Culture & Commentary
Long Beach comedian Gabriel Iglesias, aka Fluffy, to receive Key to the City (free/low-cost show included)
Comedian and all-around lover of all things Long Beach Gabriel Iglesias—known to his legion of fans as "Fluffy"—is set to receive a prestigious Key to the City from Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson on Tuesday, June 18 at the Long Beach Terrace Theatre.
Culture & Commentary
UPDATED: Annual Long Beach fireworks show Big Bang on the Bay canceled amid accusations of political interference
The annual day-before-July-4 firework extravaganza above Alamitos Bay, Big Bang on the Bay, will not be returning this year according to longtime producer and restaurateur John Morris. According to Morris, a late application to the California Coastal Commission—led by political interference—has prompted the first time the show will not formally happen since its inception in 2011 (minus 2020, which was due to the pandemic).
Culture & Commentary
State’s leading artists spearheading effort for Long Beach tattoo museum aboard the Queen Mary—and they want your support
Good Time Charlie. Long Beach's own Kari Barba. JD Crowe. Jack Rudy. Corey Miller. Chuey Quintanar. These are the six renowned tattoo artists that have formed the board behind the Tattoo Heritage Project, a nonprofit whose singular goal is to build a tattoo museum in Long Beach.
Culture & Commentary
Long Beach Lost: The mid-mod masterpiece that was the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool
Long Beach Lost, was launched to examine buildings—like the former Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, spaces, and cultural happenings that have have largely been erased, including the forgotten tales attached to existing places and things.
Culture & Commentary
Pride Month at its tiniest but brightest: Catalina Island Pride returns for third iteration
Catalina Island Pride returns for its third year in a row as the event continues to grow, from 4,000 its first year to over 6,000 last year. The single day event will take place on Saturday, June 15.
Culture & Commentary
Moonlight Movies on the Beach canceled for first time in 25 years; hopes to return next year
You read that right: After a quarter of a century fostering the Long Beach community, Moonlight Movies on the Beach is cancelled for the first time in its history. The annual tradition of screening free movies throughout the summer—both on the sand and in more accessible parts of the city—has been adored by residents and visitors alike.
Culture & Commentary
Long Beach LGBTQ district takes step forward toward fruition—and why that matters
Initially presented as an idea two years ago, the creation of a formally sanctioned Long Beach LGBTQ district along the Broadway Corridor has taken a major step forward, with councilmembers unanimously approving a strategic plan that will guide the City and planners on how to make the district a tangible, explorable space.
Culture & Commentary
The ‘Keith Haring: Radiant Vision’ exhibit is the artist’s first solo show in Long Beach—and that’s important
"Keith Haring: Radiant Vision" at the Long Beach Museum of Art marks the famed artist's first solo show in the city—and it is not just a cultural bookmark for Long Beach but is reverberating throughout the museum world because "Radiant Vision" could arguably be the most intimate exhibition of the artist's work to have been shown this century.
Culture & Commentary
Meet the couple with big dreams for historic 440 Elm Ave. building in Downtown Long Beach
It is one of Long Beach's oldest church structures, having survived the 1933 earthquake after its 1913 construction—and the small business owners who are now overseeing the building at 440 Elm Ave. have big plans for this massive, gorgeous ode to the Classical Revival style from famed Los Angeles architect Elmer Grey.
Culture & Commentary
Broadway at the Beach to bring certified Great White Way shows to Downtown Long Beach
Broadway at the Beach, a partnership between the Terrace Theater in Downtown Long Beach and MagicSpace Entertainment, is set to feature fully sanctioned national tours of Broadway musicals and shows—and will be formally making its debut at the Terrace Theater, becoming the first time the city has a seasonal set of touring shows from the Great White Way.