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 locals can celebrate the anniversary of the city’s most admired music venue, check out a music store that’s now putting on shows of its own and hop on an opportunity to meet one of the hottest rock bands in the world live and in person at Fingerprints Music.
Those preferring a more laid-back experience this weekend can check out a relaxing wine-tasting and plant-potting event, or celebrate the Lunar New Year at the tranquil Japanese garden at Cal State Long Beach.
Get to scrollin’!
WINE & ROOTS (Thursday)
Plantiitas is hosting a wine-tasting and plant-potting event Thursday, Jan. 26, at its nursery on Retro Row.
Guests can enjoy a variety of wines from Art du Vin, who has partnered with Plantiitas for the event, while learning the process of repotting a plant to take home.
Tickets cost $40 and include one 4-inch plant and pot and one glass of wine (or beer). More wine and discounted bottles will be available for purchase during the event.
Find more information and purchase tickets here.
Plantiitas is at 2011 E. Fourth St.
ALEX’S BAR 23RD ANNIVERSARY CONCERT WITH THE MUMMIES (Friday & Saturday)
In celebration of 23 years as a local bar and music venue, Alex’s Bar is throwing a two-day anniversary concert with the garage punk band The Mummies as the headliner.
Joining the gauze-wrapped foursome on the lineup will be punk band Thee Cormans, with other artists to be announced leading up to the shows.
Tickets for the shows on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28 cost $34.25 (fees already included). Purchase tickets here.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
UBE HARVEST FESTIVAL (Saturday)
A festival that reveres ube, the purple-colored yam most commonly associated with Filipino desserts, is hosting a new event celebrating the seasonal harvest of ube in the Philippines.
The festival in Long Beach will be held at Kubo, an event space in Bixby Knolls, and will feature 11 ube dessert vendors selling a variety of confections, such as ube cookies, brownies and cakes. Attendees can also enjoy other foods and drinks by local vendors and check out an artisan market.
Entry to the event cost $5 (does not include food or drinks) if purchased online. If paid at the door, entry costs $10. Children 12 and under may enter for free. Find more information and purchase tickets here.
Kubo is at 345 E. Carson St.
LONG BEACH METAL NIGHT (Saturday)
Gilmore Music is hosting a night for fans of heavy metal on Saturday, Jan. 28, with six bands hailing from Los Angeles, Orange County and Phoenix, Arizona.
The show is all ages and starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7 at the door. Click here for more information.
Gilmore Music is at 1935 E. Seventh St.
JAPANESE GARDEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL (Sunday)
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Of all the places to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Long Beach, few seem idyllic as the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the Cal State Long Beach campus.
The lush garden features winding walkways, a sprawling koi pond and a wide variety of plants native to Japan and California. The Lunar New Year Festival or “Sekku,” meaning seasonal festival in Japanese, on Sunday, Jan. 29, will feature music, crafts and family-friendly activities.
The celebration is free to attend, however, guests will need to RSVP. Free parking will also be available in lot G4 only. RSVP here.
The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at the Cal State Long Beach campus is on Earl Warren Drive.
MANESKIN RECORD SIGNING AT FINGERPRINTS MUSIC (Sunday)
Italian rock band Måneskin is coming to Fingerprints Music on Sunday, Jan. 29, to meet fans for the release of their newest album “Rush!” which came out Jan. 22 through Epic Records.
The full-length album is Måneskin’s third studio album and comes on the heels of a two-year success streak after winning the Eurovision song competition in 2021 with the track “Zitti e buoni.” Most Americans, though, were introduced to the rock group came by way of their 2017 cover of the Four Season’s single “Beggin'” which trended on TikTok and Spotify, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021.
To meet the band, guests need to purchase a copy of the album through Fingerprints. Attendees will then be added to the list for an in-person photo op with the band at the record store. Find more information and purchase the album here.
Fingerprints Music is at 420 E. Fourth St.
SPONSORED BY PCGS
THE LONG BEACH EXPO – THE COLLECTIBLES SHOW (Feb. 2-4)
A leading international tradition since 1964!
Whether you’re just getting started in the hobby or are a seasoned expert, the Long Beach Expo is a hub for collectors of all kinds! The show boasts hundreds of dealers and industry experts from across the nation who buy, sell, trade, and appraise coins, banknotes, trading cards, sports memorabilia, stamps, and more.
The Tyrant Collection is back in Long Beach! See the spectacular “Tyrants of the New World” exhibit focusing on the rich history of Mexican and Brazilian coins, up close! up close! Learn about the value of your collection during Meet the Expert Sessions held all three days of the show, and tune in to the Educational Speaker Series on Friday, February 3, which covers a variety of topics to get introduced to the hobby! Several expert speakers, including noted coin specialist David McCarthy, will introduce “sleeper” coins and explain why collectors should be paying attention to these interesting pieces that are flying under the radar.
Learn about the value of your collection during Meet the Expert Sessions held all three days of the show, and tune in to the Educational Speaker Series on Friday, February 3, which covers a variety of topics to get introduced to the hobby! Several expert speakers, including noted coin specialist David McCarthy, will introduce “sleeper” coins and explain why collectors should be paying attention to these interesting pieces that are flying under the radar.
Other attractions at this Long Beach Expo include:
The U.S. Mint – The U.S. Mint’s attendance at our show presents a rare West Coast opportunity for Long Beach visitors to buy freshly minted products firsthand!
Onsite grading by PSA – Interested in having your sports items certified by the world’s leading authentication and grading service? Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) representatives will be on hand to accept submissions of trading cards, autographs, Funko! Pops, and much more!
Daily Giveaways – At 2:00 p.m. each day of the show, we’ll award a PCGS-graded coin and autographed sports jersey, trading card, or memorabilia to one lucky attendee! *Must be present to win.
Kids Treasure Hunt – Arrrr, Matey! There’s treasure ashore! Make your way through the expo answering trivia questions about the U.S. Mint, coins, banknotes, and sports history! Win fun prizes along the way… Answering each question correctly will get you one step closer to treasure at the end!
Onsite grading by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) –Whether you bring coins from home or are considering purchasing ungraded (raw) coins at the show, PCGS will be onsite to grade and authenticate your U.S. coins, World coins, and banknotes, ensuring your collection realizes its true value in the marketplace. Visit Booth #401 to submit for grading, and get them back by the end of the show! *Cut off times for onsite grading are subject to change. Ask a PCGS Customer service representative for more information.
Click here for more information.
The Long Beach Convention Center 300 E. Ocean Blvd.
SPONSORED BY THE ALPERT JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The 19th Annual Long Beach Jewish Film Festival Begins TONIGHT! (Wednesday – Sunday)
Join the Alpert JCC for the opening of the 19th Annual Long Beach Jewish Film Festival with a Premiere Night Reception tonight at 6 p.m. Walk the red carpet plus enjoy refreshments and live music from Jazz Angels. Then, relax with the Film Festival’s first screening, “Greener Pastures,” premiering at 7 p.m.
The Long Beach Jewish Film Festival provides a window to the Jewish experience and allows us to explore contemporary and historical themes in many different global settings. This year, the Long Beach Jewish Film Festival, screening Jan. 25-29, kicks off with five great Jewish-themed films, special receptions, and guest speakers. The Festival’s guest speakers include Dr. Blutinger, CSULB’s Jewish Studies Dept. Chair, and Rabbi Mark Borovitz & Harriet Rossetto whose documentary, “The Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief,” will be shown at the festival.
This year’s film selection ranges from comedies to documentaries with a selection of these films being foreign language with subtitles. Attend an individual screening or attend all five films of the festival with a festival pass. Passholders get access to all five films, a limited-edition festival tote, complimentary drinks at all festival receptions where drinks are served, shorter lines, and more!
Click here for more information.
The Jewish Alpert Community Center is at 3801 E. Willow St.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS MAKE SPLASH AT FIRST WEDNESDAYS (Wednesday, Feb. 1)
One of the most charismatic marine creatures is the focus of the Aquarium of the Pacific’s upcoming First Wednesdays: “Southern Sea Otters: Aquarium of the Pacific and Beyond.”
Talking about the sea otters that have called the Aquarium home since its opening in 1998, the presentation and Q&A will be led by in-house experts:
Brett Long, curator of mammals and birds, and Megan Smylie, sea otter program manager. They’ll share information about the beloved species (enhydra lutris) and its ability to transform and protect entire marine ecosystems.
The presentation also will include details about the Aquarium of the Pacific’s partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program to provide a greater positive impact on wild populations of this keystone species.
First Wednesdays—capped off with a cash bar cocktail hour, music and an art activity—will take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Honda Pacific Visions Theater.
Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. RSVP online or call 562-590-3100.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.