Community News

LB Chapter Organizing

Free Mom Hugs invites the community to an informational meeting on Sunday, April 14. The national group is a huge support system for the LGBTQ+ community and is coming together to create a Long Beach chapter. With over 40 chapters across America, Free Mom Hugs is working to expand into Long Beach by participating in the annual pride parade on May 19 for the first time.

If you’re interested in learning more about joining the group and supporting the LGBTQ+ community attend the 2 p.m. organizational meeting at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St., in the Monarch Room.

For more information visit www.freemomhugs.org or search Facebook for “Free Mom Hugs at Long Beach Pride.”

High Art and Tent Cities

The East Village Art Park, 150 Elm Ave., transforms into both an opera house and a tent city in east village caravanserai’s second production of its inaugural season on Saturday, April 13, 6-8:30 p.m. during the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk.

With set design by Utopia Restaurant owner, and Installation Artists’ Group FLOOD/PUMP co-founder Kamran Assadi, the East Village Art Park is transformed into an other-worldly encampment, hung with blankets and sheets. Events are free.

Slavery Still Exists

While U.S. authorities work diligently to eradicate slavery in America – forced labor, prostitution and forced marriage – the situation has reached epidemic proportions in many other nations. Cory Nichols, director of strategic partnerships for the internationally-recognized Christian non-profit Destiny Rescue, will discuss the issue on Saturday, April 13, at the Long Beach Republican Women Federated breakfast meeting.

Held at the located Long Beach Airport Marriott, the morning meeting includes information critical to Republicans who want to Make California Great Again. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with breakfast served at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $30 per member and $35 for non-members – includes free parking and a plated breakfast.

Destiny Rescue is dedicated to rescuing children trapped in the sex trade. The organization’s vision is to rescue the sexually exploited and enslaved, restore the abused, protect the vulnerable, empower the poor and be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.

Lincoln Club

Noted terrorism expert Jim Potts, a P.O.S.T. Certified Terrorist Investigator and a member of the Open Source Intelligence Team, is a 25 year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Whether he is discussing the issue on his LA Talk Radio Show each Sunday at 3 p.m., in print media or crisscrossing the country addressing political groups, business associations, community-based organizations, schools and businesses, Jim is an outspoken patriot regarding domestic terrorism. He has also conducted active shooter training for thousands of individuals both in and out of the workplace. Jim’s presentation on domestic terrorism will be a fascinating eye opener.

Please join us at noon on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 6201 Appian Way, Long Beach. Cost is $35; please RSVP to Paul Carter at pc@lawbbc.com or by calling (562) 435-1426.

Easter Celebration

Hop aboard the Queen Mary’s famed decks to celebrate Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019. The Queen Mary’s Easter Celebration will offer an eggcellent array of Easter-fun fit for the entire family, including a Royal Easter Sunday Brunch, a petting zoo, face painting, three egg hunts, a Bunny Bounce House atop her majesty’s highest deck, and much more.

Easter Brunch at Claire’s

Dine at Claire’s at the Museum restaurant this Easter Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate with the ones you love. The restaurant will be offering a special brunch buffet menu, bottomless champagne, complimentary valet parking and live music. Seatings are at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. For reservations call (562) 439 2119 x 270.

World Premiere: Glove Story

Two aging champion rival boxers–who fought a legendary trilogy in the early 1960s against the backdrop of a changing nation and the civil rights movement– are reunited by an ambitious young sportswriter only to find that they still can’t stand each other and come out swinging.

Glove Story is at the Garage Theatre, 251 E 7th St., April 26 through May 12. More info and link to tickets: www.panndoraproductions.com.

Pursued by a Bear

The Long Beach Playhouse opens its 2019 Studio Season with Lauren Gunderson’s play entitled Exit, Pursued by a Bear, April 27 through May 25. The play’s subtitle is “A Revenge Comedy.” It’s a play that feels like a mash up between Shakespeare and the Coen Brothers. The protagonist, Nan, is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a man named Kyle. She and her best friend, Simon, along with a stripper named Sweetheart, cook up a plot to reenact scenes from Nan and Kyle’s miserable marriage in hopes of helping Kyle understand the ways he’s failed her.

“The script is hilarious,” said Madison Mooney, the Playhouse’s Executive Director, “But it also cleverly addresses the reality of domestic violence as seen through the various prisms of those involved. It’s both shallow and deep, all at the same time. That’s one of my favorite things about this play.”

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

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.