Celebrate Black History Month with “Glo Up,” a new exhibition at Loiter Galleries spotlighting Black artists working across a wide range of mediums.
The opening night on Saturday, Feb. 14, coincides with the Downtown Long Beach Art + Design Walk, making this an ideal stop during the citywide arts celebration.
“Glo Up” brings together four artists whose work embodies resilience, innovation, and creative evolution within the Black community.
Illustrator James Brooks uses watercolors and inks to explore connections to ancestry and cultural inheritance, while Myriam Loeschen brings the “glo” through bold, brilliantly colored abstract works that make eye-catching statements. Nia Simone creates deeply personal work rooted in her identity, and Torin Ashtun expresses a deep love of the rich texture and expressive possibilities of oil painting.
The DTLB Alliance’s Downtown Art + Design walk will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy of DTLB Alliance).
Loiter Galleries will spotlight Black artists in its “Glo Up” exhibit, on show through March 21. (Photo courtesy of Loiter Galleries).
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The DTLB Alliance’s Downtown Art + Design walk will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy of DTLB Alliance).
Simply put, there’s much to love about this exhibition.
Opening night runs from 5 p.m. t o 8 p.m., while the DTLB Art + Design Walk takes place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., during which the exhibition will also be open to visitors. For a full map of Art + Design Walk installations and exhibits, go to shorturl.at/8kXiV.
“Glo Up” will be on view through March 21, and admission is free with donations appreciated. Check out loitergalleries.com for additional info.
Long Beach Ballet Academy
The Long Beach Ballet Academy will bring William Shakespeare’s most mischievous comedy to the stage in dance form with their company showcase of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at Lakewood High School Auditorium.
Romance, magic, and glorious confusion collide as four young lovers escape into an enchanted forest, only to be thrown into chaos by a fairy’s love potion.
Add feuding fairy royalty and a group of well-meaning but hopelessly inept craftsmen rehearsing a play into the mix — and things get wonderfully weird and enchantingly enticing.
This production is an original ballet by David Wilcox, adapted from Shakespeare’s play and set to the expressive, dramatic music of Sergei Prokofiev.
What makes David Wilcox’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for Long Beach Ballet especially intriguing is his decision not to use Felix Mendelssohn’s famous incidental music to the play, which most audiences immediately associate with Shakespeare’s comedy.
It’s Wilcox’s way of making this production fresh and distinctive.
Historically, the work holds a special place in Long Beach Ballet’s heart. It was performed by the professional company from 1985 to 1996 and even toured internationally, including performances in Taiwan.
This whimsical ballet is a great Valentine’s weekend treat, so be sure to reserve your spot at longbeachballet.com/midsummer.
Long Beach Symphony
Valentine’s Day gets a big, soulful soundtrack when the Long Beach Symphony Pops presents “Endless Love – A Valentine’s Concert” at the Long Beach Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Led by conductor Herb Smith and featuring vocalists Chester Gregory and Shayna Steele, the evening blends classic romantic hits with the Symphony’s signature Pops flair for a concert that’s actually a thinly-disguised dance party.
Gregory and Steele bring timeless love songs to life with a lineup packed with unforgettable solos and duets. The program spans generations of romance, with favorites like “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Let’s Get It On,” “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher,” “Stand By Me,” “At Last,” and more.
This is music made for swaying close, singing along, and falling in love all over again.
Adding to the magic is the relaxed vibe that makes Long Beach Symphony Pops concerts a standout. For example, doors open at 6 p.m. for indoor picnicking, and audiences are encouraged to bring their own food, libations, and even festive table decorations.
Two dance floors surround the stage, and dancing is highly encouraged throughout the evening. “Endless Love” hopes to offer a joyful night of music, movement, and heartfelt melodies in the spirit of love. Get tickets at longbeachsymphony.org.
Student art
Long Beach City College’s Juried Student Art Exhibition kicks off Saturday, Feb. 28.
A longstanding tradition at LBCC, this exhibition spotlights the most outstanding work from LBCC’s Visual and Media Arts Department.
As a juried (judged) exhibition, it’s a celebration of emerging talent while offering students a meaningful bridge between academic study and professional artistic practice.
Each year, the exhibition recognizes excellence and this year there will be a total of $2,000 in prizes awarded to three exceptional student artists.
Beyond the awards, the show serves as an important platform for students to experience the realities of exhibition, critique, and public presentation — skills essential for careers in the arts — while also enriching the cultural life of the campus and our surrounding community.
The exhibition opens with a public reception on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., inviting visitors to meet the artists and explore the work on view. The celebration concludes with a closing reception and award ceremony on Thursday, March 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when prize recipients will be announced.
This year’s Student Art Prize Jury includes Selene Preciado, a Los Angeles–based contemporary art curator specializing in Latin American and diasporic perspectives. As curator and director of programs at LACE, Preciado is known for developing research-driven exhibitions that explore memory, language, and culture. Her professional background includes work with the Getty, MOCA, MOLAA, and major binational projects.
She brings a thoughtful and expansive curatorial lens to this year’s exhibition.
Together, the 2026 Juried Student Art Exhibition and its accompanying events offer a compelling look at the next generation of artists coming out of LBCC.
For more information, head to shorturl.at/v3R1Y.