Leadership Long Beach will present the second annual IDEA FEST LONG BEACH (IF LB) on Saturday, May 30. To be held at Orizaba Park, the festival is an all-ages event that will focus on education, social justice and the arts.
Orizaba Park Community Center, Alex’s Bar, Gladys Urban Farm and Artist Co-Op will host myriad discussions on topics ranging from public safety and science to comic books and sustainable gardening. Some classes will be conducted in Spanish, as noted in the schedule below. Live entertainment from local band Bearcoon, singer songwriter Alicia Murphy and other activities will be featured on the IF LB stage.
Field representatives for Senator Ricardo Lara will discuss how participants can make an impact on improving Long Beach’s “astonishingly low voter turn out,” along with 4th District candidate for City Council Herlinda Chico, according to Palacio Magazine. The class is titled When 20% Wins An Election.
“IDEA FEST creates transformational dialogues by removing the label expert and replacing it with community member,” said Nicolassa Galvez, CEO of the ArtExchange. “My intention in joining the lab Art and Small Business in Partnership is to generate actionable ideas for economic opportunities between these foundational industries. Local artists and small business coming together can become a force to be reckoned with in Long Beach.”
An IF LB organizer and the Manager of Volunteer Services at the Aquarium of the Pacific Sean Devereaux will ensure the aquarium is a part of the conversation as well.
“One of the most unique things about IDEA FEST LONG BEACH is that it is designed to create meaningful dialogue among community members,” he said in a statement. “The Aquarium will be bringing its Aquarium on Wheels to IF LB, because it wants to be a part of the conversation, especially for the kids who will lead us all into the future.”
Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell will kick off the event by welcoming the community with an introduction of the 2015 Leadership Long Beach (LLB) service projects. IF LB class themes will be Arts & Culture, Wellness, Business, Service and Visioning. Participation is free, but the community is encouraged to reserve a seat ahead of time.
If you prefer gathering your information in a printed manner, an event schedule, map, featured classes and speakers can also be found in a 16-page pullout within Long Beach’s own newly-relaunched Palacio Magazine. Pick one up from businesses throughout the city or learn more here. For tickets and IF LB’s full list of festival offerings, click here.