The Homeland Cultural Center's DanceFest is pirouetting back into the limelight in Long Beach. On August 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M., Cesar E. Chavez Park Amphitheater is set to become the city's groove central, as reported by the City of Long Beach.

According to the official city press release, Mayor Rex Richardson is jazzed about the communal vibe DanceFest is bringing, saying "DanceFest is a great way to spend a summer evening outside, enjoy a variety of cultural performances in art, music and dance, and get to know your neighbors," and he's encouraging Long Beachers to keep up with the free, fun and family-friendly" spirit all summer. The lineup is packed to the brim with local talent, presenting a cultural cornucopia that ranges from Popping & Locking to West African dance, where attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, and chairs, and pack a picnic to bask in the fest's return after a COVID-19 hiatus.

The Homeland Cultural Center is a year-round haven for free programs in various arts disciplines with the mission to explore and preserve traditional and contemporary cultural traditions. So, if you've got an inkling for the arts and you're thinking about delving into urban dance or drumming, or perhaps fancy yourself a poet or a thespian, the center’s doors at 401 Golden Ave are wide open—just check out LBParks.org for a full download on their offerings.

Speaking of downloads, don't forget about Long Beach's Summer of Opportunity initiative. This is bigger than just DanceFest, with a whole season dedicated to driving positive development among youth and taking a stand against youth violence, with the city weaving together a vibrant tapestry of summer activities designed to uplift and engage its younger denizens.

For more information on the event or to plan your summer around Long Beach's cultural heartbeat, head to longbeach.gov.