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VISIONS~VOICES is a weeklong and citywide festival from March 6-14 merging the former Smithsonian Week with Long Beach Reads One Book. Presented by the Arts Council for Long Beach in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the celebration of arts and literature numbers more than 50 arts, culture and literary arts events. VISIONS~VOICES will showcase personal stories and experiences through storytelling, oral history, spoken word, visual arts, performance and literature.

The best-selling book “Three Cups of Tea,” written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is the featured book for this year’s Long Beach Reads One Book. Co-author, Greg Mortenson, visionary mountain-climber and peacemaker will kick off the week with a series of local appearances on March 6 including visits to libraries and schools. The evening of the 6th, Mortenson will appear at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.. The presentation will document his harrowing K-2 climb and the ensuing Pakistan journey that
changed the course of his life—and that of many others, by bringing education to children in the far reaches of the world.

“Mortenson represents the very best of America,” said Susan Redfield, Chair of the Library Foundation’s Read One Book Committee. “His story of spreading education throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan provides us reason to celebrate our country’s spirit despite some very challenging times.”

The festival will feature diverse arts and cultural experiences. Bixby Knolls will host an oral history event spotlighting women who have made a difference in Long Beach. The Fire Museum and Councilman Patrick O’Donnell will showcase stories from the fire line; heroes who have fought some of the biggest fires in the city’s history. Rancho Los Cerritos will feature the “Voices of Children Singing” from Renaissance High School for the Arts, Hughes Middle School and Longfellow Elementary. There will theatre performances, museum and coffeehouse exhibitions, and jazz performances tracing the history of the American art form. In addition, in the Long Beach Reads One Book events, there will be countless opportunities for the shared experience of reading and discussing Three Cups of Tea. Local scholars and artists will visit fourteen schools over a two-week period to participate in up-close and personal arts education.

According to Arts Council Board President Justin Hectus, "The Arts Council felt strongly that creating local synergy and collaboration by the use of local talent and experts was the right thing to do. This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire Long Beach Arts and Literary Arts Community to be involved in this citywide festival."

The VISIONS~VOICES celebration will also kick off and conclude with a Spoken Word Festival produced by local poet Mindy Nettifee. Spoken Word events during the week and the closing Saturday are sponsored by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Complete VISIONS~VOICES event information can be found at www.artslb.org or call the Arts Council at 562-570-1930, and on the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s web site at www.lbplfoundation.org or call the Library Foundation at 562-628-2441.

Arts Council for Long Beach is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, a nationwide program providing access to Smithsonian resource and collections.

Event Schedule:

SOLD OUT OPENING EVENT:
Friday, March 6
Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson
7:00 PM CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
6200 Atherton Street
California State University, Long Beach, campus
Parking: next to Carpenter Center

Author Greg Mortenson talks about his experiences building schools in remote villages of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Emcee Rich Archbold, Executive Editor of the Press Telegram.  Poly High School orchestra, conducted by Andy Osman, performs “Mysterious Mountain” by Alan Hovhaness. Mr. Mortenson will sign books, which also will be available for purchase. Buy tickets for $15 (Students/faculty) or $30 (General Admission) online at www.carpenterarts.org, or call the ticket office at (562) 985-7000.

CLOSING EVENT:
Saturday, March 14
Long Beach Spoken Word Festival
6 -10:00 PM THE LAFAYETTE BUILDING
140 Linden Avenue (between Broadway and First Streets)
The festival's finale poetry show and dance party! As part of the East Village's Second Saturday Art Walk, the festival will be taking over space at the historical gem The Lafayette to feature performances by poets Jerry Quickly, Beau Sia, Eitan Kadosh, and Mindy Nettifee and soul music goodness from DJ Dennis from Good Foot.  For more information, call (562) 570-1930.


PRE-EVENTS:
March 1 - 14
ART THEATRE LONG BEACH
2025 E 4th Street
Long Beach photographer Tami Graham exhibits her photo journey of the rebuilding of the Art Theatre.  For more information, call (562) 438-5435 or visit www.arttheatrelongbeach.com

“Art Deco buildings in Long Beach and Los Angeles”, A Photo Exhibit
March 1 - 14
ART THEATRE LONG Beach
2025 E 4th Street
Long Beach photographer Chris Launi exhibits his photographs of local historic buildings.  For more information, call (562) 438-5435 or visit www.arttheatrelongbeach.com

Wednesday, March 4
Three Cups of Tea and Mt. Everest
7:30 PM
SIERRA CLUB AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES BUREAU
2929 E. Willow, near Temple.
Watch a short video to get acquainted with the author of Three Cups of Tea and his accomplishments. Then be amazed by Kurt Wedberg of Sierra Mountaineering International, presenting a slide show of his Mt. Everest ascents. Refreshments will be served. Newcomers are welcome to this general meeting of the Sierra Club.  For more information, call (562) 424-6870

Thursday, March 5
Los Cerritos Wetlands Story
7:00 – 9:00 PM AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
A Celebration of Urban Wetlands in Words, Images and Music.  Event located in the Aquarium of the Pacific Watershed Classroom.  For more information and reservations contact Guest Services: (562) 590-3100 ext. 0

Friday, March 6
Bixby Knolls First Friday Art Walk
6:00-10:00 PM Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association
For more information, call (562) 595-0081

THE WOMEN OF LONG BEACH: AN ORAL HISTORY
6-8:00PM HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF LONG BEACH
4260 Atlantic Avenue
(562) 424-2220
Presented by Leadership Long Beach’s The Connected Corridor and the Historical Society of Long Beach, the reception and video presentation features Living History oral presentations and present day women looking back at great women in Long Beach Herstory.  For more information, call Antonio Ruiz at 562-304-3869 or visit www.connectedcorridor.org.

Alive Theatre’s “Cherry Poppin’ Play Festival”
7:00 PM QUEEN MARY ROYAL THEATER
1126 Queens Highway
The 2nd annual “Cherry Poppin’ Play Festival”, which spans 3 weekends, features six never-before-seen plays. There will be two plays and a live music each night. With comedy, drama, tragedy and meta-theatre, there’ll be a little somethin’ for everyone, served with a cherry on top!! Join us for an entertaining account of “The Last Century of Entertainment in Long Beach” prior to the show as an added “Voices~Visions” bonus.
Tickets: $15 for one night; $25 for two nights; and $30 for three nights.
For more information, visit www.alivetheatre.org

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE
Center Theatre, Long Beach Performance Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard
This trailblazing musical collaboration between Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill transformed musical theatre.  For more information, call (562) 495-4595 or visit www.ictlongbeach.org.

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin
8:00 PM LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE-STUDIO THEATRE
5021 East Anaheim Street
Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein meet by accident in a Parisian café in 1904. The two muse on the new century’s promises and prospects with infectious dizziness. “A major treat” -- Newsday
Tickets $22, Seniors $20, Students $12.
For more information, call (562) 494-1014 or visit www.lbph.org.

Long Beach Spoken Word Festival Bixby Knolls "First Fridays"
8:30 PM NINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
3853 Atlantic Avenue
This festival kick-off event features performances by famous Los Angeles poets Rachel Kann (UCLA Extension) and Juwanza Dumisami (Director of the Anansi Writers Workshop at The World Stage). Call (562) 570-1930

“Laugh-Out”
8:30 PM THE FOUND THEATRE
6th & Long Beach Boulevard
An original Found Theatre parody of the ground-breaking 1960s TV show, “Laugh-In.”  Celebrate the end of an era as the new president is welcomed in and the old one out in a deserving style. Tickets $12. For more information, call Virginia at (562) 433-3363.

Saturday, March 7
Climbing to the Summit
6:00 – 2:00 PM MOUNT SAN ANTONIO
Join Mount Everest summit climbers David Larson and Samantha Larson, on a climb to the highest point in Los Angeles County at 10,064 feet. They will share stories of the Himalayan Mountains and shed insight into the cultures and peoples that live at high altitudes. Step into Greg Mortenson’s world for a day and experience the beauty and thrill of the mountains. Climb appropriate for intermediate hikers, may get more difficult in inclement weather. The hike will last approximately eight hours, group limited to 20 reservations. Email David Larson at larsobanes@aol.com for more information and to register by March 2.

Visions of Care ~ Voices of Childhood
1-4:00 PM RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS HISTORIC RANCH & GARDENS
6400 Bixby Hill Road
This tribute to the Long Beach Day Nursery’s 97 Years of dedicated quality child care recognizes Florence Bixby’s founding of the Nursery. The display of historic materials will feature ongoing children’s story times throughout the day. Families are encouraged to share a story they treasure or bring treasures to share that make their childhood memorable. For more information, call Michael Powers at (562) 430-9694

The Voices of Children Singing
2 -4:00 PM RANCHO LOS CERRITOS HISTORIC SITE
4600 Virginia Road
Presented by Leadership Long Beach’s The Connected Corridor and Rancho Los Cerritos, students from area high and middle schools will showcase their singing and musical talents against the backdrop of Long Beach history. For more information, visit www.connectedcorridor.org or call Antonio Ruiz at 562-304-3869.

Bath Tea Bags Adult Craft
2:00 PM MARK TWAIN LIBRARY
1401 E. Anaheim Street
This is a fun craft program for adults.  For more information, call (562) 570-1046.

Three Cups of Tea Book Discussion
3:00 PM RUTH BACH LIBRARY
4055 Bellflower Boulevard
For more information, call (562) 570-1038.

Alive Theatre’s “Cherry Poppin’ Play Festival”
7:00 PM QUEEN MARY ROYAL THEATER
1126 Queens Highway

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin
8:00 PM LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE-STUDIO THEATRE
5021 East Anaheim Street

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE
Center Theatre, Long Beach Performance Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard

“Laugh-Out”
8:30 PM THE FOUND THEATRE
6th & Long Beach Boulevard

Sunday, March 8
MoLAA Celebrates International Women’s Day: Las Mujeres (Target Free Sundays)
1:00 - 4:00 PM MUSUEM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART
628 Alamitos Avenue
1-3pm Art Workshop – Herstories, Create personal story using images.
2-3:30 Women in the Arts: Power, Presence, and Voice. A conversation with three Women in the arts : Susan Mueller , President of Southern California Caucus for Art.  Idurre Alonso , Curator Molaa, and Maria Luisa de Herrera, art consultant and scholar.
1-2pm Gallery Tour Women in the Molaa Permanent Collection.
3-4pm Performance: Viver Brasil - Dance Company
For more information, visit www.molaa.org.

Heroes: Stories from the Fire Lines
2 - 4:00 PM LONG BEACH FIRE TRAINING CENTER
2249 Argonne Ave
Presented by Fourth District City Councilman Patrick O’Donnell and Long Beach Fire Museum, this family-oriented event features oral history from firefighters who have risked their lives fighting some of the biggest fires in Long Beach history. The program will also feature well-preserved historical fire trucks as well as tours of the Long Beach Fire Training Center. For more information, call Antonio Ruiz (562) 304-3869.

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE
Center Theatre, Long Beach Performance Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard

Rose Park – Living with the Past in the Present
4:00 -6:00 PM PORTFOLIO COFFEEHOUSE
2300 East 4th Street on the corner of 4th and Cherry
Join Long Beach Photographer Sarah Vinci and Rose Park residents in a discussion on the history of their homes in Rose Park, Long Beach. Exhibit runs from March 1 - 31. For more information, call (562) 434-2486 or visit www.portfoliocoffeehouse.com.

Alive Theatre’s “Cherry Poppin’ Play Festival”
7:00 PM QUEEN MARY ROYAL THEATER
1126 Queens Highway

Monday, March 9
Stay Home With A Good Book & A Cup of Tea!
7:00 -10:00 PM
Join the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s “non-event” fundraiser! Instead of getting all dressed up and taking time out of your busy schedule to attend a big Book Week event, we’re asking you to save the money you would spend on dinner, a new outfit and gas and instead mail in your donation and curl up at home with a good book! Check your local library for a good book such as Three Cups of Tea or materials including audio books and DVDs.  For more information, call (562) 628-2441.

Tuesday, March 10
Long Beach Spoken Word Festival
8:00 PM BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS
6326 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Marina Pacifica Shopping Center
An open reading hosted by local legend G. Murray Thomas. Anyone can sign up and read their own poems or someone else's in a supportive, poetry-geek environment. Feature set from poetry power couple Daniel and Lori McGinn. For more information, Call (562) 570-1930

Toddler Story Time
10:30 AM BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS
6326 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Marina Pacifica Shopping Center
For toddlers and their parents: The children’s book specialist leads the story time and craft activities.  Snacks for children included. For more information, call Barnes & Noble at (562) 431-4165.

“California, Seen”
2:00 PM Tour, 2:45 PM Tea LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART
2300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Experience California, Seen – a variety of changing landscape paintings by California artists from 1930-1970 with exceptional highlights of outdoor artists capturing scenes in ideal natural light settings. Admission of $7 includes the tour and tea. For more information, call Megan Ellisor at (562) 439-3587 or visit www.lbma.org.

Book Discussion Group for Adults
5:30 PM NORTH BRANCH LIBRARY
5571 Orange Avenue
For more information, call Michael Martin at (562) 570-1047.

Wednesday, March 11
Long Beach Spoken Word Festival
LONG BEACH I LOVE YOU
Presenting Media Sponsor Gazette Newspapers hosts
6:30 PM (VIP Pre-event)
8:00 PM (Free Public Event)

AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
100 Aquarium Way
Poetry and unabashed patriotism come to the Aquarium of the Pacific in this unique event celebrating the book release of the poetry anthology The Good Things about America. Join us for a private VIP Pre-Event at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available for a minimum donation of $40 at www.artslb.org. Enjoy drinks and light snacks, the relaxing soft-lit exhibits of the underwater world and a benefit performance of Long Beach I Love You with a special appearance by local poet Mindy Nettifee. Proceeds will support the Arts Council for Long Beach. Performers include Derrick Brown, Michael C. Ford, Brendan Constantine, Michael Roberts, Jason MacBeath, Ratpack Slim, Danielle Potter and Christopher James. This multi-media show will feature live music, artwork from the book and new photographs from Matt Wignall. For more information, call (562) 570-1930.

“California, Seen”
2:00 PM Tour, 2:45 PM Tea LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART
2300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Bixby Knolls Literary Society: The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen.  Special appearance and reading by Long Beach novelist Lee Adams, from 5th & Vanguard, her acclaimed first installment in the Julie Page Mystery series.
6:30 -10:00 PM Richard Goad Theatre 4250 Atlantic Avenue
(562) 595-0081

Healing Through Creativity Workshop
7:00 PM VIENTO Y AGUA COFEE HOUSE
4007 4th Street
Join brain cancer survivor and poet Richard Harvey for an evening of transformational spoken word poetry and creativity. This interactive workshop can help anyone with a major life change or challenge to effectively process their worries and fears over what has not yet come to pass and then teaches participants how to refocus on their desired outcomes.  RSVP with Richard Harvey, (562) 753-1114 or info@lemons-to-lemonade.com (Limited to 50 participants)

Thursday, March 12
LONG BEACH SPOKEN WORD FESTIVAL
MORE WORDS FOR GRAVITY – An evening of GLBTQ Poetry
8:00 PM 2ND CITY COUNCIL ART GALLERY AND PERFORMANCE SPACE
435 Alamitos Avenue
In conjunction with the 2nd City Council Art Gallery's exhibit Being Gay: A Visual Dialogue Between Straight and/or LGBTQ Artists, this event features performances by Los Angeles poetry slam champion Thea Iberall and two-time World Poetry Slam Champion Buddy Wakefield. Hearts will be ambushed!  For more information, call (562) 901-0997.

Visions & Voices of Jazz from the 1900’s to the Future!
7:00 PM LONG BEACH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP HALL
3210 Airport Way 90806
Young Jazz Angels musicians, ages 11-17, explain the history of jazz in an intimate, 45 minute presentation through narration and music. They demonstrate how styles of jazz and visual art reflect the feelings and dynamics of people around the world. For more information, call Barry Cogert at (562)223-0086 www.jazzangel.org

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE

Friday, March 13
LONG BEACH SPOKEN WORD FESTIVAL
Poetry-as-amuse-bouche!
7:30 PM LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE
5021 East Anaheim Street
Poetry-as-amuse-bouche! Theatre-goers at the Long Beach Playhouse will enjoy poetry and some accordion music as they file in for Steve Martin's play Picasso At The Lapin Agile.  For more information, call (562) 570-1930.

Healing Through Creativity Workshop
7:00 PM LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE
Liberal Arts Campus RM LAC P104, 4901 E. Carson Street
Join brain cancer survivor and poet Richard Harvey for an evening of transformational spoken word poetry and creativity. This interactive workshop can help anyone with a major life change or challenge to effectively process their worries and fears over what has not yet come to pass and then teaches participants how to refocus on their desired outcomes.  RSVP with Richard Harvey, (562) 753-1114 or info@lemons-to-lemonade.com (Limited to 50 participants)

En La Noche at Molaa
6:00 - 11:00 PM MUSUEM OF LATIN AMERICAN ART
628 Alamitos Avenue
Music Art, Film, Dance and More…Admission $5 except for films
6:00 - 7:00pm Happy Hour and Complimentary Drinks
6:00 - 8:30pm Entrance to galleries free with paid admission
7:30 - 8:30 pm Cine Mujer (Three shorts by and about women: Ese Beso- Kamala Lopez Dawson, 2006, Saliva – Esmir Filho, 2007, Madre- Juan Pablo Laplace, 2007)
screening in the Charter Screening Room - $10 member, $15 non member, $7 Students
8:30 - 9:30pm Salsa Class with Josie Neglia (free with admission)
9:00 - 11pm DJ, Salsa Music, food and no host bar and dancing (free with admission)
For more information, visit www.molaa.org.

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE
Center Theatre, Long Beach Performance Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin
8:00 PM LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE-STUDIO THEATRE
5021 East Anaheim Street

“Laugh-Out”
8:30 PM THE FOUND THEATRE
6th & Long Beach Boulevard

Saturday, March 14
Long Beach Spoken Word Festival
6:00 -10:00 PM THE LAFAYETTE BUILDING
140 Linden Avenue (between Broadway and First Streets)
The festival's finale poetry show and dance party! As part of the East Village's Second
Saturday Art Walk, the festival will be taking over space at the historical gem The
Lafayette to feature performances by poets Jerry Quickly, Beau Sia, Eitan Kadosh, and
Mindy Nettifee and soul music goodness from DJ Dennis from Good Foot.  For more information, call (562) 570-1930.

Book Discussion and Tea Tasting
10:00 -11:00 AM DANA BRANCH LIBRARY
3680 Atlantic Avenue
Join the Dana Book Club for a morning discussion of Three Cups of Tea. Elise’s Tea Room will be providing a trio of teas for participants to taste.  Call (562) 570-1042 to reserve your place by March 3rd.

Book Discussion
2:00 PM LOS ALTOS LIBRARY
5614 E. Britton Drive
Be a part of the kickoff meeting of the Los Altos Book Group for the discussion of Three Cups of Tea. This event is for adults and young adults.  For more information, call (562) 570-1045.

Movie Screening
2:00 PM NORTH BRANCH LIBRARY
5571 Orange Avenue
The North Branch Library will be screening a movie relevant to the Afghanistan culture and Middle East themes raised in the book. Light refreshments will be served.  For more information, call (562) 570-1047.

Being Gay: A Visual Dialogue Between Straight and LGBTQ Artists , An Exhibition
7– 9PM 2nd City Council Art Gallery + Performance Space
435 Alamitos Avenue
The 2nd City Council is pleased to announce its latest juried exhibition featuring the work of twenty artists living throughout the United States. The art includes collage, sculpture, photography, installation, oil & graphite and addresses such topics as homosexuality and evolution, gay icons, religion, AIDS, relationships, literature and the magic and fascination found in Dolly Parton for a Midwestern boy. The exhibition runs from March 7, 2009 – April 1, 2009.  For more information, call (562) 901-0997 or visit www.2ndcitycouncil.org.

Herstory: Celebrating Women’s Compassion, Courage and Commitment
7:30 PM THE EL DORADO NATURE CENTER
7550 East Spring Street
This storytelling concert will feature seven local storytellers, who will share their talents in celebration tof women’s history month.  Tickets $5 donation.  For more information, call El Dorado Nature Center at (562) 570-1745.

Three Penny Opera
8:00 PM INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE, CENTER THEATRE
Center Theatre, Long Beach Performance Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin
8:00 PM LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE-STUDIO THEATRE
5021 East Anaheim Street

“Laugh-Out”
8:30 PM THE FOUND THEATRE
6th & Long Beach Boulevard

Post Events:

Wednesday, March 18
Book Discussion
11:00 AM MARK TWAIN LIBRARY
1401 E. Anaheim Street
The Mark Twain Book Club will discuss Three Cups of Tea and enjoy a tasting of various teas.
For more information, call (562) 570-1046.

Book Discussion
10:00 AM ALAMITOS BRANCH LIBRARY
1836 E. Third Street
The book club will have a reading and book discussion of Three Cups of Tea.
For more information, call (562) 570-1037.

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