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 week we’re fairly confident we’ve got something for anyone to enjoy. You like to drink? We’ve got something for you. Photography your passion? We’ve found an inspiring photographer you’re sure to learn a trick or two from. Looking to up your dance skills for free? No problem. Seeking an outdoor escapade? Yup, that too.
And if you’re looking to get out of the house and just gawk at some cool stuff, don’t worry we’ve got you covered.
Get to scrollin’!
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER IAN SHIVE VISITS AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC (Wednesday)
Award-winning photographer, filmmaker and Discovery Channel’s “Nature in Focus” show host Ian Shive will be visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific Wednesday, Aug. 4 to speak about his new book “Refuge: America’s Wildest Places.”
Shive will show nature and wildlife photos from his book and talk about the preserves he’s photographed including places such as Kenai, Alaska, to the coral reefs of the Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific.
The evening will cap with a cocktail hour and book signing.
The free event is from 7-9 p.m. Reservations to the theater are required, click here. For those who would like to tune in at home, a stream of the lecture will be available online, click here.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way.
MOVIES & MOONLIGHT: “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN” – 2ND & PCH (Friday)
Catch a free outdoor movie screening of “The Greatest Showman” at 2nd & PCH Friday, Aug. 6 as part of the Movies & Moonlight series at the dining and shopping center.
The movie begins at sunset (roughly 7:45 p.m.), but it’s best to arrive early to stake your spot along the main street, which is blocked off to traffic. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets as complimentary seating is limited. The center requests that all attendees adhere to social distancing.
2nd & PCH is at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway.
CATALINAVILLE FUNDRAISER – DESCANSO BEACH CLUB (Saturday)
This “Margaritaville-style” event at Catalina Island’s Descanso Beach Club Saturday, Aug. 7 is a fundraiser for the Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation.
Tickets have already sold out for the dinner and cocktail reception, but the beach party (begins at 8 p.m.) promises live bands, dancing on the beach, and a fully stocked bar.
Tickets cost $100 which, yes we know, it’s rather steep but it is a fundraiser, remember? However—consolation prize— that does buy you two cocktails!
For more details and to purchase online, click here.
Descanso Beach Club is at 1 St Catherine Way.
JUDY KEPES’ THE DOLL HOUSE OPENING RECEPTION – LOITER GALLERIES (Saturday)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRuD7Uer6_9/
Loiter Galleries will be unveiling their newest exhibition, The Doll House, by local artist Judy Kepes on Saturday, Aug. 7.
Judy Kepes’ storybook-reminiscent art features delicate black-and-white pen linework that illustrates characters one might imagine existing in a Grimm fairytale. Softspoken, sentimental, even somewhat gruesome, the characters she creates are identifiably unique and intricately defined.
Expect cutouts of her paper characters staged in paper toy doll houses, as well as life-size installations you can walk through.
The opening reception is from 7-9 p.m. Regular viewing hours are from 5-8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The exhibition will be on display until Sept. 11.
Loiter Galleries is at 180 E. Fourth St.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES – LONG BEACH TOWNE CENTER (Saturday)
The Long Beach Towne Center is kicking off its Summer Concert Music Series this Saturday, Aug. 7 with 90s Nation, a cover band equipped to play all your favorite rock and indie songs from the 1990s.
Expect anthems by Alice in Chains, Audio Slave, Oasis, Nirvana, Foofighters, Incubus, Muse and so much more. Seriously, these guys cover songs from over 50 rock bands.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to watch the show, which will be at the Towne Center Promenade.
The series will continue with a different live show every Saturday through the remainder of August. Click here for more information.
The Long Beach Towne Center is at 7575 Carson Blvd.
TEEN & YOUNG ADULT DANCE AND ACTING CLASSES – LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE (Saturday)
Teens and young adults are welcome to get a free, hands-on lesson in acting and dance at the Long Beach Playhouse Saturday, Aug. 7, courtesy Village ArtReach, a non-profit dedicated to enriching underprivileged youth and families through art.
The event is from 2:30-6 p.m. and includes a lesson in acting and improvisation from Rovin Jay, a 30-year veteran in the acting industry and a hip hop, movement and dance course by Sonya Randall, a world-traveled dancer, singer and choreographer.
Click here for more information. To RSVP, which is required, email [email protected].
The Long Beach Playhouse is at 5021 E. Anaheim St.
AUGMENTED REALITY CHALLENGE FESTIVAL – THE PROMENADE (Sunday)
The inaugural Long Beach Augmented Reality (AR) Challenge Festival, will kick off on Sunday, Aug. 8 in Downtown where locals will be able to interact with businesses, murals, buildings and other attractions using their smartphones.
The festival is the culmination of the Long Beach Augmented Reality (AR) Challenge, which early this spring asked the community to develop AR graphics that honor, inspire or could improve the city’s “historic past, diverse present or emergent future.”
Some of these exhibits will include fun face filters, unique “world objects” (like the photo above) and animated murals.
During the competition, participants will be able to vote for their favorite AR exhibit and the winner will receive a cash prize from a $14,000 pool.
The bulk of the event will take place along The Promenade area though there will be exhibits, or “trigger points” on Broadway down to the historic Psychic Temple of the Holy Kiss building and on Long Beach Boulevard toward Fourth Street. A good starting point, organizers advise, is at Harvey Milk Park where DJ Cool Miq will perform a live set throughout the day.
The event is from noon to 5 p.m. The awards ceremony will commence at 4 p.m.
Click here for more information.
Harvey Milk Park is at 185 E. Third St.
2ND ANNUAL LONG BEACH BLACK DANCE FESTIVAL – VARIOUS LOCATIONS (Sunday Aug. 8 – Sunday Aug. 15)
Back for a second year after a successful inaugural show, the Long Beach Black Dance Festival, organized by The CRay Project, is set to grace the city with dance classes, enrichment workshops, panel discussions and, of course, a grand dance concert.
This year’s theme is “Black Habits: Cultivating the Future,” which explores the values of dance connected through the Black diaspora through dance education history, dialogue and performance.
“The festival is a continuum of celebrating Black culture, amplifying dancers of color and occupying spaces for our voices to be seen, felt and heard,” organizers said.
The week-long event runs Aug. 8 – Aug. 15. The dance classes which include hip hop, twerking, ballet, capoeira and more will be available Aug 9. through Aug. 13. Click here for the list of available dance classes and to register online. The classes are free to attend as is the rest of the festival.
The festival will culminate with a community dance concert performance at Rose Park on Sunday, Aug. 15.
Click here for more information about events and programming.
RUM TIKI SOCIAL – ROXANNE’S (Sunday)
This event at Roxanne’s bar on Sunday, Aug. 8 celebrates the fine craft of tiki cocktails.
A $25 general admission ticket will buy you access to the event, which will feature heaps of craft cocktails from the bar and from tiki-pop up Chuntikis, which creates specialty cocktails inspired by stories from Hispanic and Latino culture.
Attendees will be able to check out the wares from over 15 vendors selling specialty tiki-related merchandise including clothing, home decor, dinnerware, art and more.
Drinks and merchandise are not included in the ticket price.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. The event is from noon to 6 p.m.
Roxanne’s is at 1115 E. Wardlow Rd.