Live music at Georgie’s restaurant from the April First Fridays event. Photo by Nate Toering
10:00am | The Bixby Knolls neighborhood continues its growing cultural rebranding with another First Fridays event scheduled for this evening, the first Friday of the month. The event boasts live music, art galleries, drink specials, and fun for the whole family along Atlantic Avenue businesses.
You can visit the First Friday information table between 6:30pm-8:00pm at the corner of Bixby & Atlantic Avenue for maps, business information and participating restaurants. We’ve also included a map (below), which you can download yourself at firstfridayslongbeach.com.
The fun starts early, as the infamous Big Red Bus will pick up partygoers at Nino’s Italian Restaurant around 6:45pm for a tour of the First Fridays festivities. If you feel like staying at the legendary eatery, there will be live music from 7:00pm-9:00pm and a “drink and draw” event as the night begins to wind down, encouraging visitors to create some artwork while they enjoy a drink or two.
That’s one of First Fridays’ newest focuses, making the visitors as much a part of the event as the artists and musicians. You can also create spontaneous art on sandwich boards along Atlantic Avenue and participate in several dance demonstrations for both children and adults.
It’s really an open boardwalk atmosphere lined with classic cars, with live artists showcasing their skills on the sidewalk and the notes of live music drifting down the street. If you haven’t made a First Fridays yet, bring an empty stomach and a creative mind and head down to Atlantic Avenue tonight.
