The Pow! Wow! Artistic Global Festival Spotlights Notable Long Beach Cultural Scene

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An Idea (by Ingenious Piece)

5 min readJun 5, 2019

Image by Artist Sydney G. James — @sydneygjames — by Pow! Wow! Long Beach

By Leslie E. Royal

Founded by Jasper Wong in Hawaii, Pow! Wow! is now a global event that connects visitors and residents alike to culture and creativity in locales such as Taiwan, Israel, Singapore, Jamaica, Washington D.C., Guam, New Zealand, Germany, and yes, Long Beach, California. While the enlightening phenomenon comes to Long Beach but once a year, tourists can visit the museums and area attractions in the beautiful, picturesque city throughout the year.

Pow! Wow! Long Beach — Annually, this summer arts festival features intricate, stunningly designed murals spanning 40 square miles of the city. On July 21–28, 2019, artists from around the world will descend on the municipality to paint beautiful masterpieces. The street-art event is designed to beautify the city while encouraging community awareness of remarkable art and culture. In recent years, guest artists included Andrew Hem, CASE, Fafi, Fintan Magee, Jason Kem, Joon the Goon, Juan Travieso, Kamea Hadar, Kaplan Bunce, Koz Doz, Leon Keer, Lolo YS, Ms. Yellow, Nevermade, Noelle Martinez, Shantell Martin, Spencer Little, Steven Harrington & National Forest, Sun Draws, Sydney James, and Tatiana Velazquez. http://www.powwowlongbeach.com/

Long Beach Museum of Art — Giving attendees a striking view of the ocean, this museum, founded in 1950, has varying exhibitions. The permanent collection includes more than 3200 works. Pieces were created by Beatrice Wood, Claire Falkenstein, Vasily Kandinsky, James Jean, and Sandow Birk among others. Current exhibitions worth seeing are John Sonsini’s “Daywork: Portraits”, “Farm Fresh” by Narsiso Martinez, and “Fragile Thoughts” by Jane Brucker. http://www.lbma.org/

Museum of Latin American Art — Modern, contemporary Latin American pieces are paramount in this museum’s exhibits, educational programs, and events. Featuring 1600 works in the permanent collection, a 15,000 square foot sculpture garden, and current exhibitions excite visitors. Noteworthy exhibits include Cecilia Paredes, Ink: Stories on Skin, and Judith Hernandez: A Dream is a Shadow of Something Real. https://molaa.org/

Rancho Los Alamitos — Dating back 1500 years, these sacred grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Pleases. There is much for attendees to take part in on this 7 ½ acre property. See horses, sheep, goats, chicken, rabbits and other animals. Take painting or photography classes. If you have a group of 10 to 50, enjoy an exclusive tour and catered luncheon. https://www.rancholosalamitos.com/

The Queen Mary — A literal ship named for Britain’s Queen Mary, its maiden voyage was May 27, 1936. Docked in Long Beach, the vessel now serves as a hotel and museum. If you would like to be a part of living history, reserve one of its 347 staterooms and suites. Take one of its many great tours including The Steam and Steel, The Glory Days, Churchill, and the incredible Diana: Legacy of The Princess. Dine at Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge. The Escargots Bourguignon, Chateaubriand for Two, and Winston’s Beef Wellington will surely tempt the palate. https://www.queenmary.com/

Raving Restaurants — Premium steak and succulent seafood are your words for the week during your Long Beach vacay. There are several fine dining restaurants in the city. Commence with Fuego. One of the hottest restaurants and night spots in Long Beach, sit waterside and dine at this eatery at Hotel Maya. Delight in the Seafood Crepas, Serrano Scallops, Adobo Duck, and Ropa Vieja. The beautiful, well-appointed 555 East Steakhouse aptly serves up Prime New York Strip Steak and Twin Wild Cold Water Lobster Tails among other delectable menu items. At the Boathouse on the Bay, try Pan Roasted Crab Cakes, Chilled Seafood Tower for Two, and Miso Glaze Chilean Sea Bass. Must visit for breakfast, brunch and more is The Breakfast Bar. Taste the tantalizing Breakfast Dip, Deviled Eggs, Pork Belly Skewers, and Uncle Marcee’s Omelet Casserole as well as a Mimosa, Peach Bellini or Kir Royal. https://www.visitlongbeach.com/food-drink/

Luxury Accommodations — For individuals with a love for calming, tranquil waters, several upscale hotels in Long Beach are ideal. The Westin Long Beach offers 31 lovely suites and multiple guestrooms, many overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is walking distances for strolls to relaxing beaches, chic bistros, and popular landmarks. Having a backdrop of Latin American and Southern California style, Hotel Maya features 400 palm trees on its lush grounds and has such a warm, welcoming energy that permeates through its guest services, Fuego restaurant and other areas. A 4-Diamond Award-Winning hotel with contemporary décor, The Hyatt Regency Long Beach is a waterfront hotel that boasts magnificent views of the harbor, water, and city. https://www.visitlongbeach.com/hotels/downtown-properties/