturday)
A new improv comedy show is debuting at the Aurora Theater Saturday, Feb. 26, one that will pit three teams of comedians against each other based on one word given out by the audience before the show. What direction the night will go is anyone’s guess, but that’s all part of the fun.
The 90-minute special features three teams—Like This, Suggestion Lease, and The Terribles—amounting to a total of 7 improv artists.
Guests must be fully vaccinated in order to attend and masks are required while indoors.
Tickets purchased in advance are $10; at the door they’re $15. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Aurora Theater is at 4412 E. Village Road.
SOUL BY THE SHORE – JUNIPERO CONCESSION STAND (Sunday)
Local singer and songwriter Chadwick Bishop will be performing an hour-long live concert at the Junipero Beach concession stand from 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27.
The beachside show will feature covers and original soul, R&B and jazz tunes Bishop become known for and is designed to honor Black History Month, according to organizers.
The show is free to attend, click here to see a more precise area location of the event.
Junipero Beach Concession Stand is at 1 Junipero Ave.
KIDICAL MASS COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE – LOS CERRITOS PARK (Sunday)
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is hosting its annual bike ride, Kidical Mass, which invites children and their families to step outside and enjoy the city by bike.
In previous years Kidical Mass would start at Georgie’s Place on Atlantic, but this year the bike ride will commence at 11 a.m. from Los Cerritos Park (on Country Club Drive just south of Bixby Road).
The event is free to attend and will provide snacks for riders after the event. For riders under 18, helmets are required.
Click here for more information.
Los Cerritos Park is at 3750 Del Mar Ave.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
EXPERTS SHARE HOW REPURPOSED OFFSHORE RIGS CAN SERVE AS ARTIFICIAL REEFS – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Wednesday, March 2)
A presentation by Blue Latitudes Foundation Co-Presidents Emily Hazelwood and Amber Sparks, “Rigs as Reefs: Reimagining our Energy Past as our Eco-Friendly Future,” digs into how oil platforms can be repurposed into artificial reefs and used as monitoring stations for marine life.
During the First Wednesdays event series at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the guest speakers — both on Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the energy sector — will showcase their work to develop sustainable, creative and cost-effective solutions for complex environmental issues that surround the offshore energy community in California and beyond. They will talk about what the future might look like at the intersection of industry and the environment.
The free event will be capped off with a cash bar cocktail hour, coloring, music and a paint-a-fish activity from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Honda Pacific Visions Theater. Reservations are required and may be made online or by calling 562-590-3100. Attendance requires proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or a negative test.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
AFRICAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Saturday)
The Aquarium of the Pacific’s twentieth annual African-American Festival celebrates the rich diversity of African-American and African cultures.
The weekend will feature live entertainment and arts and crafts. Festival performers include Mardi Gras second line dancers, hip hop and break dancers, jazz musicians, interactive drum circles, West African dancers, and storytellers. The Aquarium will also announce and celebrate the recipients of its 2022 African American Scholar Program on Saturday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m.
The program awards funds to students pursuing studies related to careers in the aquarium field and engages them in the Aquarium’s work through initiatives and events.
Click here for more information.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.