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    First Fridays Long Beach

    4.1 (29 reviews)

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    Lara W.

    After a 2 month hiatus due to construction on Atlantic Ave, First Friday's made a huge comeback last night! Since First Fridays is in our neighborhood, we have attended this event a few times, but last night was by far the most impressive (and most attended) that we have gone to. As we strolled down Atlantic Ave exploring the participating businesses (most serving as makeshift art galleries) there was a wonderful sense of community and some great entertainment. Live music was pumping out of many of the venues, and most were offering appetizers, snacks, and drinks. In addition to art & music, we also saw face painting (lots of good things to do for kids), a handwriting analyst (she was awesome), a avant garde hair show, and a massage therapist. Come out to First Fridays for a great evening & to support local businesses. There's a little something for everyone & a nice way to meet some new folks.

    Rachel L.

    Haven't been to First Fridays in two years. Had a great time tonight. A lot of great local musicians, artist and food trucks. The street music was great, the crowds a little young. Saw a lot of high schoolers...but still really enjoyed myself. There was about 4 food trucks and 5 food stands, but not to worry, there's a ton of restaurants and eateries for you to choose from!

    Creatures of the night
    Robin Z.

    This was my first event, my first First Friday, I'll try not to be frumpy, furry or freaky, just frank. As with any local community event, it takes the support of everyone for any success and that's especially true when attempts are made to improve the stasis marking an area in economic ennui, as in Bixby Knolls. Having lived in the area for over ten years, I cross my fingers whenever any new establishment opens, hoping for success to improve the general prosperity of merchants in this "bedroom community". I'll always visit at least once and pray their business model works and attracts the needed clientele to continue to progress. For my first First Friday, I took a couple friends to the Factory (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-factory-long-beach#hrid:Sd4WPwtDcpF96-L7yqeRwA) and then we walked the streets stepping into almost every establishment with open doors, paying our respects and noting any special attributes or reason for return. My hair, still chemo-short but growing, was recently colored yet I made a note to return to Salon Medusa (salonmedusa-lb.com) to see what they can do for me after my locks grow some. I was amazed at the collection of pipes and old artwork in the Giltcomplex Antiques store (www.giltcomplexantiques.com). I never knew as much about Long Beach until walking through the displays at the Historical Society (www.hslb.org), I even found out my mom, a "Rosie the Riveter" herself, had a special memorial for her and the many other women who went to "war" in support of our nation in WWII. And then we found ourselves surrounded by local artists and their works in the Expo Furniture building, awash in canvas, paint and models. We enjoyed the free food and drink, friendly merchants and other supporters enjoying First Friday. I wish the event well and hope that many others take advantage of this unique opportunity to see what the local shops and merchants have to offer. It's worth it.

    Street vendors and music!

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    2 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

    This is the best Friday of the month u go and eat food and check out businesses and art and everyone is super fun y'all better come

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Our first time here. Love that my little city has awsome things like this for my kids to enjoy. As well as for the adults.

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    10 years ago

    Can't wait for Lolas Bixby Knolls to open. The best Mexican cuisine in the LBC. Will be a much needed restaurant in the Bixby Knolls area.

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    15 years ago

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    Ask the Community - First Fridays Long Beach

    Review Highlights - First Fridays Long Beach

    What I like most about Bixby Knolls First Fridays are the performers and artists showcasing their talent and art.

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    Terrace Theater

    Terrace Theater

    3.5(149 reviews)
    7.8 km
    $$

    This was my first visit to the Long Beach Terrace Theater to see Joe Satriani and Steve Vai touring…read moretogether as the SatchVai band. The venue has its own multi-story parking lot which is very easy to access, and only charges $15. We arrived thirty minutes before the show, and there was no line to enter the parking lot with many parking spaces available. After a very short walk across the garage and going up a one-story staircase (there is also an elevator), we were on the ground level with the theater. Unfortunately, you have to walk all the way around the large fountain area to reach the security checkpoint and entrance. There was no line and we passed through quickly. Luckily, after the show, you could walk directly to the garage without having to go around again. The theater seats around 3,000 people and has floor, loge, and balcony sections. It is very clean and has a modern feel. The main lobby is spacious and has high ceilings. There are bars on all levels, and some basic food items downstairs. There were also a few food and drink spots in front outside. The concert hall has very high ceilings and is also very modern. We sat on the floor in the second row. The seats were padded and comfortable, and the spacing between adjacent seats and between rows was good. The view of the performers was amazing. There was a large projection screen behind the stage, with various video playing throughout the show. There was some fog on the stage, and the lighting was good, but nothing exceptional. Sitting so close is great for pictures and videos, and you're oblivious to the other 2,900 people in the theater. It almost feels like you're getting a private performance. However, the sound can be hit or miss depending on the performers' preferences and venue's audio setup. The main speaker arrays here hang directly over the first few rows in front of the stage. For the opening band, we couldn't hear any of the guitars at all. Joe played almost completely through his on-stage amps only and the sound was perfect. Steve's mix was half through his amps and half through the main speaker arrays. We could hear his guitar, but not nearly as well as Joe's. It's not the venues fault, the sound is usually optimized for the majority of the theater, and the first few rows may suffer. The opening band was Animals As Leaders. I've seen them a few times over the years as an opener for Steve Vai. They are an instrumental guitar focused band with the unique characteristic that both guitarists use eight-string guitars which gives them a unique sound. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai started out the main show together. They are two of the greatest rock guitar legends to ever play. They played a few original songs together that they co-wrote, followed by both individual and joint performances of a dozen of their popular songs. Steve's unique three-neck Hydra guitar made an appearance. There was also an encore with cover versions of Rock and Roll and Born to be Wild. I've seen Joe 25 times and Steve seven times, and I'll continue to go to every show when they are in town. In between the opening band and the main show, we immediately went to use the ground level restrooms which are downstairs. The lines were already extremely long. On a whim, we went upstairs and the restrooms on both sides initially had very short lines. After only five minutes, the upstairs lines also started to get long. Go upstairs fast and you should have a much shorter wait. The show was great and I really liked the venue. It's modern, clean, and comfortable, with various amenities. The sound mix was a mixed bag sitting in front, but it wasn't the venue's fault. If you want the best chance of a good sound mix, don't sit up front. Parking was very convenient and very affordable. I would definitely come see a show here again. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

    I attended the long beach grand prix performance concert which Lupe FIASCo performed on Friday…read more04.17.2026 @6:30pmsh. It was an outside concert. The thing that stood out was the nice courtyard decor of water fountains. The vibe radiated as the fountains were sparkling, giving the ambiance of a fresh cool entertainment settimg. The outside really looks cool at night because of the lighting structure. I have been here many times before. Experiencing both indoor and outdoor venue entertainment. Just to name a few.. Jokoy, air supply, 90s old school R&B funk jam , Franki Valli and the list goes on. Its not very big inside, in comparison to Crypto or the inglewood forum but it does its job. Stadium seating could use some work if they decide to remodel in the future. Its a clean place with great acoustics. The only negative thing I have to say is the sale of alcoholic beverages! The venue shuts down completely early. Like 9pmsh! Unacceptable for an entertainment venue. I recommend watching concerts or any type of events in this area. Plenty of parking in the parking structure and surrounding businesses nearby. Long Beach is beautiful.

    Photos
    Terrace Theater - Food stalls

    Food stalls

    Terrace Theater
    Terrace Theater

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    Long Beach Playhouse: Mainstage & Studio Theatres - 04/2026 Harvey: Dr. Sanderson (left) & Nurse Kelly (right)

    Long Beach Playhouse: Mainstage & Studio Theatres

    4.3(121 reviews)
    6.8 km

    I drive by this theater weekly and never realized it was there. Local theater is a unique…read moreexperience and it's intimate. Beyond grateful to be invited to a local production (yes, we paid for our tickets), as this was the first time experiencing theater in a setting like this. The actors are from our local and surrounding communities. Tickets are affordable and supporting local artists/talent is important. I appreciate a great night of entertainment!

    Congratulations! I found a theater that beat the Pantages in discomfort! I know its an old venue…read morebut these are the worst seats I have ever had the displeasure of sitting in for so long. By the end of show my behind hurt, my knees hurt. It was just awful. This is also the first time in my many years of show going I saw (and heard) people leaving during intermission due the discomfort of the seats. One lady even screamed in the narrow passage way to I assume the rest of her party (MY KNEES CANT TAKE ANYMORE). Her husband then said yeah Im running her home and ill be back. This was my first time going to this theater so my first impressions were good at first. Staff seemed personable. We went to see August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. I have never been to a theater in a U shape before. I have decided I dont care for it. There were so many times where I didnt know what was going on because the actors back was to me. I dont know if there was a kiss, a nose snuggle, who knows. My partner also point out that in one scene on our side we saw that one actor was rubbing anothers foot. This was how the piece came back from the dark. He pointed out that the folks on the other side had zero clue because they just saw her back. He also pointed out how much wasnt really used and the set could have been "pushed back" for better viewing and I agree. I also found it distracting for me to see the audience across, folks were laughing and speaking in times that didnt call for it and for someone like me who is ever observant it was a distraction. Final complaint the smoke machine was too much for me. It literally made me start coughing. The people I was with also said it got to them in other ways. The sound was good, lighting good. If I am invited back to a performance at this place as I was this time, I would have to see the run time of the piece. This piece went on for almost 3 hours and oh how could I forget started close to 20 minutes late! Just not cool man. As a first time goer it made me wonder if this is the norm for this theater and would have to keep that in mind as well.

    Photos
    Long Beach Playhouse: Mainstage & Studio Theatres - Costumes Display

    Costumes Display

    Long Beach Playhouse: Mainstage & Studio Theatres - 04/2026 Harvey: Nurse Kelly

    04/2026 Harvey: Nurse Kelly

    Long Beach Playhouse: Mainstage & Studio Theatres - 04/2026 Harvey: The Dowd Family Mansion (top) & Chumley's Rest (bottom)

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    04/2026 Harvey: The Dowd Family Mansion (top) & Chumley's Rest (bottom)

    First Fridays Long Beach - galleries - Updated May 2026

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