The 122-foot square topsail schooner Lynx has entered the 2009 Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii. Read the details of the yacht race.

LONG BEACH, CA (May 27, 2009) – The Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience returns to the Center Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, August 1. Presented by New Growth Entertainment, the “family friendly” show begins at 8PM.

The Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience differs from other comedy shows not only with the use of clean language, but with an emphasis on attire as well. The promoters have a strict dress code prohibiting the comedians from wearing jeans, baseball caps or tennis shoes. The show features some of today’s popular comedians from BET’s Comic View, HBO’s Def Jam, and Comedy Central.

The founder of New Growth Entertainment is comedian, promoter, and show host, Sunset. Having started her career in 1995 by touring the country and opening for such acts as Angie Stone, Musiq and Paul Taylor, Sunset has also appeared at the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Hollywood Improv, and the Ice House. She has been the host of several cable TV comedy shows, and she regularly appears on BET’s “Comic View.” Sunset’s philosophy is that comedy should be “family friendly,” and profanity is an unnecessary ingredient. And, the fact that these comedy shows usually sell-out is a testament that her concept is working well.

“We are pleased to welcome back the Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience to the Center Theater,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “There are very few quality comedy shows at this level that feature pure, clean, family entertainment,” he concluded.

Tickets are on sale now at all TicketMaster locations and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office. Advance tickets for this show are priced at $25.00 and $18.00. Day of show tickets are $30.00 and $23.00. To charge by phone, call TicketMaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday and 12:00PM to 4:00PM on Saturday.

LONG BEACH, CA (May 18, 2009) – The 15th Annual E Hula Mau returns to the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Labor Day weekend. This three-day event is scheduled for Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6. Presented by Na Mamo, the weekend festivities will feature live hula and chant performances as well as unique Hawaiian arts and crafts, workshops, and island-style food.

E Hula Mau blends Hawaii’s honored traditions with new innovations that appeal to a wide audience. Several hula halau’s (dance schools) will showcase their talents with unique renditions of the hula (dance), mele (music), and oli (chant). The weekend kicks off with the Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair/Workshops and Food Court at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Plaza on Friday, September 4, at 12Noon. Opening ceremonies will be held in the Terrace Theater at 3:30pm featuring solo performances.

The Fair/Workshops continue Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8:00am featuring many aspects of Hawaiian culture including food booths, lei making demonstrations, and special musical performances. This year’s Mahalo Bash concert featuring top Hawaiian music performers will be held on Saturday evening at the Terrace Theater at 7:30pm. For a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.namamo.org.

“This event is a wonderfully entertaining experience for the entire family,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “We are always pleased to welcome such culturally diverse productions to our community,” he concluded.

Advance tickets go on sale at all TicketMaster outlets and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office beginning Friday, May 1. Advance ticket prices are $18.00 per day ($20.00 after June 1) and $30.00 for the Mahalo Bash ($35.00 after June 1). To charge by phone, please call Ticketmaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Long Beach Performing Arts Center Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday.

The 11th Annual Bruin Bhangra 2009 Dance Competition will be held at the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, May 24, at 6PM.

Ten teams from throughout the United States and Canada are scheduled to compete in this annual event. The Bruin Bhangra Dance Competition is the most highly-anticipated show of its kind. This exchange of dance and Punjabi culture has led to greater unity among South Asian young adults by teaching them important lessons of dedication and team work.

Over the past three years, Bruin Bhangra has hosted world-renowned Bhangra artists such as Lehmber Hussainpuri, Malkit Singh, Sukhbir, B21, and Jassi Sidhu. This year’s attendance is expected to attract more than 3,000 people.

Originating in the region of Punjab in South Asia, Bhangra began as a folk dance performed by local farmers. Bhangra commemorated the coming of the Spring and marked the birth of the new harvest, a time known as Baisakhi. Today, Bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the world. It has been hailed by many as the world’s fastest growing dance and musical form.

The UCLA Bhangra Team was founded as a formal student organization in 1998 to promote cultural unification through dance and other various activities in the community.

“The UCLA Bhangra Team is a distinguished student organization that is devoted to promoting awareness and education of the South Asian culture, and we welcome back this exciting competition to the Terrace Theater,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

Tickets are on sale now at all TicketMaster outlets and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office. Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $30.00. To charge by phone, please call TicketMaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700, (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday and 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday.

LONG BEACH, CA (May 11, 2009) – The international sensation, Stomp, is returning to the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 22 at 8PM and Saturday, May 23 at 4PM and 8PM. Presented by Jam Theatricals, the return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises with sections of the show updated and restructured.

The changes that can now be seen in the tour of Stomp are the biggest since the late 1990’s. A new piece, “Paint Cans,” evolved out of the “Boxes” routine in the Las Vegas show, and “Donuts” is a piece that implements huge tractor tire inner tubes, worn around the waist on a bungee cord.

For many years, the creators had looked for a Stomp equivalent of the Latin percussion instrument the guiro, a gourd-shaped, open-ended instrument with ridges along the side that are rubbed by a wooden stick to create its unique sound. The climactic trash can sequence “Bins” has been restructured to include a guiro-like new-found instrument: strip-lighting recycling containers.

Stomp, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London’s Tony Award), a New York Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a Special Citation from Best Plays. The young performers “make a rhythm out of anything they can get their hands on that makes a sound.” Stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra; Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; and wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion.

“We are very pleased to welcome this production of Stomp back to the Terrace Theater,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “The performers use every day items for percussion instruments such as trash cans, tea chests, plastic bags, plungers, boots, and hubcaps to fill the stage with compelling and infectious rhythms,” he concluded.

Tickets are on sale now at all TicketMaster outlets and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office. Ticket prices for Stomp are $47.50, $37.50, and $27.50. To charge by phone, please call (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700, (619) 220-TIXS, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard, and is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday and 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday.

There’s a new money-saving deal in town and it’s called the Yooh! Card. The Yooh! Card is a discount program that unlocks exclusive savings for some of Long Beach’s most popular attractions, restaurants, shops and other venues. Think of it as an entertainment book, that’s focused on the Long Beach and Seal Beach area. The thing that’s different about this discount program, however, is that it allows the cardholder to benefit from the discounts over and over again. As long as the card isn’t expired, the Yooh! Card holder can use any of the discounts/coupons listed at www.theyoohcard.com/coupons.

It works like this. Purchase a card at www.theyoohcard.com for $15, then get ready to save on the things you love to do. Visit www.theyoohcard.com/coupons to review all of the discounts available in Long Beach and Seal Beach. Each discount listing has instructions on how to redeem the discount. In most cases, you simply print out the discount listing and show it to the merchant along with your valid Yooh! Card. And you’re saving money, just like that.

And what businesses want to see Yooh! walk through their door, with your card in hand? Local favorites like Legends sports bar, Buster’s Beach House, Tibbies Aboard the Queen Mary, Tropical Juice, and others.

Currently, the cards expire May 31, 2010. Buy one now and save for a whole year.

Musical artist Raul Navarro, Jr. will appear at the Center Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 18, at 8PM. The concert is a presentation of Rosary Productions.

Long Beach native, Raul Navarro, Jr., is a Christian composer, songwriter and singer promoting his first, soon to be released CD titled, Tengo Que Llegar (I Must Get There). His songs are inspired by his life experiences helping people in need. The singer also works with troubled youth and adults in a Catholic Ministry located in East Los Angeles.

“We are pleased to welcome this dedicated and talented singer to the Center Theater,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “His songs deliver inspirations of hope, happiness, and joy,” he concluded.

Tickets go on sale at all TicketMaster locations and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office beginning Friday, May 1, at 10AM. Ticket prices are $35.00 and $25.00. To charge by phone, call TicketMaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday and 12:00PM to 4:00PM on Saturday.

The Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience returns to the Center Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, August 1. Presented by New Growth Entertainment, the “family friendly” show begins at 8PM.

The Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience differs from other comedy shows not only with the use of clean language, but with an emphasis on attire as well. The promoters have a strict dress code prohibiting the comedians from wearing jeans, baseball caps or tennis shoes. The show features some of today’s popular comedians from BET’s Comic View, HBO’s Def Jam, and Comedy Central.

The founder of New Growth Entertainment is comedian, promoter, and show host, Sunset. Having started her career in 1995 by touring the country and opening for such acts as Angie Stone, Musiq and Paul Taylor, Sunset has also appeared at the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Hollywood Improv, and the Ice House. She has been the host of several cable TV comedy shows, and she regularly appears on BET’s “Comic View.” Sunset’s philosophy is that comedy should be “family friendly,” and profanity is an unnecessary ingredient. And, the fact that these comedy shows usually sell-out is a testament that her concept is working well.

“We are pleased to welcome back the Platinum Elite – Clean Comedy Experience to the Center Theater,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “There are very few quality comedy shows at this level that feature pure, clean, family entertainment,” he concluded.

Tickets go on sale at all TicketMaster locations and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office beginning Wednesday, May 6 at 10AM. Advance tickets for this show are priced at $25.00 and $18.00. Day of show tickets are $30.00 and $23.00. To charge by phone, call TicketMaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday and 12:00PM to 4:00PM on Saturday.

LONG BEACH, CA (April 21, 2009) – The 15th Annual E Hula Mau returns to the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center on Labor Day weekend. This three-day event is scheduled for Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6. Presented by Na Mamo, the weekend festivities will feature live hula and chant performances as well as unique Hawaiian arts and crafts, workshops, and island-style food.

E Hula Mau blends Hawaii’s honored traditions with new innovations that appeal to a wide audience. Several hula halau’s (dance schools) will showcase their talents with unique renditions of the hula (dance), mele (music), and oli (chant). The weekend kicks off with the Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair/Workshops and Food Court at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Plaza on Friday, September 4, at 12Noon. Opening ceremonies will be held in the Terrace Theater at 3:30pm featuring solo performances.

The Fair/Workshops continue Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8:00am featuring many aspects of Hawaiian culture including food booths, lei making demonstrations, and special musical performances. This year’s Mahalo Bash concert featuring top Hawaiian music performers will be held on Saturday evening at the Terrace Theater at 7:30pm. For a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.namamo.org.

“This event is a wonderfully entertaining experience for the entire family,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “We are always pleased to welcome such culturally diverse productions to our community,” he concluded.

Advance tickets go on sale at all TicketMaster outlets and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Main Box Office beginning Friday, May 1. Advance ticket prices are $18.00 per day ($20.00 after June 1) and $30.00 for the Mahalo Bash ($35.00 after June 1). To charge by phone, please call Ticketmaster at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700 or (619) 220-TIXS or www.ticketmaster.com. The Long Beach Performing Arts Center Box Office is located at 300 E. Ocean Boulevard and is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday.

LONG BEACH, CA (April 21, 2009) — The Seventh Annual Semana Jalisciense Festival will be held Saturday, May 9, at the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center at 7:00PM. The event is a presentation of the Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses.

The Festival will feature various entertainment offerings including the musical group, Mariachi Monumental de America and the presentation of 12 contestants in the Miss Jalisco-Los Angeles Pageant who will display a dress that reflects the culture and tradition of that particular region. For ticket information, please call (562) 228-3483.

“We are pleased to welcome this popular festival back to the Long Beach Performing Arts Center,” said Dan Spellens, Director of Theaters & Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. “It is a part of our mission to offer the community a wide-range of cultural events and experiences,” he added.

One of the few ocean front arena and convention facilities in the country, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center attracts approximately 2 million people each year for conventions, trade shows, theater and sporting events. Managed by SMG, the Center offers state-of-the-art facilities, unique entertainment venues at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, which includes the Terrace and Center Theaters, as well as the Long Beach Arena. For further information on the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, please call (562) 436-3636 or visit www.longbeachcc.com.