Community News

At the LB Playhouse

In “She Kills Monsters” playwright Qui Nguyen pays homage to the geek, the outsider, and the warrior within us all. In the play, running Feb. 24 to March 25, Agnes Evans is an average young woman who wishes her life could be different. When her wish is answered in a way she never expected, she begins a journey to get to know her younger sister, Tilly. In the process, she steps into a world she knows nothing about and discovers secrets she never imagined.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Music of ABBA

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Long Beach Symphony will once again deliver a high-energy party evening with indoor picnicking, superb music, and the ability to dance the night away to the legendary music of ABBA, presented by ARRIVAL from Sweden.

ARRIVAL from Sweden’s 10-member band will join Long Beach Symphony on this powerful stage ensuring Southland audiences jump to their feet. With nearly 400 million records sold and following the success of the musical and movie productions of “Mama Mia,” ARRIVAL from Sweden ensures audiences across the globe can continue to enjoy the band’s fan favorites performed live. ABBA fan clubs have referred to ARRIVAL as “The Closest You Will Ever Get To ABBA!”

Conducted by the energetic Anthony Parnther, known around the world for his orchestral contributions and extensive list of film and television soundtracks, ARRIVAL from Sweden will deliver the iconic classics like “Money, Money, Money,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “Mamma Mia!”, ensuring a timeless appeal and connecting with audiences of all ages.

ARRIVAL from Sweden, The Music of ABBA will perform on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Arena. Doors open at 6:30 for indoor picnicking as audiences bring their food, sweets, libations, costumes and table decorations. Tickets and savings are available by calling (562) 436-3203, ext. 1 or at LongBeachSymphony.org

Salty Suites Back Feb. 26.

Bluegrass darlings the Salty Suites are no strangers to Long Beach audiences, having regularly thrilled crowds at the El Dorado Nature Center’s popular concert series. They are as delightfully funny as they are wickedly virtuosic, with beautiful vocal harmonies and brilliantly written songs.

Chelsea Williams (guitar) and Chuck Hailes (bass, violin) were augmented by the brilliant mandolin work of Scott Gates. But with Gates on tour with AJ Lee & Blue Summit, the Suites have turned to talented banjo player Mark Cassidy to fill out their trio. His brilliant picking contrasts with Chelsea’s ballads and lilting voice, all cemented by Chuck’s rock-solid playing and vocal harmonies.

The Salty Suites began in early June 2009 when Williams, Hailes, & Gates played together for the first time one magical night at Castoro Cellars in San Luis Obispo, CA. Since then, the Salty Suites have had the pleasure of performing countless shows at many incredible venues up & down the California coast and are regulars at venues in the Southland, such as the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena and the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, as well as the El Dorado Nature Center.

Grace First Presbyterian Church, home of Music at the Point, is at 3955 N. Studebaker Road, where it meets Los Coyotes Diagonal. This concert is Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. and is a free-will donation show at the door. For more information, contact Stan DeWitt at (562) 972-3324.

‘9 to 5, The Musical’

Musical Theatre West (MTW)’s production of 9 to 5, The Musical, has debuted in Long Beach. The peppy, powerful performance had audiences laughing, clapping and cheering for the leading ladies and earned standing ovations. Tickets are still available for the limited run through Feb. 26.

It was a star-studded night for MTW’s official opening, with many nationally recognized celebrities and VIPs in attendance, such as Disney’s Kayden Muller-Janssen, “New Girl” star Chloe Noelle, Netflix’s Lily Brooks O’Briant, MTW performer and singer/composer Dedrick Bonner, and many more. The Dollywood-inspired pre-show set the stage for fun with a red carpet, live music by Dolly Parton tribute band Love Dolly, and some of Tennessee’s most famous treats. Many attendees wore Dolly Parton fits and 1970s-inspired get-ups in celebration of the big night.

Tickets are $20 to $125 and are available by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online. More information, a full line-up of performances and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

AAUW March 4 Program

March is Women’s History Month! The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Long Beach’s March 4 program will feature Dr. Judy Wu, a professor at UC Irvine and author speaking about her book: “Fierce and Fearless – Patsy Takemoto Mink: First Woman of Color in Congress.”

Mink, a third-generation Japanese American from Hawaii, was a congressional champion for the passage of Title IX, the legislation that last year celebrated its 50th anniversary of mandating gender equity for schools that receive federal funding. Join us to explore how Mink’s long political career over the course of the second half of the 20th century reveals new insights into the history and meaning of feminism.

Guests are welcome to attend this 11 a.m. program at Long Beach City College, 4900 E. Conant St., Building O2, Room 208. Please RSVP to attend at: aauwlongbeach.reservations@gmail.com.

Young Singers at Gala

On March 11 at 6:30 p.m., the Long Beach Youth Chorus will feature some of its young singers in a cabaret performance that will also serve as the chorus’ first ever gala. In addition to the performance, guests will be treated to a meal, drinks and have the chance to bid on several items in a silent auction and opportunity drawing.

The gala will be held at Patterson Hall at First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Ave., in downtown Long Beach.

The chorus, under the artistic direction of Stevie Hirner, now has 42 singers in two groups: the Long Beach Youth Chorus (grades 6-12) and the Young Musicians Program (grades 2-5). The chorus is seeing a period of significant growth and excitement under Hirner’s leadership.

The concert will feature a variety of solos in different styles of music, as well as pieces by the full chorus. The Young Musicians Program singers are led by Assistant Director Hillary Ngo, and all of the singers will be accompanied by Collaborative Pianist Daniel Manoiu.

Tickets for the gala ($25) can be purchased online at: https://bit.ly/CabaretLBYC.