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.
And the Acura Grand Prix is back again this year. So soon, we know. But on the plus side, that means Thunder Thursday is back at the Pike Outlets.
If motorized vehicles aren’t really your thing, that’s cool, we’ve also found a few art galleries, some nifty makers marts and some performance art to consider.
Get to scrollin’!
“HIDDEN: LIFE WITH CALIFORNIA’S ROMA FAMILIES” BOOK SIGNING – PAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (Thursday)
Decades-long local photojournalist Cristina Salvador Klenz dedicated years of her life photographing Southern California’s Roma families. Now, 30 years later, 120 of her black-and-white photographs, shot on 35mm film, will be published in her photography book “Hidden: Life with California’s Roma Families” by Brown Paper Press.
Klenz’s book harkens to Josef Koudelka’s seminal work “Gypsies” which documented Roma society between 1962 and 1971 in then Czechoslovakia (Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia), Romania, Hungary, France and Spain. Now, American Roma society is getting its spread with “Hidden: Life with California’s Roma Families,” in a collection that includes photographs highlighting the effects of illiteracy, poverty and intergenerational trauma, some of which were taken of families in Long Beach.
A launch party celebrating the release will be at Page Against the Machine book store from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, where you can meet Klenz and hear her speak on the process of documenting the Roma communities. The event is free to attend, no RSVP required. Read more about Klenz and her new book, here.
Page Against the Machine is at 2714 E. Fourth St.
THUNDER THURSDAY – PIKE OUTLETS (Thursday)
The annual Grand Prix kick-off event, Thunder Thursday, is back at the Pike Outlets this year with all the motorcycle stunt shows, pit stop competitions and antique car displays that have made the evening event a local pastime for the last decade.
Guests can also expect food stalls, a beer garden and live music and DJs. The event is free to attend and runs from 6-10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7.
Parking will be available in The Pike Outlets parking structure on Chestnut Place off Ocean Boulevard. Click here for more information.
The Pike Outlets is at 95 S. Pine Ave.
‘THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO’ OPERA – CAL STATE LONG BEACH (Thursday – Sunday)
The Cal State Long Beach students of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Opera will be debuting a reimagined production of Mozart’s classic opera, “The Marriage of Figaro,” placing its capricious cast readying for a wedding in the 1950s (rather than the 1780s).
But what’s also unique about this production is where it will be staged: Outside—a first for the university. Attendees will see the show under a newly erected tent at the Daniel Recital Hall Terrace. Below, on a slope of grass, a live orchestra and the cast will perform.
Helming the production is Long Beach Opera’s former artistic director, Andreas Mitisek, well-known in the opera world for his creativity and use of non-traditional performance spaces. So, we wager the show will be something quite special.
“The Marriage of Figaro” will run Thursday, April 7, through Sunday, April 10. Tickets cost $25 or $15 for students. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Cal State Long Beach is at 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
PAINTING LONG BEACH EXHIBITION – LBCG GALLERY (Friday – Sunday)
Back in December the Long Beach Creative Group, a local gallery located in Bluff Heights, invited local professional and student artists to submit works that were representative of Long Beach.
That exhibition titled “Painted Long Beach” is now welcoming visitors to check out 58 works—photographs, watercolors, drawings, and mixed media pieces—submitted by 44 local artists.
The exhibition, which is free to attend, is open from 1-4 p.m. Friday through Sunday until April 30. Click here for more info.
Long Beach Creative Group/Rod Briggs Gallery is at 2221 E. Broadway.
DAINTY DISCO SHOP GRAND OPENING – NORTH LONG BEACH (Saturday)
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Dainty Disco has been in the business of helping local artists and makers come together for the last decade, and now the Latina-owned business is opening its first brick-and-mortar in North Long Beach.
At the shop, patrons can peruse handmade goods, such as clothing, jewelry and art made by 25 local makers and brands.
Dainty Disco’s grand opening is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9. The first 25 guests will receive a gift. Click here for more information.
Dainty Disco is at 5659 Atlantic Ave.
ROBO-TECH FESTIVAL – LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE (Sunday)
In celebration of National Robotics Week, Shared Science, a local STEM-ed nonprofit for youth, is hosting its 9th annual Robo-Tech festival, inviting children (grades K-5) and families to take part in a variety of workshops and activities that explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics at Long Beach City College Sunday, April 10.
Some of the workshops incorporate Lego building, others teach basic coding, and some focus on using everyday objects to teach physics. To check out the complete list of classes, click here. Classes are either free or low-cost (between $3-$8).
Long Beach City College is at 4901 E. Carson St.
RECUERDOS VINTAGE MARKET – BAMBOO CLUB (Sunday)
On Sunday, April 10, a variety of Los Angeles-based markers and vintage vendors are taking over the outdoor patio space at the Bamboo Club for the Recuerdo Vintage Market.
Visitors can shop vintage fashion, collector vinyl, memorabilia, antique pottery, home decor, jewelry and more. And, when in Rome, (and you’re 21+) why not grab a tiki cocktail so you can sip while you shop?
Recuerdo Vintage Market is from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bamboo Club is at 3522 E. Anaheim St.