Thursday, October 1, 2026
Johanna Mathieson-Ellmer, director of Artists in Partnership Inc. and the producer of the Barrier Beach Blues and Arts Festival, and George Trepp, the Director of the Long Beach Public Library, have announced that the organizations have teamed up to create the first-annual Folk-2-Funk Festival.
The Festival opens at Lola’s on Feb. 11 with an evening of blues, folk, funk and zydeco performed by the Polly-O Band. It continues Saturday at the Long Beach Public Library from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with local musician Benoir and the Dreamer Cult, along with New York City’s Brad Vickers and his Vestapolitans.
Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. features Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia, fresh off their recent PBS special with Bethany’s Dad, Peter Yarrow from Peter Paul and Mary. The music continues on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. with the duo of local Blues legends Howie Haber and Lou Carollo of Breakaway, followed by vocalist, musician and songwriter, Christine Solimeno at 2:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., Edlene Hart and the F&G Band take the stage with a set of original blues tunes.
When the Library events end, take a walk down to Lola’s, grab a bite and check out the Mike Barnett Blues Band who will be performing from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All programs are subject to change. Library seating is limited to 200. For a schedule and more information, visit www.aip-arts.org.
City and School Board Meetings
City Council — Meets at City Hall, 1 West Chester St., 6th floor, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18. For more information, visit www.longbeachny.org. Agendas for each meeting will be posted online at www.longbeachny.org/councilmeetings the Friday before each meeting.
Board of Education — Meets at the Long Beach Public Library for a budget presentation on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Zoning Board — Meets on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Events/Notices
L.B. holding career firefighter test — The City of Long Beach is giving an open competitive written Civil Service Exam for the position of a career Firefighter. The test will take place Saturday, March 5. The application period ends Friday, February 18. Candidates must have a Driver’s License upon Appointment and throughout employment. Also must have certification as a New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at time of appointment. Candidates must pass qualifying medical, psychological and physical fitness screening tests prior to appointment and have graduated from high school or have a high school equivalency diploma. For more information visit www.iaff287.org or http://www.iaff287.org/items/Firefighter%20test.pdf.
Memorial Fund for Police Officer — In response to the outpouring of support of those seeking to send donations for the family of Nassau County Police Officer Michael J. Califano who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 5, donations can be made to the Michael J. Califano Memorial Fund, c/o Nassau County P.B.A., 89 E. Jericho Tpke., Mineola, NY 11501. Officer Califano leaves behind a wife and three young boys.
Elle's Encore — In Memory of Nicole Lucivero, who was killed on Dec. 26, two weeks after her 25th birthday. A memorial fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Feb. 13 at the Inn, from 2 to 6 p.m. Nicole was known for contributing to many causes and was an organ donor. The event is meant to celebrate her life and benefit her family. For more information, visit www.ellesencore.com or e-mail ellesencore@gmail.com.
