Young professional social networking group LGB2Network has announced their May lineup of events. LGB2 has, over the past two years, slowly grown into a local phenomenon, altering the way in which the Long Beach queer community connects and networks. If you haven’t been to any of their events, we humbly recommend you do (and if you take it from us, you’ll definitely be utterly depressed if you miss out on this year’s pool party at the Maya).
Sunday, May 6th, 3:00pm: Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge at Sababa
LGB2 has partnered with the Palm Springs Tourism Bureau to present the Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge. Guests will be entertained and as they watch bartenders compete and create signature drinks. Each bartender will be evaluated on taste, presentation, and name. The bartenders will also be judged on creativity and attire, as well as presentation and audience participation. Contestants will receive bonus points if “Palm” or “Springs” is in the name of the signature drink.
Attendees can win Palm Springs prizes, including “Follow me to Palm Springs” underwear, two-night hotel stay, and a trip to the Cocktail Challenge finale in Palm Springs as part of the GayCities Travel Contest.
A winner will be selected from Sababa and brought to Palm Springs to compete against other national bartenders in the Cocktail Challenge finale on May 31, which is also the official kick-off of Summer Splash presented by Desert Gay Tourism Guild.
Sababa, 6527 Pacific Coast Highway, 562-252-3572
Thursday, May 17th, 6:00pm: Monthly Mixer at Moss & Rock
Moss & Rock, an urban-contemporary clothing and accessories boutique for men and women, will showcase special sets of clothing at their own store. It is located on Long Beach’s trendy Broadway strip and specializes in classic yet eclectic, on-trend fashion. Moss & Rock features exclusive designer brands such as DiLascia’s Bakery, Land Of Apparel, Civil Society, Unico, Andrew Christian, For Love & Lemons, Redux/Ritual, NeonBrunette Vintage, and Little Dirt Road, as well as one-of-a-kind vintage garments, accessories and home décor.
LGB2NETWORK wants to help everyone ramp up for the summer season, so its May mixer at Moss & Rock will include a lively summer and swimwear trunk show, live music, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
Moss & Rock, 2752 East Broadway, 562-438-9354
Saturday, May 19th, 12:00pm: Play@ Maya.2 Summer Pool Party Series
Bring the hot swimsuits purchased days before at Moss & Rock to the New York Times-featured Hotel Maya for the first Play@ Maya pool party of the summer. LGB2Network continues its Pride weekend celebration as it brings back its acclaimed summer pool party series that is continuously growing in numbers. The series is hosted at the completely renovated Hotel Maya on Downtown Long Beach’s south waterfront, boasting majestic views of the City from its upscale, high-style pool, restaurant and rooms.
May’s Play@ Maya will feature a swimwear fashion show by Los Angeles’ own hot gay designer Andrew Christian and Long Beach’s Second Street trendiest boutique SWAY accompanied by the music of DJ and producer Morningstar, voted in 2008 as “Best DJ in Las Vegas.” He has performed at multiple festivals and parades sharing the stage with some of the world’s top DJs and Producers and has been credited as one of the hottest and top rising starts in the business.
And last but not least, internationally acclaimed DJ and Producer Dan De León, described as by Out as all at once “sexy, deep, aggressive and uplifting.” De León’s DJ sets bridge latin-inspired rhythm and progressive House. In the tradition of DJ’s such as Danny Tenaglia, Victor Calderone and Chus & Ceballos, De Leon’s unique and uplifting sound style connects intrinsically to broad audiences. He performs regularly with top celebrities such as Tiësto, Sasha, Victor Calderone and the Black Eyed Peas.
It will also help others by donating a portion of the proceeds to The Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach. Like last year’s successful series, the pool parties takes place from 12-6PM. Upbeat dance music, specially priced cocktails, great food catered by the Hotel Maya’s restaurant Fuego, hookah lounge, nail polish bar and an afternoon of fun under the sun are promised to all LGB2’s guests. Play@ Maya is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Hotel Maya; Coors Light; Rage Monthly Magazine; Andrew Christian; Pixi Cosmetics; Sway; SoCal Hookahs; GoGayToday.com; Grindr.
Tickets include, complimentary towels and parking. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $30 or in advance for $20 at www.lgb2network.com.
Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, 562-435-7676