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.
There’s a lot to celebrate this weekend—Juneteenth, Father’s Day, Pride Month and, of course, the reopening of the state.
Below you’ll find a number of live music concerts and performances, some indoors and some out. Plus, an in-studio painting session, a Pride photoshoot, a neighborhood clean up and more.
Those interested in more Juneteenth celebrations and events, click here.
Get to scrollin’!
YOU BELONG: OPEN PRIDE PHOTOSHOOT – TRADEMARK BREWING (Wednesday)
Celebrate Pride Month with a free photoshoot at Trademark Brewing Wednesday, June 16 courtesy of lifestyle website, LB Home + Living.
Participants need only register for free online and show up at the brewery between 4 and 8 p.m. If you’d like to donate to the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, you can purchase a $26 “You Belong” T-shirt while registering for the event. The shirt design is printed with the Long Beach rainbow lifeguard tower that was burned down in March but was recently replaced.
Click here for more information and to register.
Trademark Brewing is at 233 E. Anaheim St.
THE FRANK MEYER VARIETY SHOW – THE GOOD BAR (Wednesday)
Local musician Frank Meyer, notably of the LA Punk outfit Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, is playing a residency at the Good Bar south of Rose Park that promises a night of comedy, magic, music and—new this week—burlesque.
The performers of Booty Burlesque will take the stage following local comedian Christian Lopez and magician Edward Joseph. Meyer will bring the tunes, performing a setlist of acoustic original music (solo and Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs songs) and covers by Iron Maiden, New York Dolls, Van Halen and more.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 16. No cover.
The Good Bar is at 3316 E. Seventh St.
THE GOOD FOOT – ALEX’S BAR (Friday)
Long Beach’s favorite (and longest-running) funk and soul dance party is back at Alex’s Bar Friday, June 18.
Starting at 9 p.m., catch the original Good Foot crew—DJ Dennis Owens, DJ Lili Bird and DJ Scott Weaver—spinning all the funk, soul, cumbia, Latin sounds and more. No cover.
Alex’s Bar is at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
LONG BEACH JUNETEENTH ART SHOW – DOWNTOWN (Friday)
Joining the festivities leading up to Juneteenth celebrations this weekend is Self Sovereignty, a group exhibition show in Downtown featuring 13 Black artists showcasing their art in celebration of the holiday.
The block party event from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 18 will also include live music, face painting, arts and crafts and more for all ages.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required, click here.
Long Beach Juneteenth Art Show is at 433 Pine Ave.
SUMMERTIME PAINT SESSION – BRUSHSTROKES + BEVERAGES (Saturday)
Learn how to paint a sunny, beachside scene step-by-step with Brushstrokes + Beverages at their studio in East Village.
Local coffee shop Pop’s Java will be on-site, with a selection of coffee, espresso and kombucha for sale.
The class runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. Tickets cost $35, and materials are included.
Click here to sign up and for more information.
Brushstrokes + Beverages is at 501 E. Broadway Unit C.
ESCAPE, JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND – THE GASLAMP (Saturday)
The nationally touring Journey Tribute Band, Escape, will perform live at The Gaslamp Saturday, June 19. Hear all the iconic hits by the ’70s rock outfit while you wine and dine outdoors.
Tickets cost $20 each and may be purchased online by clicking here. Dinner and drinks not included.
Doors at 6 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.
The Gaslamp is at 6251 Pacific Coast Highway.
NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP & BREAKFAST – BLUFF PARK (Saturday)
Help clean up the Bluff Park area Saturday, June 19 and organizers will feed you breakfast afterward.
Meet up is at 9 a.m. on the corner of Molino Avenue and E. First Street. Cleaning supplies will be provided.
Organizers ask that participants wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocol.
Click here for more info.
JUNETEENTH CONCERT – GRACE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN (Saturday)
In celebration of Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery 156 years ago, composer and singer Diane White-Clayton will perform at Grace First Presbyterian Church Saturday, June 19.
White-Clayton’s performance, in tandem with the BYTHAX ensemble, will celebrate African American culture and heritage through music, song and history. Among her many accolades, White-Clayton is also an impressive soprano singer with a three-and-a-half octave range, lectures on ethnomusicology and is a member of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
The show is free to attend and will be indoors, marking the first indoor concert at the church since the pandemic. The show starts at 3 p.m.
Grace First Presbyterian Church is at 3955 Studebaker Rd.
FATHER’S DAY BLOCK PARTY – 14TH STREET PARK (Saturday)
Celebrate Father’s Day with an outdoor block party at 14th Street Park Saturday, June 19. The free event will include live entertainment, food and non-alcoholic beverages for sale and giveaways.
Families will also have the opportunity to get vaccinated, for free, on-site.
The block party is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 14th Street Park at Cedar Avenue and W. 14th Street. Attendees will be required to wear face coverings.
LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS FRONT PORCH CONCERT (Sunday)
The Long Beach Camerata Singers are taking to outdoor performances, with their free Front Porch Concert Series, this one in honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20.
Outside a home in the Long Beach area, a Long Beach Camerata quartet, led by Grammy-award winning artistic director James K. Bass, will serenade and entertain while you enjoy the socially distanced show. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.
The performance, which starts at 4:30 p.m. will take place outside of a home in Park Estates—those who register will get the address.
For more information and to RSVP, click here.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – MLK PARK (Sunday)
Celebrating both Juneteenth and Father’s Day is the Freedom + Unity Juneteenth Celebration event Sunday, June 20 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
The celebration will include live music, art, and remarks from 16 speakers.
The free event is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Click here for more info.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park is at 1950 Lemon Ave.