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.
If, by chance your weekend isn’t already booked for the Acura Grand Prix, this week we’ve discovered a few activities and events to spark your creativity, induce a few laughs and even inspire a childlike sense of awe. Just try and watch a motorcycle stunt show without uttering an involuntary “whoa.”
Get to scrollin’!
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 has 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, Sept. 23.
Parking will be available in The Pike Outlets parking structure on Chestnut Place off Ocean Boulevard.
The Pike Outlets is at 95 S. Pine Ave.
STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW – FICKLEWOOD CIDERWORKS (Thursday)
Catch a free stand-up comedy show at cider bar Ficklewood Ciderworks in Downtown Thursday, Sept. 23.
Hosted by Long Beach comedy duo Berenice Ashikian and Garrett Ulrich, the show promises comics from Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County.
Doors are at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m. Show is free, but seating is first-come-first-serve. Patrons must be 21 or over to enter the bar. Masks are required while indoors. Click here for more information.
Ficklewood Ciderworks is at 720 E. Broadway.
PIGEON’S ROLLER RINK ADULT FREE SKATE- 2ND & PCH (Friday-Sunday)
Adults (18+) can reserve a three-hour free-skate session inside the new roller rink at 2nd & PCH this weekend, as part of a new collaboration with the outdoor shopping center and Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop on Retro Row.
The rink opened Sept. 18 and will be available for free-skate sessions, roller skate lessons and skate merchandise shopping until the end of December. Reservations are required, tickets for the free-skate sessions cost $25. Rentals skate are available for $10.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
“CAREERS IN INDEPENDENT COMICS” WORKSHOP – ONLINE (Saturday)
In honor of National Comic Book Day on Saturday, Sept. 25, the Long Beach Main Library (Billie Jean King Library) is hosting the owners of local comic book store, Atomic Basement Comics, to share their industry knowledge on what it takes to be a professional comic book artist.
The 90-minute workshop, which will be streamed live on Zoom, will include talks from Atomic Basement Comics owner/artist Mike Wellman (“Guns A’ Blazin”), writer/artist Rafael Navarro (“Sonambulo”), writer/artist Don Nguyen (“Pablo the Gorilla”), and writer/artist Christie Shinn (HoraTora Studios), who will share their experiences making independent comics and marketing their stories to aspiring creators.
There will also be a Q&A session so people can ask questions, and the public is invited to bring their own artwork to share.
The workshop is free, however, RSVP is required, click here. The stream starts at 3 p.m. For those who are unable to watch the workshop live, viewers can still register to receive a recording of the session they can watch later.
ARTIST TALK: LITA ALBUQUERQUE – COMPOUND (Saturday)
Internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist Lita Albuquerque will be visiting art gallery and community space, Compound, Saturday, Sept. 25 for a free lecture on art and transcendentalism.
During her visit, Albuquerque will talk about the inspiration and application of her decade-long project creating works derived from a narrative she authored where a 25th-century female astronaut comes to Earth in the year 6000 BC to seed interstellar consciousness. The artist will also share meditative practices she employs that aid her creative process.
The free lecture is from 5-7 p.m. RSVP, here.
MIKE VITALE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW – ALEX’S BAR (Sunday)
Local singer/songwriter Mike Vitale is kicking off his U.S. tour in honor of his new album “ϕ” (Phi) at Alex’s Bar on Sunday, Sept. 26.
The 12-track album is a collection of Americana-inspired songs, the artist said, and was funded through crowd-sourcing donations on Patreon.
Joining him will be fellow Long Beach acts, Manuel the Band (opening) and singer Alyssandra Nighswonger . Tickets cost $19.20 and may be purchased online, click here. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
PUPUSAS, COMEDY AND BEER TOUR – ROXANNE’S (Sunday)
Salvadoran comedian Hoozay is bringing the laughs and El Salvador’s national dish to Roxanne’s bar in Long Beach this Sunday, Sept. 26 with a day-long event of comedy, pupusas and craft beer and cocktails.
The event starts at noon where patrons can check out a number of pupusa vendors (including a Pupusa burger) as well as craft beer and cocktails. The comedy show is from 2:30-5 p.m. followed by live music.
Tickets cost between $10 for general admission and $25 for food and drink specials. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Roxanne’s is at 1115 E.Wardlow Road.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
BAJA SPLASH CULTURAL FESTIVAL – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC, OCT. 2-3
Dive into a fiesta with the fishes during the Aquarium of the Pacific’s 20th annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival during National Hispanic Heritage Month on October 2 and 3!
Witness ancient Aztec dance and drumming and cultural folk dances from Mexico and Central and South America.
Enjoy live music, interactive booths, and educational programs for people of all ages. During the festival you can also meet more than 12,000 animals in over 100 exhibits, including Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities.
Advance reservations are required for everyone. For safety protocols and more information, please visit our website or call us.
Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.
SPONSORED BY THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
USC PROFESSOR SHOWCASES UNDERWATER APPLICATIONS FOR ROBOTS – AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC, OCT. 6
Research Laboratory. Photo courtesy Aquarium of the Pacific.
Underwater robotics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help us better understand our world’s oceans.
Few understand the future applications of robotics in the sea better than Dr. Gaurav Sukhatme, co-director of the University of Southern California’s Robotics Research Laboratory, who will be a guest speaker as part of the First Wednesdays lecture series at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
This month’s free event from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 also includes a special “Robot Lounge” and will be capped off with a cocktail hour. Reservations are required, click here for more info.
Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.