Community News

National Night Out

The Long Beach Police Department invites neighbors, community groups and businesses to join them in celebrating in the 40th Annual National Night Out, on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Neighborhoods throughout our city are invited to join over 38 million neighbors across 17,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. 

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. 

From time to time, neighbors throughout Long Beach and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on their front porch lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and law enforcement. 

Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most communities celebrate National Night Out by hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more. 

Don’t have an organized Community Watch group yet? National Night Out is the perfect time to start. For more information, visit  https://www.longbeach.gov/police/crime-info/community-watch/.

Heron Hike

Learn about the history of Los Cerritos Wetlands during a nature walk Aug. 5, 8-10 a.m. Naturalists will share about the reintroduction of tides to the wetlands and other upcoming restoration efforts. Bring binoculars, if you have them, to view wetlands wildlife.

This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes are required. Park at the intersection of PCH and 1st St., just at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach. For more information or to RSVP for the nature walk, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

‘Misery’ at the Garage

For the second play of their 23rd season, The Garage Theatre is presenting “Misery,” by William Goldman, adapted from the Stephen King novel and film of the same title. Cat Elrod directs the three-person play which features Jade Yancosky as Annie Wilkes, Rory Cowan as Paul Sheldon, and Gary Williams as Sheriff Buster. Running now through Aug. 12.

On Saturday, July 22, the Garage will be hosting a special reception after the show. Psychologist, Dr. Mallory Behar, will be giving a presentation followed by a Q&A with ice cream sundaes and beverages. The cast will answer questions about their personal processes while Dr. Behar breaks down the complexities and horrors of navigating untreated mental illness.

Dr. Behar is a psychologist at Metropolitan State Hospital, specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, substance use concerns, and trauma. She completed her training at the California Institute for Women prison (CIW) working with patients diagnosed with severe mental illness and personality disorders.

Info: http://www.thegaragetheatre.org/onstagenow.

Raising Decibels

2ND & PCH announces PCH Raising Decibels, a live music concert series. The outdoor shopping center hosts concerts under the stars on Thursday evenings 5-8 p.m. The series features some of Southern California’s finest bands playing originals across a variety of genres, as well as several of the top local tribute bands covering timeless classics and generational hits from artists including Elton John, No Doubt, the Rolling Stones and more. Concerts are complimentary to the community and will be performed on Seaport Way.

Aug. 3: Blue Breeze Band – Providing audiences with the best of motown, R&B, soul, funk, jazz and blues, this 6-12 piece band is sure to pack the dance floor with their funky soul rhythms composed of amazing vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar and an extraordinary horn section.

Aug. 10: Rod the Mod, Never a Dull Moment Tribute Band – A rock band with a unique blend of raw energy and a lead singer that encapsulates the subtle nuances of Rod Stewart himself, Rod the Mod brings an exciting performance and genuine representation of Rod Stewart’s concerts.

Catalina Museum

First Fridays at the Museum: Dinner and a Movie with Elvis, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. -

Immerse yourself in a beloved tradition: Dinner and a Movie with Elvis! Enjoy a Las Vegas-style buffet dinner accompanied by the captivating performance of James Kruck, an exceptional Elvis Presley impersonator. Following the dinner, head to the Ackerman Family Amphitheater for a screening of the documentary Elvis: That’s the Way It Is, providing an intimate look into Elvis’ triumphant return to the stage in 1970.

Lace ‘Em Up to Walk

The Lace ‘Em Up for Epilepsy Walk Long Beach will kick off annual walks each year with the funds raised going to improve the lives of children and their families in need, specifically those struggling with Epilepsy. Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for kids on Sunday, Aug. 13. Participants are encouraged to form teams and fundraise.

NFL and UCLA Quarterback Brett Hundley will be one of many walkers supporting families struggling with Epilepsy. The real heroes aren’t the famous names but those that walk and secure sponsors and donations to raise funds for those with Epilepsy in their worlds. Tandy Consulting and CHOC Neuroscience Institute have signed on as the first All-American sponsors of the Long Beach event.

The walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. at the Granada Launch Ramp – Beach Path at 1 Granada Ave. in Long Beach. Registration includes an event T-shirt and lunch. The festivities will include live music, games, prizes, giveaways and beach fun. Everyone in attendance will have the chance to meet Brett.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/epilepsywalklongbeach. For more information, email info@hundleyfoundation.org or visit hundleyfoundation.org.

MOW Car Show

In partnership with the Sultans Car Club, MOWLB will host the 2nd Annual Wheels for Meals Car Show on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bolivar Park, 3300 Del Amo Blvd., Lakewood. Over 500 attendees are anticipated to enjoy this family-friendly, fun-filled day of classic cars, live entertainment, raffles, local vendors, food and so much more.

The 2023 Wheels for Meals Car Show would not be possible without the support and generosity of our key sponsors – special thanks to Phillips 66 Refinery, Molina Health Care, The Port of Long Beach, Supervisor Janice Hahn, and Studebaker Restoration LTD.

Meals on Wheels of Long Beach is not government funded, relying solely on individual, corporate and foundation financial support and dedicated volunteers to fulfil its mission: We are more than a meal – we nourish, we comfort, we protect.

In 2022, 324 volunteers proudly supported 855 clients with 96,657 friendly visits and 193,314 meals – we need your help to make an even bigger impact in 2023.

If you cannot attend the car show, please visit www.mowlb.org to make your donation today.

For more information about this event or how to otherwise get involved with Meals on Wheels of Long Beach, please call (562) 439-5000, Ext. 9 or leta@mowlb.org.

Shakespeare New Works

Celebrating 21 years with our 2023 Season the Circle of Life, The Helen Borgers Theater presents the 2023 New Works Festival. Performances continue through Sunday, July 30.

Tickets, information, and directions to The Helen Borgers Theatre, at 4250 Atlantic, are available at www.LBShakespeare.org.

MTW 72nd Season

Musical Theatre West (MTW), Southern California’s premier musical theatre company, is pleased to announce its landmark 72nd season of Broadway-caliber musicals for the upcoming 2024 season. Anticipated to be one of its most exciting seasons to date, MTW’s 2024 season will combine well-known Broadway staples and newer musical fare. Call (562) 856-1999 to reserve your seats for the season, which kicks off Feb. 9, 2024, and runs through Nov. 3, 2024.

The classic tap musical “42nd Street” (Feb. 9-25), the story of a chorus girl who dreams of becoming a star, kicks off the season, followed by the recounting of a jam session between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis that changed the face of rock and roll: “Million Dollar Quartet” (April 12-28).

Over the summer is “Newsies” (July 12-28), the stage adaptation of the beloved Disney film based on the 1899 Newsboys strike, and finally the Fats Waller musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (Oct. 18-Nov. 3) closes the season.

“We are thrilled to bring this exciting mix of musicals to the Carpenter Center stage for our 72nd season,” said Paul Garman, executive director/producer for MTW. “Musical Theatre West always strives to bring Broadway-quality productions to Long Beach, and this season gives us a perfect opportunity to do just that. Two of the shows bring the larger-than-life production quality that MTW does best, and are wonderfully complemented by two celebrations of iconic musicians and musical styles.”