Long Beach Modern

Valentine the Porcupine Book Release and Dance Party!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 05:28:00 +0000

Our favorite local bookstore, Gatsby Books, is hosting a book release and booksigning for Derrick Brown's Valentine the Porcupine Dances Funny, with illustrator Jenny Lewis, on Saturday, February 19th at noon.

Fun activities for the kids and a dance party(!) follow the reading.

After the Dance Party, 17 year-old Science Fiction/Fantasy author Kevin Liston will read from and discuss his new book, Legends of the Significants.

If you haven't been to Gatsby Books, you will be delighted at the collection of books Sean has acquired, and the great community he is cultivating through these wonderful FREE events.

I found this fascinating video on the process Jenny Lewis used to illustrate the book. Enjoy!

Acres of Books Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:07:00 +0000

If you are missing Acres of Books, like I have been, there is still an opportunity to walk down the aisles and remember the good old days, as well as take a few souvenir books and fruit crates for FREE! On Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-4, the back door is open to friends and well-wishers who would like to take a piece of Acres of Books home with them. I found a great midcentury illustrated book on houseplants and grabbed a few crates for Mr. Mod's office. Check it out - through February.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:25:00 +0000

The view from the Seal Beach Pier - surfers waiting for a swell beneath the snow-capped San Gabriels.

Lyons at Night - Music and Live Art event - Sat, Nov 13th, 4-10pm

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Corinna the Christmas Elf book reading at Gatsby Books - Saturday, Nov 13, at 12pm

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:41:00 +0000

I am excited that a friend from MOPS is having a book reading and signing event today. Author Suzanne Sumner Ferry will be reading "Corinna the Christmas Elf" at Gatsby Books, today at 12pm.

Gatsby Books is located at:

5535 E. Spring St.
Long Beach CA 90808
(562)208-9783
GatsbyBooks@hotmail.com

Refreshments will be provided.

Haute Dog Howl-o'ween!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:26:00 +0000

It's been a tradition for us to attend the halloween dog parade. It is so much fun to see all the dogs (and their people) in their costumes. Good times!

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:16:00 +0000

Oh what to do this Halloween?

I definitely recommend the free Community Carnival on Sunday at Grace Brethren Church. It has been our tradition to volunteer over the last several years, but this will be the first year for our kiddos, so we will be squiring them around until they eat too much candy and play too much Guitar Hero and insist on going to bed. This is a seriously fun event for kids - with a (literal) ton of candy to be passed out, bounce houses to enjoy, a skate park to be skated upon, and game booths galore. A special "pumpkin patch" area for the littler set to enjoy a quieter evening is a highlight as well.

We're hoping also to attend the Howl-o-ween Parade for dogs and their people friends at Belmont Shore, on Sunday, October 31, at 2:30pm. The start and finish of the parade is at Livingston Park, 4900 E. Livingston Dr. (at Park Ave). The vendor fair and pet adoption is in the park from noon to 5pm.

Dog in a pumpkin costume - yes, please!

And you can always count on Gregorio Luke to present a passionate and thoughtful lecture on any given subject - this one is on the traditions of Dia de los Muertos, at the Long Beach Playhouse on Thursday, October 28th at 9pm.

Get Out this Weekend! Long Beach Events...

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:59:00 +0000

Can you believe it's October already?! I can't wait for the crisp weather of Fall. Do we have that in Long Beach?

Here are some weekend events:

Saturday, October 2

Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, Marine Park Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach, 90803.

The event starts at 12pm.

More info at Bless the Pets!

Long Beach is having an Open Artist Studio Weekend. I've always wanted to go to this - I love to watch artists in their environments and talking about their work. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4:30pm. Tour map and schedule below.

Gatsby Books, our favorite new and gently-used bookstore, is having their regular Saturday story time for kids, beginning at 12pm. Miss Jen will be reading her favorite children's books about cats, and might bring her guitar for a sing-along.

Gatsby Books is also hosting their first book club on Sunday at 3pm, moderated by Peter Markman, a professor of Comparative Literature from California State University Long Beach, where they will be discussing The Great Gatsby, of course! Refreshments will be provided.

Gatsby Books

5535 E. Spring St.

Long Beach, CA 90808

(562) 208-9783

Story-Time for Kids at Gatsby Books - Saturday, September 11 at 12pm

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:51:00 +0000

I'm so thrilled about Gatsby Books opening in Long Beach. Sean has put together a really great collection of books and some fun family-friendly upcoming events, including Story Time every Saturday at noon, and the upcoming acoustic show for kids and science nerds alike by the Amoeba People on Saturday, September 25th at 1pm, for free! Let's show our support for the independent bookseller - hooray!

I photographed Gatsby the Owl for the flyer - isn't he the most delightful little creature you have ever seen?

(x-posted at blog.modernfrill.com)

The Amoeba People at Gatsby Books - Saturday, September 25th

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:11:00 +0000

I'm so happy we have a great new/used bookstore on the Eastside of Long Beach, Gatsby Books, at the corner of Spring and Bellflower.

Sean has already found me a book that is harder to find in print, at a great price! I have gone in a few times since the soft opening on August 1st and always find something to love...

The store is very welcoming and has a cool vibe without being pretentious or exclusionary - the stoneway entrance is midcentury modern and there are bookish gewgaws and little charming touches everywhere, along with comfortable chairs to relax in. Sean plans on hosting story-time for kids beginning in the fall and some upcoming family-friendly events, including an acoustic show of science-related songs, stories and poems with The Amoeba People on Saturday, September 25th at 1pm, for free!

(photo credit: the amoeba people / www.facebook.com/TheAmoebaPeople)

Gatsby Books
5535 E. Spring Street (Spring St. and Bellflower Blvd.)
Long Beach, CA

Doomies Home Cookin' - the Revenge Brunch! Saturday, August 28th.

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:21:00 +0000

Doomies makes the most amazing vegan food - wish he would open up a restaurant again! But in the meantime, you can enjoy an absolutely delicious brunch (all you can eat) at the Meet Market on Saturday, August 28th, 10am-2pm.

Doomie’s Revenge Brunch
@ The Meet Market
3206 W Sunset Blvd (at Descanso)
Los Angeles, CA 90026

the back story:

Two weekends ago Doomie’s Home Cookin’ was honored with the chance to host a guest brunch at The Meet Market. While we felt that most of the initial dishes were a delicious success and the attendance far exceeded our expectations on 24hrs notice, overall we left feeling failed and defeated. Once all the seats filled up,, people had to wait for an open table. Once some food ran out people had to wait for new food to be made. Some people left disappointed. It was a nightmare for us. This Saturday, we want revenge.
On Aug 28, Doomie’s Home Cookin’ returns to The Meet Market to once again battle the hunger of LA’s Vegan community.
This time we’ll be ready for you! Our game plan for success includes:
*WAY MORE FOOD
*$10 for all you can eat or $8 for a one trip to-go box to combat the problem of limited seating
*Greater variety of items
*A focus on Lunch items
*Foods that cook quicker and serve easier
*Additional Doomie’s Kitchen staff

Busker Fest! on Saturday, August 28th

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:08:00 +0000

Come say so long to Summer and enjoy the best of local Long Beach music at Busker Fest, in the East Village.

Pick up wooden nickels to drop at the feet of your favorite band , with a chance to win a 5-day recording session at Compound Studio with Anthony Arvizu.

Buskers compete from 5-7:15 PM
Jay Buchanan opens the main Stage opens at 7:15 PM
Crystal Antlers hit the stage at 8:00 PM
Delta Spirit close the show starting at 9:00 PM

A little map to guide the way:

Fun Events this Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy - a free event at the B and B Stables in Cerritos

and the LB Street Food Fest at the Queen Mary Park, a benefit for the LBCC Student Scholarships and Adopt-a-Teacher Program

Free ongoing Mosaic Workshop! Sundays through August

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:15:00 +0000

From their website:

In conjunction with the EARTH exhibition, 2cc and professional mosaic instructors Dawn Mendelson and Luz Mack-Durini will launch a series of fun-filled and educational mosaic workshops open FREE to the public. The workshops will begin in April and continue through August. They will be held on most Sundays from 10:00 am - 1 p.m.

All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Workshops will be conducted in English and Spanish and are set up so that anyone can join in at ANY TIME. Participants will create both mosaic art pieces to take home and work on communal pieces for the gallery's wildlife garden.

Each month we will explore a environmental different topic, have a guest speaker or see a film and create a mosaic artwork. Our final workshop on August 22nd will be a celebratory BBQ in the garden. At the end of summer, the 2,500 sq. ft area behind the gallery will be transformed. We will utilize the knowledge we have gained about our native environment and select drought-resistant plants that attract wildlife. We will have a community planting. We will create an environment for wildlife to find food, water, shelter and a place to nest. The communal mosaic artwork that has been created will be installed. The garden will serve as a quiet place for the community to relax and groups to gather. Every opportunity to come together is a potential to breakdown barriers, gain understanding and build community.

For more information on our instructors, please visit their websites.

Dawn Mendelson www.daybreakmosaics.com
Luz Mack-Durini www.l-durini.com

Please join us by registering for the free classes. Registration ensures that we have enough mosaic materials and healthy snacks for everyone to enjoy. Please either call (562) 901-0997 or email 2ndcitycouncil@earthlink.net. Please use the subject line "Mosaic Workshops.

Fourth Annual No Cookie Left Behind Bake Sale - Sunday, June 13

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:36:00 +0000

Coming up on Sunday, June 13, is the Fourth Annual No Cookie Left Behind Bake Sale, part of Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, to raise money towards eradicating childhood hunger in the US.

Make the trip to Scoops Gelato on 712 N Heliotrope Dr. in East Hollywood, just north of Melrose, between Normandie and Vermont, from 2-5pm.

There will be amazing food and an even more amazing raffle. If you are a fan of Glee, you will for sure want to attend! There will be raffle prizes from The Golden State, and other amazing restaurants, free organizing bootcamp sessions from Bneato, yoga packages from U Studio, Dodger tickets, dresses from Rachel Pally, and a prize which includes a tour of the set of Glee, guided by one of the show's producers! The Frysmith Truck will also be on hand for more deliciousness.

Summer And Music 2010 : Future Legends Show, 6/12

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:23:00 +0000

Future Legends: Now Sounds of the Long Beach Bloodline

June 12, 2010, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., East Village Arts District

Come to the free, all-ages show in the East Village Arts District, at First Street and Elm Avenue, on an outdoor, solar-powered stage.

Music By:

DJ Lithuanian Prince, Korey Dane, So Many Wizards, Boris Smile, Jay Buchanan, Deep Sea Diver and Special Performance by UK band Phantom Limb .

Arts Mixer in Bixby Knolls - Thursday, May 20th

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Community Happy Hour

Thursday, May 20, 2010

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Averyboo Arts

3908 Atlantic Avenue

Presentation by:

Craig Watson
Executive Director,
Arts Council for Long Beach

Presenting:

"Using the Arts as an Economic Driver in a Business District" & "Inspiring Our Youth with the Arts"

(Art activities not available. Presentation & mixer only)

Enjoy this monthly opportunity for BKBIA members and the local community to meet, greet, mix, mingle, and network.

Questions or more info: (562) 595-0081 or info@bixbyknollsinfo.com

Everybody ♥'s Jonathan Richman!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:21:00 +0000

From the amazing Modern Lovers in the mid-70's, to his current solo sets with Tommy Larkins on drums, Jonathan Richman is absolutely a national institution. And we are blessed that he has made Long Beach one of his favorite places to play over the last several years. With a three-night residency of early shows this week at DiPiazzas, there is no excuse to miss this charming and multilingual musician with the tenderest heart, purest brilliance, and killing-est dance moves.

Jonathan Richman at diPiazza's Restaurant & Lava Lounge, 5205 E. PCH, Long Beach, May 20th-22nd, @7pm, $12.

You can catch-up on all the latest Jonathan Richman news at the Jo-Jo Files.

Free Comic Book Day! May 1st

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Another May 1st means it's Free Comic Book Day - check out these participating Long Beach comic book shops to explore some new titles and free giveaways.

AMAZING COMICS & CARDS
5555 STEARNS STREET, SUITE 102
LONG BEACH, CA
(562) 493-4427

PULP FICTION
1742 CLARK AVE
LONG BEACH, CA
(562) 986-4154

You might find one of my absolute favorites - The Tick!

In honor of this year's Free Comic Book Day, and to commemorate the first appearance of The Tick 24 years ago, NEC Press offers this special re-presentation of Ben Edlund's legendary first issue of The Tick, in a special Free Comic Book Day special edition! The complete original first comic book appearance of The Tick, as it originally hit the stands in 1986!

Miss you District Weekly!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:44:00 +0000

I was so sad to hear the District Weekly closed up shop recently. Alternative press is so vital to cultivating community and keeping a city unique - pobre de Long Beach. Raw Judita's husband/photographer/man-about-town Matt Wignall penned a manifesto against the American dental industry, which was going to be published in the District weekly just before it folded. It's fascinating and hilarious - just like Matt, and you can read it here, featuring a cameo appearance by my husband, Ivan Vejar.

Ice Cream Man Benefit - Friday, April 16, Alex's Bar

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:09:00 +0000

The super-great Ice Cream Man, whose mission it is to bring free icy treats to the masses at all your favorite shows and get- togethers, is hoping now for some love and generosity. After his ice cream truck was totaled, good friends decided to put on a show to raise money for the repairs. Do your part to give back (you know you love those strawberry shortcake ice cream bars!) and go to Alex's Bar tomorrow night.

Featuring: Repeater, Telomere Repair, Greater California, Bella Novela, the Soft Hands and DJ Phil, at Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 434-8292; www.alexsbar.com.April 16. Call for time.$5, plus optional donation.

The Outfit (online) - closing sale...you'll be missed!

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:21:00 +0000

My dear friend Angie is closing up her online shop, The Outfit, and is sharing her amazing wares at unbelievable prices. You'll want to snap up great handmade clothes and toys for your favorite little ones before it's too late!!! The store closes on April 30th. Find her online shop here.

But you can't have this -

It's MINE! ;)

Weekend Update! Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Here is a great free family-friendly holiday event in Long Beach, from 4pm-7pm this afternoon!

Mike Watt and the Secondmen at Harold's Place, 1908 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro - tonight @ 10pm. FREE!!

And on Sunday, December 20th:

Looking Into the Sun : Group Exhibit at DDR Projects

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:15:00 +0000

Over 60 artists will be presenting works in this final show at the current location of DDR Projects, 3403 E Broadway, Long Beach, this Saturday, December 12th, from 6-9pm.

Art Show by Tyler Warren and Live T-Shirt Printing at Shelter, Saturday 12/12

noreply@blogger.com (longbeachmodern) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Come out this Saturday to Shelter, 2149 E. 4th St. for works by Tyler Warren and Live T-Shirt Printer of collaboration designs by Tyler Warren and Delve. Live Music by the Gold Diggers. Good Times!