Long Beach has plenty to do this week, whether you’re wanting to organize to help your neighbors, support local businesses or exercise your mind and body. 

Organizing efforts begin Friday with an all-day general strike being conducted, calling on residents to refrain from working or spending. If you’re going to spend money Friday, many Long Beach businesses are donating proceeds to immigrant families and nonprofits, while some are also hosting poster-making and print workshops. 

Residents can also help make zines and whistle packs to fight against ICE Saturday morning, or attend a vigil for the lives who have been lost to ICE’s violence Saturday evening. Two local businesses are hosting events this week, with San & Wolves celebrating their one-year anniversary and Sala Coffee and Wine hosting an event to recover from a car crashing into their shop. 

Mind and body health-focused events this week include an audiobook walk Saturday morning, a sound bath Monday afternoon or a craft and yap session Thursday evening. 

Chris Giaco, self-described instigator and owner of Page Against the Machine bookstore, jokes with a customer from behind the register on Aug. 9, 2023. The bookstore focuses on books about activism and organizing, social and political movements, and socially-conscious living and sustainability. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Friday 1/30 

General Strike: All day. Multiple organizations are calling for a general strike on Friday, and some Long Beach businesses are closing for the day such as Page Against the Machine and BYO Long Beach, while many small businesses are staying open but donating either all or some of their proceeds to immigrant families and organizations. These businesses include Salud Juice, San & Wolves Bake Shop, Wood Coffee Co., Gusto Bread, Cool Cat Collective, Alder & Sage, The Wicked Wolf, Plantiitas and Good Time. 

Protest Art-Making: Noon to 4 p.m. Bel Canto Books will be shutting down its store as part of the national general strike and will instead host a sidewalk book sale and protest art-making gathering outside the shop (2106 E. Fourth St.) where all proceeds will go to Minnesota and Los Angeles mutual aid groups. 

A total of 2,100 whistle packs were created during the Whistlemania Make Whistle Packs event at The Wicked Wolf on Jan. 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)

Saturday 1/31

Audiobook Walk: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bring your own audiobook and headphones while you walk with fellow book lovers around Long Beach, beginning at 6400 Pacific Coast Highway at The Fleuria truck near Urban Outfitters. There is time to chat with one another before and after the walk, but it’s not a requirement. RSVP for the walk @audiobookwalkingclub on Instagram in the bio. Free. 

Makers Hive Market: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop from over 50 local vendors while enjoying music sets from a DJ and activations such as aura readings, hand-drawn doodles, vision board creating, donation-based yoga and an audio walking club meetup at 2ND & PCH (6480 Pacific Coast Highway). Free. 

Whistlemania: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This folding event invites residents to fold zines and make whistle packs at Bayshore Church (5100 E. The Toledo) for organizers to use when they see ICE in their neighborhood in order to alert others. This is one of several events in the upcoming weeks. RSVP online. 

ICE Vigil: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Non-profit Clue Justice, ORALE, LBJE, Filipino Migrant Center, United Cambodian Community and Khmer Girls in Action are holding a community vigil to honor the lives lost from ICE violence and immigrant detention in communities across the nation at Bixby Annex Park at East Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue. 

Long Beach Coast Fan Event: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Long Beach’s professional baseball team is hosting a fan event at Watch Me! Sports Bar (6527 E. Pacific Coast Highway Unit B-2) with special appearances from a player and people from the team, giveaway prizes, merchandise for sale and music by DJ C Strait. Free. 

Wrigley Coffee’s Coffee Program Manager Riley Draghi holds a freshly-made mocha cappuccino with some foam art on Feb. 9, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Sunday 2/1

San & Wolves Anniversary: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This Filipino baked goods shop is celebrating its one year anniversary with multiple vendors such as Catching Lizards selling clothing, Reinne’s Place selling coffee and drinks, Para Sa’ Yo selling candles, stickers, trinkets and more. Free. 

Bunny Rescue and Crafts: Noon to 3 p.m. The Sunshine Rabbit Center and Able ARTS Work is hosting a bunny craft day where kids of all ages can take part in button-making, origami and more while they eat donuts, drink lemonade and meet rescue bunnies up for adoption at 4202 Atlantic Ave. unit 201. Free. 

EZ Sip Downtown Long Beach Block Party: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Long Beach residents are invited to a community block party on The Promenade (between First and Third Streets) with live music and specialty cocktails for purchase from several neighborhood businesses. Attendees are also invited to bring non-perishable food items or cash to donate to the nonprofit Feed our Children Now!. Free

Sala Fundraiser: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Chefs Melissa Ortiz and Jose Molina will be cooking up burgers, wings, steak and more while Sala Coffee and Wine employees offer a wine list to pair at 1900 E. Ocean Blvd. to raise funds for Sala after a car crashed into their building. 

A sign for Houghton Park taken on June 1, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Monday 2/2

Sound Bath: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a meditative sound bath experience to tune into your mind and body at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E. Hill St.), where Erika Segura from The Sound Bath Studio will guide participants through meditation and sound healing. Space is limited. Registration required. For more information, or to register, call the Library at 562-989-7323. Free.

Community Budget Meeting: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Residents are invited to share feedback on the City of Long Beach’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget during this meeting at the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). City staff will be present to gather community input and answer questions about budget priorities. ADA accommodations will be available with at least 72 hours notice by calling 562-570-6465. Free.

A free food crate distributed by Ruth Crosthwaith’s church in 2020. Groceries included vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, bread and packages of snacks. (Kristen Farrah Naeem | Signal Tribune)

Tuesday 2/3 

Valentine’s Day Cards: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Teens and adults ages 12 and up are invited to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards during this workshop at The Studio inside the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway). Participants will use Cricut, AccuCut die-cut machines, and cardstock to design personalized cards. All materials will be provided. Free.

Food Pantry: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can get free groceries, clothing, shoes, pet food and hygiene items from the Long Beach Community Table Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. Free. 

Sara Pilchman creates a divet in some spinning clay that she will turn into tiny pots inside her studio and warehouse in Signal Hill on Feb. 8, 2022. Pilchman and her employees produce about 1000 pots per week in this location. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Wednesday 2/4

Clark Avenue Community Meeting: 6 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to a presentation on the Clark Avenue Complete Street Project, covering planned improvements from Anaheim Street to Spring Street. City staff will share project details and answer questions. The meeting will be held at Sound House Church (1429 Clark Ave.). Free.

Couples Pottery: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Clay on First is bringing back its Toast to Ghost pottery classes for couples to cultivate their pottery skills and channel their inner Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze ahead of Valentine’s Day. During the workshop, participants will receive a guided wheel instruction along with beer, wine and small bites from a local eatery. The Toast to Ghost classes will run from Feb. 5-16. Tickets are $175 for each couple and come with one glazed and fired pottery piece with names engraved on the bottom. 

The new logo for Yap & Stitch, a monthly meet-up for fabric art enthusiasts and creatives of all kind at KUBO Long Beach. (Courtesy of Amor Roldan)

Thursday 2/5 

Community Meeting: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Residents are invited to this virtual event to learn about the upcoming 2nd Street bridge deck replacement project and hear updates directly from City staff. The meeting will be held via Zoom, with a link provided upon registration. To register, visit lbcity.info/2ndstbridgemtg. Interpretation and accommodation requests are available with advance notice. Free.

Yap & Stitch After Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local crafters and yappers club Yap & Stitch is holding a space to slow down, connect and enjoy creating together, whether you want to chat, craft, listen or simply soak in the moment at Good Time (1322 Coronado Ave.). Bring your own materials and a project you’re working on or just hang out. RSVP @yapandstitch on Instagram. Free. 

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