Arts & Entertainment

Love Day Celebration

The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) announced its upcoming community event, CCEJ’s Love Day Celebration, to be held on Sunday, June 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez Park in Downtown Long Beach. This free event aims to celebrate love in all its forms and to commemorate the significance of June as a month of love and inclusivity in our communities.

June holds deep significance for various expressions of love and unity. It marks Pride Month, a time to honor and celebrate LGBTQIA+ individuals and their relationships. Additionally, Loving Day on June 12th commemorates the landmark Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage in the United States in 1967. These historical milestones remind us of the power of love to drive positive change and promote justice and equity.

CCEJ’s Love Day will be a vibrant gathering open to all members of the community, including families and children. Attendees can look forward to a fun-filled day featuring a cookout, games, arts and crafts, as well as live music and spoken word performances. It will be a joyous occasion to come together, connect with one another, and celebrate the diverse tapestry of love that enriches our lives.

RSVP at https://bit.ly/CCEJLoveDay.

Funny Political Satire

International City Theatre presents the Los Angeles premiere of “The Outsider,” a wildly funny and frighteningly timely satire by Paul Slade Smith about a flawed candidate who might just be the perfect fit for the job.

Ned Newly is terrified of public speaking, and his poll numbers are impressively bad. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things a bit differently. Sure, Ned might possibly be the worst candidate to ever run for office – but what if that’s exactly what the public is looking for?

Starring Thomas Anawalt, Jonathan Bray, Taylor Leigh Edwards, Susan Huckle, Nikhil Pai, Stephen Rockwell, Natalie Storrs and produced by caryn desai [sic], performances are June 12-30 in the Beverly O’Neill Theatre, 330 East Seaside Way.

Tickets are $37 to $55 at InternationalCityTheatre.org or call (562) 436-4610

$50,000 Gift to Act Out Theatre Company

Children and families in Long Beach will have more equitable access to high level performing arts programs and youth development opportunities thanks to a $50,000 gift to Act Out Theatre Company from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. This is in line with the foundation’s mission to connect youth to the transformative power of the arts.

“Genesis Inspiration Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people across the nation to discover the profound impact of the arts within their communities,” said John Guastaferro, executive director, Genesis Inspiration Foundation. “We are honored to support Act Out Theatre Company in our joint effort to broaden access to youth arts education, foster creativity, and open doors to a world of possibilities.”

“We are grateful for this incredible gift,” said Travis Wade, founder and executive director of Act Out Theatre Company. “For over 12 years, Act Out has been committed to providing kids and families from all backgrounds and all walks of life an opportunity to explore their artistic gifts and passions in a safe, creative and encouraging space. This gift will help us continue serving families throughout Long Beach and the surrounding communities.”

The mission of Act Out Theatre Company is to provide tuition-free and low-cost opportunities for at-risk and traditionally under-resourced children and families to discover their creative potential with arts programming and youth development opportunities that enrich their lives and stimulate the entire community! This unique program works to revitalize Southern California neighborhoods with activities that spur creativity, innovation, and empowerment for the youth and families they serve.

Symphony Announces 2024-25 Season Lineup

Long Beach Symphony unveiled its 90th Anniversary Season, promising a diverse array of captivating performances to delight audiences of all ages and tastes.

Music Director Eckart Preu states, “The upcoming season promises to be one of the most dynamic yet, featuring a stellar lineup of classical masterpieces, contemporary compositions, and engaging concerts for families. From beloved classics to innovative new works, Long Beach Symphony is dedicated to providing unforgettable musical experiences for the Long Beach community and beyond.”

Highlights of the 2024-25 90th Anniversary Season include:

• Classical Series Opening Night: Kicking off the 90th Anniversary season in style, Opening Night promises an evening of elegance and enchantment, featuring world-class musicians and captivating performances. The series opens with the first piece ever played by the Long Beach Symphony, Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and the season closes with the finale from 90 years ago, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4.
• Pops Series: From Sinatra to Women of Rock, the Pops Series offers a delightful mix of popular music genres, guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages. With large screens and dance floors on either side of the stage, audiences enjoy the indoor picnicking, fun concert-going atmosphere.
• Family Concerts: Designed with families in mind, the RuMBa Foundation Family Concert series provides a fun and interactive introduction to the world of orchestral music, inspiring the next generation of music lovers. Twice annually, they are offered in early Fall and late Spring.

“We are thrilled to present our 2024-25 season lineup, which features an exciting mix of eras, styles, and genres,” said Kelly Ruggirello, president of Long Beach Symphony. “Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the arts or experiencing orchestral music for the first time, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our upcoming season.”

Customized subscriptions for the 2024-25 season starting at $104, and individual tickets starting at just $34 are now available for purchase at https://LongBeachSymphony.org.

For more information about Long Beach Symphony and to view the full calendar for the 2024-25 season, visit https://longbeachsymphony.org/calendar-2024-25/.

Shakespeare Co. Presents 2024 New Works Festival

Due to popular demand, the New Works Festival is back to the Helen Borgers Theater as part of the 2024 Season! This is a two-week theatrical event that will bring new one acts, full length plays and scenes in various stages of development and workshopping.

“Penelope,” by Baylee Shlichtman, 6/8 3 p.m., 6/9 8 p.m.

Autistic Princess Penelope of Sparta has put off marriage for years by having her suitors challenge her father to a foot race she’s rigged to ensure they’ll never win. Self-proclaimed scoundrel Odysseus of Ithaca is sure he’ll be the one to succeed by making Penelope fall so madly in love with him that she’ll reveal the secret to winning. But Penelope won’t be won over so easily, not when getting married comes with the complete upheaval of the life she has worked so hard to order. A Greek Myth retelling/romcom about daddy issues, drowning, and occasionally awful disguises.

“Out of the Woods” by Robert Weibezahl, 5/31 8 p.m., 6/2 2 p.m.

A modern-day fable that plays with the Orpheus myth (and perhaps turns it on its head), it is at turns a tender, funny, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking look at life, love, and the choices we make.

“Behind the Scenes” by Maren English, 6/1 8 p.m., 6/2 8 p.m.

Hoping to find someone to sit on the couch with forever, Angela and Jeff ready themselves to step blindly into the cold unknown of a first date.

“Joan and Samuel – The Medieval Scene” by Ophir Mash, 6/1 8 p.m., 6/2 8 p.m.

Samuel, a medieval soldier returns from war expecting a warm embrace, only to find that his wife, Joan, embraced women’s empowerment instead.

“Pyar aur Coffee” by Rena Patel, 6/8 8 p.m., 6/9 2 p.m.

Four quick-witted and coffee-addicted friends navigate espresso machines, relationships, and South Asian societal expectations all while figuring out what or who makes them happy.

At the Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 ½ Atlantic, Long Beach, in Bixby Knolls.

General admission $25, students $15. Tickets available at LBShakespeare.org or at the Helen Borgers Theater. Info: www.LBShakespeare.org.