Community News

‘My Fair Lady’ at Playhouse

The Long Beach Playhouse closes its Mainstage season with the classic and much beloved musical My Fair Lady. Most people know the story of Eliza Doolittle – a flower seller of limited means with a feisty personality whom Professor Higgins transforms into a Victorian lady who can engage with people of wealth and means without a hint of the once-humble street vendor showing through the facade.

The show opens June 30 and runs through August 4.

“I love our musicals,” said Madison Mooney, Playhouse executive director. “They are a chance for us to showcase our costume shop and our technical crews. Donna Fritsche and her volunteers have the sewing machines at top speed all day. It’s a big cast and an era of glorious and fanciful garb. Our audience will be treated to a charming spectacle of design. The set will be a visual delight. The musical score is beloved by everyone. I can’t wait for opening night!”

Tickets ($14-$24) are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

100 Days of Summer

With longer summer days and kids on school break, residents turn to Long Beach parks for recreational activity options and to connect with each other. Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) has ten weeks of free recreation programs planned for youth and families to ensure that all residents can stay and play in the city during the “100 Days of Summer,” from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.100daysofsummer.org for hundreds of ideas of fun activities that do not require a lot of traveling and are either free or low-cost.

“Summer Fun Days” engages children ages five to 12 in supervised fun, including sports, games, arts and crafts, and special events. This is a drop-in program with no custodial child care. The program will run Monday through Friday, from June 18 to August 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The public can visit https://bit.ly/1Ga7Boi for daily program schedules.

The “Be S.A.F.E.” (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) program supports neighborhoods by extending supervision hours at designated parks during the evening and employing neighborhood youth. Be S.A.F.E. offers arts and crafts, outdoor games, sports, science activities, dance programs, classes in fitness, cooking, gardening and flower arranging; and computer labs that appeal to youth and families.

The program will be offered Monday through Friday, from June 18 through August 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Free Be S.A.F.E. movie showings will take place at Long Beach parks this summer. Movies that will be screened include “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” and more. For a complete listing, those interested can visit: https://bit.ly/2JFxuzj.

In addition to the Be S.A.F.E. movie showings, and for the 13th year in a row, Signal Hill Petroleum in cooperation with Partners of Parks, will sponsor the popular “Movies in the Park” series that attracts thousands of people of all ages each summer for free evenings of fun in their local park.

The “Movies in the Park” program motto is, “The movie and popcorn are free. Time spent as a family is priceless!” This season runs from June 18 through August 22, and movies begin at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, picnic style dinner, and family and friends. Movies are subject to change. Those interested can visit https://bit.ly/1MFbwI8 for the list of showings and for more information.

50th Year Celebration

Don Temple Storage is celebrating 50 years of being in business on July 7, 2018. A party is planned at the Long Beach Police Officers Association Park at 7290 E. Carson St., behind Walmart and Lowe’s in the Towne Shopping Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There’s going to be music from the Elm Street Band, a classic rock ‘n’ roll ensemble that covers a wide range of songs, as well as BBQ hot dogs provided by the LBPOA, shaved ice, treats and refreshments. This is a free event for the whole family as there will be games, contests, kid activities, door prizes and gifts.

“This celebration will be more about thanking the residents of Long Beach for their support over the past 50 years,” said current owner Sumer Temple. “Afterward we are giving away a flat-screen television and a laptop computer that will be playing a video of Don’s story during the event,” she added.

The storage facilities will be closed during the celebration to allow employee and customer participation. For additional information, call the Don Temple Storage office at (562) 426-5555 or visit www.dontemplestorage.com.

Int’l Talent Contest

Singers, dancers, actors, models, instrumentalists and variety artists will compete at the 22nd Annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) July 6-14 at the Terrace Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. This international meet is often cited as the official “Talent Olympics” for performers and is the only event of its kind.

Performers are selected from the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and South Africa. Contestants from more than 60 countries will be vying for the gold and more than half a million in scholarships and prizes from New York Film Academy, New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Prime Music, Indasoul Music, K & K Productions, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, LA Models, Oleg Cassini, K & K Production and CSM Words/Music.

Tickets are $35 for California residents and are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3478923 with a limited amount on goldstar.com. Tickets available online and at the door. Check-in is available at 5:45 p.m. Patrons must bring Ticket Confirmation and their California ID. Patrons must be seated by 6:30 p.m.