DTLB Art + Design Walk – July 26, 2025 Edition
Downtown Long Beach delivered a standout summer weekend, packed with energy, creativity, and community vibes. With the Vans Warped Tour drawing more than 80,000 attendees—one of the city’s biggest music events ever—and the DTLB Art + Design Walk bringing local culture to the streets, the area was alive with activity. Conversations with residents and visitors highlighted a growing appreciation for Downtown’s revival, where art, music, and good company are giving people new reasons to rediscover the heart of the city. Dive into these street-level perspectives for fresh inspiration on making the most of DTLB.
THE AIMERITO FAMILY
David Aimerito (L) and family
This Bixby Knolls family makes frequent visits to Downtown, often taking the Blue Line and walking around before checking out a movie at The Pike. “We like how busy and lively Downtown is,” said father David. “There are always art, fashion, food, and music events. It’s cool that there’s so much going on at once.” He went on to recommend Midnight Oil, the tasty new cocktail spot on Long Beach Boulevard, and HALO, the amazing rooftop bar at the Fairmont Breakers Hotel on Ocean Boulevard. He also advised catching the Aqualink water taxi at Seaport Village on the other side of town, taking in the summer sunset and sipping some cocktails during the 40-minute cruise Downtown, then selecting a fine eatery for dinner!
SEDELLE REDDIX
Sedelle Reddix
Reddix, a Downtown resident, is a very active local DJ. He just performed at the Love Long Beach Festival and is a regular at Foot Work Records on 3rd Street. “I do tons of walking in Downtown during summer and throughout the rest of the year,” he said. “That’s how I discovered places like Foot Work Records and Dance Music Initiative down on the beach when they did their Sunset Selects. The community showed up to enjoy good music, good vibes, and sharing love. I tend to find a lot of that just by walking Downtown streets.”
CHERYL CROWE & DENISE DUBE
Cheryl Crowe (L), and Denise Dube (R)
These Retro Row residents visit Downtown just about every weekend, whether it’s Shoreline Village, East Village, or the Downtown Core. They rode their bikes to the Art + Design Walk last Saturday, armed with interactive digital maps that listed all Art Walk activations. Dube, a photographer, has participated in many DTLB art events over her 35 years in the city. “There’s an art revival coming back to Downtown,” she said. “It’s great to see that energy coming back.” Cheryl, a customer service manager for a large company, stays updated on Downtown events through Denise. “I love art but I don’t have that art gene,” she explained. “Denise is the creative in the family.”
WENDY CELIOS, HARVEY CONDE, & ZEUS ADONIS
Wendy Celio (L), Harvey Conde (C) and their new baby, Zeus Adonis
“We love to walk Downtown to experience new people and things,” said Conde, who strolls with the family from their home just above Downtown near Anaheim Street and Cedar Avenue. “We’re finding much more culture now. We also like to visit the Friday Farmers Market on The Promenade. Sometimes we drive and park in the free two-hour lot on 3rd Street next to Farmers & Merchants Bank.” They enjoy giving their two-month-old son Zeus Adonis an early start in the appreciation of Downtown Long Beach!
MICHAEL ZIOBROWSKI
Michael Ziobrowski
Mixed media collage artist Ziobrowski, who lives in Santa Ana, makes frequent trips Downtown to visit his many friends. His work was on display at The Record Box during the Art + Design walk last Saturday. “I’ve been coming to DTLB for many years and it always feels very creative, especially on summer weekends,” he said. “You can feel great energy from all the people out to have fun.” He loves all of Downtown’s record shops, and he’s also a fan of the Grand Prix, Van’s Warped Tour, and trade shows like Comic Con, which is coming up at the end of August.
KONRAD THOMPSON & ALLISON MOCILNIKAR
Konrad Thompson (L) and Allison Mocilnikar
Musician/Producer Thompson, a Belmont Shore local, accompanied his Belmont Heights friend to the Art + Design Walk, and both were impressed with Downtown vitality. “There’s a lot more activity, post-Covid,” said Mocilnikar. “It’s obvious that there are a lot of people working hard to build DT back up.” She has a vested interest in DTLB; She has a child who attends Renaissance High School, and soon she will be moving Downtown! “I love the year-round energy and the activity here,” she said. “I really want to help pump up all the arts and culture that are happening.”
Looking for more events in Downtown? Check out downtownlongbeach.org/events for the full online calendar.