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www.TheEdgeLB.com The Edge Long Beach @EdgeLongBeach

WONDER WOMEN UNITE

Long Beach welcomes a worldwide gathering of women experts in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics

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news

Left: Long Beach local Dave Van Patten creates mural which has a Sgt. Pepper style feel to a large scale character portrait. Below: Japanese artist Dragon76 stands in front of his incomplete mural that maintains his style of old world meets new world with a mechanized style samurai warrior. Bottom: Defer works on his script based mural that is on the Long Beach convention center multi leveled parking structure. Photos by Miguel Berillas

POW! WOW! WOWS THE CITY AGAIN

Organizers would love to return to Long Beach next year

cattered across Long Beach are the remnants of Pow! Wow!, a mural art festival that brought in more than 20 artists from around the world to use Long Beach as their canvas. With the collective efforts of the city, organizers and residents, the second annual Pow! Wow! Long Beach came to a successful end. With more than 20 new murals in place, Pow! Wow! Long Beach director John Hall says that the murals should last for years to come. And with loads of blank walls all over Long Beach, Hall says the Pow! Wow! would love to come back for a third time. With world renowned artists such as Antonio Correia aka Pantonio, a Portuguese artist who did a grandiose piece on the outside wall of the Aquarium of the Pacific, people from Long Beach and all over Los Angeles County flocked to the Night Dive.

by Amanda Del Cid

Night Dive is an 18-and-over event that brings live music and alcohol to the aquarium after hours. This Night Dive was planned in partnership with Pow! Wow! Long Beach. A special showcase held especially for the Pow! Wow! School of Music, a branch of the festival that brings the joy of music and learning to children in the communities that Pow! Wow! is held. A couple of Australian mural artists decided to vacation in Long Beach so they could see the Pow! Wow! in progress. Dan Wenn, 38 said, “We’ve been walking around checking all of the [murals] out.” Dan’s travel partner Helainie Geor said, “The 123klan mural is wicked.” Pow! Wow! Long Beach had a hefty list of 21 solo and group artists painting walls on hotels, laundromats, parking structures, even under the Queensway Bridge over the Los Angeles river. Hula, aka Sean Yoro of Hawaii, is known

| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

for painting in hard to reach places. One of his most acclaimed pieces was painted on a glacier. He took on the task of the Queensway Bridge. Painting on a tiered system floating on the river, Hula said, “I’ve been taking motion sickness pills since I started working on the [water].” Hula painted the last portion of his piece from his paddle board, which he said is much easier.

Jasper Wong, who is the founder of Pow! Wow! was happy with the week’s work. “It’s just all gone really well. We have tons of support from the community.” Wong said that it has been positive all around and the city has maybe three times more murals than it did before. John Hall said “There’s no complaints and it all went surprisingly well.”

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FOUNDER/PRESIDENT Von Raees CEO Jesse Dillon EDITORIAL editor@hlrmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Gary Metzker MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Blake Pinto SENIOR REPORTER Emily Rasmussen CONTRIBUTORS Brooke Becher Angel Carreras Amanda Del Cid Dominique Dupree Tami Graham Darralyn Huston Drew Kaplan Heather Kern Michaela Kwoka Matt Simon Michelle Vazquez PHOTOGRAPHERS Miguel Berillas Matt Roberts 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

CONTENTS THE EDGE-U-CATOR

news: 02 POW! WOW! has come and gone. Time to recap how it has transformed the city.

the list:

Ikea has nothing on Long Beach’s Frank Brothers. Louis Frank originally started selling furniture as Cash Furniture at 214 E. Fourth Street (now part of the Chuck E Cheese building in the CityPlace Mall downtown). In 1930, Morris joined his dad, making it L. Frank and Son, and seven years later, Edward joined in to sell contemporary furniture as the Frank Bros. The Frank Brothers’ furniture store was located at 2400 American Ave. (now Long Beach Boulevard) from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. The Long Beach store is considered by many to be the granddaddy of modern design stores, like Ikea.

Looking for Pokémon? This is where people are “Catching ’em all” in Long Beach.

The brothers first brought Danish modern furniture (considered the standard of mid-century modern furniture) to the United States by importing Scandinavian furniture through their import company Moreddi (a combination of Morris and Edwards names) of Long Beach.

the essential queer:

The company also employed interior and custom furniture designer Milo Baughman who grew up in Long Beach and later opened the Baughman-Lee showroom in Los Angeles. His furniture has been exhibited in numerous American museums.

Our new columnist writes about how the restaurant Hamburger Mary’s holds a toast to the termed out Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal.

entertainment: 06 HOT! HOT! HOT! The second annual California Hot Sauce Expo returns to Long Beach.

restaurant of the week: 07 In just four years, The Attic has quickly become a local favorite.

cover: 08 Women unite at the second annual Wonder Women Tech conference

business: 10 The Pokémon Go craze has hit Long Beach. Hard.

calendar: 12 feature: 15 Q&A with Dark Progressivism director Rodrigo Ribera D’Ebre about Los Angeles’ inner-city life and the evolution of street art, including graffiti, tagging, and tattoos.

Why the history lesson? Because in January – in conjunction with Cal State Long Beach’s University Art Museum’s opening in October of its exhibit Frank Bros.: The Store That Modernized Modern – the UAM will host the first Long Beach Mid-Century Modern Home Tour as a fundraiser for the exhibit. The fundraising tour will have nine stops that will feature mid-century modern architecture examples from famous architects Cliff May, George Montierth, Richard Neutra and Raphel Soriano. Ticket prices range from $75 to $200. For more information, contact Shefali Mistry at the University Art Museum at 562.985.4299 or shefali.mistry@csulb.edu.

Louis Frank originally started selling furniture as Cash Furniture at 214 E. Fourth Street. Credit: YouTube.

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 by emailing me at editor@hlrmedia.com or 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). Errata: In last week’s article about the Rubber Tree, the staff reduction was due to many things, including the availability of products online. According to the Starr family, the opening of another adult store, Love Stuff, was merely a factor. Gary Metzker Managing editor

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Keynote speakers from around the globe assembled in Long Beach for the second annual Wonder Women Tech conference July 16-17. Photo by Miguel Berillas www.theedgelb.com

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the list

GO-TO SPOTS IN LONG BEACH FOR

POKÉMON GO

So, you want to catch them all? Well, you won’t have to travel across the land or too far and wide anymore. Here is a rundown of places to consider on your next hunt for Pokémon and all things related By Michelle Vazquez A park around the corner from Signal Hill Park Community Center

El Dorado Park West 2800 N. Studebaker Rd. PokeStops: 9 Gym(s): 2 Start your quest here. This a spacious park for outdoor activities, so it is a guarantee that you will find much needed supplies such as PokeBalls. Pokémon sightings occur all around the park as well.

Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretative Center 4900 E. Conant St. PokeStops: 4 Gym(s): 1 Yes, it may only have four PokeStops, but the small-scale park makes it a quick and easy stop, especially if you are on the go. Pokémon have also been found at the park.

Hilltop Park 2351 Dawson Ave. 4/

PokeStops: 4 Gym(s): 3 OK, OK... so this is not Long Beach, but it is in the middle of the city. So, hey, why not? The park is another on the smaller side. Regardless of the size, there are almost as many gyms as there are PokeStops. Maybe here you can channel your inner trainer and take on one of these gyms. Oh yeah, the views not too bad either!

Now you may start feeling hungry and want to try out some of the cuisine down by the beach, but still want to catch some Pokémon! Downtown LB is full of PokeStops and wild Pokémon as well. Just two examples of many PokeStops and a few gyms: Pine Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.

1780 E. Hill St.

First, on Pine Avenue start at Fourth Street and work your way toward Ocean Boulevard and you will encounter more than 10 PokeStops. On the other hand, on Long Beach Boulevard beginning at Sixth Street down to Ocean Boulevard, you will come across 10 PokeStops and one gym. Not too bad!

PokeStops: 10 Gym(s): 1

The Pike Outlets

You may be leaving Hilltop Park and realize you are running low on PokeBalls. Oh no! Well, this park is just around the corner, so kiss those worries goodbye. You may come across some little critters before you even get to park.

95 S. Pine Ave.

Signal Hill Park Community Center

Downtown Long Beach (Long Beach Boulevard and Pine Avenue)

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PokeStops: 10 Gym(s): 0 You’re full and now feel like taking a stroll. Well, The Pike is a perfect location to restock whatever you already used. As an added bonus, Just across the street you can see the boats and lighthouse.

Shoreline Aquatic Park Aquarium Way Pokestops: 15 Gym(s): 3 If you are looking for your water type Pokémon, this is the place to fish in Long Beach. The many PokeStops make this a no-brainer, but what also stands out is the many people gathered around like Ethan Murnahin, who is visiting from Ohio and staying in the area said he came out to the Shoreline because the Ingress map gave him that location to go to for Pokémon. Or Daniel Murray who is from Riverside came down with his fiancé and also ended up at the Shoreline because of its popularity. When asked why he plays Pokémon Go, he says it’s “the foundation of my childhood.”

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essential queer

Suja Lowenthal - Photo credit: City of Long Beach

A TOAST TO SUJA

The Edge welcomes Tami Graham and her new monthly column on topics from a gay perspective. Graham has lived in Long Beach’s Second District for 12 years and is the leader of the Long Beach Dyke March, Rally and After Party celebration.

or me, as a gay woman, there was nothing before Suja Lowenthal. Oh sure, the Long Beach Second District Council member was a gay guy but otherwise, there was nothing. We had no voice. At 5 p.m. on February 7, 2006, Dan Baker announced his resignation as Second District council member only minutes into the regular council meeting, which was being shown live on cable television. Baker claimed the Press Telegram was witch hunting him over his real estate investments with the then head of the city’s police union, Steve James. The City Attorney said the council would meet and decide whether to appoint a replacement for Baker or hold a special election for the Second District council seat. The city had not appointed a council member to fill a vacancy in at least 30 years. This was a big deal. Baker was a promising council member. He once said that he would be the first gay governor of California. Four months later, on June 6,, a special election was held and amongst a field of 11 candidates, winner-take-all, Suja Lowenthal

by Tami Graham

was victorious, winning nearly 38 percent of the vote. She’s never looked back. From the beginning, Lowenthal has been a council member who enjoyed meeting her constituents. Always on the go with her red bag in tow, any day of the week, you could find her out shaking hands and solving problems. With Long Beach’s sizable gay community – most of which are in Lowenthal’s district – she quickly embraced her gays and they embraced her back. Here was this single mother of one from India, with s a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA, a master’s in business administration from California State University, Los Angeles and doctorates in policy, planning and development from USC, having lunch and cocktails with the gays. The red bag, the shoes, the smile; how could we not love this very smart woman who accepted us as none had done before? The love affair began. Lowenthal accomplished a lot for us in her 10 years on the council and as Vice Mayor, from authoring Long Beach’s equality in marriage resolution to the rainbow sidewalks. But more than that, she was with us. At rallies,protests, parades and festivals. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the battle for equality, not as gays, but as human beings. During a quiet moment, which is rare for her, I asked what it felt like to be the toast of Long Beach’s gay community for 10 years? “Often times being an elected official can make you feel as though you are the loneliest

person in a crowded room full of hundreds of people. I have never felt that way in the company and embrace of the LGBTQ community,” Lowenthal said. “There is a warmth and comfort I feel when I as company of members of the community ... Never once has the LGBTQ community said to me ‘Why can’t you do more?’ This has meant a lot to me because I drive myself on a daily basis asking why didn’t I do more.” As Lowenthal entered the celebration amassed in her honor at Hamburger Mary’s on July 12 accompanied by her boyfriend, Tom Andrus, the crowd chanted, “Suja Suja Suja!” and went wild with applause and a standing ovation. “Let’s be an example of what a healthy community should be,” Lowenthal said at her farewell celebration. “I’m an immigrant. I’m different, too.” She has been our biggest ally. She has been the one that said from the beginning you’re OK, I’m OK, let’s be partners. Sidney Cramer, owner of Spa Sidney on Broadway, is one of those partners. “Almost seven years ago I found myself in a meeting led by Suja Lowenthal. She spoke about an engaged community and the power of working together as a group,” Cramer explains. “As a gay man I never imagined myself involved in city politics until hearing her words. Suja has giving me a voice like she gave our community when there wasn’t very much representation for the LGBT community

at City Hall. She showed interest and made improvements to the much neglected “gay corridor” of Long Beach. She asked a room full of business owners to stand up and we did. Suja Lowenthal has had an impact on my life that has forever changed me and my city for the better.” Jacqueline Case is another on the long list of people Lowenthal has inspired. “The first time I really had the opportunity to meet the beautiful Suja, and I mean beautiful inside and out, was at an Imperial Courts event,” Case says. “Suja was so humble, down to earth, eager to talk to everyone and most of all very approachable. What I learned later is that Suja had been supporting the LGBT community for years. Suja was supporting the LGBT community before anyone else would speak up and show concern. It does not surprise me that Suja was born with the love for equality for everyone.” Lowenthal always says, “As goes Long Beach, so goes the rest of the country.” As our nation’s attitude toward the LGBT community begins to change, we’d like to say thank you, Suja, for helping Long Beach out of the closet and leading the way. With a vodka and tonic in her hand, our community’s single-strongest ally was toasted and she humbly spoke about the things that matter most of standing together. So in the end, it turns out we were a match from the beginning.

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 20 - JULY 26, 2016 |

entertainment

Year of the Dog Lucky Dog—Hayward, California lucky-dog-hot-sauce.myshopify.com “This is the best thing I’ve ever made,” says Zalkind who has a tattoo on his arm commemorating his creation. This Asian-inspired sauce is dominated with ginger and pineapple notes, which afterburn into a mild sting from the dried red chiles. I added some of this to a bowl of pho and I can report nothing but finger-licking results.

Steve Seabury, founder of High River Sauces and the organizer of the 2nd Annual Hot Sauce Expo, kicks off the Carolina Reaper pepper eating contest on Sunday. Photos by Madison D’Ornellas

HAUTE HOT SAUCE

Expo purveyors prove the burn in the back of your throat can be tempered by ingredients like ginger or apple or peach

eer is not the only thing getting the craft treatment these days. In the last few years, the craft hot sauce scene has caught on fire, exalting the condiment to gastronomical heights. Last weekend, some of the leading purveyors of heat from around the world offered their wares at the Second Annual California Hot Sauce Expo at Rainbow Lagoon. One pepperhead who is leading the charge to change the way people think about hot sauce is Scott Zalkind, founder of the award-winning Lucky Dog Sauces. Zalkind says that for too long the only types of hot sauces on the shelf were unsatisfactory. “There were two kinds of sauces: mild sauces and extract sauces,” he says. “There was nothing in between and it bugged the crap out of me.” His company was among the 40 different hot sauce vendors at the Expo, mostly from around California, though some came from as far as New Zealand, a who are trying to bring a more nuanced approach to hot sauce. Connoisseurs like Zalkind regard Sriracha and Tabasco the way hopheads might regard light beer. Instead, they prefer their hot sauce to have a bit more complexity. And although it’s fun to watch people sweat and squirm after eating a ghost pepper or Carolina Reaper-based sauce, it’s not solely

by Kevin Flores

about the Scovilles. If anything, many times the heat takes a backseat to the flavor profile. “Layers,” “tones,” “full-body,” were just some of the terms used to describe these craft sauces with ingredients as unlikely as ginger, apricot, apple, peach, and carrot. Below are The Edge’s five favorite hot sauce picks from the expo: Tri-haba-saurus Rex Infinity Sauces, Fullerton infinitysauces.com/ John Kessler, who brands his sauces as “flavor first, heat second,” hand-blends and hand-funnel-fills all his sauces including this peach-and-habanero concoction that is big, bold and full-bodied. It’s not overly spicy and has robust undertones of molasses and mustard. Reaper Culley’s—Glen Innes, New Zealand culleys.co.nz/ Although this sauce is very spicy, it is not as spicy as expected considering it contains Carolina Reaper peppers—the hottest chili pepper on earth—grown in New Zealand. The initial impression is sweet and vinegary and finishes with a long-lasting tongue burn but through it all maintains a rich garlic and onion aftertaste.

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Tears of the Sun High River Sauces—New York City highriversauces.com A thick, almost marmalade-like sauce, Tears of the Sun is very tangy but mild, which is impressive for a habanero sauce. This

very Caribbean hot sauce has undertones of papaya and mango and would make a great marinade for chicken, though it’s tempting to drink it straight. 1498 Heartbreaking Dawns—Glendale, Arizona heartbreakingdawns.com “Stylistically this is most indicative of what I do recipe-wise,” says co-founder Johnny McLaughlin. This sauce’s heat source is the fiercely spicy Trinidad Scorpion pepper and though the singe is somewhat mitigated by an apricot preserve base, it still packs a backof-the-throat type of heat that will leave you wondering how something that started out so sweet could turn on you so quick—and yet you can’t keep away from the bottle.

restaurant

THIS ATTIC IS A REPOSITORY OF GREAT SOUTHERN COOKING

t is hard to believe that this local, neighborhood restaurant has only been around for four years. The Attic has seamlessly blended into Belmont Heights and is fast becoming a local favorite to grab a bite, a cocktail or two, brunch after a fun Saturday night or enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends. What cinches the deal is that this restaurant is located in a renovated, craftsman style house that reflects the history of the area like many of the historical homes in Long Beach, with the exception of the outdoor bar.

by Dominique Dupree

The Attic, located at 3441 E. Broadway Ave., is also a local patron of the arts, evidenced by the creative paintings on the walls and the tables in the outdoor dining area. Each table is designed by a different, local artist, some of whom Steve Massis, the owner of the Attic personally knows and every six weeks or so he holds an art exhibition at his restaurant featuring new, local art. At The Attic, art, music, history and flavorful Cajun-Creole food meld into a delicious gumbo explosion. Speaking of which, you must try the chicken and okra gumbo – oh, the andouille sausage, bell peppers, onions, celery and spices slowly cooked with a brown butter roux, served over white rice and topped with scallions, it is enough to make you feel like you are on Bourbon Street listening to jazz while eating your gumbo. Executive chef Frankie Mirada was kind enough to offer a brief insider’s view on everything “Attic.” The Attic was originally a bungalow built in 1918 and has mainly been a historical, commercial building with a brief stint as a house for a conductor of the Pacific Electric Railway and his family in 1929. Steve Massis’ idea for the Attic is that everyone is welcome and to perpetuate that homey feeling, the cutlery and dinnerware, are all different as if they were brought down from the attic, giving this restaurant a very eclectic and casual feel. There is nothing casual about the food, which is locally sourced and complexly flavored. The drink and entree

menus change often which gives you an opportunity to return and try something new. When you enter The Attic, you walk up the stairs on beautiful restored wooden floors, into a light, airy open concept “living room,” and if you are lucky, you may be seated in the Blue Room which used to be the master bedroom. Chef Mirada’s kitchen, used to be a second bedroom. In the Blue Room you’ll find the proudly-framed photographs, newspaper clippings of downtown Long Beach and even a picture of the house before it became a commercial business. The Attic is known for its Bloody Mary’s and Mac n’ Cheetos which is deliciously creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crumbled Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and green onions. But if you would like to take a culinary journey, you have to try the FGT caprese stack – fried green tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, dusted with black pepper and drizzled with balsamic – The Attic’s take on the South meets Italy. For the entree, order the shrimp and grits, classic Southern comfort food with an Attic “twist” – grilled garlic and herb-crusted shrimp served over tasso grits, drizzled with honey and topped with rosemary and herbs. Wash it down with freshly-made strawberry lemonade. And for dessert, the bananas foster bread pudding is perfect to sweeten your palate – bananas flambeéd with cinnamon sugar and topped with chantilly cream. The easy camaraderie amongst everyone working at The Attic, from hostess to manager

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who made my refreshing strawberry lemonade on the spot, is reflected in the laughter, the sound of forks and knives on plates and the smiles of everyone which can clearly be seen by anyone on Broadway. Looking on, which is easy due to the al fresco dining, makes one feel a part of a good time that is easily accessible by all; simply by crossing Broadway or stopping on a whim and finding that elusive parking spot to join in on the fun. Chef Mirada considers New Orleans-style cuisine to be an American cuisine on its own since its influences hail from Africa, the native Americans and France – a true melting pot – and so under his watchful eye, the good times continue to roll for The Attic. Mac and Cheese - 1/4 pound of butter - 1/2 cup flour - 1 quart milk - 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 pound shredded jack cheese - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pepper - 1 pound macaroni noodle In a sauce pot melt butter then whisk in flour. Add milk salt and pepper and cook over medium heat. Once milk starts to thicken slowly whisk in cheddar cheese then whisk in jack cheese. In a separate pot cook macaroni. Once cooked strain and place in a casserole dish and cover with cheese sauce

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cover

#BuiltByGirls were recruiting young women entrepreneurs in the technology and engineering industries. Photos by Miguel Berillas

COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW Wonder Women Tech conference in Long Beach allows women to unite and share ideas 8/

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h, how the times have changed. Glenna Anderson, a private mental health clinician, beams a smile from her booth at the Long Beach Convention Center. Down the way, aerospace engineer Bing Jiang educates passer-by’s about Rolling Robots, her program teaching kids to build complex machines, while at the neighboring #BuiltByGirls booth, three young ladies stay busy recruiting young women entrepreneurs; across from them, representatives from the conceptual high-speed transportation system Hyperloop scour the crowds for the next great women engineer. Welcome to the second annual Wonder Women Tech Conference. Women from around the globe descended on Long Beach this past weekend eager to learn, connect and inspire.

by Blake Pinto. Emily Rasmussen, & Dominique Dupree

This was Long Beach’s first year hosting the event and the city has already extended the commitment for three additional years to some of the brightest female minds on the planet. “We as women, we don’t always get these opportunities,” Wonder Women Tech Founder Lisa Mae says. “So that’s what I want to hype up, too. We have an opportunity to build a platform over the next couple of years. We’ve grown from a tiny seed of a vision, an idea, to the point where who knows where this will be years from now.” The event including a range of keynote speakers, workshops, information booths from various industries and lively panel discussions, with topics ranging from women leaders in the cannabis industry to diversity in the workplace. Mae was most excited about some of the hands-on aspects of the event. “Some of the things I’m really passionate about are the things you don’t get at a regular conference,” she says. “Like the senior

cover

Above: Bing Jiang is an aerospace engineer that has rededicated herself to teaching kids how to build machines. Above Right: Glenna Anderson, a mental health clinician, was all smiles at the Wonder Women Tech. conference. Bottom Right: Speakers from around the globe came to share their experiences. workshops; we taught seniors some computer basics, we have tech-boss 101 from AOL; we’re teaching the next generation as well as people 50 and above new skills.” One of the panel discussions at the conference was about the global impact on diversity and inclusion in technology. The panel was led by Aniesia Williams, the vice president of Branding & Strategic Partnerships Project NOW and is also a part of the Clinton Global Initiative. Williams said for diversity to be real inside a company or workplaces, that the people hired need to be at the table where decisions matter most. “It’s not just about ‘OK, I’ve been hired, they have a lane for me as far as diversity is concerned it’s about is there a space for me for inclusion,” Williams said. Another speaker was Deena Pierott, the founder of iUrban Teen. She talked about diversity in the workplace and the overuse of the word “diversity.” “I want to walk into a space where people of color are included,” Pierott said “People use diversity with ethnicity, cultures, religion, gender, blah, blah everything, every checkbox you can imagine. But what drives me, what my passion is, is to try to ensure that brown and black people are included and invited to the table.”

YooJin Chang, Miss Korea of 2010, is now the co-founder of LifeSite, which is a website that organizes and secures important documents and information for its users. “From outside of the U.S. perspective, it’s even impacting me personally,” Chang says. “When I was working in the startup scene in Korea, it was actually really hard for me to be a female investor in the investment world. It was very male dominated.” When she heard about women’s rights and minority rights in the United States workforce, it gave her motivation to move here from Korea. However, she found it was still difficult to start up a business here, being a woman and minority entrepreneur. Michelle Patterson, founder of Women Network, believes events like this allow women to come together and create strength through unity. “Men, I think, have been doing this for a long, long time,” Patterson says. “In order for [women] to excel, we’ve got to help each other.” The idea sounds great, but Mae admits the hardest part of uniting women has been creating awareness that events like this exist. “I’d like to see the communities begin rallying around each other and see more people begin to get involved,” Mae says. “The women in tech, women in the arts, female engineers and people of color need to begin to work

these initiatives because one of our biggest challenges is getting people to care.” But the future looks bright. Just a few years ago, Mae wasn’t even sure she could get the event up and running. After dropping everything she had going and devoting her life to this new challenge, she became pleasantly surprised at the responses she received. “I was calling people on a zero budget. I was telling them I can’t pay you but will you show up anyway.” Mae says. “People showed up, started booking their flights and the conversation behind it was people telling me we need this. Thanks for putting this on. It’s

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those type of conversations that have kept me going. I changed my whole entire life to build this.” As for Long Beach, Mae was happy with the turnout and to finally find a gathering place for the next few years for all of the bright minds she’s assembled. And her message appears to be seeping into the community as well, as she said this year’s seemed to increase exponentially compared with last year’s event in Los Angeles. “Long Beach shows up in a big way,” Mae says. “I love Long Beach!”

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business tendo shares have now beat out Sony, another renowned Japanese company, by $3 billion, according to The Independent. A true gamer at heart, Raulston remembers picking up Pokémon Red and Blue when he was 5, and has revisited them to completion every year, sometimes multiple times per year, since. He praises Nintendo as pioneers to handheld games and the company’s efforts to defy sedentary habits from the start by encouraging players to go outside. “Since Pokémon Go released, I’ve lost 15 pounds,” says Raulston, who now walks around 6 to 7 miles a day.”The difference [of my day-to-day] is between me going home and jumping on the computer to play video games until I knock out and me getting off work, changing into my walking shoes and not going home until 11 p.m.” From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. last Sunday, around 100 Pokémon trainers flocked to the hilltop to mingle, network and compete in a catching competition that lasted only 15 minutes due to persistent server crashes. Staying savvy to trends, local Fourth Street businesses in Long Beach – including coldpressed and organic start-up Salud Juice, Songbird Boutique and Lola’s Mexican Cuisine

continues on pg.11 Shoreline Aquatic Park had land and sea Pokemon that players could hunt for. Photos by Miguel Berillas

THE VERY BEST,LIKE GAME EVER

NO WAS

Explosive mobile game Pokémon Go reignites old values in a new age, bringing people unlikely to have met beforehand together.

t was hard not to notice the scattered mob foot-tramping, discordant but with purpose. Wielding phones as compasses, Pokémon trainers trekked the rustling, grassy peninsula in paths paved by nostalgic, Japanese creatures. Mauve-hued petals poured over the lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park on Sunday for Lure Mania, a Pokémon Go-inspired meet-up hosted by Reddit and Facebook group administrators. “A community of people just spawned,” Facebook group Pokémon Go Long Beach founder Branden Raulston says. “They needed a place to post things and disseminate information. I was looking for one the day after the app released and couldn’t find one. First day we had 50 likes. This morning we hit 300.” If Jiggleypuff’s lullaby somehow ensorcelled you into a catatonic state, allow us to

by Brooke Becher

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command a Wake-Up Slap, stat. Pokémon Go is a mobile game developed by Niantic that utilizes a smartphone’s clock, camera and GPS to bring Pokémon from the late ’90s franchise to cityscapes outside your door in augmented reality. The free-of-charge app, only available for iOS or Android devices, took the United States, Australia and New Zealand by storm in the first-wave of regional releases on July 6, with Germany and the United Kingdom most recently logging in this past week. Pokémon Go has yet to be released in many Asian countries due to red tape such as China’s Great Firewall and restrictions on online mapping data in North and South Korea. “Now instead of seeing 1 in 1000 people playing Pokémon,” says Raulston, 23, of Team Valor. “It’s 1 in 100 that you don’t.” In three days, Pokémon Go accumulated more users than Twitter has in a decade, with Google Maps and Snapchat in its sights. Nin-

| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

City of Long Beach Current Job Opportunities Apply Online! http://www.longbeach.gov/civilservice Effective Friday July 15, 2016 Job Title

Monthly Salary

Filing Deadline

Business Systems Specialist

$4,327 - $11,083

August 19, 2016

Communication Specialist

$4,217 - $11,083

August 5, 2016

Police Officer - Lateral

$5,876 - $7,284

Continuous

Police Property & Supply Clerk

$3,342 - $5,436

July 15, 2016

Public Health Nutritionist

$3,998 - $6,990

September 2, 2016

Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral

$3,488 - $6,990

August 5, 2016

Registered Nurse

$4,767 - $6,812

July 22, 2016

Senior Civil Engineer

$7,709 - $10,500

August 12, 2016

Senior Surveyor

$6,168 - $8,387

August 5, 2016

Senior Traffic Engineer

$7,736 - $10,537

August 5, 2016

Special Services Officer

$2,861 - $6,320

September 8, 2016

Systems Support Specialist

$4,327 - $9,760

August 12, 2016

Job opportunities change every Friday 24-Hour Job Recruitment Line (562) 570-6201 Equal Opportunity Employer City of Long Beach Civil Service Department 333 W. Ocean Blvd., 7th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 Ph: (562) 570-6202 Fax: (562) 570-5293 TDD: (562) 570-6638

business cont. / the list cont. – donated gift cards as prizes to the Pokéhunt Gilbert Bermudiz’s higher Combat Power broke the 21-captured-Pokémon tie between him and second place Brandon Ruvio. Ruvio, 12, just two years senior to Ash Ketchum when the protagonist set out from Professor Oak’s laboratory in the beloved, English-dubbed cartoon, shows promise as a master trainer, noting his spinning throw technique, says his father Derek Ruvio, 48, and sister, Mikayla, 17. Clad in red, the Ruvios, hailing from Lomita, represent Team Valor. The day before Lure Mania, Pokémon Go had the trio venturing to the San Vicente Lighthouse on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A few trips prior included Wilson Park in Torrance and a stop on the Redondo Pier. “The future is bright; we’re heading down to San Diego this weekend,” Derek says, hinting that the original plans to see Twenty One Pilots may now be nether to Pokémon hunting. Though only 100 or so roamed Shoreline Park that afternoon, Raymond Kosmata, 20, of Team Instinct, describes a scene in the same place a couple nights after the app’s release that housed quadruple the amount of heads, but at 2 a.m, as the cops rolled up. ‘“Everyone? Everyone is just walking around on their phone . . . Playing Pokémon Go?” Kosmata continues, chronicling a police officer at a loss for words, “He got on the phone with his boss just kind of in amazement, ‘. . . AND THERE’S STILL MORE PEOPLE COMING!’ ” On Thursday, a viral video captures officers of the Long Beach Police Department saluting the herd of Pokémon trainers in solidarity, blasting the iconic “Pokémon Theme” soaked in heroism and epic power chords. Jordan Christopher, 26, Reddit administrator of the Long Beach Pokémon subreddit and co-host of Lure Mania, is in talks with local bars to organize a Pokémon Go-themed bar hop next. He’s been chatting with Reddit administrators of the Orange County and Los Angeles Pokémon Go threads to potentially come together for a tri-county Lure-a-thon. “It would be insane to have the three counties meet up to make the biggest, stupidest Pokémon Go meet-up and shut down the streets,” says Christopher of Team Valor. “We would need . . . a lot of permits.” No tutorial on how to play or navigate the app was officially released by the company, making Pokémon Go inherently a social interactive experience, bringing people together, who may have never met otherwise. Matthew Torres, 29, utilized the event as promo for his fresh-squeezed, pop-up juice stand. Total sales hit about $100 in three hours. Larger businesses like T-Mobile are riding the Pokémon Go craze to the bank, offering free, unlimited data while consumers use the app. However, having an excuse to get out and geek out with old friends seems to be the common trend amongst most Pokémon trainers. “No offense guys, but I haven’t seen any of you outside of your houses in forever,” Johnny Thai, 17, of Team Instinct says to his not so

Players had a chance to come together and meet other Pokemon trainers

tight-knit of friends. “They’ve only been hanging out at this one house and that’s it.” Kosmata and his sister Margaret, 18, brother Nicholas, 25 and friend Melvin Ellis, 22 plan to revel in the reunite with Thai as they “mob out” to Santa Monica and Cerritos next. “It’s kind of funny to know that people are having casual conversations over Pokémon again,” Margaret Kosmata says. In addition to hosting the event, Raulston brought friends who he had rarely seen before the app released. They have played together every day since. Though the app lives up to its name as far as getting people to literally “Go,” backlash surrounds its release as police warn of users trespassing, robberies or predators manipulating the lure module to attract more than just Pokémon. As for the future, it doesn’t look like Pokémon Go will be put to a halt any time soon. “It’s already this big, and they haven’t even released trading or person-to-person battles yet; there’s no way that it won’t grow and be able to sustain,” Raulston says. “There’s still so much content to release, not to mention the five more generations of Pokémon still pending.” But what does it take to be the very best, like no one ever was? The consensus of Team Instinct’s Kosmata clan amounts to dedication, timing and of course, catching ‘em all. “Since the first generation, everybody growing up with Pokémon wanted to be a Pokémon trainer,” Ellis says. “Now they get to live that dream.”

GO-TO SPOTS IN LONG BEACH FOR POKÉMON GO “CONTINUED” Bluff Park East Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue. PokeStops: 9 Gym(s): 2 As we continue discovering these hot spots, we return to another park. This location stretches for a few streets horizontally. Still desire to be close to the beach? Well, just walk through the park and you will be back by the ocean in no time. What a view!

Second Street (Belmont Shore) East Second Street PokeStops: 20+ Gym(s): 2 Where people go to for brunch and an icon of Long Beach nightlife, can now be looked as a destination for trainers to step up their game. As you sip on your drink, keep your eyes peeled because that one Pokémon you have been looking for may just be behind you.

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California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Blvd. PokeStops: 30+ Gym(s): 5 You can not talk about Long Beach and not mention the university. The granddaddy of them all. It is no surprise that this is the best location in the city to fuel up and search for those creatures we first saw nearly 20 years ago. Nostalgia is hits hard for all of us. So, let’s go out and be the very best, that no one ever was!

| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 |

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// JULY 20 - JULY 31 , 2016 // Queen Mary // July 31 // brazilian nites at the Queen Mary General Admission - $35 ($45 at the door) , $60 VIP ($70 at the door) , Children 12 and under - $12 ($22 at the door) Brazilian Nites presents the 22nd Annual Brazilian Summer Festival featuring The Brazilian percussion collective - Grammy Nomiated MONOBLOCO! Plus local top Brazilian bands, authentic food, arts and crafts and scintillating Samba Dancers! Marcos Mariano Silva & Prakantar Band, Marauak Mário &Raggabond, Daniel Carneiro & his Samba Drumers, DJ Junior, DJ Potira, Capoeira BodySport and Ana Massette & the elite Samba Angels Dancers

// 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.

// Every Friday // Art chat FREE 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Long Beach Museum of Art

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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 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 // August 6 - 7 // The Latino Comics Expo 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | General Admission $ 10, Seniors and Students $ 7, MOLAA Members & children under 12 FREE, Free Admission on Sunday The Latino Comics Expo (LCX) returns to MOLAA for its 5th Anniversary show! The nation’s first comic convention dedicated to Latino comics creators will feature industry veterans, up and coming talent and everyone in between. Meet your favorite creators, discover new artists, and take home original comic books, prints, posters and more!

// 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, MO-

| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

LAA 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.

// July 23 // Reggae Meets Cumbia 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Gather with friends at MOLAA for En La Noche: Reggae meets Cumbia withPachamama Estela and Zapoteca Roots. Enjoy a festival-like atmosphere with vendors, a cash bar, photo booth, the Dogtown Dogs food truck and access to our galleries to view our current exhibitions.

// 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.”

// 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

WED 7/20 Night Cap Comedy 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Que Sera FREE Some of the best comics from around Southern California come to Que Sera in Long Beach to put on the best and latest, and freeist comedy show in the city. Doors open at 9, show starts at 9:30.

Discounted Late Nights 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. $14.95 Aquarium of the Pacific Just get off work and still wanna see some jellyfish? Good news, the aquarium has late hours on select dates!

Voices On The Veranda Summer Concert Series: Crimson Apple 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. METALACHI | 9 p.m. (8 p.m. doors open)

THUR 7/21 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.

METALACHI 9 p.m. (8 p.m. doors open) The Federal Bar $15 If you’re in the middle of the venn diagram containing METAL and MARIACHI music, this is DEFINITELY your scene; “The first and ONLY metal mariachi band” is waiting for you.

Open Mic at The Brass Lamp 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. The Brass Lamp It’s OPEN MIC at The Brass Lamp! All talents

welcome! If you’re a singer, songwriter, musician, spoken word artist, etc. please share your talent with us!! Winner is decided by the audience (guests must purchase a food or drink item in order to receive a voting ticket). WINNER Receives: $25 Gift Card, Free Brass Lamp T-shirt

Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor, Corner of Second Street and Corona Avenue FREE Support Gregg Young, owner and founder of Shore Records. Currently, Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band is the house band at the Dome Arclight Entertainment Center. The band has been nominated Best Jazz, Best Pop, Best Latin, and most recently Best Americana/ Folk/Acoustic for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. In addition to these nominations, Gregg and the Band have won Best Blues, Best Funk/Groove for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, as well Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year for the LA Music Awards.

FRI 7/22

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Presented By Musical Theatre West

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The Deforest Park Chili Cook-off 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Deforest Park You saw the word ‘chili’. Do you need to keep reading to excite you for this? Come on out and enjoy some delicious chili made by some of the best home chefs in our neighborhood. There will be tasting cups available where you can try all the entries and let LB know who is Top Chili Chef this year. The LB Dept of Parks and Rec will also be celebrating “Recreation Month” with some fun and free activities for families in DeForest Park including face painters, a jumper, music, raffle and some arts and crafts!

Thrillhaus Jazz Ensemble 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. The Brass Lamp $5 cover Catch this fusion jazz band at a favorite local coffee shop! If Miles Davis, King Crimson, and Flying Lotus had a baby, it’d be this band.

RELEASE THE BATS!

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.”

SUN 7/24 Self-defense for college freshman women 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Bayshore Community Church youth center 5200 The Toledo $40 Learn verbal and physical self-defense skills geared toward those entering college. Taught by a kinesiology professor and a police sergeant. Put this on your to-do list. You will not want to miss it. To reserve a spot send an email to ametzker@cpp.edu.

All day Que Sera Cover charges apply Death Rock! Gothic music! Hardcore punk! DJ’s! Can’t guarantee bats, though.

Whale Dolphin And Sea Life Cruises 12 p.m. - 3 pm. 100 Aquarium Way $45 adults, $40 seniors, $30 children age 3-11, FREE age 2 an under Ride into the open Pacific Ocean to search for whales, dolphins, sea Lions, and other marine life. Whale watching is daily at 12 and 3:30 pm.

Harbor Tours #2 at 100 Aquarium Way $12 adults, $10 seniors and $6 children age 5-11, FREE age 4 and under You will learn history about the harbor as well as see the beautiful Long Beach skyline, California Sea Lions playing in the harbor, the world-famous Queen Mary, large cargo and container ships from all over the world, and much more!

SAT 7/23

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2016 Dew Tour July 23 - July 24 Long Beach Convention Center

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| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 |

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calendar cont. LB Playhouse: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying 2:00 p.m. 5021 E. Anaheim St. $24 Support your local playhouse as they bring you a play with “Biting comedy and bright insights are highlighted with delightfully memorable songs and dances in this classic Broadway musical.”

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.”

MON 7/25 KABOOM Drag Show hosted by Foxie Adjuia 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Que Sera YASSSSSSSS QUEEEEEEEN Foxie Adjuia hosts Long Beach’s only queer dance party and drag show.

Concerts in the Park(ing) Lot: Jazz Angels 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 4245 Atlantic Ave. Bixby Knolls is kicking off their free summer concert series with the Jazz Angels at Georgie’s Place parking lot with the Boogaloo Assassins! Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes because it is sure to be a great time full of music and community.

Movies In The Park Drake Park Movie starts at dusk FREE Movies in the Park returns on select days throughout summer! Movie and popcorn are free! Movie playing is Norm of the North.

TUE 7/26

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.

Moonlight Movies On The Beach The Sandlot Movie starts at sunset Granada Beach FREE Wait, bruh-- you got plans and aren’t gonan see The Sandlot on the beach?! YOU’RE KILLIN’ ME , SMALLS!!! “Alfredo’s Beach Club presents Moonlight Movies on the Beach. Movies are FREE and there is plenty of FREE PARKING. Dinner, Snacks and Popcorn are available for purchase.”

WED 7/27 Voices On The Veranda Summer Concert Series: Katie Moreas and Brazilian Hearts 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.

THUR 7/28 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.

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!

FRI 7/29

Long Beach Municipal Band Concert

Character Breakfast At The Aquarium Of The Pacific

Starts at 6:30 p.m. Bluff Park

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Aquarium of the Pacific

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| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Members Free, General admission required Join Aquarium mascots for breakfast and exclusive photo opportunities in Café Scuba this summer. Enjoy a tasty selection of breakfast foods available for purchase and take your photo with Sharky, Ray, Maria the Magellanic Penguin, or one of our many other special characters. There will be a featured breakfast item each month! No RSVP necessary. Aquarium admission required.

DJ Sets – MASS MOVEMENT 8 p.m. The Brass Lamp The Brass Lamp welcomes back DJs of MASS MOVEMENT, a local DJ collective spinning feel-good music & positive vibes! They have a monthly spot DJ-ing – every third Friday of the month!

Movies In The Park Drake Park Movie starts at dusk FREE Movies in the Park returns on select days throughout summer! Movie and popcorn are free! Movie playing is Norm of the North.

SAT 7/30 MIDSUMMER SCREAM HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

The Brass Lamp Join The Brass Lamp for a night of serenades by singer songwriter, Rodney Hubbard with folk and soul vibes, and a touch of jazz with great originals and covers. Rodney will be joined by his primary music collaborator, local to Long Beach, David Harris on electric guitar and vocals.

SUN 7/31 MIDSUMMER SCREAM HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Long Beach Convention Center Midsummer Scream features more than 100,000 square feet of event space that will showcase vendors, makeup demonstrations, stage presentations, live entertainment, a screening room, haunted attraction experiences and more. If you’re a fan of fear, you can’t miss this!

LB Playhouse: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying 2:00 p.m. 5021 E. Anaheim St. $24 Support your local playhouse as they bring you a play with “Biting comedy and bright insights are highlighted with delightfully memorable songs and dances in this classic Broadway musical.”

Long Beach Convention Center Midsummer Scream features more than 100,000 square feet of event space that will showcase vendors, makeup demonstrations, stage presentations, live entertainment, a screening room, haunted attraction experiences and more. If you’re a fan of fear, you can’t miss this!

Rodney Hubbard & David Harris 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

.com

feature

DARK PROGRESSIVISM: ON RUPTURE AND REBELLION

Rodrigo Ribera D’Ebre discusses his film about street art

Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre producer and writer of Dark Progressivism: On Rupture and Rebellion Photo by Dominique Dupree

odrigo Ribera D’Ebre’s documentary Dark Progressivism is a riveting film about Los Angeles’ inner-city life and the evolution of street art including graffiti, tagging, tattoos and how shared experiences shaped local L.A. artists through their journey of expressing their struggle and eventual triumph through art. The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) presented this film for the first time at the museum July 1. Artists such as Saber, Cryptik, Defer, Big Sleeps, Gajin Fujita, Prime, Patrick Martinez, Chaz Bojórquez, Chuey Quintanar and others took the audience on a harrowing journey through the urban dwellings of Los Angeles in the 1980’s and 1990’s, showing the gang violence and the survival tactics of the artists and how they expressed themselves through art by transforming their surroundings. Expression took many forms like painting a mural on a wall or tagging their name proclaiming their existence as someone who matters, to calligraphy and the use of hieroglyphic looking lettering -- a way of expressing culture, heritage, beauty and peace -- or a political statement of injustice through violence and even their very existence despite socioeconomic oppression, racism and societal exclusion. Art was and is an outlet that allowed them to escape their surroundings, even if they could not physically leave. Rodrigo Ribera D’Ebre is a contributor to the Huffington Post, The Westsider Blog, the author of Urban Politics: The Political Culture

by Dominique Dupree

of Sur 13 and the novel A Grave Situation and now an award winning producer with James J. Yi of Dark Progressivism: On Rupture and Rebellion. Rodrigo was a child of the ’80s and grew up in Lennox, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles. So, for him, this film was personal, and as much as it revealed the artist’s story, it told his as well. The story of growing up in a hostile environment and rising above poverty and oppression while transforming oneself into a self-made man, a man who garners respect and is on the rise of becoming one of today’s voices of conscience and truth on politics, while exposing the gritty but beautiful side of Los Angeles that many people are not privy to and showing the city in all of its glory to the world. The audience had an opportunity to participate in a question and answer session after viewing the film and The Edge also had an opportunity to talk to him as well. Edge: I found it interesting that you took us on a journey from a historical perspective throughout the film and I love the fact you used calligraphy. Many young people didn’t really know the meaning behind these symbols. When did they actually find the meaning? Rodrigo: It all depends. It is very individual based as far as finding the meaning behind what they were doing. For example, Chaz Bojórquez (Godfather of cholo lettering) mentioned having left and travelled around the world for about three years and he learned calligraphy from people in Cambodia, Thailand and Mexico. He tried to bring all of these ideas with him into Los Angeles and incorporate that into the work he was doing. Some other artist, calligrapher and tattoo artist Big Sleeps, grew up in Pico Union which is a strictly gang environment and he was just tracing the work that he saw and started making his own and creating his own alphabets and so forth. Then, maybe as a result of people telling him that his work was really good he explored a little bit further and started to incorporate traditional art forms and fonts and bringing that into the work he was doing. But most of these artists are self-taught and they didn’t have something to look at, they were just creating with their own mind. Edge: Do you think that this skill is innate? Rodrigo: Yeah there is an innate idea in most of us. In some of the good artists that can tap into something that’s inside of them, they can extrapolate that and create something beautiful as a result. But then there are those also who have done the traditional art school route and have been able to learn some techniques and skills and apply that to the medium that they are working with. Edge: That was my next question because

the artists took their love and passion for art and then refine it by going to school. What do you think about the artists that have actually gone the traditional route? Can they really capture what we saw in your film, like just on the street, that art the feeling of it? Rodrigo: Well, what I find very fascinating is that there is always this debate. I hear it a lot, you know, people saying “You don’t have to go to traditional art school to learn these things,” or like one of the gentlemen asked “If they learned this on the street, they paid their dues on the street?” But whatever you’re learning from and whatever your passion or interests are there isn’t a conflict. I am in art school … I was also in a street gang for ten years, but I also studied political science, and so all of these things have just shaped my ideas. It wasn’t “because of” or “in spite of”, it was all of these things that I’ve learned personally and that other people have learned to inform what they are doing that is going to propel them forward. Edge: What I found interesting is that a lot of people may not know that the artists a.k.a. “taggers” were not in gangs initially. Some

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people were literally painting and interested in art. I liked how you explained the juxtaposition and intertwining of gang culture and street art and that some eventually became part of the gang culture, others did not. Rodrigo: Well, what I try to do is debunk every myth and crush every stereotype that anybody has on these art forms in general. There were some people in the film who were in gangs and went to prison, but some of those guys also went to art school simultaneously. There are a lot of academics in the film. There are world renowned journalists and so forth to help tell the story. Also, everyone in the film was pretty diverse. There were people of Japanese-American backgrounds, Latin-American, African-American, Caucasian and so it wasn’t specific people doing this it was just a cultural thing that came out of Los Angeles So, whether they were graffiti guys or were involved in gangs, some of them went to art school and some of them are world renowned artists. That was just our story and we needed to tell it in our own way without anyone telling it for us.

| JULY 20 - JULY 26, 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 20 - JULY 26, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com