Long Beach’s summer is going to be musical

Music has always been a major part of Long Beach’s art scene. Live concerts on the beach, at restaurants and in Kennedy Plaza can frequently be seen and heard by the entire community.

Some new events are on the horizon as well. Benjamin Metzger, who also goes by the stage name Benoir and acts as the musical director of Arts in the Plaza, has put together quite a few things for people to see over the next few months, starting this week.

Benoir will be playing with Bakithi Kumalo this Thursday at the Iridium in Manhattan. Kumalo has played with many famous musicians and bands. He’s played with Paul Simon and Cyndi Lauper and musicians from Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Grateful Dead and numerous others.

The show starts at 8:30 and tickets start at about $42 to see Kumalo and the Long Beach musician perform.

“So many famous people have utilized his talent,” he said of Kumalo. “He’s an incredibly nice person. In 2020, we became friends online randomly when I added him as a friend on Facebook. “

Metzger wrote him asking if he’d be interested in possibly performing at Arts in the Plaza. He eventually came out and played with some local Long Beach musicians and loved it. So, they stayed in contact and played a few times since.

Coming later this month will be an installment of Friday Nights in the Plaza. The local band Half Step will be playing outside City Hall on June 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. Long Beach neighbors will be able to bring chairs, relax and listen to live music ona summer night to end the week.

“The Friday night concert series is a collaboration,” he said.  “It’s with the City of Long Beach, Artists in Partnership and Arts in the Plaza. The first one is at the end of the month. We have a Grateful Dead tribute band.”

Then, Kumalo will be returning to the city in August for a whole array of shows. He’ll be a part of a concert in Kennedy Plaza on August 11, a show at the Cabana the next day and will be having a drum circle event for families the day after, August 13, one that’s not too common in the community.

The “Jam Along with Bakithi” drum circle event will allow families to bring drums and shakers and play with him during an all-day art event at West Elementary School.

Metzger will be celebrating turning 50 with the rest of the city in July. There will be a special Arts in the Plaza July 8 with bands, a quartet and a poet laureate.