2016 07 06 edge web

JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 VOL. 1 -

Issue

No.

24

www.TheEdgeLB.com The Edge Long Beach @EdgeLongBeach

SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY 90 years of experience gets tossed out the door at the Sunday farmers market.

Everyone, especially the three vendors, want to know why.

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the list

10 THINGS YOU HAVE TO SEA AT THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

By Dominique Dupree Tropical Pacific Gallery

Shark touching pool in the Shark Lagoon

Honda Blue Cavern Dive

This should be your first stop in the Aquarium, and you can’t miss this floor to ceiling aquarium centered straight ahead from the entrance in the Great Hall.The dive show presentation begins every half hour and you will have an opportunity to see divers inside the cavern describing the sea life that resides within.This exhibit displays the underwater habitat of a kelp forest that is home to marine life such as the California sheephead, giant sea bass, leopard sharks and California moray eels that would be found along our coasts and little islands.

Another tip,the Aquarium website has a live Blue Cavern webcam, so that you can watch the show in real time, all the time!

Seahorse Spectacular Film

In the Great Hall you can view these awe inspiring seahorses, sea dragons and their relatives on one of the eight screens projected throughout. The show begins on the hour, every two hours, so you can’t miss it.

Ocean Science Center

The Ocean Science Center is adjacent to the Great Hall. Once you walk into this dark room, you will be amazed.

The first thing you see is a sphere.

This “Science” on a sphere utilizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) technology to relate stories about our planet. Be sure to watch the new show “The Only Thing Constant is Change” which discusses how life on Earth is constantly changing, how humans have impacted our planet and the steps required to ameliorate our negative impact.

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Walk upstairs and enter the Tropical Pacific Gallery, the aquarium’s largest exhibit, it holds 350,000 gallons of water. This tropical reef habitat will take you on a journey to Hawaii, Indonesia and the archipelago of Palau, the westernmost section of Micronesia.

Palau’s water contains a wide variety of marine life and the exhibit contains colorful coral, sea turtles, zebra and black tip reef sharks, humphead wrasse, seahorses and seadragons.

The Aquarium is the first aquarium in the world to successfully breed weedy sea dragon babies. The name is quite accurate because if you don’t look close enough, the leafy sea dragon can appear to be part of the display, leaving you wondering what you’re looking at because they camouflage so perfectly amongst the existing seaweed. Be sure to catch the daily dive, feeding presentations and the tropical reef exhibit that teaches you about the many species of fish able to change genders, others with distinct, camouflage capabilities. Online, the webcams show the weedy sea dragon, tropical reef and Anthias and Wrasse exhibits.

Jellies Exhibition

Who can help being mesmerised by these amazing sea creatures? Jellies and comb jellies have lived on Earth for at least five hundred million years, making them at least three times older than dinosaurs. They survive without a heart, brain or lungs and consist of 95 percent water. They are planktonic in the ocean, meaning their movements are dictated by the flow of the water. Check out how jellies are being conserved, how they reproduce and there’s also a jelly webcam. Cool, right?

Shark Lagoon

Step outside and walk towards the shark lagoon which features more than 150 sharks. Some you can touch and are peaceful animals, but others you must view behind the glass interactive displays. There is an Amphitheater, Pacific Treasures gift store and the Bamboo Bistro Outdoor Café just in case you want to grab a bite.

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If you look into the viewing window of the large shark exhibit you will be able to see the sand tiger, zebra, white tip, and reef sharks. The sharks daily presentations and feedings will show these beautiful predators in their full element. You can also touch bamboo and epaulette sharks and rays that glide through three shallow touch pools. A giant water squirting squid playground sculpture is a perfect backdrop for children to have fun and learn what it takes for an animal to avoid becoming a shark’s next meal.

Each display shows interesting facts about sharks. The 10,000 square-foot Shark Lagoon is the center of the aquarium’s Explorers Club which is an outdoor educational adventure featuring the Lorikeet Forest aviary.

Lorikeet Forest Aviary

Around the corner from the shark lagoon is the Lorikeet Forest Aviary. You can imagine that you are in the coastal lowlands of Australia in a Lorikeet forest. This 3,200 sq. ft. outdoor aviary houses more than a 100 lively and brilliantly hued lorikeets who occupy the trees and the surrounding areas. You can purchase a small cup of nectar before entering and feed the birds as you walk through the exhibit. They are very friendly, especially if you provide them with their favorite food. No outside food or drinks are allowed.

Molina Animal Care Center

The Molina Animal Care Center is a treat for children and adults alike.

Located behind the shark lagoon, the hospital was opened in 2010. It is a state-of-the-art center sharing the world of aquatic medicine with the public. Every day a staff member explains a live procedure in an educational show, as the guests get to pass hospital viewing windows while a veterinarian could be working on a patient as windows and overhead computer monitors allow everyone to see what’s going on. Two interactive kiosks feature stories of medical successes and shows a behind-the-scenes look at the duties of various team members. The Miller Children’s Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Medical

Center has partnered with the Aquarium, allowing children at the hospital to watch live video feeds of aquarium staff working at the Molina Animal Care Center. This gives the young patients opportunities to ask questions and talk directly to the veterinarians or other husbandry professionals.

Ocean Theater

Penguins 4D is now playing in the Aquarium’s Ocean Theater. The film is narrated by David Attenborough and follows the story of a king penguin in Antarctica. You can also see Turtle Vision 4D and experience the ups and downs of life on land and sea in this coming-of-age story starring Sammy the sea turtle. Prices for the film are $4 each for guests of all ages and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance at any Aquarium ticket window, by ordering online or by calling (562) 590-3100.

Horses and Dragons Exhibit

If you did not see these unique and fantastical creatures, you would say that they were a figment of a fantasy novel. The seahorse and sea dragon exhibit should certainly be on your list. Seahorses, sea dragons, pipefish and ribbon fish are all part of the Syngnathidae family, and you can be a part of their family too if you adopt a seahorse and receive a certificate and photo of your adopted seahorse, an animal fact sheet, and invitations to special events. See how they are cared for, how they reproduce, what they eat and where they are from. Be sure to look closely because they may blend in with the flora and fauna around them. Don’t forget to watch the visual journey of seahorses and seadragons projected across eight screens in the Great Hall.

The ocean makes up a large percentage of our planet and we have yet to discover all the life that dwells in its watery depths. One things remains true, we need to care for our waters and our planet and it will take care of us. Kudos to all of the hardworking staff at the Aquarium and to all the scientists, environmentalists and marine biologists who endeavour to save our precious ecosystem.

You are scheduled to receive this complimentary publication until further notice.

If you do not want to receive it or would like to discuss any issues, please contact us at 562-435-1010.

CONTENTS THE EDGE-U-CATOR

FOUNDER/PRESIDENT Von Raees CEO Jesse Dillon EDITORIAL editor@hlrmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Gary Metzker SENIOR REPORTER Blake Pinto REPORTERS Jesus Ambrosio Emily Rasmussen GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Jorge Arroyo Katie Lowery Allison Rojas WEBSITE Jorge Arroyo DISTRIBUTION SUPERVISOR Edward Davis ACCOUNTING Vera Shamon PUBLISHER HLR Media ADVERTISING advertising@hlrmedia.com SUBMISSIONS: Please send all press releases to: editor@hlrmedia.com

HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 525 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: (562) 435-1010 Fax: (562) 435-8038

the list:

02

You live in Long Beach and haven’t been to the Aquarium of the Pacific? Shame on you. Here are 10 things you must see and do.

artist of the week:

04

Long Beach artists are excited to participate in the second Pow!Wow! to hit the city.

business: 06 Surprise! Ballast Point does a soft opening over the July 4th weekend. Wait until you taste the beer and take in the view.

cover: 07 Three vendors have been told they are no longer welcome at the Harbor Area Farmers Markets.

But they haven’t been told why.

entertainment: 10 Find out why the parents work as hard as the kids in preparation for “Bye Bye Birdie” opening this weekend at the University Theater on the campus at Cal State Long Beach.

restaurant of the week: 11 Chef/owner John McLaughlin creates plate-after-plate of wonderfulness at his At Last Cafe.

Farmers markets have been in Long Beach for more than three decades. Our cover story this week deals with a controversy surrounding three vendors who have been bring their goods to the city since the first farmers market opened at Third Street and Cedar Avenue. But now, they are no longer welcome at the Harbor Area Farmers Markets that are run by the South Coast Interfaith Council. We tried to present both sides of the issue, as any good news story should, but while two of the three farmers spoke to us, the council chose to make a statement through its lawyer. And in the magazine’s opinion, the statement does not address the issue at hand.

On a brighter farmers market note, the Midtown Night Market in Cambodia Town will open on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MacArthur Park, located at 1321 E. Anaheim St. The market will be open every Sunday until November 20.

Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews has been planning this for months and finally the market is coming to fruition.

According to Andrews’ news release, the market is dedicated to the original concept of supporting the success of small local farms, farmers and local businesses while making it more affordable and healthy for the community and its members.

Andrews allocated $10,000 of onetime funding to help jump start the project. The local nonprofit, Cambodia Town, Inc., will manage the market. Along with fresh food, the market will also include sports and fitness classes like Pilates and Zumba, health and wellness workshops and live entertainment from local artists.

Remember, if you want to write or take photos for The Edge, check out the ad in this week’s issue. Join us, and help make this a weekly publication for the community, by the community.

As always, if we make a mistake, if you love us or hate us, have a story idea, or want to advertise with us, let us know with a comment on our Facebook page The Edge Long Beach or our website www.theedgelb.com. You can also follow us on Twitter (@Edgelongbeach), or send me an email at editor@hlrmedia.com.

Gary Metzker Managing editor

We Buy Houses

calendar: 12 feature: 15 Two local writers discuss the forgotten legacies of Latina women artists outside the Frida cult at the Museum of Latin American Art on Friday.

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Long Beach illustrator Dave Van Patten likes to challenge people’s imagination and spark creativity with ‘60s psychedelic and a modern satire twist. www.theedgelb.com

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artist of the week

POW!WOW! BIGGER! BETTER! Second annual mural painting event starts Monday

Various artists will be producing 21 new murals around Long Beach for POW! WOW!

P

OW! WOW! is returning to Long Beach and this year they have doubled the size and the beauty they will be bringing from July 11 to July 17.

Jasper Wong, the founder of POW! WOW! first came up with the idea for the art festival after struggling to get his work in galleries in Hong Kong. Putting together an impromptu gallery with artists who produced unexpected collaboration as a way to get his art out was the seed for POW! WOW! Long Beach welcomed its first POW! WOW! last year and John Hall, the POW! WOW! Long Beach director, said that they are glad to be back in such a great city.

“We were welcomed very warmly last year, and were asked to come back,” Hall says. “Almost doubling the festival, this year POW!WOW! will be producing 21 new murals around Long Beach by 25 artists from around the world.”

Hall says that this year the festival has acquired a great spread of walls for murals.

There will even be a mural installment at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

There will be a few ways for Long Beach locals to get involved with the POW! WOW!

by Amanda Del Cid

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aside from volunteering. There will be artist talks on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Art Theater, and on Thursday, the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Night Dive will collaborate with POW! WOW! where there will be live music, artists roaming about, and a bar to get your drink on.

“If you are interested in helping us with

Beach. Both locals are humbled to be involved with POW! WOW! which is gaining huge notoriety around the world.

Van Patten, who describes himself as an illustrator, is going to be participating in his first POW! WOW! He says that much of his work has “a 60s psychedelic, modern satire twist” and that he tries to put a message in most of his pieces.

It seems like Long Beach has been needing this for a long time.

– Jeff m cmillan the POW! WOW! just liking the content on social media is a big help,” says Hall, because it helps with sponsors and the festival’s reputation.

Artist Dave Van Patten and art duo Jeff McMillan and Gary Musgrave, formally known as The Draculas, will be representing Long

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

“I want to do a sort of Sgt. Pepper-style family photo with characters from the world I have created,” says Van Patten. Working alongside world-renowned artists, Van Patten says he feels humbled and a bit frightened to have this opportunity.

“Sometimes you feel like a faker, like you’re

just an amateur,” he says. “You kind of doubt yourself every time.”

Van Patten will be painting his mural somewhere near East Village where he used to spend much of his time as an amateur artist.

“It is very meaningful to me, the East Village is where I got my start,” Van Patten says. “It is very dear to my heart. Long Beach has always had my back, and been very good to me.”

Van Patten says there should never be a mural just to fill space. “I think the most important goal for a mural is to be inspiring for the community and to stretch people’s creativity,” he says.

The artist says that being able to do and be a part of the Long Beach festival “is really a mix of welcome excitement and extreme terror and fear of fucking up the opportunity.”

Art duo The Draculas will be participating in their second POW! WOW! Jeff McMillan is one half of the duo and he says he is really glad to be back for the second time with the festival.

McMillan and partner Musgrave are a bit more acquainted with mural painting since their first go with POW! WOW! And McMillan says he is much more handy with spray paint

Pow! wow!

Local and international artists are coming together to help paint Long Beach

than he was last year.

McMillan says he and Musgrave have been working as The Draculas for the last two years and that “it’s a joint effort.”

“We’re storytellers,” he says. “We’re both illustrators so we have our own little way of doing things.”

He also says that in his style of work he goes “more toward nature, subject matters through nature.”

In 2011, McMillan created a sport that he calls Prigus Sport and has created an entire backstory of its origins, equipment, logos and multiple teams. Prigus Sport is one of his ongoing projects. He says that it’s not very common to see art and sport come together and he wanted to change that.

McMillan does a lot of designs and projects with clothing brand RVCA and has lived in the city since 2008.

“I like it here because it has a living heart beat,” McMillan says. “It’s not young like L.A., but the culture that is coming to Long Beach just keeps getting better.”

McMillan says that he thinks POW! WOW! fits great in Long Beach. “It seems like Long Beach has been needing this for a long time,” he says. “It’s such an untapped resource.” He believes that POW! WOW! really stands out in

Long Beach.

McMillan felt the same as Van Patten about the caliber of artists that are involved with the POW! WOW! “Last year I was really intimidated too,” he says. “I didn’t know what I was doing last year, but the best way to learn [mural painting] is to just do it.

“I think POW! WOW! has a certain level of talent that is like, ‘Man, I hope I can bring it.’ ” Though he does feel that he has earned his stripes, McMillan says he is humble to be a part of this event and that he is in awe of what these artists can do.

“It’s a special week,” McMillan says. “The cool thing is you get people that come back every day to check out your mural.

“You go to a gallery and you don’t see the process. This, you see the process from the ground up.”

POW! WOW! is actively looking to bring the festival to different communities, having had the event in Japan, Taiwan, South by Southwest, Washington D.C. and, of course, Hawaii where the first POW! WOW! was held.

To learn more about POW! WOW! and the schedule of events for the Long Beach branch visit http://www.powwowlongbeach.com

www.theedgelb.com

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business Talkin’ Brew with Rabbi Drew

LONG BEACH GOES BALLISTIC OVER BALLAST POINT

Delicious beers are served and can be ordered in three 4 ounce taster flights The view from the lower level deck out to the Pacific Ocean

The open architecture of the new facility with a sizeable central bar in the middle The view from the lower level deck out to the Pacific Ocean

J

ust in time for July 4th weekend, the newest location for Ballast Point opened its doors – right here in Long Beach.

With a gorgeous location situated where the Alamitos Bay intersects the Pacific Ocean, the Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen offers wonderful views of the water. One of the 10 biggest craft breweries in the state of California (out of more than 700), Ballast Point started in San Diego 20 years ago and has four locations in San Diego. Having opened a location in Temecula earlier this year, this is the second Ballast Point location outside of San Diego.

Known primarily for their deliciously fruity Sculpin IPA (and its variations, pineapple, grapefruit, and even habanero), Ballast Point offers a variety of solid beers, including their Even Keel session IPA, Grunion pale ale, and Victory at Sea imperial porter. One of the fun things about their beers is that they often offer special flavors of their beers, whether by adding mango, watermelon, or even peppers (serrano, chile, and others). Oh, and their beers are fun to mix – I recommend asking your

by Drew Kaplan

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bartender for their personal suggestions.

Nestled in the Alamitos Bay Landing next to Seal Beach, this location is special on a few accounts. The first is, of course, having much easier access to Ballast Point beers on-tap for not only us local Long Beachers, but also people from the LA and Orange County areas.

Another neat facet is that, despite the nautical naming of their company and their beers, the theme hasn’t carried over to their locations.

That is, until now. Being located at the intersection between the Alamitos Bay Marina and the Pacific Ocean offers the perfect location for their maritime nomenclature. Moreover, the views that the new location affords will be special – whether you are looking out the windows to Alamitos Bay, stepping out onto the first floor patio, closer to the Pacific Ocean, or the lovely upper level, where one has even more breath-taking views.

With such an impressive newly-renovated venue, there will obviously be a lot of attention and customers flocking to the Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen. That was certainly the situation last weekend, when, in somewhat of a surprise move, they opened on Thursday, just in time for the crowds of

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the July 4th weekend. By Thursday night and even Friday afternoon, this was a very popular spot. Fortunately, it’s not small. With a main bar and two auxiliary bars, not to mention over 650 seats, it is ready to accommodate the crowds flocking to the hottest new beer spot in Long Beach.

While all of the beers currently on-tap have been brewed at their facilities in San Diego, the Long Beach location will be the site of some really fun beers being crafted. There will be tart beers and funky beers, including funky variations of currently existing beers.

However, for the barrel-aged tarts (as well as foeder-aged beers, such as Flanders reds), it will be anywhere from a half-year to two years before we see those beers become available.

For the funky beers, that’s where the special strain of yeast, Brettanomyces, comes in and does its work. For beers fermented with Brettanomyces, one experiences not only a dryness, but also a taste resembling that of wet horse blanket (yes, it sounds weird, but once one acquires the taste for it, it’s really fascinating). “We will be brewing a few Brett variations possibly,” said Chris Klein, the brewing manager of the new facility, “but no

clean beers.” The lack of so-called “clean” beers is exciting news for craft beer fans, as it means there will be all sorts of funkiness and tartness to the beers made up here in Long Beach, as opposed to the typical yeasts employed in San Diego. Klein will be accomplishing some of the tart beers with beers quicker to brew, such as Berliner Weisses, which we should see in the coming weeks, which will be fantastic. Since they just started brewing in the last week, “it’ll be a few weeks before a Brett beer and a Berliner Weiss will be on-tap,” said Klein.

In the meantime, now is an excellent opportunity to visit this newly-opened location to check out the regular line-up of the solid Ballast Point beers to get acquainted with this new anchor in the craft beer scene going on in Long Beach.

A resident of Long Beach for 6 ½ years, Drew Kaplan is the Alevy Campus Rabbi for SoCal Jewish Student Services. You can check out his beer adventures on Instagram at @ BeerHappens.

cover

CONTROVERSY AT THE LONG BEACH FARMERS MARKET Three longtime vendors are booted, but the South Coast Interfaith Council, which runs the markets, won’t tell them why.

Farmers set up their pop-ups in anticipation of another big crowd at the Sunday farmers market at the marina. Photos by Gary Metzker

B

enita Malone stands under a vendor’s popup tent to avoid the early-morning heat.

She has a swatch of papers under her arm trying to catch people’s attention as they buy fruits and vegetables at the Sunday farmers market located in the Alamitos Bay Marina on Marina Drive in Long Beach.

“Excuse me, do you go to Pete’s Fish Market? Anybody go to Pete’s?” she asks.

People stop to talk to her and ask where Pete is; after all, he’s been a mainstay at the marina location for 19 years, and he started at the Third Street and Cedar Avenue location 30 years ago.

She hands them a sheet of paper that explains that Pete Siracusa of J&P West Coast Seafood, Arnulfo Garcia of Garcia Family Farms and Roland Tamai of Tamai Farms have been removed and are not allowed to sell at any of the six Harbor Area Farmers Market locations in Los Angeles County. The paper also lists the email addresses of all the board members of the farmers market and the address of the South Coast Interfaith Council, the religious organization that runs the Harbor Area Farmers Market (HAFM).

Two weeks ago, the men asked for the reasons for their dismissal. Each was told they would receive the information by registered mail. They are still waiting for those letters.

The Edge has called the South Coast Interfaith Council, but those calls have not been returned. Instead, we got an email from the council’s lawyer. The Edge has called and emailed members of the farmers market board

by Gary Metzker

without success.

Now Malone has an unwelcome visitor; Kelly, the new manager of the market, doesn’t want her talking about the situation.

“You need to move on,” Malone is told. “You do. Seriously. OK? Thank you.”

“They wanted me to move down; I’m cool with that,” Malone says. But while Malone continues to tell people what has transpired with the three vendors, the Marine Patrol has been called in. Malone is told that if she doesn’t stop, she will be asked to leave the premises.

The same thing happened to Joel Colbert, who is a past president of the advisory board of HAFM. “Kelly told me to stop telling people,” Colbert says. “But people started coming up to me to ask what happened. I was on the advisory board with Roland, Pete and Mr. Garcia, but we were on a powerless board. I got re-elected to the board, but I was the only one to show up to the last meeting. I don’t need this crap and they have canceled a lot of meetings. The question is, who’s next? They have no contracts, no tenure, nothing like that.

“HAFM is basically doing whatever they want at the expense of these men,” he says.

“They chose to ban them with no due process.

People want to complain to the mayor (Robert Garcia) and Suzie Price (Third District councilwoman), but there is nothing they can do.

“This has been handled so poorly.”

Roland Tamai makes the trek from Oxnard to Long Beach every week, bringing with him spinach, beets, strawberries and tomatoes, just to name a few. He is still trying to figure out what he did wrong.

“I received a phone call from (board member) Amy Chester telling me not to come to the markets anymore,” he says. “The crazy thing is we’ve been doing the market for 30 years. I have been there since the beginning. I was an active board member until they told me I was no longer a board member. All three of us were board members. Our attorneys had conversations with theirs. We were told we would receive, by register mail, a letter detailing what we had done to get us thrown out. None of us have received anything. They said we created a hostile environment. They said they would send specifics. They didn’t. Their attorneys said we don’t have to offer you a spot.”

Tamai, with the help of another former HAFM manager, has started a Saturday farmers market in Lakewood across from the El Torito restaurant at the corner of Lakewood Street and Candlewood Avenue. And, Tamai, Siracusa and Garcia have joined the Wednesday market at Marine Stadium. That market is run by Lee Ostendorf and her Local Harvest Farmers Market.

Tamai says it wasn’t only the three merchants who were booted: “Even the security company got fired.

“We have no communication with anyone.

Most people have no idea that a church is the sponsors for these farmers markets. Maybe they will hear what the community wants.

What did I do that was so drastic that I was kicked out? What did Mr. Garcia do?

The South Coast Interfaith Council has been serving Southern California since 1953.

According to its website, its mission is to “promote mutual understanding, respect, appreciation and cooperation among people www.theedgelb.com

of faith in the Greater South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach-West Orange County area by extending hospitality, fostering community, offering educational opportunities, providing moral leadership, sharing in service, serving the youth and working for justice.”

According to its 2015-2016 annual report, SCIC received $393,673 from the HAFM with expenses of $367,082 – a profit of a little more than $26,000. When Colbert was president of the board, he says HAFM had an annual gross budget of $5 million. “The surplus was used for scholarships for the children of farmers and funds for hardship, like if farm equipment broke down,” Colbert says. “Then that money disappeared; we were told they are in the red, so the farmers upped the percentage that they gave to HAFM from from 6.5 percent to 10 percent. We were still told that the reserves went away. We asked for an audit and were told no, that’s not going to happen. There’s no transparency.”

A farmer who is still at the Sunday market, but didn’t want to be identified, confirmed the money issue: “I would tell you to go follow the money,” the farmer said, but then chuckled and added, “but there is no transparency. This is bullshit. That’s what it is. I’m afraid to even be talking to you.”

Colbert suggested talking to Milia Islam-Majeed, the executive director for SCIC. A receptionist said she would relay the message for an interview, but then three days later, an emailed response was received from attorney Michele A. Dobson, council for SCIC.

continues on pg.8

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cover cont.

Above : People would form a line around Pete Siracusa’s truck on Sunday mornings to buy his seafood.

Above Right : Roland Tamai shows his Oxnard strawberries.

Right: 72-year-old Arnulfo Garcia drives from Kingsburg to see his fruits in Long Beach.

The response was six paragraphs long and is reproduced above. The one paragraph worth noting is the one that says the SCIC acknowledges that it has “received a coordinated campaign of emails and threats on behalf of the Farmers that the council will rely upon this statement until litigation is completed.”

Valerie Smith was the most-recent market manager, but she has resigned.In her letter, dated June 17, 2016, and reproduced above, says she is leaving because “I am profoundly disappointed and disturbed by the sudden removal of Roland Tamai, Arnulfo Garcia, and Pete Siracusa from our markets. These three began 30 years ago with the Harbor Area Farmers Markets. The lack of transparency surrounding their removal, which does not appear to follow our stated rules of operation, does not coincide with my standard of ethics.

I do not think that I will be able to continue representing an organization that allows for such treatment of longstanding members of the community.”

Pete Siracusa of J&P West Coast Seafood travels every week from Simi Valley to Long Beach, about 65 miles each way if you believe Google maps. According to an interview with Patch.com, Siracusa says that as a youngster, he hated fishing. He would help his father at various markets but never thought he would get involved in the business. The one thing he did enjoy, though, was the chance to meet and

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get to know so many people.

“Like Roland, I got a call from Amy Chester (board member and owner of Peanut Dudes) and was told that I was not allowed to be on the board and not allowed at the Sunday farmer’s market,” Siracusa says. “Chester tells me that the SCIC knows what we did, but we didn’t do shit. There’s been no mediation process at all.”

Siracusa’s lips turn down into a frown, and he pokes his index finger to add emphasis.

“It’s really sad. I’m just mad by how they did it.” He pauses for a few seconds. “After 31 years here. The whole farmer’s market is a family, but not now. Now everyone is scared. Now everyone is walking on eggshells.

“They are throwing out farmers,” he says, his voice getting louder. “This is our livelihood. What the hell is this?”

Vendors at the Sunday market would only talk about the situation in whispers, in between helping customers. Even a longtime Sunday shopper didn’t want her name used, but she did relay a short conversation she had with the new manager. “She (Kelly) told me that she isn’t supposed to say anything,” the shopper said. “Kelly said what happened is an anomaly and that all she is trying to do is just run the market.”

One person who has been caught in the middle is the new fishmonger, Arthur Gonzalez of Roe Xpress. He has a restaurant at 5374

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E. Second St. “We were invited to set up shop and we are happy to be here,” he says. “We’re just keeping our heads down. I was up until 2 a.m. cutting up fresh fish. I’m just trying to give the consumers the freshest seafood we can. I’m confident things will smooth out.”

In the meantime, Siracusa, Garcia and Tamai are setting up shop at the Wednesday afternoon market located at Appian Way and Nieto Avenue. Lee Ostendorf, director of the

Local Harvest farmers markets, could not be happier.

“Those three . . . they are the rock stars. Everybody knows them,” Ostendorf says. “They don’t send workers. They come themselves.

They were at Third and Cedar from the beginning.”

Ostendorf runs eight markets a week, three in Long Beach. The other two are at Bixby Park which is located at 130 Cherry Avenue.

cover cont.

Nonetheless, SCIC, it’s Board, it’s Executive Director and the Farmers Market Advisory Board have received a coordinated campaign of emails and threats on behalf of the Farmers to which we issued the following statement and we will rely upon this statement until litigation is completed: “The South Coast Interfaith Council supports many efforts to create an inclusive, welcoming, interfaith and intercultural environment throughout Southern California, including its support of the local Farmers Markets. It is an ecumenical effort that has served the Long Beach Community for years and the Council is committed to continuing to provide a family friendly atmosphere for the community.

The Council and its Executive Director and Board of Directors appreciate the feedback regarding the Farmers Markets and the local growers who participate in the markets. We remain receptive to customers and growers who treat the community, the merchants, the managers, staff and volunteers with dignity and respect.

The Council, its Executive Director and its Board of Directors continue to be dedicated to the communities we serve and encourage positive, respectful dialog, even in disagreement, which goes to the core of the mission of the Interfaith/Intercultural Council. We feel that this commitment is in concert with what the community expects from the Council.

By way of this statement, the Council, its Executive Director and Board of Directors reaffirm our collective commitment to a peaceful environment for the community to shop and for merchants to sell; to that end, we are happy to field questions regarding the markets and how we can improve them as a service to this community.

Any comments or concerns regarding the markets will gladly be received by the Council’s Attorney, Michele A. Dobson at 4117 East 4th Street, Long Beach, California, 90814, 562-433-7718, longbeachesq@gmail.com.”

The Council has welcomed many new vendors to the farmers market and we would love the opportunity to introduce you to our new vendors. In the interim, we are pleased to continue to offer this service to the community and look forward to reading your article.

Cordially, Michele Dobson Attorney at Law

A letter sent to The Edge concerning issues at the Harbor Area Farmers Market

June 17, 2016 Harbor Area Farmers Markets South Coast Interfaith Council 759 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 To the South Coast Interfaith Council and the Advisory Board of the Harbor Area Farmers Markets: It is with deep sadness that I must move forward my end date with the Harbor Area Farmers Markets to July 1, 2016.

I am profoundly disappointed and disturbed by the sudden removal of Roland Tamai, Arnulfo Garcia, and Pete Siracusa from our markets. These three began 30 years ago with the Harbor Area Farmers Markets. The lack of transparency surrounding their removal, which does not appear to follow our stated rules of operation, does not coincide with my standard of ethics. I do not think that I will be able to continue representing an organization that allows for such treatment of longstanding members of the community.

I understand that there are elements at play that I have not been privy to, but barring any truly harmful acts by these three members against the organization or the community we work in, I cannot fathom any reason why they should be removed without due process. It appears very strange that the three removed from the markets are all board members, and were pressured into becoming board members because they were trusted representatives—they did not seek out these positions of their own volition. Every attempt to understand, to ask questions, or to learn more about this situation in order to respond in a meaningful way has been prevented.

Mostly I am confused as to whom I should trust within this organization, a feeling which upsets me to no end. I arrived wanting nothing more than to help communities access healthy food, and help farmers gain access to good markets. Instead, it has been an onslaught of “political” maneuverings that derail any good efforts.

I hope the markets continue to operate, because they serve many communities.

I cannot stress enough my disappointment at being in this position. I hope that the management is allowed the space and support to get down to the work of improving the markets, including very importantly, low market morale.

She has been running markets for 20 years and can’t begin to understand why the three vendors were expelled.

“They have been nothing but wonderful,” she says. “I certainly don’t know the answer, the reason and they don’t either. They have always been great people.”

Ostendorf is rearranging the Wednesday market to give the vendors a little more space and she says if other farmers want to make the move, “I wouldn’t turn anybody away.

Back at the farmers market, Benita Malone is standing on the other side of the market, the side where people sit at a table and wait for you to give them your old cell phones.

Malone is resplendent in her bright yellow Fisk University T-shirt and is still mad-ashell-and-she’s-not-going-to-take-it-anymore attitude concerning the three farmers.

“Well, I was motivated because so many people have been coming to Pete’s for years,” she says, her voice rising. “The interfaith council has been hanging up the phone on people. People have been posting on their Facebook page and they have been deleting the comments right away. They forget that we are the community and they are supposed to represent us, not the other way around.”

Sincerely, Valerie Smith

Former manager Valerie Smith’s resignation letter to the South Coast Interfaith Council

www.theedgelb.com

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 |

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entertainment

At Go-Fame parents and the community help build everything needed for production

FOR KIDS AND PARENTS, THE SHOW MUST GO ON

At Go-Fame, a community has come together to teach the next generation the art of theater

S

howbiz isn’t all glitz and glamour, especially behind the scenes (or) especially when you work for free.

The last Saturday before opening weekend, Elaine and Tom Zofrea’s home in Long Beach is a busy work force of volunteers.

One of Go-Fame’s founders and artistic director, Elaine Zofrea, is hurriedly giving directions to four busy-bee volunteers humming around the room, trying to finish the costumes for next weekend’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at the newly renovated University Theater at Cal State Long Beach.

The studio office is filled with pieces of fabric that need to be sewn together, costumes that need to be organized and assigned, props, and a guy in the corner intently going over lines by himself.

He never looks up; he only found out last week he is playing two roles in the musical.

There is an air about the room of too many things to get done in so little time.

It’s crunch time.

“Funny enough the building of the set happens all in my backyard,” said Zofrea.

There isn’t much chatter, just the sounds of power tools, sawing and hammering of the intricate sets in the backyard and alley, designed by Elaine’s husband Tom, a senior art director for Walt Disney Creative Entertainment.

The set is built over the course of three weekends because the volunteers, most of whom are the parents of kids in the show, have to get back to their jobs during the week.

“They go and they paint, and they go and they paint,” Tom says, “and when the sets come out during the show, the parents say ‘hey, I did that!’ ” The parents feel involved. Accordingly, the

by Rachel Garcia

10 /

program uses volunteers to build the sets to keep the budget at bay.

“It doesn’t save us money, it would probably be cheaper to just rent someone else’s set, but we like to think we’re doing something different than other productions,” Elaine says.

The sets are built in a format that can fit through the doors of the theater. On the Wednesday night before opening weekend, all the pieces will be transported in trucks loaned by people in the community and put together like a large jigsaw puzzle in the University theater.

Go-Fame was originally an afterschool drama program started by Zofrea and Kathy McGuire, but grew into a four-show season with a winter class session and summer camp that has been around for 12 years.

It started when Elaine and Kathy’s daughters began doing theater at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center when they were in third grade. Both daughters were cast in plays for two years there, but then the company stopped doing plays. Their daughters and some other kids in the community wanted to continue doing theater, so Kathy, Elaine and some other mothers decided to produce plays for third through fifth graders at Minnie Gant Elementary School.

“It was interesting because it was pretty much a group of mothers that all had some experience in theater; they were either currently working in theater or had worked in the theater,” says Zofrea.

As the kids aged out of the program after fifth grade and wanted to continue to do theater, Zofrea and McGuire decided to start an outside program.

The age group at Go-Fame is from 8 to 18 years old.

“There aren’t a lot of companies that just do children’s theater,” Zofrea says.

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

For community building, part of the requirements for the kids to be in the show is that their parents have to volunteer hours, or they can buy out. But very few parents buy out.

According to McGuire, it takes 75 yards of fabric, 30 gallons of paint, more than 2,500 volunteer hours – including 700 hours creating costumes – and 300 hours constructing sets.

She knows those numbers by heart; she’s the business side of Go-Fame. So, that means parents learn to use sewing machines to make costumes or grab a hammer and nails to build sets.

“Two of Go-Fame’s goals are to create a community of theater supporters and to keep show participation affordable,” McGuire says. “Our volunteer program supports both of those goals. In addition, parents have the chance to learn new skills, make friends and take pride in the final product.”

“The parents are fascinated about it, it’s like when your child chooses a sport that you don’t know anything about, you’re going to find out all that you can,” says Zofrea.

For a lot of these kids, this is their sport.

Zofrea wants the kids to a have a good experience and teach them how to do plays the professional way. She worked Off Broadway and at South Coast Repertory so she doesn’t know how to do it any other way.

“We want the kids to have a good time and to teach them the professional way, because

I come from a professional background and I don’t know how to do amateur theater,” she says. “I just kind of skipped that part.”

Zofrea and McGuire have different criteria for each show they produce during the year because they want to offer a variety of ideas and styles for the kids.

“I have never found anything that they were not able to live up to,” Zofrea says. “My expectations are high for them to behave like professionals.”

What students learn in an intro to theater class in college is what the kids learn in this program.

“It isn’t our goal to create professional theater people, but it’s a place to have fun, and sometimes it’s their relaxation,” Zofrea says.

This summer, they are doing the classic “Bye Bye Birdie.” For those who don’t know the plot of “Bye Bye Birdie,” it’s about the generation gap and an Elvis Presley-like singer getting ready to go into the Army. An uptight Mr. MacAfee just doesn’t understand what’s the matter with kids today. The musical has an estimated running time of two hours with one intermission.

Performances for “Bye Bye Birdie,” are Saturdays July 9 and 16, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays July 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for the premium reserved rows A through F, and $12 for general admission rows G-R. The box office will open 45 minutes prior to showtime.

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restaurant

AT LAST (CAFE)!

A Long Beach restaurant with wonderful food, wonderful service and chef isn’t so bad, either.

O

n the corner of Orange Avenue and Second Street, in the midst of Long Beach, hides a quaint cafe. A place where every evening is filled with the sounds of blues and friendly chatter. At Last Cafe brings sweet southern comfort food with a subtle french twist at reasonable prices to the LBC. John McLaughlin, owner and chef of At Last Cafe, says he has always wanted a place to call his own. “All chefs do,” he said.

His restaurant originally started off with half of the interior space, but now after two expansions, McLaughlin says they are done, but are still trying to grow in different ways.

“We do a bit of catering and take out now.” he says.

At Last Cafe even has online ordering available, through sites like Eat24, ChowNow, and Eatstreet.

Cesar Lee Garcia, who has been with At Last Cafe since its opening in 2012, said, “to see [At Last] grow, from the expansions and the customers, it’s been really awesome.”

With a solid 4 star rating on Yelp.com, McLaughlin admits that “we do mess up occasionally, but almost never as badly as some of the reviews make it out out be.”

Garcia said that in comparison to the other restaurants he has worked at, At Last is more family and more personable.

McLaughlin says that he loves being in Long Beach. “We have no pretension here, I just like the vibe of it.” he says.

Garcia said that the eatery gets crowds of people from outside of Long Beach as well, stating a lot of people from all over Los Angeles and Orange County stop in for a bite.

“Long Beach is full of mom and pop places.

The small business help each other and support each other. We have everything here in Long Beach,” Garcia says.

John [McLaughlin] is an awesome dude,” he said. “You do not meet a lot of chefs like him.

[McLaughlin] is a lot of fun to work with.”

McLaughlin tries to keep the atmosphere “friendly and somewhat professional” and that he tries to have a team atmosphere.

“The food is very hearty, homey,” Garcia says. “Even the portions are really nice size.

The quality and the portion is really good for the prices.

“It’s great to work here and [McLaughlin] is a big part of that.”

by Amanda Del Cid

French beef pot roast served over fettuccine pasta with vegetables on the side

Recipe for McLaughlin’s Green Goddess salad.

To make the dressing:

Lettuce (Iceberg or Romaine)

1 cup parsley

Spinach (Regular or organic)

1 tbsp dry tarragon

Avocado (regular or organic)

1 cup spinach leaves packed

Cucumber

3 tbsp green onions

Parsley (regular or organic)

3 cloves garlic

Red Wine Vinegar 12 fl oz bottle

3 tbsp dijon mustard

Thai Fish Sauce 6.76 fl oz bottle

¼ cup lemon juice

Green Onion

¼ cup red wine vinegar

Garlic

John McLaughlin (right) is the owner and chef of At Last Cafe

2 tbsp Thai fish sauce

Lemon juice 8 fl oz

1 pinch salt

Dijon mustard 8 oz

1 pinch pepper

Mayonnaise 12 oz Garcia’s favorite dish from the restaurant is the blackened prime rib: “It is so delicious, so tasty.” McLaughlin says the most popular thing on the menu is the brick chicken.

According to McLaughlin, the average day consists of preparation, deliveries and making the desserts. All desserts served are made inhouse. Then they set up for opening.

“We all pitch in to serve the food and I try to have an atmosphere where we all pitch in,” McLaughlin says.

Kati Hutto, a server who is originally from Berlin, says it is very nice to be a server with At Last because there are so many people from different walks of life that eat there. “It is a cute little family restaurant that has a neighborhood atmosphere,” she says.

Eating at the cafe is very relaxed, and the service is great. When waiting for my orders to come out, which were taking a bit longer than usual, the server brought my table an order of the avocado fries, on the house, while we waited.

Always aiming to please, not only with the service but the food, At Last Cafe is definitely worth the search for parking. But if you want to stay in and still experience a taste of At Last Cafe, here is McLaughlin’s recipe for his Green Goddess salad.

1 pinch chili flakes

Salt Ground black pepper

Blend together in a blender

Tarragon

Add two cups mayonnaise

Chili flakes 1.5 oz

Blend again.

Serve over your choice of leafy greens with avocado and cucumber.

Contribute to The Edge!

Are you a passionate journalist who loves writing about arts, dining and entertainment? As the independent voice of Long Beach, The Edge is welcoming a hand full of contributors who are eager to cover the latest trends happening in LB. Selected writers will have the opportunity to showcase their work in our print and digital publications while building their portfolio with professional reporter experience. From investigative stories, features on local artists, to play and movie reviews, The Edge provides a platform for writers with an array of interests. If you’re a Long Beach local who desires to take an endeavor into journalism, then contact us to see how we can help you!

Contact: editor@hlrmedia.com www.theedgelb.com

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 |

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// JULY 6 - JULY 15, 2016 // Queen Mary // Sunday // Sunday Brunch at the Queen Mary $49.95 per adult, $19.95 for children 12 and under Prices on holidays and special events are $59.95 Adults & $19.95 Kids. $7 parking with validation (up to 3 hours) $12 all-day valet parking with validation | 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Queen Mary “Wrapped in the elegant grace of the Grand Salon and featuring live entertainment, the Champagne Sunday Brunch has the air of a royal soiree and is anything but typical. Free flowing champagne, live music and a tantalizing signature menu that is sure to please even the most discerning palates, makes the Queen Mary Champagne Sunday Brunch a Long Beach tradition that cannot be missed.”

Long Beach Museum of Art // July 16 - Oct. 16 // Vitality & Verve: In the Third Dimension $15 Long Beach Museum of Art V&V3D features immersive, multi-media installations by a select group of nationally and internationally renowned urban contemporary artists, ceramic artists and sculptors.

Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.

// Saturday // Saturday Family Fun: Sea Jellies 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $49 per child/adult pair non-members, $36 per child/adult pair members “Come to the Aquarium to introduce your preschool student to marine life. Another in our series of parent, me and fish classes, the Saturday Family Fun program is created for four- to six-year-olds with an adult.

These classes are designed for you and your child to interact together in a fun and dynamic learning environment. ”

MOLAA // July 11 - July 29 // MOLAA’s Art and Culture Camp Sign up now for MOLAA’s youth summer programs! Beginning July 11 to July 29, MOLAA offers three weekly sessions of Art & Culture Camp for kids 6 to 12-years-old. Camps incorporate movement ( Zumba & Capoeira), cooking, urban gardening, art workshops, DIY crafts and a bilingual exploration of Latin American art and culture.

// Every Friday // Art chat FREE 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Long Beach Museum of Art Art Chat is an informal tour of the exhibitions, Anderson House and the Sculpture Garden led by knowledgeable LBMA staff. Visitors are able to discuss the artwork, learn about the history of the museum campus, and have questions answered.

Aquarium of the Pacific // Most Fridays // Shark lagoon nights 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon

12 /

// July 17 // EXHIBITION OPENING: ARTISTS ASSEMBLE! EMPOWERMENT AND INSPIRATION IN CONTEMPORARY COMICS 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Join the MOLAA for their opening of Artists Assemble! an exhibition that highlights artists from the U.S. and Latin America who use narrative comic book formats or are inspired by comic book aesthetics to discuss topics of culture, identity, community and politics.

// April 1 - Oct. 27 // Black Gold

// July 16 // MOLAA Members BBQ 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

FREE For members only. Additional guests $10 each Relax and enjoy the summer evening with music by DJ Tropicaza (Mexico City), food, games, cash bar, exclusive access to the galleries, plus live ‘blind-contour’ portrait drawings.

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Free 4640 Atlantic Ave. A photo exhibition called “Black Gold: Oil in the Neighborhood,” which explores the industry that helped shaped the Long Beach area. Hours: Tues., Wed., Fri. from 1-5 p.m.

Thur. from 1-7 p.m. and Sat. from 11 - 5 p.m.

For more information, visit hslb.org.

// Now - Jan. 1, 2017 // MOLAA at TWENTY $10 “Celebrating its 20th anniversary and recent accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), MOLAA presents its largest comprehensive Permanent Collection exhibition to date. Learn about

the Museum’s founding and be inspired by MOLAA’s Modern and Contemporary Latin American art collection. MOLAA at Twenty showcases founding collection highlights, emergent collections of new media, and art of the Latino diaspora that includes U.S. Latino and Chicano art.”

// July 8 // Latin American Lifestyles: Plucking Frida 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. $10 Local writers Myriam Gurba & Raquel Gutiérrez discuss the forgotten legacies of Latina women artists outside of the Frida cult.

// June 30 // Viva La Lucha 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Don’t miss the return of Lucha Libre at MOLAA! Guaranteed to make the crowd go wild, Lucha Libre Mexicana Entertainment returns for a night of five action packed Lucha Libre matches with high soaring kicks and flips. Guests will also enjoy a live musical performance by Aqquarela, a Lucha Libre marketplace, food truck, cash bar, face painting, and an opportunity to take their picture with a Luchador. First match starts at 7 p.m.. Don’t forget your lucha mask!

calendar ny’s rendition of Bye Bye Birdie! For those unfamiliar, the play is about a rock singer that “travels to a small Ohio town to make his farewell television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.”

WED 7/06

THUR 7/07

SPCA-LA FUNdraiser at Zero Express

Ken O Malley Live Irish Music

SAM: Twisted at the Pike

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Auld Dubliner Ken O’Malley is back with the luck of the Irish and his great music!

5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Pike Outlets Talented freaks and creepy carny folk return this year to bring patrons a thrilling, carnival-centric journey complete with live music, tribal fire belly dancing, strolling magicians, stilt walkers and more.

12 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Zero Express 1785 Palo Verde, Unit F Treat yourself to handcrafted, made-to-order, coffee, tea, boba and a smorgasbord of delicious drinks while raising money for SPCA-LA’s program and services! Mention SPCA-LA and 20 percent of your bill will be donated to help homeless animals.

Voices On The Veranda Summer Concert Series: Paris Chansons Doors at 6:30 p.m. , Concert 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. $20, $15 for members Voices on the Veranda is back! The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a summer concert series on its rooftop Veranda with singer/ songwriters, jazz and rock bands, and other musical acts showcasing their talents. Sit back and relax with food and drinks while enjoying the view of Rainbow Harbor at sunset.

Long Beach Municipal Band Concert FREE Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Los Cerritos Park Summer Music = Family Fun is the theme of the 106th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band. These great free concerts in the park feature the sounds of big band, pop, jazz, blues and more.

Salsa Dance Lessons at Cafe Sevilla 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Cafe Sevilla It’s all in the hips! Learn to Salsa at Cafe Sevilla, and join them every Wednesday night for salsa dance lessons in the club taught by renowned local salsa dance instructors.

Come with a partner or come solo, you are guaranteed to have a great time!

Lunch Break Yoga 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

FREE Promenade Square Park Free yoga, open to everyone! Do the downward dog and forget about the TPS report due in like, 45 minutes.

Summer Concert Series At El Dorado Nature Center: The Salty Suites 7 p.m. - 9p.m.

7550 E. Spring St. $3 Nature! Music! ‘Nuff said!

Leg Records Showcase 9 p.m. - close $5 cover Que Sera Support a local record label at your favorite Long Beach dive bar! The Violet Mindfield, The Ponderosa Aces, and Daydream Time Machine all playing.

FRI 7/08

SAT 7/09

THE LONG BEACH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY : July Books on Stage shows start at 8 p.m. $12.50 Richard Goad Theatre 4250 Atlantic Ave. Just in case you missed Friday’s show, or heck, even if you wanna see it again! Twice is always nice.

SPCA-LA July 2016 Foster Class 10 a.m. - noon 7700 E. Spring St. FREE Want to help pets? Become a foster parent to many a furry critter here in Long Beach by submitting an application and attending a Foster Class. Application available at www. spcaLA.com. Please call 323-730-5300 x300 for more info.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Midnight - 2 a.m. $11 Go see this Long Beach staple / cult classic at the Art! “Costumes and audience participation galore! This low-budget freak show/ cult classic/cultural institution concerns the misadventures of newlyweds inside a mad scientist’s strange mansion and crazy party that they come across on a rainy night after their car breaks down in the woods.”

Bye Bye Birdie 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $15 premium seating, $12 general admission University Theater at CSULB Support the Go Fame Youth Theatre Compa-

THE LONG BEACH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY : July Books on Stage shows start at 8 p.m. $12.50 Richard Goad Theatre 4250 Atlantic Ave. “LBSC opens its July Books-on-Stage series with Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Tale of Two Cities, which Welles wrote for the Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was the first radio series of its kind, in which a full theatrical company produced a drama for the wireless.

LBSC presents the story with original music

by Edmund Velasco, and live sound effects produced by the cast! “

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Presented By Musical Theatre West 8 p.m.

Carpenter Performing Arts Center $17-$70 Catch this play that is a “Hilarious, and often risqué musical based on the Steve Martin and Michael Caine film. Two con artists working on the French Riviera decide that the first to swindle ‘America’s Soap Queen’ out of $50,000 can stay in town and the loser has to beat feet.”

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| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 |

/13

calendar cont.

4250 Atlantic Ave. Just in case you missed Thursday’s AND Friday’s shows.

Bye Bye Birdie 2 p.m. $15 premium seating, $12 general admission University Theater at CSULB Support the Go Fame Youth Theatre Company’s rendition of Bye Bye Birdie! For those unfamiliar, the play is about a rock singer that “travels to a small Ohio town to make his farewell television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.”

MON 7/11 Pow! Wow! Long Beach 2016

SUN 7/10 How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying starts at 2 p.m. $24 Support your local playhouse! The Long beach Playhouse puts on this play which gives you “Biting comedy and bright insights are highlighted with delightfully memorable songs and dances in this classic Broadway musical.”

Midtown Night Market 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

MacArthur Park 1321 E. Anaheim St. The Midtown Night Market will be opening in July. The farmer’s market is one of Councilman Dee Andrews’ visions to create a more vibrant midtown as well as to provide residents a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. The local nonprofit, Cambodia Town, Inc. will be managing the market. Along with fresh food, the market will also include sports and fitness classes (e.g. exercise classes including Pilates and Zumba) health and wellness workshops (e.g. dance, yoga, and stress-management), growing and learning opportunities (e.g. financial literacy, etc...). Live entertainment from local artists, a kid’s space (music, art, etc...) and so much more!”

July 11 - July 15 Centered around a week-long event in Hawaii, POW! WOW! has grown into a global network of artists and organizes gallery shows, lecture series, schools for art and music, creative community spaces, concerts, and live art installations across the globe.

Visit powwowlongbeach.com for details and schedule!

Queen Califia Residency + Special Guests 9 p.m. - close Que Sera $5 cover You may have (hopefully) read about these talented gals in one of our issues! Catch them at their residency at Que Sera with several talented special guests.

Whale Dolphin And Sea Life Cruises noon - 3 pm.

100 Aquarium Way $45 Ride into the open Pacific Ocean to search for whales, dolphins, sea lions and other marine life.

Long Beach Symphony Orchestra: Instrument Petting Zoo 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Cerritos Park The Long Beach Symphony brings the Instrument Petting Zoo to several neighborhood libraries and community events. Volunteers give a special presentation designed to pique the interest of very young children in making music. After the presentation, kids have the chance to try an instrument.

TUE 7/12

THE LONG BEACH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY : July Books on Stage shows start at 2 p.m. $12.50 Richard Goad Theatre

14 /

Long Beach Municipal Band Concert FREE

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Whaley Park Summer Music = Family Fun is the theme of the 106th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band. These great free concerts in the park feature the sounds of big band, pop, jazz, blues and more.

WED 7/13 World Championship of Performing Arts Competition begins at 7 a.m.

300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Singers, musicians, dancers, actors and models are ready to compete for 75 judges from the entertainment industry at the 20th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts. This international meet is often cited as the official “Talent Olympics” for aspiring performers.

Voices On The Veranda Summer Concert Series: Iliana Incandela Doors at 6:30 p.m. , Concert 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. $20, $15 for members Voices on the Veranda is back! The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a summer concert series on its rooftop Veranda with singer/ songwriters, jazz and rock bands, and other musical acts showcasing their talents. Sit back and relax with food and drinks while enjoying the view of Rainbow Harbor at sunset.

Long Beach Symphony Orchestra: Instrument Petting Zoo 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Bret Harte (Not that one!) Neighborhood Library The Long Beach Symphony brings the Instrument Petting Zoo to several neighborhood libraries and community events. Volunteers give a special presentation designed to pique the interest of very young children in making music. After the presentation, kids have the chance to try an instrument.

THUR 7/14 Live After 5: The Wall | 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

North side of Acres of Book located at 3rd St. and Long Beach Blvd.

FREE The Wall. On… A wall! Check out the progrock masterpiece on literally just another (quite a few, actually) brick(s) in a wall.

Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) 22nd Annual Benefit for the Animals Reception at 6:30 p.m. , Door-prize drawing and performance at 7:30 p.m.

Long Beach Playhouse $30 See a play and feel good about donating to a good cause! FOLBA’s 22nd Annual Benefit for the Animals includes a musical theater performance; reception featuring finger food, silent auction, music by Ralph Brunson at the piano and a Dine-Out Raffle featuring gift certificates to local restaurants! Door prize drawing by canine volunteer Ruthless McKenzie.

Ken O Malley Live Irish Music 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Auld Dubliner Ken O’Malley is back with the luck of the Irish… and his great music!

Summer Concert Series At El Dorado Nature Center: Adam Topol Trio| 7 p.m. - 9p.m.

7550 E Spring Street $3 Nature! Music! ‘Nuff said!

Long Beach Municipal Band Concert Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Marine Stadium FREE Summer Music = Family Fun is the theme of the 106th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band. These great free concerts in the park feature the sounds of big band, pop, jazz, blues and more.

FRI 7/15 THE LONG BEACH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY : July Books on Stage shows start at 8 p.m.

Richard Goad Theatre 4250 Atlantic Ave. $12.50 LBSC opens its July Books-on-Stage series with Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Tale of Two Cities, which Welles wrote for the Mercury Theatre on the Air.

Long Beach Municipal Band Concert Starts at 6:30 p.m.

El Dorado Park West FREE Summer Music = Family Fun is the theme of the 106th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band. These great free concerts in the park feature the sounds of big band, pop, jazz, blues and more.

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WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH FRIDA KAHLO’S CULT FOLLOWING? Local writers Myriam Gurba and Raquel Gutiérrez to discuss the forgotten legacies of Latina women artists outside the Frida Cult at MOLAA

T

he famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is known internationally for her self-portraits and surrealist style, even after her death more than 60 years ago.

Always considered an important part of Mexican culture and often celebrated by feminists, there is a flip-side to any artist-turned-celebrity.

If you Google “Frida Kahlo” and look at some of the items for sale, it will either impress or terrify you. You can now buy a Frida shower curtain, Frida leggings, and even Frida-labeled tequila.

This is exactly the kind of thing that local writers Myriam Gurba and Raquel Gutiérrez fear, and will discuss at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) – Frida being used as a token for Latin art and overshadowing other Latina women artists.

“It’s one of my pet peeves when people are really smug and self satisfied, and think that they know a great deal about Latin American art because they are familiar with a portrait that Frida Kahlo did,” Gurba says. “So I wanted to respond to that by hosting this event where we discuss that cult of Frida, how that cult seems to have emerged, and what that cult means – moreover, who are other Latin American female artists.”

Gurba is the author of several published books, poems, and short stories. Her most recent work was published last year, a collection of short stories called Painting Their Portraits In Winter. She says her writing tends to have darker themes, largely about dealing with death, the grotesque, and mental illness.

However, her poetry tends to be more absurd and ridiculous.

Gurba also does cultural journalism, writing articles about LGBTQ issues and art for KCET. Next year, she is publishing her biography.

When Gurba isn’t writing or making art, she teaches AP Psychology at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Raised in Santa Maria, she has now lived in Long Beach for nearly 15 years, which has greatly impacted her writing.

by Emily Rasmussen

Photography by local artist Myriam Gurba, part of her IBAM series (inspired by Ana Mendieta) that will be presented at her MOLAA discussion.

Photo courtesy of Myriam Gurba “California urban environments are so interesting because they combine all sorts of the beauty and the horror of an urban space with heat, and then you add large populations of people of color,” she says. “To me Long Beach is almost like a character onto itself, like a really sort of awkward but funky character.”

One of the Latina women artists who Gurba plans on speaking about is Ana Mendieta, a Cuban American performance artist, sculptor, painter, and video artist. Gurba says Mendieta’s work is extremely timely, having gained a big resurgence and interest in her work and as a person.

“There is still quite a lot of controversy surrounding [Mendieta’s] death. She argued with her husband the night that she died and then she fell from her balcony,” Gurba says. “And a lot of people in the art world believe that he may have something to do with her death.”

Mendieta’s husband, Carl Andre, is also an artist. He was not held responsible for her death in 1985, resulting in many artists and feminists protesting his work ever since.

“A lot of people feel that he got away with murder and because of who she was, that there was not as much concern because of the kind of person she was. She was female, an immigrant, and a person of color,” Gurba says. “A lot of her work has to do with sort of the mark that the body makes when it’s in the world, and it’s grotesquely ironic that she died by falling.”

Gurba says Mendieta is an example of an artist whose work is phenomenal, timely, and is important because it can impact so many people right now. “[Artists like Mendieta] aren’t discussed when people are otherwise absorbed by Frida Kahlo. I think it’s very important to sort of push people a bit to educate themselves about the depth and breadth of art that comes from Latin America and Latin American people,” Gurba said.

Gurba says the curators at MOLAA hope this event will strengthen the bond between the community and the museum. Although she and Gutiérrez were given a lot of freedom

in terms of what they could do during the designing process.

Gutiérrez is a writer, poet, cultural commentator, essayist, and performer, who lives in Los Angeles. Born in Mexico and a child of immigrants, Gutiérrez says her writing skills came from her persistence to master the English language; so that when the day came, she could speak to a large audience and express the colonialism and repressiveness she feels the English language dictates over so many other nations and people of color.

Gutiérrez has performed and shared her art in the United States and internationally, from the mountainsides of El Salvador to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

“I’m really interested in this kind of an info-performance with Myriam, that brings us into a conversation around some of the other Latin American artists that we have been influenced by and have engaged in some of our work,” Gutiérrez says. “Sort of trying to take the power out of the mercantilism found in Frida-mania that kind of takes away from any sort of robust, critique of Frida as a wealthy, armchair marxist who was able to leverage and take advantage of her European

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upbringing.

“I think that Frida embodies what I refer to as a radical narcissism, a way to interrogate certain aspects of our identity, and to kind of bring it from the microcosm to the macrocosm,” Gutiérrez added, “and explore some of the structural inequities that are kind of imbedded as who we are as women, as Mexicanas, brown women, and Latinas.”

The event, “Latin American Lifestyles: Plucking Frida: A Discussion about Why Other Latina Artists Matter” is on Friday, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at MOLAA, 628 Alamitos Ave. It costs $10 for the public, but is free for registered members of MOLAA. “I would hope [people] would come with an open mind and that after engaging in the talk that they would be energized to then go explore and to research artists on their own, and seek out female Latin American artists on their own, and then educate themselves about their work,” Gurba says. “Because artists are nothing without their audience, and that audience, I think, has a responsibility to educate itself about the breadth of what it’s hungry for.

So I would hope it would serve as an inspiration to deepen one’s knowledge.”

| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 |

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Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm Talks with the Maestro at 1:00pm in BP Hall Cool concerts filled with your favorite music

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| JULY 6 - JULY 12, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com