Image courtesy of the Downtown Long Beach Associates.
The Loop, since its activation in downtown Long Beach this month, has served as a focal point for those traipsing their way to upper Pine Avenue from The Pike and the Long Beach Convention Center and has so far served as a marker for those heading toward the water, that yes, there is indeed life past the once-vacant 7,700 sq. ft. space where the Jergins Trust Building used to stand.
Passerby have gazed up at the colorful structure, milled beneath its arches and stayed for a while, perhaps taking a lunch break or watching Ocean Boulevard traffic whiz by. But what the public hasn’t experienced yet is The Loop used as an event space.
It’s certainly served its purpose, and continues to do so, as an art installation, creating conversations between Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard wanderers, but now it’s time to activate the activation space with a Live After 5, set to take place on Thursday, May 12 from 5:00PM to 10:00PM.
“Having opened over Grand Prix weekend, thousands have already explored the space, but have yet to experience [The Loop] at full throttle as an event space,” an announcement by the Downtown Long Beach Associates stated.
Photo by Asia Morris.
With the lineup curated by Joshua Fischel, headlining May’s Live After 5 will be the Long Beach-based experimental rock and jazz outfit, The Vespertines. Joining them will be the TV Heads, Poor Mister Rich, Neighbors to the North and Tacky Little Hatshop.
“The Loop is more than just an architectural piece of art-it’s a public venue,” stated DLBA Placemaking Manager Sean Warner. “We have always planned to activate it with programming, especially live music-and now, we get to show off the potential of the space in a truly dynamic manner thanks to our Live After 5 series.”
The Loop’s debut as a live music venue seeks to offer visitors and locals in downtown Long Beach an unforgettably unique experience.
For more information about the event, visit the Facebook event page here or the Live After 5 website here.