Community News

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. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday. 3-8 p.m. and Sundays from 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

Earth Day Celebration

Learn what you can do to help our ocean planet while visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific for its annual Earth Day Celebration, April 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can journey through the aquarium to celebrate Earth Day by learning everyday tips to protect our environment.

Visitors will have the chance to visit booths from various Earth-friendly organizations and to participate in hands-on learning demonstrations for people of all ages. Environmental films will be shown to give guests a chance to learn about climate change, sustainable seafood, and reducing marine debris.

Bring an eWaste item to the Aquarium of the Pacific during the Earth Day Celebration and receive a coupon valid for $10 off regular adult admission, valid on April 27-28, 2019 only. Accepted e-waste includes electronic items such as cell phones, computers, monitors, televisions and small household appliances. Refrigerators, large appliances and batteries or items containing batteries will not be accepted. Restrictions apply.

The festival is free to aquarium members and included with general admission for the public. Info: (562) 590-3100.

Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’

On April 27 at 8 p.m., the Long Beach Symphony will present yet another “don’t miss” concert entitled Mozart’s Jupiter with highly sensory works by Pärt, Mozart, Golijov and Korngold that will put audiences in touch with their inner selves and send them into the stratosphere. The concert will take place in the Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.LongBeachSymphony.org or call (562) 436-3203 Ext. 1.

Bump Baby Expo

Mommy 4D Ultrasound presents the first-ever Power to the Bump Baby Expo in Long Beach on April 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Expo Arts Center. Indulge in a one-stop-shop parenting wonderland with unique activities, seminars and events including: the Mom’osa and Chill Lounge, Kids Zone, mommy makeovers, learn of top parenting products and services, car seat safety, baby + parent fitness classes, connect with healthcare professionals, and much more! To learn more and purchase tickets today visit www.powertothebump.com.

Children’s Day at Park

Children’s Day is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year on Sunday, April 28 at El Dorado Park. Children’s Day “Primary Focus” for 2019 is “Caring for our Environment.”

Fun and educational activities, include: The Downtown Clown, Sierra Club, children’s choirs, hands on arts booths.

The event is free with plenty of free parking nearby. Attendees are invited to bring their own picnicking gear if they wish – some affordable food and drinks are available at the events as well.

Further information is available at ChildrensDayUSA.org.

Summer Concert

Councilwoman Suzie Price announces a special community concert titled, “Spring into Summer” featuring the band, Dustbowl Revival.  The internationally known Americana band is known for their vibrant mix of vintage Americana sounds. They will perform on Sunday, April 28 at Marine Stadium Park in celebration of spring and the start of the concerts in the park series set to officially start in June.  The event will start at 4:30 p.m. and last until 7 p.m.

The community concert is a free, family friendly event sponsored by the Port of Long Beach which will include free hot dogs provided by Firefighters Union Local 372 along with free coconut water, provided by Vita Coco, a bounce house and face painters.  Councilwoman Price will also offer bike registration for all those riding their bikes to the event. 

Pre-concert performances will take place at 4:30 p.m. by the Wilson High School Syncopated Drum Corps Alumni and Maya Somers so come early and save your space on the grass.  Additionally, Councilwoman Price will use this opportunity to announce the Third District residents that sit on the different Commission boards throughout the city. 

National Day of Prayer

This event is planned for Wednesday, May 1, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4644 Clark Ave. 7-8:30 p.m. Meet in the gym (look for balloons) for presentation of flags, patriotic songs, prayers for local, state and national leaders, families, judges and more. Concludes with a candle lighting outside with light refreshments and fellowship. Contact: Ted Pearson (562) 429-2129 or (562) 760-5600.

Children’s Day Celebration

In celebration of both Japanese Children’s Day and Mexican Dia de Los Niños, Grace First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach is hosting a Multicultural Children’s Day on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This free event is open to the community.

Activities and performances include: Taiko drumming, ukulele band, Polynesian dancing, Mexican Bingo games and piñatas.  Participants can learn Japanese folk dancing and double dutch jump rope and Japanese origami paper folding.  Also featured will be cooking demonstrations on how to make Japanese sushi, Norwegian lefse and Korean dumplings.

Displays representing the following countries will be presented:  Peru, Lebanon, Philippines, Indonesia, Italy, American Samoa, Tonga, Korea, Mexico and Japan.  Students from McBride High School in Long Beach and Melbourne Elementary School in Hawaiian Gardens will also participate in the day’s festivities.

Grace First Presbyterian Church has a multicultural foundation, having merged with a predominantly Japanese American church almost 20 years ago.

Support LBPD K-9s

The Sultans Car Club is hosting a benefit car show May 11 with proceeds used to support and purchase police dogs for the Long Beach K-9 Officers Association. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Long Beach Police Officers Association Park, located behind Lowe’s in the LB Towne Center.

Admission and parking is free. There will be a K-9 demonstration, music by Johnny Rocket & The V-Twins, raffle drawing, door prizes, trophies and food. Info: (562) 432-0901.

Save the Date

Celebrate the Disabled Resources Center’s (DRC) 43rd Annual Awards Dinner, “Stronger Together,” on May 16 at The Grand Event Center.

The awards dinner hosts a silent auction, and honors community leaders in three categories for their outstanding work on the behalf of independent living for people with disabilities in the community.

In addition, the center recognizes a military veteran with an academic scholarship, and a DRC volunteer as the Volunteer of the Year. Staff, board of directors, city officials and community members will gather in celebrating the 2019 awardees.

For more information on DRC, the dinner information and tickets, call (562) 427- 1000, Ext.115.

Flashback Friday

On Friday, May 17, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach will celebrate their 80th anniversary with a Flashback Friday event at the Hotel Maya to observe the Clubs’ 80 years of positive impact on the youth in the Long Beach community. Breaking the tradition of a formal fundraising gala, Flashback Friday promises to be a totally awesome 80s themed event featuring a hosted bar and delicious food stations overlooking the beautiful Downtown Long Beach skyline. Guests will also have chances to win great dining and entertainment certificates, bid on one-of-a-kind live auction packages, enjoy entertainment and games, and dance the night away to a live 80s band.

Visit www.bgclublb.org/Flashback for more information.