The plaza of Long Beach City College’s Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center was crowded as the community college community celebrated the grand opening of the new $102 million state-of-the-art facility honoring the legacy of the late music icon and LBCC alumna.
LBCC administrative officials and Rivera’s family were joined by students, faculty, staff, elected officials, community members, and fans for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 26.
Fans of the late Jenni Rivera are waiting to enter the brand new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center to listen to her daughters give a performance with Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.
Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Chiquis and Jacqie Rivera get emotional during a song they are singing together during the Long Beach City College (LBCC) and the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center. This is the first performace ever inside the new building in honor of their late mother, Jenni. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The late Jenni Riveras daughter Chiquis Rivera sings a song in her mothers memory during the first ever performance in side the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The new building and name honoring the late singer Jenni Rivera at Long Beach Community College. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea perform with Jenni Riveras daughters during the late singers ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center at LBCC. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea perform with Jenni Riveras daughters during the late singers ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center at LBCC. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Jacqie Rivera and her siblings cut the ribbon to the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center ceremony in honor of their late mother. Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Jacqie Rivera and the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea perform in honor of the late Jenni Riveras ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center . Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
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Fans of the late Jenni Rivera are waiting to enter the brand new Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center to listen to her daughters give a performance with Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.
Long Beach, March 26, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The new performing arts center will serve as the home for LBCC’s performing arts, music, dance and radio/TV/broadcasting programs, college officials said.
“The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center represents possibility for every student who walks through its doors,” Superintendent-President Mike Muñoz said, whose vision led to approaching the Rivera family. “Our students will now train and perform in spaces that reflect the modern standards of today’s creative industries. Seeing Jenni Rivera’s name on this center reinforces what we want every student to understand: their goals are achievable no matter where they start.”
The complex is located on the college’s Liberal Arts Campus, at the corner of Harvey Way and Clark Ave. This represents a bold new chapter for LBCC and the greater Long Beach region, officials said, delivering a state-of-the-art home for creativity, collaboration and cultural expression.
It includes a new 263-seat auditorium, “black box” multipurpose performance space, dance performance studio, broadcast studio, rehearsal rooms, and outdoor performance stage, according to a press release. Construction began in July 2023, and the building officially opened for classes in the spring 2026 semester.
LBCC formally dedicated the new facility as the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center to recognize the legacy of the Latin Grammy-nominated artist and alumna, whose influence continues to inspire generations of students and the broader community, officials said.
Rivera, who died in 2012, was born and raised in Long Beach and rose to international acclaim as one of the most influential voices in regional Mexican music, specifically in the styles of banda, mariachi and norteño. She attended LBCC from 1987 to 1989 before transferring to Cal State Long Beach, where she obtained a degree in business administration.
Her philanthropic work, entrepreneurial achievements, and commitment to uplifting women and families continue to inspire fans around the world, officials said.
“As we open the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, we celebrate a remarkable new facility, and the enduring legacy of an artist whose voice resonated far beyond the stage,” LBCC Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk said. “Through the support of our community and voters, we have created what is now the premier performing arts facility in the region. It’s a space that honors Jenni Rivera’s journey from LBCC student to global music icon, while providing world-class opportunities for future generations of artists.”
The facility was funded by local voters through the college’s bond measures – Measures E, LB and AC, Ntuk said, as well as a donation made by the Jenni Rivera estate. It was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards as well.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, members of the Rivera family were present to join in the celebration and honor of a building named after their mother at the college she attended years ago. Present were Jacqie Rivera, Chiquis Sanchez, Johnny Lopez, Jenicka Lopez, and Mike Marin – who will be painting a mural for the building.
“The Jenni Rivera family is honored to see her name live on in a space that uplifts our culture and our community,” said Jacqie Rivera, who is also CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises. “This center is more than a building – it’s a reminder to the next generation that their stories, their voices, and their dreams matter. We hope it inspires young artists to embrace who they are and carry our culture forward with pride.”
As a special tribute, the Jenni Rivera estate also loaned LBCC one of Jenni Rivera’s memorable dresses, which is featured on the cover of the latest Banda edition of her iconic album, “La Gran Señora.” The iconic gown will be displayed in the auditorium lobby, creating a lasting tribute to her legacy and inspiring future LBCC students, officials said.
After the ribbon-cutting, the celebration continued with a special tribute performance inside the campus auditorium featuring two of Rivera’s daughters, Chiquis and Jacqie Rivera, performing alongside Grammy-award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.