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.
Whether you feel like eating, shopping, watching some flicks or vibing out to music over the weekend, we’ve got something for all of that. From the Uptown Jazz Festival in North Long Beach returning for its 11th year, to the Taste of Downtown food sampler event.
Get to scrollin’!
TASTE OF DOWNTOWN (Wednesday & Thursday)
Try out some of the grub from some of Downtown’s most popular restaurants during the two-day food event, Taste of Downtown, happening at the waterfront Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 24-25.
Some of the 10 participating restaurants offering a taste of their signature food and drinks include Mexican bites from Padre, American fare from The Ordinarie, beer from Beachwood Brewing and desserts from Ladie Kakes. The event also features pop-ups from local businesses such as Ash Bay Soap Co., Brushstrokes & Beverages, Everytable and more.
The event is free to attend, but in order to sample you’ll need to purchase $1 “taste tickets.” The samples on the menu cost between $2-$8 and may only be purchased with the tickets. Click here to purchase tickets, or buy them on-site at the event.
Taste of Downtown is between Shoreline Village and Pine Avenue Pier, close to Rainbow Harbor off of East Shoreline Drive.
THE ECOLOGY CENTER: FARMERS MARKET & PIZZA POP-UP (Saturday)
Compound, an art gallery and wellness center in the Zaferia district, has teamed up with The Ecology Center, to host a small farmers market Saturday, Aug. 27.
Visitors can shop a variety of fresh produce, special pantry items and floral arrangements. Plus, a select number of pizzas from Peace Pizzas will be available for purchase.
The event is free to attend but reservations are highly encouraged. Click here for more information and to register.
Compound is at 1395 Coronado Ave.
11TH ANNUAL UPTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Saturday)
North Long Beach’s entertainment highlight of the year, the Uptown Jazz Festival, is returning for its 11th year to Houghton Park Saturday, Aug. 27 with a food, vendors, a beer garden and jazz music all day long.
This year’s headliner is Grammy-award-winning Stephanie Mills, the original Dorothy in the Broadway production of “The Wiz,” and a multi-gold and platinum album bestseller. The festival will also feature sets from DW3, Take Me Back To Chicago—which includes two Chicago band members including original drummer Danny Seraphine—Biscuits & Gravy, the Susie Hansen Latin Jazz Band, the Paulie Cerra Band and DJ Mr. Quick.
The festival is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to attend. Click here for more information.
Houghton Park is at 6301 Myrtle Ave.
WE ARE LONG BEACH: OUR STORIES, OUR FUTURE (Saturday)
This unique community arts event aims to engage, uplift and amplify the voices of our city’s Khmer community through personal stories and documentary screenings made by and for Long Beach’s Cambodia Town.
The two-hour event will feature three short-film documentary screenings including the new 2022 films, “Conversations at the Register” and “Cambodia Town Thrives” and the 2019 film “Cambodia Town: Not For Sale.”
The program will also include group discussions and activities led by community leaders, plus a small mixer with lunch.
The event will be held at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library and is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
Mark Twain Neighborhood Library is at 1401 E. Anaheim St.
SNOCORNER ONE YEAR CELEBRATION & RAFFLE (Sunday)
It’s been one year since Ashley Monconduit opened her New Orleans-style sno-ball shop, SnoCorner, and in honor of the achievement, the Poly High School alum is hosting a celebration and back-to-school raffle.
To enter the raffle patrons need only make a purchase at the business and will automatically be entered. Twenty winners will receive a new Nike backpack stocked with school supplies. While the event may be geared toward students, Monconduit says you don’t need to be one to enter.
The event is from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. Winners will be announced the following morning. Click here for more information.
SnoCorner Snoballs & Cream is at 1701 Atlantic Ave.
PLANT PROPAGATING WITH PLANTIITAS (Sunday)
Take your plant care to the next level with this workshop by local plant shop, Plantiitas, all about propagation, on Sunday, Aug. 28.
In this two-hour class with the Plantiitas team, you’ll learn how to create new plants from a variety of sources including seeds, cuttings and other plant parts, otherwise known as plant propagation. The workshop will teach you everything step-by-step and provide all the materials you’ll need. Light refreshments and snacks will also be provided.
The class is from 9-11 a.m. and costs $32. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Plantiitas is at 2011 E. Fourth St.
SPONSORED BY AMERICA BOXED IN
“AMERICA BOXED IN” DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES HOW CARGO CONTAINERS ARE SHAPING THE WORLD – CINEMARK (Friday, Aug. 26 – Sept. 1)
Just across the water from the Port of Long Beach where portions of it were filmed, “America Boxed In” is playing at Cinemark at The Pike Outlets. The documentary explores the massive global impact of the intermodal container industry on the economic and political landscape of the modern era.
The production, created by Salt Lake City-based filmmakers Casey and Ian Williams of Paradigm Motion Picture Company and Lance Hoovestal of LE7 Productions, is screening three times daily at Cinemark from Aug. 26 through Sept. 1, as part of an Academy Award eligibility run.
The filmmakers — who will be present to meet viewers following the Saturday, Aug. 27, screening — said they are excited to make their theatrical premier in downtown Long Beach, right next to the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, where key elements of the documentary were filmed. Long Beach and Los Angeles are home to the largest and most significant port facilities in the United States and are central to the themes discussed in the documentary.
Check local listings for show time, click here.
The Pike Outlets is at 95 S Pine Ave.
HAPPY SUNDAYS FREE MUSIC FEST IN ZAFERIA DISTRICT (Sunday)
This FREE music festival of over 40 musical acts at 11 venues located in the Zaferia District of Long Beach is back for 2022. Happy Sundays will be held on Sunday, August 28th.
Venues open at noon, music starts up at 2 pm, and will last throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Venues participating this year are DiPiazza’s, The Bamboo Club, Port City Tavern, Tennessee Jack’s, Supply & Demand, Alex’s Bar, All Time Plants, Compound, Long Beach Playhouse, Ashtanga Yoga, and Roland Sands.
The Big Red Bus and an LB Transit bus will be on hand to take attendees from venue to venue 2 – 7 pm (thanks to the support of Councilmembers Suzie Price, Cindy Allen, and Daryl Supernaw). Music and film screenings at Long Beach Playhouse begin at noon. Most venues allow for under 21 years of age.
Many local Zaferia District members are offering specials and promotions in honor of the event. Check out the Zaferia Business Association for all the details on where to eat, drink, and shop.
The Zaferia Business Association has supported this free and open to the public event since 2018 as a way to support and promote the all-important entertainment, restaurant and bar businesses in the Zaferia District, draw attention to the general business area that serves the residents of Long Beach, and to give back to the community.
Click here for more information.