Doing Good in the LBC is an occasional newsletter where we’ll share about local residents doing good for Long Beach. Sign up for it at lbpost.com/newsletters.
Every year I used to order our columnist, Tim Grobaty, to write something about locals leaving town during Grand Prix weekend. Now that he’s retired — partly; he still writes on Wednesdays — he’s earned the right to ignore me with impunity.
Thankfully the gist of the story hasn’t changed much: It’s loud, and some people are annoyed enough to take a free shuttle to outlets, museums or other places miles away from Shoreline Drive (read all about it here).
If you’re among those looking to ditch town, I have a suggestion for Friday, April 11: Opening night of Musica Angelica’s Bach Festival in the heart of LA.
Musica Angelica, Long Beach’s very own Baroque orchestra, is hosting a performance by Christopher Bull, a renowned composer, producer and organist, performing Bach, Vivaldi and Mendelssohn on one of the largest organs in the world at First Congregational Church Los Angeles.
The concert, “Bach to the Future,” includes classical music of the 17th Century with food trucks and a laser show.
The festival moves back to Long Beach on Saturday at our First Congregational (241 Cedar Ave.) with a performance of “St. Matthew’s Passion.”
Matthew Faulkner, executive director of Musica Angelica, is well aware that rubber will be burning across the street at the Acura Grand Prix at possibly the same time as the performance of this classical piece. But Faulkner said he can offer this: A nicely priced ticket ($27.50, with a discount for locals or race attendees), a wine-and-cheese reception and “a world-class, exceptional” performance.
“The caliber of what we’re presenting is excellent,” he said. “It will be a fine accompaniment to a world class race.”
The concert is possible thanks to the Colburn Foundation, which has also put up a $50,000 match for donations through April to support Musica Angelica. Learn more about the concerts and donate here.
Women telling the truth
Roaring engines have already permeated Downtown with this weekend’s Formula Drift races, but local gatherings carried on just fine. I stopped by the Literary Women’s Festival, where some 800 women (and possibly a guy or two) gathered at the Convention Center to hear from authors about their books.
Words and the craft of assembling them into stories have a powerful way of helping us make sense of the world. I’ve been reading a lot lately, and after Saturday, a few more books have been added to my list.
One of them is by author Lara Love Hardin, who writes mostly fiction. She talked about her memoir, “The Many Lives of Mama Love,” which made it into Oprah’s book club. Hardin shared about the freedom that comes with owning a story and having the courage to write it.
The long-running festival itself sells out every year. Sign up for their newsletter to get details about next year’s event.
Downtown spirit
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance also bestowed “Spirit of Downtown” awards upon those who have helped build, create and lend their talents to enliven the heart of the city.
Isa McKinley Quiroz Rached, former owner of the “B” Room, was posthumously honored with the Downtown Don Anchor Award for creating safe spaces and cultural events uplifting the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities in Long Beach. Rached died earlier this year at 38 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Other 2025 Spirit Awardees included:
Chris Sweeney, founder of RightMealz on Fourth Street who sprung to action to help rally support for victims of the Los Angeles fires.
Brian Addison (hey, we know him!), founder of Longbeachize and Long Beach Food Scene that spotlights the area’s food and culture.
The Willmore City Community Association will be honored for preserving local history and revitalizing the neighborhood with an array of cultural programming and improvements.
Rhonda Love, an advocate for the arts and culture, a digital media artist and founder of the nonprofit DreamKreator Studio.
The Mosaic Development Team, including Waterford Property Company and Turnbridge Equities, which have been instrumental in the housing renaissance of Downtown.