What’s good in the LBC: Earth Day festivities, Grand Prix, pop-ups and a culinary experience

Sunnier days are finally heading to Long Beach and what better way to celebrate than getting outdoors for Earth Day this Saturday? The city’s got a lot going on, and if you want to enjoy a little green before Earth Day, we’ve got some 4/20 events as well. Oh, and we can’t forget about the Grand Prix.

But first! Join us tomorrow (Friday) for Media Guild Dance Club at Hamburger Mary’s from 10 p.m. to close. All donations go to the LBMG Relief Fund to help our laid off and striking workers cover their rent and bills while we continue the fight for local journalism in Long Beach. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door. This event is 21+. Hamburger Mary’s is located at 330 Pine Ave.

Here’s what’s good in Long Beach this weekend.

Earth Day beach cleanup (Saturday)

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has organized a beach cleanup from 10 a.m. to noon at the Belmont Pier. Disposable trash bags and gloves will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable supplies. No pre-registration is required and the first 100 volunteers will receive a free shaved ice from Kona Ice.

Free parking for the event in the beach lot at 3998 E. Allin Street.

SPONSORED

Support three great causes at PLAY for Change Casino NightJoin PLAY Long Beach for a night of fun at the 1st Annual PLAY for Change Casino Night, May 4 at BP Ford of Long Beach.

Bet on a good time while supporting PLAY Long Beach, McBride High School Criminal Justice Boosters, and The Newcomb Academy Foundation with an evening of casino games, raffles, auctions, food, and music. Choose your cause at registration and join us for a memorable night that makes a real difference. Grab your tickets now and be part of the change!

Saturday, May 4 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
BP Ford of Long Beach, 2950 North Bellflower Blvd.

Earth Day tree planting (Saturday)

Another way to celebrate Earth Day early is planting a tree in the Washington neighborhood on Saturday. California Climate Action Corps will plant 40 trees from 9 a.m. to noon and are inviting anyone interested to assist and learn about the benefits of street trees. Registration is required for the event because capacity is limited. Register here.

Tree planting will be at E. 14th Street and Locust Avenue.

District 6 Earth Day tree care (Saturday)

District 6 Councilwoman Suely Saro is joining the AOC7 Neighborhood Association on Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. for an Earth Day cleanup and tree care event. Tools, gloves, as well as light snacks and refreshments, will be provided. A dumpster will be on-site to dispose of bulky or unwanted items for free.

The event will be at 1020 Gaviota Avenue.

LB’s weekend events drop every Thursday in the Watchdog.

Hamburgers Nice Earth Day pop-up (Saturday)

Beloved burger pop-up Hamburgers Nice will celebrate Earth Day at Good Time in Zaferia District. Fans of the pop-up will be excited to know a new burger menu will drop, with some off-the-wall burgers, according to the business’ Instagram post about the event. A new Earth Day/Hamburgers Nice t-shirt will be available, all profits will be donated to Communities for a Better Environment, who will have an information booth at the pop-up and more. The pop-up will run from 4 to 8 p.m.

Good Time is at 1322 Coronado Avenue.

Wicked Wolf hosts 4/20 night market (Saturday)

The Wrigley neighborhood’s storybook-themed bar, The Wicked Wolf, is hosting a night market on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. The market will host vendors selling vintage clothes, gifts, art and of course, munchies will be offered by a few food vendors.

Wicked Wolf is located at 2332 Pacific Ave.

Anna’s Joint celebrates 4/20 (Saturday)

Anna’s Joint on Pine Avenue will celebrate 4/20 with $4.20 breakfast burritos (until sell out), flash tattoos starting at 11:30 a.m., DJs from 1 to 5 p.m. and a raffle every hour for the chance to win big. One raffle ticket given per order.

Anna’s Joint is at 443 Pine Avenue.

Little Logan vegan pop-up debuts (Saturday)

Little Logan, a plant-based Malaysian street food pop-up will debut at its first event with SoCal Veg Vibes this Saturday at Syncopated Brewing Company in Lakewood. SoCal Veg Vibes often hosts Meatless Monday events at the brewery, this weekend grab a taste of plant-based Malaysian food at the Suprema Vegan Bazaar from 1 to 8 p.m.

Syncopated Brewing Company is at 3671 Industry Avenue, Lakewood.

Book signing at Kubo LB (Saturday)

Kubo LB will host a storytime with Naomi Hirahara & Sarah Demonteverde, creators of “A Children’s Intro to AAPI History.” The book, aimed at children ages 8 to 12, highlights the groundbreaking events and historical figures that have made a lasting impact on United States culture. The event will also include a book signing. A RSVP to the event is free, to receive the book and have it signed will cost $21.99 plus Eventbrite fees. Tickets can be purchased here.

Kubo LB is at 3976 Atlantic Avenue.

Vine celebrates 3 years (Saturday)

Retro Row’s beer and wine bar is celebrating its three year anniversary with musical performances by LA punk band Memo PST, local DJs and more. The festivities begin at 8 p.m., but if you get there a little earlier (around 4 p.m.) you can check out the Feel the Waves Fest with musicians SpaceyY, Pastel Cells and more. There will be no cover charge for either event.

Vine is at 2142 E. Fourth Street.

Kitchen Lingo book signing and culinary event (Sunday)

Have you ever wanted to taste a cookbook immediately after purchasing it? Well this Sunday, you can. Retro Row’s Kitchen Lingo is hosting an in-store book signing of Rosa Jackson’s new market-inspired cookbook Nicoise from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Afterwards, Ubuntu Cafe’s Chef Charlie Ray will serve up a 3-course prix fixe dinner cooked directly from the book from 6 to 8 p.m.. Tickets are priced at $150 and include the signed copy of the book, the dinner and wine. Tickets can be purchased here.

Ubuntu is at 335 Nieto Avenue.

Earth Day 5K run (Sunday)

Iconix Fitness is hosting a 5K run (or walk) on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. After the run, the group will meet back at Iconix for food, drinks and a hangout. Tickets (with a suggested $10 donation) will be used to support Algalita, a local organization that educates people on plastic pollution’s impact.

Iconix Fitness is at 4101 E. Olympic Plaza.

Long Beach Walking Club beach cleanup (Sunday)

Long Beach Walking Club, a community group for women that started as a walking group but has turned into organized community service initiatives, will host a beach cleanup in collaboration with Saltwater Deck at Junipero Beach. The cleanup will begin at 10 a.m.

Saltwater Deck is at 2530 E. Ocean Boulevard.

Grand Prix all weekend long

And for connoisseurs of motor racing, the Long Beach Grand Prix begins this Friday and runs through Sunday. For early birds, gates open at 7:30 a.m. every day. Main events on Friday include the Historic IndyCar and NTT Indycar Series practice, IMSA qualifying, Stadium Super Trucks practice, and more. Saturday is qualifying for the NTT Indycar Series and the IMSA autograph session and the Grand Prix. Sunday is race day for the NTT Indycar Series with engines firing at 12:35 p.m.

If you’re around, make sure to say hello to any Watchdog reporters you see wandering around.

Green ticket holder entry is at Long Beach Boulevard and Ocean Boulevard.

Editor’s note: Editor Kat Schuster is helping to coordinate the night market at Wicked Wolf on Saturday, April 20.