Community News

Celebrate with Arts Council

Come celebrate the new mural installed at the Courtyard by Marriott with the Arts Council for Long Beach and artist Cody Lusby for Inflatable LB Icons on Saturday, March 14, at 500 E. 1st St.

Last July the Courtyard by Marriott contacted the Arts Council for Long Beach to commission a mural at the downtown hotel and they completed the project this March. The Arts Council curated a list of artists in theme with the Courtyard were Coastal Distinction meets Urban Escape, a mural with a fresh take on the history of Long Beach.

The mural dedication will take place from 6-7 p.m. during the downtown LB Artwalk. The downtown LB Artwalk will activate neighboring streets to the Courtyard off Linden and Elm, 5-9 p.m. and feature additional gallery openings and artist vendors. The event is free and open to the public.

Self Defense Classes

Long Beach Boot Camp will be offering two self-defense classes this month. March 14 for children ages 8 to 14 and March 28 for ages 15 and above. Learn awareness instruction, striking points, standing and ground escape techniques.

Meditation classes will be offered March 13 and March 27. Unwind after a long week, de-stress your mind and body with our guided meditation session. 1st timers as well as seasoned meditator’s welcome. Minimum age 16+. On March 17, join Long Beach Boot Camp for a St. Patrick’s Day themed workout. Wear something Irish and your next class is on us ($20 credit).

Register for classes at www.longbeachbootcamp.com/events or call (562) 343-5230.

Try Hearing Devices

Do you struggle to hear conversations in restaurants? Wish you could hear your music and TV better? Does your alarm clock no longer wake you up? Afraid that you won’t hear the fire alarm? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to come to the Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) Demo offered by the Hearing Loss Association of America Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter.

It’s offered on Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Weingart Center, 5220 Oliva Ave., Lakewood. No reservations and admission is free. For more information, call (562) 438-0597 or visit hlaa-lb-lakewood.org.

Hearing aids aren’t the only solution! Come see and try a variety of devices that help enhance the quality of life for the hard of hearing. The HAT Committee does not demonstrate hearing aids or recommend specific brands. The chapter does not sell any of the devices displayed nor does it profit in any way from this service.

‘Noises Off’ at Playhouse

British playwright Michael Frayne’s hysterically funny play, Noises Off, is playing now through March 21, at the Long Beach Playhouse.

“Noises Off has been called ‘the funniest farce ever written’,” said Executive Director Madison Mooney. “We get to follow the actors and the show from rehearsal to final performance. With each act we witness the deteriorating relationships between the cast and relish the romantic rivalries and quarrels that lead to all kinds of hilarious shenanigans.”

Noises Off was written in 1982 and played in London to enthusiastic audiences and reviews. During its first Broadway run in 1984, it was nominated for both Tony and Drama Desk Awards. For nearly 40 years, the play has been a staple of both professional and community theaters on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tickets are $14 to $20. They 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 from 3-8 p.m. and Sundays from 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

LB Lincoln Club

Michelle Steel, chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, is seeking to unseat Democrat Harley Rouda in the House of Representatives. Over the past 15 years, Michelle Steel has served on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the California World Trade Commission, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Los Angeles Airport and Fire Commissions.

Recognizing her extensive public policy experience, President George W. Bush appointed Michelle Steel to the White House Conference on Aging. Educated in Korea, Japan, and the United States, Michelle holds a degree in Business from Pepperdine University, and an Executive MBA from the University of Southern California. Michelle will discuss her exciting campaign and what Republicans can do to win back Congressional seats in the Fall election.

Please join us at noon on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 6201 Appian Way, Long Beach.  Cost is $35; please RSVP to Paul Carter at pc@lawbbc.com or by calling 562-435-1426.

Broadway Blockbusters

On March 21 at 8 p.m. in the Long Beach Arena, the Long Beach Symphony gives its regards to Broadway when stars of Broadway sing tunes from Lloyd Webber, Bernstein, Gershwin, Sondheim and more!

Three-time GRAMMY-nominated conductor James K. Bass (professor and director of choral studies at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA & artistic director of the Long Beach Camerata Singers) will hit all the Broadway hot buttons with music from Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Cats, Funny Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kiss Me Kate, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar and more!

He will be joined by Tony Award Winner Debbie Gravitte (Les Misérables/Chicago), Scarlett Strallen (Mary Poppins on Broadway), and Gary Mauer (Phantom of the Opera/ Les Misérables) who will hit all the high and low notes with their vocals.

Tickets to a Long Beach Symphony POPS! concert include options for seats at 10-top tables or more intimate Bistro seating at 4-top tables. For the budget-conscious, loge seating is available for just $30 (student tickets $10 with ID).

Jumbo screens on each side of the stage bring the action to life for everyone, and all patrons are invited to bring their own picnics and libations, to purchase dinner from a list of preferred local caterers (must be ordered in advance of concert night), or from concessionaries in the Arena lobby. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to allow time for dining and mingling with friends; concert begins at 8 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets and subscriptions visit www.LongBeachSymphony.org or call (562) 436-3203 ext. 1. Tickets are also available on Ticketmaster.

Around the World

Long Beach Primetime Players presents its free 2020 spring show, “Around the World In 60 Minutes – The Musical” at several Long Beach and Lakewood senior centers:

March 30 & April 10, 1 p.m. Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.

March 31, 12:30 p.m., El Dorado Park West Senior Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road.

April 1, 12:30 p.m., Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Willow St.

For further information, please contact Barbara Klein at (562) 433-1734 or byrdbud2@verizon.net.

New Exhibitions

Catalina Island Museum welcomes members and visitors to the opening reception for two new exhibitions, Catalina Paintings: Night & Day and Soot and Water: Gyotaku Records of Catalina on Saturday, April 4, 1-5 p.m.

The event will include live art demonstrations of plein air painting with artist Kymberlee Stanley and a Gyotaku printing demonstration with artist Dwight Hwang, as well as a gallery talk with the curator of Soot and Water, Michael VanHartingsveldt. The Catalina Art Association will lead a guided painting experience of Elizabeth Turk’s Tipping Point exhibition that explores the extinction of birds. Throughout the event, guests will be able to view and learn more about a selection of artifacts from its permanent collection.

In addition to the new exhibitions, guests will enjoy The History of Catalina Island exhibition and its Aureolin Yellow Spire Chandelier created by artist Dale Chihuly. All members will receive an extra 10% off all purchases in the museum store.