That’s what we’re talking about: Snoop Doggie Dog aka Snoop Dog!

Snoop, who got his nickname from his mother, is really Calvin Broadus; and he hails from Long Beach, California. As a teenager growing up in a poor neighborhood, Snoop, who hung around gang members, was always in trouble with the law. In fact, six months after he graduated from high school, Snoop landed in Wayside County jail for cocaine possession.

These experiences helped to shape his music:

My raps are incidents where either I saw it happen to one of my close homies or I know about it from just being in the ghetto," he says. "I can’t rap about something I don’t know. You’ll never hear me rapping about no bachelor’s degree. It’s only what I know and that’s that street life. It’s all everyday life, reality. Source: New York Times

After being “discovered” by Dr. Dre, a well-known and influential producer, Snoop’s music began to get some attention. Their first collaboration, the theme song of the 1992 film Deep Cover, and then on Dr. Dre’s extremely successful debut solo album The Chronic, were one of the main reasons for Snoop Dogg’s debut Doggystyle.

Doggystyle singles Who Am I (What’s My Name) and Gin and Juice reached the top ten most-played songs in the United States, and the album stayed on the Billboard charts for several months.

Over the course of time, “Gangsta Rap” became the center of arguments for censorship and labeling, with Snoop Dogg often used as an example of violent and misogynistic musicians.

Then again, the controversial rapper Ice-T and his record label were held up for scorched earth policy due to one of Ice-T’s songs referencing cop killing. Now Ice-T acts as a cop on the famous Law and Order television hit series. Isn’t life funny?

Nonetheless, Snoop was able to maintain his status as one of the top Hip-Hop artists in the world; and through the years of his many recordings, he began withdrawing from the “Gangsta Rap,” genre, and into Hip-Hop that’s more mellow and possess’ additional harmonies, content, and tone.

Along the way, Snoop Dogg recorded with many of the top Rap, G-funk, Hip-Hop artists and collaborated with many other musicians also.

Snoop Dog, like few other rappers, proved to be a savvy businessman, and has created a personal business empire of movie and television labels, starred in many films and TV shows, and has an empire that’s large, diverse, and shows that this Rapper knows the street as well as the boardroom.

Snoop has his own website, facebook page, with over 8,000,000 fans and twitter accounts, and as well, owns and is in charge of a myriad of business interests, that are involved directly or indirectly, through the use of his namesake and fame.

So for this Saturday morning, let’s get down with the Dog and Dre, and listen to one of his most famous and infamous songs, Nuthin’ But A G Thang:

Peace Out, Los Angeles!

And all of the thanks go to you–our wonderful readers. Furthermore, we hope that in 2011, all of your dreams come true, too!

In traditional Travelin’ Local fashion, as we say goodbye to 2010 and welcome in 2011, what better way to do that than for free.

Two locations stand out:

Universal City Walk has a huge outdoor CityRockin’ New Year’s Eve. Get ready to rock your way into the New Year at one of LA’s largest New Year’s Eve Party’s. This year, CityWalk is bringing double the excitement with two stages featuring live bands and giant video screens, and three fireworks locations. Featuring live music by Fast Times and Gretchen Bonaduce’s ANKESENAMEN, CityWalk is easily accessible via the Red Line. Starting at 9:00pm, you can find your seat, and sit back and listen, until the fireworks start at the stroke of Midnight.

For those living in the South Bay, check out New Year’s Eve in Downtown Long Beach, a family-friendly street party with multiple live music and DJ stages. First, start the evening at Nautical Shell (in between PF Chang’s and Gladstone’s) at 6:00pm. For the kids, a magician, face painting, balloon art, and a trackless train are just the beginning. Live music by The Saps, will also be featured. At 9:00pm, the party moves to Pine Avenue and Broadway for non-stop fun, featuring outdoor bars, dancing and live music from Wayward Sons and the evening’s headliner Super Diamond. At the stroke of midnight, you can see fireworks off the Queen Mary from the waterfront.

Just two fun and cool ways to say Happy New Year, LA and Southern California!

Although the band was formed years earlier, their impact could not have been more thunderous than an explosion in the middle of the night.

The band, formed in the Long Beach Area of southern Los Angeles, was sadly a shooting star– just as its commercial success was hitting a critical mass–due to their extremely unique mixture of ska, hip-hop, rock, blues, and rap–their lead singer and guitarist, Bradley Nowell, died prematurely of a heroin overdose, right before their commercial high point rocketed through the music world.

Sublime also consisted of fellow band members, Bud Gaugh, who played drums and percussion and fellow band mate, Eric Wilson on Bass Guitar.

Sublime’s other hit songs have forever endured them to the musical community of the world as a one of a kind band.

As of 2009, Sublime has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about 10 million in the US alone. Along with Green Day, The Offspring, and Rancid, Sublime is credited with helping to revive mainstream popular interest in punk rock in the United States in the mid-1990s.

Although some remaining band members still perform under a similar name–Sublime was and is a band that is much beloved. As they imbued a mixture of urban, surf, cool, and multi-culture, they also paved the way for many other bands, of different genres, even up to the present.

“And the Sublime style’s is still straight from Long Beach……………………”

The donor and the architect set out to mirror the traditional Japanese garden, blending the natural elements of water, stone and plants. They succeeded brilliantly. Once you visit, I predict that you’ll return.

I was there on a weekday morning recently and it was like a pocket meditation. One minute I was in brisk Long Beach city traffic, a few minutes later I was drifting along its garden paths, storing up visual memories.

If you have ever tried meditation and visualization to relieve stress, this is the place to capture special visual memories.

When you’re stressed out, you can step away from your job, home or other situation and come to the Earl Burns Japanese Gardens.

Beside mediation and visualization, the Earl gardens also lend themselves out to the public for weddings, anniversaries, receptions and unique special events, such as the Chrysanthemum Show, that’s coming October 24, (see details below).

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens History

It all began with Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins’ gift in memory of her late husband. After three years of planning with California State University Long Beach, she selected Edward Lovell, Long Beach’s master planner architect to design the 1.3 acre garden.

He flew to Japan and was captivated by the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo. At the dedication, Lovell said, " The garden will mellow in about 30 years. What we’re doing is creating something of beauty and value for people that we will perhaps never meet."

Edward Lovell passed away in 2008 at the age of 89. His words and his work by that time. had become a reality.

"I think he was very respectful of the Japanese tradition of gardens," said Jeanette Schelin, director of the garden. He was an extremely thoughtful person and very knowledgeable about plants. In 27 years, they’re grown and matured, and I think that’s a reflection of his skill." Lovell also worked closely with Ed Killingsworth, the principal design architect, to fill 150 acres of Long Beach State’s campus with nearly 80 species of ornamental plants, 75 acres of bonsai double-dwarf fesue turn grass, and at least 15,000 trees of more than 40 varieties, including 3,000 flowering peach trees.

The donor’s thoughts: ‘Bamboo bends but never breaks.’

I have a dream for this garden. When a person is tired, or anxious, or in a quest of beauty, may they enter and come forth refreshed to meet the problems of the day. There will be music of the wind through the pines, music from the waterfalls and the birds. There will be serenity as you walk around the lake, and joy, I hope, in the beauty of the reflections in that lake. There will be iris and azaleas in the Spring. Flowering magnolia in Summer. In the Fall, chrysanthemums and the gold of the liquid amber trees. There will be strength and solidity in the rocks and the wooden bridges. And, of course, there will be bamboo, a favorite wood of the Japanese because it is so useful and beautiful. There is an old proverb that says, ‘Bamboo bends but never breaks.’ It is my hope that as you leave your tour of the garden, you will find in your heart that proverb, and the day will be filled with joy." – Loraine Miller Collins

Chrysanthemum Show 2010: Green Tea, Autumn Gold & Wine Tasting

Sunday, October 24th, Noon – 4 p.m.

Come see a variety of Japanese flower arranging techniques in vases and as installations in the garden itself. The presenters wear vintage and modern Japanese kimonos featuring mums and other fall ornaments. You’ll be able to enjoy an exhibit of Japanese tea bowls and other accouterments:

A Formal tea ceremony will be presented by Madam Numano and the Urasenke School of Tea, from Noon-3:15 p.m., where you’ll be able to have your own cup of powdered tea and traditional Japanese treats.

Wine tasting is from 1:00-4:00pm  Admission: Adult $7, Seniors $6, Members $5, Children 12 and under free

Well, this Saturday you’ll be able to ride along on a double-decker passenger train to see the cargo terminal in action, watch dockworkers, truckers, and crane operators unloading their containers to prepare them for distribution to stores all over the country.

Or maybe you want to see and learn about the variety of wildlife that lives in the Long Beach harbor– from lobsters to anemones and more. Well, then this year’s Green Fest is definitely an event to definitely enjoy–but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

On Saturday, October 2^nd, the Port of Long Beach will be hosting the 6th Annual Green Port Fest. All of the fun, and I do mean fun, starts at 10:00am and lasts until 3:00pm.

Here’s a sample of just one of the planned activities:

Wyland Living Green Fair, a one-of-kind interactive exhibit by world famous muralist and environmental activist Wyland. Help paint a super-sized canvas, experience computer exhibits, a running river, a special effects theater and more.

Did you know that the Port of Long Beach supports 30,000 jobs in Long Beach, 316,000 in Southern California and nearly 1.5 million throughout the nation?

Amazing!

If you’re driving to the event, limited parking is available. Better yet, if you ride your bike there, free bike valet service will be provided by the LB Cyclists, who BTW, are also providing lead guided bicycle rides from Downtown Long Beach.  To check out the times, here’s the link.

BTW, I forgot to tell you the admission price for all of this fun.

It’s free and it doesn’t get any better!

You can attend the 6^th Annual Green Port Fest, and still have time to go the Eagle Rock Music Festival.

I brought my old shoes to Runners High, as I had been advised, and Andy, a long time employee checked them out for me to see how I ran. Then he went to the back and brought back some shoes in my size for me to start trying on.

I should give my history with running. I’m far from a pro, but it’s become an enjoyable way for me to stay in shape. The healthy aspect of running was too much a draw for me to ignore, but now I find that I am pushing myself to run a faster mile, to go farther, and more often. Thus, the need for pair of good running shoes, a professional opinion, before I ended up hurting myself, as sports injuries are quite common with runners.

I didn’t come alone to Runners High, two other beginner runners accompanied me, who also brought their old shoes as well. Each of us had specific questions and needs for our feet, which were well taken care of by Andy and Brian.

My friend had been experiencing a burning sensation in her feet while running, and was advised by Brian that she probably had Morton’s Neuroma, which can cause a burning feeling and pain between the 3rd and 4th toe bones.

I tried on 3 pairs of shoes, and was advised to run in all 3 outside. This was pretty awesome because it really allowed me to test them out, instead of just walking around inside the store. Also, the Runner High employees put the shoe on your foot and tie it for you, so it’s pretty nice having someone tend to your feet and really listen to your issues, and allow for you to feel how well the shoe will behave in the real world.

After my run, I ended up debating between a pair of Nikes and a pair of Adidas, Andy put one of each on my feet and told me to walk around, until I was able to choose the Adidas.

Runners High was started in 1979 in order to offer a professional and knowledgeable opinion to runners, and provide them with high quality running shoes and equipment. I went to the location in Belmont Shore, on Second St. Their second location, on Stearns, is very close to CSULB.

Indeed, I did receive sound advice from experienced runners, as both Brian and Andy were originally runners and currently triathletes. There’s also Team Runners High, and training offered for marathons, if you feel like getting competitive and really pushing your limits.

Runners High is a local treat for Orange County and LB runners, I know I’ll return once I reach maximum mileage on my new Adidas to make sure I’m taking care of my feet with the help of a store and its employees who really listen to what you have to say and feel.

But then you arrive and the music is blasting and you realize, everything will be ok because, let’s face it, everything is always ok when Jesse’s Girl is pumping from the speakers.

I recommend frequenting The Gaslamp (6251 E. Pacific Coast Highway) on a Friday night, at about 10pm, when Knyght Ryder takes the stage. Although under new management, there have been some changes, Knight Ryder is still rocking the 80’s covers till last call (1am, but hey it’s a residential area).

The dance floor fills up and everyone sings along. The venue is pretty large so if you’re sick of having your toes stepped on or a purse shoved in your stomach by the girl dancing next to you, you can walk off to the side and have a breath of fresh air. The band takes one break from playing, but a DJ plays dance music so if you’re just there to dance, there’s no need to stop.

Get there early, before the band starts playing. There’s no cover, so you should be able to breeze in (there is rarely a line. The one new addition that I could do without is the new valet parking. The bar has closed off half the parking lot for valet, meaning the self parking fills up pretty quick and leaves you driving around searching for nonexistent spots; meanwhile you’re cursing people’s terrible parking jobs.

The valet isn’t unreasonable ($5), I think I just have a principle about valet parking my car in a lot so small I could actually throw a football across it (and I mean me personally, with the football skills of someone who needs some practice. So if this is unappealing to you or you’re looking for the cheapest night out possible, show up early enough to park for free.

Here’s another head’s up: you don’t have to wait for your drinks if you just go to a different part of the bar, it’s large and most people forget to visit the back part of the club where there is no line. But you can’t bring your drink outside on the back patio past 10pm. They suggest you leave them on the table inside, but let’s be serious, we all learned never to leave our drinks unattended. And the drinks aren’t so cheap that you would want to walk away from it without finishing, although they’re decently priced and certainly strong enough to make singing to the Beastie Boys at full volume seem perfectly reasonable.

A cute attention to detail which is a throwback to days of yore is there is an attendant in the girl’s restroom, who provides hand towels, sells single cigarettes, gum, etc and keeps the bathroom neat and tidy. She works off tips alone, so if you plan on using her services, be generous, as she is attentive and friendly.

Thursday is College Night (with CSULB right around the corner I’m sure it’s a big hit) and Saturday is Hip-Hop night with the band, the Thuggs, but in all the years I’ve been coming here, it’s been for Knyght Ryder on Friday night.

Although it’s a restaurant, I’ve never eaten here, but they have happy hour specials well worth taking advantage of, so if you’re looking for a reasonably priced Friday (or even downright cheap) drive on down PCH to The Gaslamp, dark streets and all.

Now that I’m older, I appreciate history and how much you can learn from the past, as we all know that it repeats–but being a ten-year old, when there’s a million other things you’d rather be doing, being forced to sit in a meadow where history took place, just wasn’t my type of fun.

For example, my dad would inform me that “I was standing on the edge of a battlefield “while he simultaneously desperately tried to explain to me the immediate importance of the moment.

“Lisa, just think, the Battle of Gettysburg took place here. Smoke, gun fire, horses, cannons, and men running all over shooting each other, battling for the cause they felt was right.”

I just looked over the ocean of greenness wondering when we’d get to go back to the motel so I could swim. Look, most kids don’t get beyond the latest video game let alone worry about a Civil War. In retrospect, we always return to our roots in amazing fits of sentimentality—especially when it’s warranted.

To wit: In all the years of visiting battlefields, I’ve never seen a Civil War Reenactment.

Nonetheless, it’s here now–, and let’s take advantage of the “moment.”

The Long Beach Civil War Reenactment takes place on Saturday, July 31^st, and Sunday, August 1^st.

On both days, you can tour the “camps,” hear a military band concert, see historical clothing presentations, a cavalry demonstration, and of course, a battle reenactment.

All the action takes place at the 400 acre El Dorado Regional Park East, at 7550 E. Spring St in Long Beach. Camp tours start at 10:00am, and two opportunities to see the Reenactment take place at 12:00pm and 3:00pm. But, with a jam packed schedule, why just stay for one battle.

Tickets for the event are as follows:

Children (4 and under) and active military with ID: Free
Children (5-11): $6.00
Adults: $12.00
Seniors (62+): $10.00

Museums are wonderful places to visit, but seeing history as it happens, is much more real. Especially as we grow older and realize what we’ve been missing for a long time.

A dragon boat is a human-powered boat traditionally made of teak wood of various designs and sizes. Usually, a standard dragon boat will encompass 22 people, 20 paddlers, one drummer, a person facing the paddlers, and one sweep who sits at the rear of the boat. With varying lengths, dragon boats might include crews as small as 10, or can grow as large to a crew of 50+.

At the heart of the boat is the drummer, who keeps the beat of the paddler’s strokes, while simultaneously maintaining the proper speed of the boat.

The drummer keeps vigilant in always being aware of the other boats around in order to avoid a crash and to keep the boat performing at its peak. It’s very important to keep all of the paddlers running in unison.

At the rear of the boat sits the sweep–who controls the dragon boat’s direction with what is known as the sweep oar.

I bet you’re wondering why I’m describing a dragon boat?

Wait, I’m sure the title gave that answer away. To see a few real dragon boat races, head down to Long Beach.

It’s time for the 2010 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival.

All the action is at Marine Stadium in Long Beach on July 31^st, from 8:00am-6:30pm – August 1^st, from 8:00am-5:00pm.

In addition to hosting one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, there will be Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese Acrobats, traditional dance, hip hop, music, and martial arts performances.

Best of all, the two days are free.

Remember to tell everyone that you read about it on Travelin’ Local!

Well, that’s it for put-downs about my hometown because I really love living here. You’ve got the sunshine, a great community of historical residences, things to do and, well, I don’t know if bringing back waves would make a difference, except for maybe living up to its name—Long Beach’s beach used to be nine miles long.

All in all, the reason why there are no waves all stems back to the city once being home to a naval base back in the 1930s. A long band of rocks called a breakwater was built on the outside of the harbor during World War II as part of the base, and also to protect the marina from flooding with heavy swells after a storm took out several homes. Today the fleet is gone, but the breakwater still remains and still owned by the Federal Army Corps of Engineers.

The only problem is that today the rocky belt acts not only as a barrier to create calm waters for sailboats and cargo ships that come into the port, but also as a net, catching all of the junk that flows down the Los Angeles River, making the water a bit unpleasant to even swim in let alone surf in. The breakwater also prevents any sets from entering the Long Beach cove, except during storms like El Nino.

Here is a video I picked up in January showing a few breaks that made their way in during a swell we had earlier this year:

As of late, there’s been some talk about the city and the Army Corps–which historically has sidestepped any notion of altering the breakwater as it now stands–conducting a full study on reducing parts of the wall to allow for a more natural outflow of water that acts as Mother Nature’s own cleansing process.

However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to present results from their own reconnaissance study during the Long Beach city council meeting next Tuesday. The council will then vote on coming up with a feasibility study of reconfiguring the breakwater.

This would also potentially allow for waves to break again, along with the erosion concerns that residents in the Naples peninsula fear would threaten to flood their homes. So there are always two sides to any story, or should I say, breakwall.

To get the skinny on Long Beach’s surfing history and present day conundrum, the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation had a film festival, last Saturday, entitled “Sink The Breakwater Film Contest” at the Art Theatre on 4^th Street.

Here’s a link to the Surfrider’s breakwater blog.

In the meantime, on the other side of the country on the East Coast in Long Beach, New York, surf is apparently up, according to this story in the New York post. So here we have a city in sunny Southern California where waves are nil, but in a city where you wouldn’t expect there to be breaks, it’s smashing. Go figure…………………

Nonetheless, there’s one thing you can bet on, wherever there’s a beach and waves, you’ll have no shortage of surf and ocean aficionados nearby.

In California, as part of the surf world’s evolution, innovation, celebration, and culture, we can dig it.

I checked out the pictures on the pub’s wall–some were of family, some of patrons, lots with a smiling George in them during lulls in conversation and action in the game.

The deco at K.C. Branaghan is standard Irish pub, with low ceilings, and all the servers were friendly. The walls touted the upcoming events, for instance, Tuesday night is pint night, and whatever beer you order comes with a signature glass that you get to keep (as in, take home with you to impress your friends), and all refills in theses aforementioned glass are $1 off.

George Sabbagh is the Publican of K.C. Branaghan’s, which is located on 2nd Street in the Long Beach community of Naples. KC Branaghan’s is an Irish pub with a full kitchen and a big menu with breakfast (including a traditional Irish breakfast), lunch and dinner.  On Saturdays and Sundays they offer "bottomless mimosas" and not bottomless but great Bloody Mary’s. There’s a good chance you’ll see George as he pours your drinks and stops to chat with you for a moment.

It so happens that my first trip to K.C. Branaghan’s was during the world cup (Germany vs. Australia), but there wasn’t an overbearing amount of people in to watch the game (although there were some great screens to watch it on). There was a fair amount of people in on Sunday for dining and bottomless mimosas, and an equal amount of game watchers settled in at the bar with a pint (20oz Imperial pints, 15 different brews).

The food includes traditional Irish Fayre and boxty dishes, as well as burgers, sandwiches, ribs and steak.  My french fries came scattered over a paprika sprinkled plate making for quite a nice presentation and a tasty seasoning to rub on. I had George’s favorite BTLA (delish) and fries.

Unfortunately, I forgot to flip the menu over, otherwise I would have ordered breakfast, which includes a traditional Irish breakfast.  But I figure it gives me a reason to come back.

If you find that you’re a little tipsy after one too many mimosas, then you’re in the perfect place to take an afternoon walk: check out the coastal community of Naples in Long Beach, by walking up to the canals and seeing kayakers make their way through.

The houses in the neighborhood all have private docks, and the views can be impressive, humorous, or both. Look for Captain Morgan, an alligator, and other spectacles on the boats as you’re walking by. Maybe even a friendly sheep dog in a yard will give you a moment’s attention as you meander by, and if it’s evening already, 2nd street offers multiple shops and bars with which to entertain yourself.

Definitely an enjoyable way to spend the day.

Billed as Long Beach’s "homegrown, sustainable concert series, providing an entire summer of free music to the public," S.A.M. will feature 13 free concerts, starting on June 12th, 2010, all held at the Rainbow Harbor, the East Village Arts District, and along Pine Avenue in Long Beach.  The types of music played will span the genres of folk, jazz, pop, rock, funk and beyond, bringing together artists and art enthusiasts of all kinds.

This year, S.A.M. is partnering with Sustainable Waves, an Austin-based all-solar staging, lighting and sound company offering 100% pollution-free concerts, so all of the concerts will be held on self-contained solar-powered stages.

Started by two Long Beach residents, S.A.M. is co-sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates and the Redevelopment Agency. The series has proven to be a must go-to summer event.

Here’s a small taste of what you’ll find at the Summer and Music 2010:

To always keep up-to-date on the latest free movies and concerts in the LA area, this is Travelin’ Local’s 2010 Free Summer Concerts and Movie Calendar, which is also located at the bottom of our homepage:

The bygone years of yesterday can be found right here in Long Beach on a section of 4^th Street, notoriously called Retro Row.

This quaint corridor of boutiques, diners, coffee shops and an old-time movie theatre, once famous for showing silent films, remains a throwback to eras ranging from the 20s to the 90s and just about every age in between.

Long Beach is steeped in historical sites, so sometimes with a quick drive you’re caught up in all of its diversity. But if retro is what you’re looking for, it surely can be found here. From Walnut to Junipero Avenue, the strip touts a hodgepodge of eclectic shops that sells artsy passé furniture, vintage clothing, antique collectibles, and authentic roller skates made popular during the disco days of the late 70s and early 80s.

Its kitschy row of small businesses has also found ways to keep “retro” active, so-to-speak, by staying fresh by putting together clubs and events.

So the following is some information, and a few pointers if you come down to Retro Row for both the old and new.

The Art Theatre: a flashback of movie history

Built in 1924, the Art Theatre has lasted the test of time as one of the very last remaining old-time movie theaters, spanning from the silent era to the Golden Age of Hollywood.

In fact, according to Sunset Magazine, it’s the “longest-running single-screen theater in Southern California.” Back when it was first built, the theater was a prominent place to showcase silent films. The theater was originally known as The Carter Theatre with 636 seats, a pipe organ, a vaudeville stage and orchestra pit. It had a design akin to the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with its modest ‘oriental’ construction. In 1934, the theater was remodeled, after a Long Beach earthquake hit, and was redesigned with an “art deco streamline moderne style,” complete with terrazzo paved floors and a new marquee.

Today, the theater continues to evolve with fashionable color and fanfare, showing a wide-range of films, from indie and documentaries to animation and foreign language films. You also might be able to catch a few mainstream showings and musical performances if you’re lucky. For the cult classic film buffs or just regular moviegoers, the Art Theatre is jam-packed every week with many events, catering to the thought provoking, the somewhat sophisticated, and just about anyone looking for a break from the norm.

Now known simply as “The Art”, the theater boasts a new wine bar and a coffee bar after the new owner, Jan Van Dijs, invested $1 million into restoring this historical icon in 2008. The theater celebrated its grand reopening after renovating the interior and exterior while still keeping the structure’s original art deco theme intact.

For the latest happenings, lists or showings and events, follow The Art on Facebook.

Roller Derby: Putting the Hip in your Wheels

When roller-skating was the thing to do, most people remember whizzing along the sidewalk or at your local rink with a feeling of exuberance, listening to headphones or just “grooving” to your own style.

For the most part, those days are long gone, but if a cadre of roller skaters has anything to do with it, roller-skating is still alive and well. Women in particular have been jumping at the chance to strap on a pair of old-fashioned skates and take to the streets, ever since Moxi Roller Skate Shop opened on 4^th Street, in Long Beach. The retro shop offers all sorts of wheels, fashionable skates and even free roller skate lessons every Saturday.

The roller-skating buzz has taken on a life of its own and has gotten so much traction that, in fact, just last year an all-female competitive roller derby league, called the Long Beach Roller Derby, was formed.

The league consists of 120 skaters and volunteers and is readying for its first season which opens this year. The first event is dubbed “Total Dome-ination,” at the Spruce Goose Dome near the Queen Mary this Friday, April 9.

The league will be battling it out in bi-monthly roller derby events that include a roster of teams such as the Terminal Island Tootsies, 4th Street Retro Rollers, and the Bixby Rollerettes. So far, the league has been nationally recognized.

4^th Street bike festival to keep cycling ‘In Motion’

Next to roller-skating, bicycling seems to be the entire craze now as well. And coincidentally, local eateries and retro shops on 4^th Street make for a hip hangout spot on your local bike route.

Long Beach has already started its own bike-friendly efforts by increasing bike lanes, and promoting their awareness throughout the city.

Retro Row is doing its part this year by putting on the first ever “4^th Street in Motion” bike festival May 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will occur alongside the citywide Long Beach Bike Festival, set for May 7-9. The 4^th Street cycling event is scheduled to feature a long list of alternative transportation and bicycle-related activities for all ages.

A few other notable activities during the festival include: a bike-themed film festival, an Independent Film competition hosted by the Art Theatre, the Long Beach Roller Derby Retro Rollers team, a music stage featuring bands and deejays, performing artists, a wine and beer garden, and a group of vintage bike enthusiasts called The Cyclone Coasters who’ll be displaying classic bikes.

As Travelin’ Local’s South Bay writer and contributor, I can proudly say that it’s tres chic down here, so come on down for all the fun and activities.

Most people want teachers and instructors who are experienced in practicing, and being able to teach yoga effectively.

As well, the teacher should be able to offer various classes which meet different student’s skill levels, experience, and be able to have the classes both enjoyable and comfortable.

Yoga World, has two locations in Long Beach and has a cool vibe, and a large variety of yoga classes in the Hatha style.

Gabriel Hall and his wife, Michelle Hall, are the owners of Yoga World Studios. They started in 1996, and as they added more classes and attracted more and more students, they then opened their own studio. 

Yoga World first opened in Los Altos, and afterward, opened their second location in Long Beach (often referred to as the "downtown studio").

For those unfamiliar with Hatha yoga, it’s the category of yoga practice, that most people think of when they think of yoga. 
It’s a series of postures and breathing exercises when completed, help its adherents achieve a balance between both the mental and the physical inner and outer selves.

Yoga World’s classes all fall into the genre of Hatha, but span the complete spectrum of what Hatha entails–from slow and gentle therapeutic yoga, flow yoga, and intense and strong yoga. Each class offers something specifically different.

[Full disclosure] I’m a regular to Gabriel Hall’s intermediate classes, and here’s why:

Hall’s style of yoga is an evolution of influences, which has become a hybrid of Hatha, and mixes various forms of Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Viniyoga Yoga. It also delves into strength training.

For Yoga World’s founder, Hall, he’s found a way to make the breathing and sweating inherent in the Yoga experience–original and evolutionary for each individual class. This allows for students to enjoy and remain in the classes, even through sometimes impossible chaturangas (think push-ups), or confusing descriptions that sound incredible (he will break it down for you). 

Expect the class to laugh sometimes, which is in a way, encouraging and uniting, when you feel alone in your challenge.

Another hip element to Hall’s classes is his use of contemporary music to compliment the movements.  In one class, students might hear The Beatles, Radiohead, or the Velvet Underground.  The music accompanying these classes is another evolution to Hall’s style. In many other classes, more new age type music is used, but Hall found it was getting a little stale and borrowed a note from Yogi Steve Ross. Thus, he took inspiration and meditation from music that many people can relate to.

Some of the tunes were familiar to people, and offered a cross generational appeal. (For instance) the lyrics in the Beatles music is very yogic, written under the influence of yoga, (and helps people) get deeper into the experience.

Yoga World has since grown, and now offers approximately 75 classes every week between the two studios, and has a staff of over 15 different teachers.  Pilate’s classes are also offered, as well as a free meditation class one Sunday every month. 

Some upcoming events include:

"Integrating Meditation with the Healing Process" on March 6th (with Suzanne Toro Schafer), "Finding Joy through Movement with Live Music" on March 13th (with Michelle Libeu and musician Marti Walker), and "Yoga: The Essentials" with Gabriel Hall on March 27th (these events are purchased separately and must be pre-registered). 

Hall also offers Thai Yoga Therapy, which he learned from his own teacher and mentor, Saul David Ray. Thai Yoga Therapy includes twisting and stretching your body’s routine. Its ethos and roots lie in yoga in order to heal your body, while releasing tension.

Don’t have a yoga mat? Not a problem. If it’s your first yoga class, just show up wearing loose clothes with an open attitude, as there’s no need to preregister. Mats are available to borrow in the back of the room, as well as straps, blocks, blankets, foam rollers, tennis and medicine balls, and anything else that you’ll need to stretch, meditate, or relax into yoga. 

Show up 15 minutes before each class starts to ensure a spot for your mat, and if you must bring your cell phone into the studio, make sure it’s turned off.  I can only recall one time that a cell phone rang during a class–needless to say it was startling and stressful, and not at all yogic.

Yoga World offers a list of Student Tips, if you’re unsure of what to expect during a yoga class, such as:

"Please inform your teacher of any injury of special conditions you may have prior to class" and "Accept where you are. Avoid over stretching or straining. No experience or flexibility is needed. Always honor your own needs and limitations."

For the complete list of Yoga World’s classes, skill levels, and times, click here

Most classes end with a savasana, or a meditation period that may start–guided or unguided– to allow your body to relax from the stress of the class and the day. Generally silent, it’s usually completed in the "corpse pose," (this words are are pretty self explanatory), as a way to transition back into the outside world.

I firmly believe that Yoga is an accessible form of bringing inner peace into your daily life.