Community News

Landmark Presents ‘Rent’

Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is proud to present their next musical production: “Rent” by Jonathan Larson, featuring emerging local performers and a live orchestra. Originally written as “theater for the MTV Generation, “Rent” is a modern pop version of the classic Puccini opera “La Bohème,” retelling the story about young artists in a big city searching for their voice, and their future.

Performers have found themselves drawn to this musical because it reflects the attitudes of young artists. Some will find love, some will find success and all will make the most out of the limited time they have on this planet. The musical score was an instant hit on Broadway, with driving beats and memorable melodies that had audiences leaping out of their seats by the end of the first act. Devoted fans will love seeing a talented group bring this show to life, while newcomers will leave humming tunes they will never forget.

Housed on the campus of the historic First Congregational Church of Long Beach, Landmark Theatre is dedicated to producing high quality theatrical productions that entertain, engage, challenge and inspire. Landmark is committed to inclusivity, social justice and diversity, cultivating a safe environment that celebrates established artists while nurturing emerging local talent.

“Rent” runs on the weekends, Oct. 21-Nov. 13, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15-50 and available at LBLandmark.org. Performances will be held in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach, at the corner of 3rd and Cedar in downtown Long Beach. Call (562) 366-0085 for more information or visit LBLandmark.org.

Upscale/Resale at Church

This exciting Upscale/Resale event will be held in the St. Bartholomew Parish Hall at the corner of Broadway and Granada Ave. on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be lots of household items, artwork, jewelry, toys, handbags, vases, knickknacks, lamps, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations, etc. You won’t want to miss this super shopping opportunity put on by the Women’s Council of St. Bartholomew.

Proceeds from the sale go to local Long Beach Charities.

‘Tall Tiki Tales’

Catalina Museum for Art & History will present the exhibition “Tall Tiki Tales: Catalina as a South Seas Island,” exploring Catalina Island’s contribution (as a film set) in the evolution and popularization of tiki culture – tracing the origins from adventure books, their adaptations into Hollywood films, to the subsequent South Seas-themed restaurants and bars that dotted the country beginning in the mid-1930s.

Opening on Oct. 22, “Tall Tiki Tales” is curated by author, Tiki Scholar and cinematographer Sven Kirsten and will include artifacts, film ephemera, original books and artwork that showcase the evolution of stories and culture. Museum visitors will also interact with a one-of-a-kind tropical immersive experience designed by Master Tiki Bar Designer Bamboo Ben, as well as take a piece of tiki culture home with limited edition stickers, posters and mugs.

For more information about “Tall Tiki Tales: Catalina as a South Seas Island” exhibition at Catalina Museum for Art & History, visit CatalinaMuseum.org/Upcoming-Exhibits.

‘Damn Yankees’

Musical Theatre West (MTW)’s production of the classic American musical “Damn Yankees” premiered last weekend with three home run performances.

Highlights from the show include Broadway star and Olivier award-winning musical theater performer Lesli Margherita as Lola, who had audiences laughing and cheering for the soft-hearted seductress, and Jeff Skowron’s portrayal of the devil-in-disguise Applegate was an audience favorite.

Both Norman Large and James Olivas as the leading Joe’s proved they were full of “heart” for their old girl Meg, played by Teri Bibb. Fabulous Fosse-style choreography by Alexis Carra Girbés brought director Cynthia Ferrer’s vision to life, along with a 15-piece live orchestra led by Matthew Smedal. The entire ensemble earned applause, laughs and bravos in this production full of tricks and treats.

A love letter to baseball, MTW’s version of the All-American 1950’s musical stays true to the seven-time Tony winning Broadway production. The show is perfectly timed with the New York Yankees currently playing in the World Series, just as they did in 1996, the last time “Damn Yankees” was on the MTW stage.

Telling the story of a man who risks his life, his wife and his very soul in hopes of his favorite team winning, audiences can expect a night full of laughter, devilish dance moves, team spirit and the power of true love beating out the devil – and the Yankees.

The Long Beach premiere of “Damn Yankees” will continue on select dates, Oct. 20 to 30, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of CSU Long Beach. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online at musical.org.

More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

‘Brilliant Earth’

The Long Beach Museum of Art is pleased to present “Brilliant Earth: The Ceramic Sculpture of Tony Marsh,” the first solo museum exhibition for the renowned contemporary sculptor and ceramicist through March 29, 2023. Organized by the Long Beach Museum of Art, this survey exhibition comprises more than 50 works spanning 50 years, from 1972 to present.

Marsh is an artist celebrated for his dedication to a material and a form he says never seems to exhaust itself – clay and the vessel. He has spent decades deconstructing the behavior of ceramic material and thermal response. He challenges the tyranny of process in ceramics, and forgoes the traditional sequence of make, trim, glaze and fire, instead subjecting his work to punctures, multiple firings, and the addition and removal of material until they feel complete – or sometimes inevitably self-deconstruct.

While his vessels are not utilitarian, they pay homage to what pottery has always been called to do – to preserve, hold, ritualize, commemorate and beautify. Within that context, he aims at the fringe to explore the new work spurred by curiosity and fearless exploration.

Marsh, a professor at CSULB, chaired the Ceramics Department for 25 years (1989-2015) and is currently the founding director for the Center for Contemporary Ceramics, a national and international residency program on the CSULB campus.

Heron Hike

Join a nature hike of the Los Cerritos Wetlands on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8 to 10 a.m. Learn about the history of the wetlands and who owns which portions of the wetlands. Walking along oil roads, naturalists will share about the reintroduction of tides and the future of bringing water back into the land.

This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes required. Park on the inland side of the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street, just at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach.

For more information or to RSVP, email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

100-Year Celebration

Enjoy a night filled with music, dinner and dancing as the Executives Association of Long Beach celebrates 100 years of business networking at the Petroleum Club on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Purchase your tickets now before they sell out. For more information, tickets and sponsorships, visit www.longbeachexecs.com or call (562) 663-6416.