From late June through mid August, the Long Beach Municipal Band offers free concerts in several major city parks - El Dorado, Whaley, Bixby, Los Cerritos and Marine Stadium.  All concerts begin at 6:30 PM.  Bring a blanket, a chair and picnic meal for a casual family evening of music, fun and a chance to enjoy  your neighbors.  For more information, click on the above link.

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of California State University in Long Beach.  Each season it presents a variety of music, dance, family, comedy, and cabaret events, as well as commissions new works by some of the country’s leading artists and ensembles.  The Carpenter Center has something for everyone.  For a calendar of scheduled events, click on the following link - Carpenter Center

Hollywood Bowl Concerts          [Map]
2301 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA  90068
 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association brings world-renowned artists for summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.  To view this summer's schedule of events, click on the following  link - 2008 Schedule.    If you do not enjoy driving through city traffic to reach the Bowl, you can park your car across from Hometown Buffet at the Lakewood Mall and take the "Park-and-Ride" bus directly to the Bowl for only $5.00 per round trip.  To purchase bus tickets online, click on the following link - Park and Ride.

Greek Theatre                                 [Map[
2700 North Vermont Avenue (in Griffith Park)
Los Angeles, CA  90027
323-468-1710

The Greek Theatre, one of Los Angeles’ premiere outdoor theatres, is nestled in the picturesque tree-enclosed setting of Griffith Park. This  theatre is one of Los Angeles' most historic entertainment venues and has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, from pop to classical, reggae to rock.  To view this year's summer schedule of concerts, click on the following link - Greek Theatre

The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is in a neighboring community to Long Beach.  The line-up of performers is among the best, featuring the highest caliber of entertainers from the disciplines of music, dance and theater - from the inaugural performances by Frank Sinatra to the command performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company for His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.  To view this season's schedule (which opens August 21), click on the following link - Cerritos Center

The Orange County Center for Performing Arts is an easy drive from Long Beach.  It features world-class artists and a range of events from Beethoven to Broadway musicals, pop, rock and dance. 
 

The Music Center is the largest performing arts center in Southern California.  It is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera Company, the Master Chorale, and the Center Theatre Group .  It is a complex of four world-class venues:  The Disney Concert Hall, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre and Dorothy Chandler Pavillion.  To view the schedules of events for each of the four venues, click on the above link.