11:30am | Music and art seemed to flow out onto Atlantic Avenue last Friday during the monthly First Friday series, which celebrates the work of local artists and goes a long way to make visitors feel like they’re a part of the creative experience.

Freelance photographer Nate Toering was on hand that night to capture these images for the lbpost.com, and brought back tales of laughter and expression that have made First Friday one of North Long Beach’s most popular events.

The sounds of live bands permeated from the doors of restaurants all up and down the street, while classic cars lined up in display and artists created live paintings. At Expo Furniture, Toering says the store was cleared out and converted into a giant art exhibit.

“This seemed to be the real main attraction of the evening,” Toering writes.  “Outside of the gallery, there were three artists doing spraypaint artwork live infront of an audience.  Inside the front door, there was an event entitled, ‘Artists as Art’ which let ordinary people off the street have a shot at drawing a stationary artist.  There was everything from young children to experienced artists in the crowd, and the finished products were hung on the wall. Overall this was a great ambiance, the walls had been lavishly decorated with work from local artists and the DJ kept the crowd lively.”

Other noteworthy attractions include music and classic cars at Georgie’s sandwich shop and florist Melinda McCoy’s, along with appetizers and information from the Historical Society, live music that encouraged everyone to pick up an instrument and join in at Jammin Music.

The after hours spots were jam-packed as well, as the events wound down and pleased visitors made their way to food and drink. Toering says that The Factory seemed like the place to be for a drink or three, and North Long Beach’s famous Nino’s Italian Restaurant was the final destination for many.

“I had overheard several people talking about Nino’s at 10:00, so I figured I would make that my last stop of the night,” Toering says. “The city had commissioned the “Big Red Bus” to do laps around the festival area, and the final one made what appeared to be its final stop at Nino’s at 10:00. About thirty people got off the bus, and most of them headed for Nino’s.”

Between the words above and the photos below, it’s clear that First Fridays is one of the fastest growing and most lively events in Long Beach. Contact Nate Toering at [email protected].


Live sketching at Expo Furniture


Tunes at Georgie’s


The Historical Society


Playing along at Jammin’ Music


The crowd at McCoy’s


The place to be as the music wound down


The Factory