Pink Before Pride

The Center in Long Beach is hosting several pre-pride events—and don't forget to wear pink

BY JAMIE WETHERBE

To jump start Long Beach Pride weekend, the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach will host several events and fundraisers.

“It's all about pride,” says Kimberlee Woods, the center's executive director, “and it's kind of a pink thing.”

Participants should wear pink for The Center's first-ever Long Beach Pink Party on Friday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Smooth's Sports Grille in Downtown Long Beach. The event will take over Smooth's rooftop lounge and promises music, dancing, and food, plus “a few surprise guests.”

This party-with-a-cause will benefit the center's Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment, a program dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ youth.

Tickets, priced at $20, will only be sold at the door and includes hors d'oeuvres.

Continuing the pink theme, The Center's Pink Gala will take place Aug. 16 aboard a three-decked, 150-foot private yacht. The Majestic, anchored in the Long Beach Marina, will host up to 400 guests and incorporate a variety of activities, including pink carpet reception, hosted bars, a three-course dinner, celebrity entertainment, silent auctions, and dancing—all while cruising through the harbor on a summer night.

The Pink Awards will be presented during the evening's program and will include celebrity, political, and community honorees. Business sponsorships for the event range from $1,500-15,000, with funds benefiting The Center.

Pates Fraiches, a new restaurant in the East Village Art District in Long Beach, will host a dinner benefiting The Center on Saturday, May 10, from 4-6 p.m. Diners can experience French wines paired with a main course of wild salmon, topped off with homemade chocolate mousse.

Tickets must be purchased by May 7, and costs $85 per person for center members and $100 for nonmembers.

Also in May, The Center is hosting an oral history project as a way to share stories between the youth and older generations. The series will be held Tuesdays, May 13, 20, and 27 from 5-6 p.m., and will involve MYTE youth, along with others from the community who wish to share their past.

“Often youth don't know our history,” Woods says. “This gives them a chance to share stories and ask questions.”

The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach is the 11th largest LGBTQ center in the country. The Center serves the city's LGBTQ community, currently 17% of the population in Long Beach—some 80,000 people and their families.

For more information, call 562/434-4455 or visit www.centerlb.org.

SCENE

Meet Julian Lopez, local Long Beach shopkeep and designer of the hot clothing line, Hilo Brand

BY JONATHAN RIGGS

FRONTIERS: What inspired you to start your own line?

JULIAN LOPEZ: I have always loved fashion. Having my own store, I work with many designers, and I always found myself adding my two cents to their pieces—so much so that one of them asked me, “Why not design your own stuff?” Now, here I am.

How would you describe the vibe of your designs?

The Hilo Brand designs are best defined as contemporary, classy, everyday wear for men and women. Hilo Brand design can be worn for a nice evening out or utilized fashionably for a casual day at the office.

What's your favorite thing about fashion?

Aside from wearing it, [it’s] how it can define you—the possibilities for showing off your individuality are endless. Also, looking good helps you feel good, even if you're wearing something simple.

How does living and working in Long Beach influence your work?

I love Long Beach. I knew I wanted to live here ever since I first attended college at Long Beach State. The wide variety of culture and diversity in the beach city is what instantly attracted me, including its numerous independent businesses.

What's it like being a gay business owner here?

I am very supported by the locals who shop at my store and even by some of the city dignitaries. It's nice to know that people support independent businesses—“gay” or “straight.”

What's your earliest fashion-related memory?

I remember being 3 years old and my grandmother getting so upset that I removed my shorts and threw on some pants. I found the shorts to be tacky, but I got a spanking!

Why should we drape ourselves in Hilo Brand?

If you think you could only wear it to go out to the bar, think again! Also, it's not only available at my store, Hilo Clothing, but at other stores, such as Aktivo Clothing store in West Hollywood.

Last question: who is fashion for?

Anyone who desires it. I got a degree in advertising and journalism, but my heart led me here. The same can be true for anyone.

Hilo Clothing Store: 2752 E. Broadway Blvd., Long Beach. For more information, visit www.hilobrand.com or call 562/438-9354.

COMMUNITY

The Store that Gives Back

Long Beach’s AIDS Assistance Thrift Store has the community on it’s mind

BY MIGUEL SEDANO

Going into their 20th year of business, the nonprofit AIDS Assistance Thrift Store continues to thrive in serving the local community and providing assistance to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. Located next to the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach, this unique store is a haven for the antique dealer looking for that special grandfather clock, or the movie buff in search of that eclectic cult classic only available in the depths of the Amoeba DVD section.

So whether you are spring cleaning, adjusting your feng shui, moving, or just itching to haul away that coffee table and desk chair cluttering up the walking space in your garage, founder Daniel Johnson insists that, “if it’s good and sellable, we take it. Whether it’s clothing or furniture, there are always dealers looking to buy products even though our sales base is the local community.” Moreover, according to Johnson, “a lot of our store products are donated when people are moving.”

In addition to offering buyers cheap deals and bargains, the store’s underlying purpose as a nonprofit is to donate a portion of their proceeds to help those living with HIV/AIDS. “We give grants to people and agencies who provide direct assistance for people with AIDS, and our voucher program allows individuals to come in five times a year to pick out things they need,” Johnson says.

The store is currently working on putting together their 19th Annual Spring Art Sale that will feature sculptures, paintings, art, pottery, and antiques. Depending on the time of year, the store organizes fundraisers that help raise money for HIV/AIDS assistance and to keep the store afloat. “The beginning of the year we have book sales; first editions, coffee table books, and paperbacks. Halloween is a big time for fundraising money to run the store. During this time we sell lots of Halloween vintage clothing and jewelry and anyone who wants to donate anything helps us keep our store running,” Johnson says.

So before throwing away those old board games, paperbacks, VHS tapes, or bed frames, remember that there are always ways of donating them to a good cause. Or, if you are simply in search of a good bargain or looking for a desk to fill that empty corner, stop by and cruise the store. They’ve also recently created an e-mail registry system that notifies buyers of sales and events.

For more information, e-mail AIDS Assistance Thrift Store, at aids_assist.thrift_store@yahoo.com.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Pink Party for Pride

Put on some pink and get an early start on Pride at the first ever Pink Party Long Beach. “We’re hoping everyone will wear pink, at least a touch of pink,” says co-host Steve Sheldon. “But if people come pinkless, we’ll have pink beads for them.” DJ music, dancing, free hors d’oeuvres, prizes, and a raffle are all part of the fun. Tickets are $20. All proceeds benefit The Center Long Beach’s youth mentoring through empowerment program. Fri., May 16 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Smooth’s Sports Grill, 144 Pine Ave. For information, call 562/485-3131.

Go Green and Go to Pride too

Check out technologically advanced cars at the KABC Clean Air Car Showcase where Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, and Chrysler will show off their latest hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about the eco-friendly autos and offer test drives too. “People can stop by en route to the Pride Festival nearby,” said Steve Sheldon, marketing manager for Downtown Long Beach Associates. Hosting it next door to the festival is no accident. “The demographics for Pride and the Autoshow overlap significantly,” Sheldon said. Sat., May 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Pike, 99 Pine Ave., in downtown Long Beach

Breaking Bread with Couples Group

The South Bay Center sponsors a Couples Group that meets twice monthly. The first Saturday of each month features a picnic in a South Bay park, while the third Friday features a local restaurant gathering. The year-old group attracts both gay and lesbian couples, ranging in age from 20s to 70s. “We have a good time. It’s just casual conversation; nothing heavy. The only serious discussion we ever have is deciding where to meet the next time,” laughs organizer Maurice Chevalier. For gathering locations and more information, visit www.southbaycenter.org, or call 310/328-6550.

10K Run will be part of AIDS Walk

The 20th anniversary AIDS Walk Long Beach adds a 10K run to its activities this year. “When we added a 5K run last year, people asked why we weren't doing a 10K run too, so we devised a 10K course from the Pike down to the Belmont Pier and back,” said Garry Bowie, executive director of Long Beach AIDS Foundation which sponsors AIDS Walk. The 5K run and the regular walk will follow the bike path from the Pike around the shore, the same course used in previous years. AIDS Walk Long Beach is June 21, starting at 9 a.m. For more information, call 562/987-5200.