By Abbi Zepeda, Art from Ashes Intern
Long Beach is a deeply unique community – and that is reflected in the variety of unique experiences offered all around the city. If you have listened to “Moment in Between” on CityHeART radio you might recognize the title of this article – echoing one of my favorite questions to ask guests when they join me on the show: what is one place in Long Beach that you want to “un-gatekeep?” It invites each of my guests to share their favorite places or hangouts, hopefully introducing us all to new places we can visit and find community connection.
Over the months I’ve received some truly interesting recommendations – and I’ve made it my mission to visit them and experience Long Beach through its “hidden gems.” This challenge has opened my eyes to both historical places that I’ve never heard of (despite living in Long Beach my entire life) and newcomers to the scene; I’ve been able to see Long Beach in ways that I never have before. These lesser known places – scattered all around Long Beach – offer perspectives and chances for discovery that I would have missed out on otherwise.
As someone working within one of Long Beach’s better-kept secrets (CityHeART is a common answer now, when I ask the guests for one place they wish was better-known to the community) I hope that by introducing these places to you, we can open up our appreciation to the parts of Long Beach that have ventured off the beaten path. There’s all these beautiful and exciting places waiting for us to discover out there, and by inviting others in – un-gatekeeping them – we only open ourselves up to more connections and opportunities.
Cool Cat Collective
The folks at Cool Cat Collective balance a love for cats with a dedication to the arts community of Long Beach. According to them, their mission is “to bring awareness to the community about the cat overpopulation crisis and ways they can participate and help” – and they definitely deliver. With most of their offerings themed around cats and cat lovers, they have created a community of cat lovers and creatives who are dedicated to improving the lives of their cuddly cat friends. In collaboration with their rescue partner TippedEars, they foster cats within their store and homes – offering the chance for community members to come adopt while they shop.
Dark Art Emporium (formerly located in The 4th Horseman)
The Dark Art Emporium is a space for all things eclectic and odd – a label they wear with honor and pride. Created as a space to display and appreciate art that wouldn’t often be found in “typical” galleries – The Dark Art Emporium uplifts artists of all kinds. For anyone looking for “out of the box” artists – or a place to feature their own dark art, this is the gallery for you.
Loiter Galleries
Offering up a space to support local underserved artists, Loiter Galleries has positioned itself as a support system for creatives and consumers alike. Filling the voids left behind in empty storefronts – Loiter Galleries transform these abandoned spaces into places of art, optimism, and accessibility. Giving these artists the space they need to push boundaries, explore new themes, and adventure outside of the mainstream serves the community in so many ways: opening up new avenues of expression, presenting new art to the audience, and brightening up spaces around Long Beach.
Organic Harvest Gardens
Organic Harvest Gardens commits itself to the mission of transforming urban spaces into thriving gardens – bringing fresh produce and gardening education to their community within North Long Beach. Their space has become known for hosting world-renowned chefs to provide meals to the community and for hosting classes educating their guests on everything from water conservation to crop harvesting techniques. As they begin the process of expanding their garden – and transitioning their classes to include services focused on veterans – the folks at Organic Harvest Gardens encourage the Long Beach community to continue nurturing nature.
Page Against The Machine
Describing themselves as a “fiercely independent, proudly progressive activist bookstore,” Page Against the Machine offers a wide selection of books centered on activism and community organizing. Whether you are looking for information on labor law or poetry from well-known activists – Page Against the Machine has what you are looking for. They also offer events within the community – poetry readings and teach-ins designed to help connect the people of Long Beach to the roots of activism and organization in a way that serves us all.
PLACE LB
Place LB is a hidden gem of community connection – an arts space opened to the general public of Long Beach and inviting them in to connect with other artists and develop their own modes of expression. Offering classes on different art techniques, a library of zines created by local creatives, and even the occasional movie screening – Place LB offers a hangout spot for the creative minds of Long Beach.
Toxic Toast Records
Last on this list – but certainly not least – is Toxic Toast Records! A specialty record store here in Long Beach, their wares focus on rock, punk, ska and metal vinyl – with imported Japanese records and limited edition pressings also filling their shelves. Dedicated to uplifting more “underground” artists and introducing new people to the excitement of genres typically shunned by mainstream record labels and stores – Toxic Toast Records is a great place to start your journey into the music world. Go flip through their selections and connect with a whole new demographic of music lovers here in Long Beach.
And that’s the list! These are all places that I have personally visited or researched from my recommendations on the radio – but there are plenty more hidden gems in Long Beach to talk about! Check out the full list – and a map of each location – at the link below! And as always I invite you to discuss your Hidden Gems of Long Beach on the radio with me!
