Community News

Peace, Unity Celebration

The City of Signal Hill and the City of Long Beach announced a joint event, “A Celebration of Peace and Unity,” on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Unity Monument at 2271 Temple Ave., Signal Hill. The event begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 11 a.m.

“A Celebration of Peace and Unity” marks the 20th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. There will be guest speakers, an honor guard, musical performances, time for reflection, refreshments and more.

The Unity Monument, sculpted by artist Patrick Vogel, is the only standing monument to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 in the area. It was completed in 2002 and is a symbol of our nation’s renewed strength and unity, blending five separate metals to form a sculpture representing our nation’s diversity. The monument faces the east coast as a tribute.

All are welcome. Parking is extremely limited. We ask all guests to please consider carpooling or using a rideshare or taxi. For more information, please contact Community Services at (562) 989-7330 or visit www.cityofsignalhill.org.

Republican Women Meet

The community is invited to attend the Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, Long Beach Republican Women Federated breakfast meeting to hear Dr. Craig Smith, former speech writer for President George H. W. Bush and author of the book Confessions of a Political Speech Writer. Dr. Smith and Peggy Noonan penned the well-known phrase “thousand points of light.”

Held at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow Street, registration starts at 9 a.m. with breakfast served at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members and there is free parking.

Smith remains a sought-after speechwriter, having written speeches for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush and Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, among many high-profile people in and out of politics. During his early years, Smith struggled keeping his secret of being gay separate from his professional life. He is president and founder of the Freedom of Expression Foundation and has become a leading player on First Amendment issues in the nation’s capital.

In addition to Dr. Smith’s informative presentation, the breakfast meeting offers like-minded women and men an opportunity to learn more about Republican Women Federated and how they can be part of America’s largest grassroots organization.

For information and reservations: Email LongBeachRWF@gmail.com or call (562) 760-1556 or visit http://www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com/calendar.html.

Aquarium of Pacific Events

First Responders Day, Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Firefighters, doctors, nurses, EMS employees and certain law enforcement personnel receive free admission on Sept. 11. Contact your union or association to purchase discounted tickets for friends and family members before coming to the aquarium. Active personnel should present their employee ID or professional organization membership card at the aquarium. Advance reservations required for everyone.

This event is free for fire, medical, EMS and police personnel with valid ID. General Admission--$36.95 adult (12+), $33.95 senior (62+), $26.95 child (3-11) and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members, Info/Tickets: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/first_responders_day/

Night Dive, Sept. 17, 7:30-11 p.m. – Night Dive is an event for adults-only (18+) with local bands performing right next to the fish, DJs spinning, works of art, cocktails and drinks and food trucks on the front plaza. Advance reservations are required.

Cost is $24.95 per person, $19.95 per Aquarium member, food and drink sold separately. Info/Tickets: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/night_dive/

California Coastal Clean-Up Day, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-noon – You can join the Aquarium of the Pacific in cleaning up Long Beach as part of the statewide Coastal Clean-Up Day. The public is invited to help aquarium staff clean the beach located at Ocean Blvd. and 72nd place. Help protect our ocean and marine life by picking up trash. Gloves, bags and a spirit of camaraderie will be provided. Please look for the aquarium booth to check in and receive your cleaning supplies. No RSVP necessary.

This is a free event. Info: (562) 590-3100, ext. 0; 1-800-COAST-4U (1-800-262-7848); or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/california_coastal_cleanup_day/

Moompetam: American Indian Festival, Sept. 18-19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – In celebration of the local American Indian cultures, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its seventeenth annual Moompetam Festival. This celebration will feature traditional cultural crafts demonstrations, storytelling, music and dance celebrating the indigenous California maritime cultures, including Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno and Kumeyaay. Advance reservations required for everyone.

Cost: General Admission--$36.95 adult (12+), $33.95 senior (62+), $26.95 child (3-11) and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members. Info/Tickets: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/moompetam/

New Works, New Voices

Musical Theatre West’s New Works, New Voices is an exciting new program aiming to help artists develop new and original musicals covering a variety of topics and experiences.

The following three shows will be workshopped the weekend of Sept. 18 & 19 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The weekend event will culminate in an outdoor mixer at 4:30 p.m. where guests can mingle with each show’s creators. Please make reservations online at https://musical.easy-ware-ticketing.com/events. A donation of $25 is suggested to attend the event and help support the continuation of this program.

Angels of The Southern Accents, Sept. 18, 2 p.m. – Margaret Mitchell, author of the iconic novel “Gone With The Wind” had a secret that was held for over 40 years after her death. She was married to two men, Red Upshaw and John Marsh, who were best friends in college that had a secret of their own. Her closest confidant was her maid, Bessie Jordan, who challenged her White privilege. Finally, there was Benjamin Mays, president of the prestigious black university, Morehouse College, who would lead Mitchell down a controversial path that could ruin her reputation.

The Importance of Being Earnest, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. With its mistaken identities, sudden engagements and outrageous coincidences, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest has been delighting audiences for over a century and is undoubtedly one of the funniest plays ever written. And how best to bring this timeless comedy into its next century than by adding the one thing it lacks – music! This delightful new musical illuminates Wilde’s play through songs filled with his biting, cynical wit; brilliant social commentary; and soaring heartfelt romance.

On This Side of The World, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. – This new musical tells the unique experiences of six actors who play multiple Filipino/Filipino-American characters traveling from Manila to America. Depicting different ages, socio-economic backgrounds and dramatic concerns, they perform songs that are a mix of comedy, romance, drama and social commentary. The numbers range from solo and ensemble, musical monologue and sung scene in musical styles that include contemporary musical theatre, jazzy burlesque, pop torch song, bubblegum pop and operetta.

Long Beach Playhouse

The new season kicks off with “Noises Off,” which runs Sept. 11 to Oct. 9, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For those who love a good British farce, imagine the joy of being able to watch the mayhem going on behind the scenes. Imagine no longer as we bring you “backstage” during the rehearsals and performances of a comedy that goes hilariously wrong over its months of production. As this troupe of actors presents an awful flop called Nothing On, doors slam, cues are missed, and lives and careers dangle in the balance during what has been called “the funniest farce ever written.” Come laugh your sardines off as you experience possibly the most horrendously funny performance ever presented.

Info: www.lbplayhouse.org.