When your workweek has been no laughing matter, forget about it all by making plans to spend the evening at Long Beach's Laugh Factory. This popular comedy club features an impressive mix of veteran performers along with an equally interesting batch of fresh faces. Some of the comedians who have taken to the spotlight here include Mario Joyner, Kevin Nealon, and Adam Carolla, just to name a few. Reservations are recommended. Also, don't forget to to check the website for news on upcoming entertainment.
Amid the many places to see and things to do, the hustle and bustle of Long Beach is intoxicating and fun, but if you need a bit of a break, enjoy spending a little quiet time at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. This inviting garden attraction was dedicated in April of 1981 through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her husband, Earl Burns Miller. Maintained in association with California State University Long Beach, the garden attracts several visitors who marvel at its lush landscape and colorful flowers.
Every August, the sounds of America's music – jazz – fills the Long Beach air. Fans of this historic musical genre gather at Rainbow Lagoon Park to hear some of the top artists on the scene performing during the Long Beach Jazz Festival. This popular three day event is staged on a beautiful grassy knoll in the park that makes for an experience that is as visually stunning as it is aurally pleasing. The festival also features a great selection of food, arts and crafts, as well as the wares of various vendors.
Art is born out of both inspiration and reflection. A specific geographic area can inspire the creation of some truly amazing art as well as reflect the attitudes and feelings of a particular point in time. Nowhere is that more obvious than at Long Beach's Museum of Latin American Art. These works seem to come alive with both a dimensionality and a spiciness that gives them a personality all their own. The facility was founded in 1996 and holds the distinction of being the only museum of its kind in the United States.