LONG BEACH CULTURE : FOCUS

Terrace Theater Located near where the old Long Beach Municipal Auditorium once stood, the glittering Terrace Theater is an object of pride to many Long Beach residents and a symbol of the city’s new emphasis on culture. Completed in 1978 as part of the $51.5-million Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center featuring exhibit halls, meeting rooms and a sports arena, the theater seats 3,141 and is fronted by a 200-foot lobby with glass walls looking out onto an attractive fountain. In addition to hosting such local events as performances by the Long Beach Symphony and Civic Light Opera, the theater has recently begun to attract major musical and dramatic talent from Los Angeles and other metropolitan areas. Recent performers have included Liberace, Andy Williams and Victor Borge.

Attractions

1. California State University, Long Beach, Art Museum, 1250 Bellflower Blvd.; 12 exhibitions a year by internationally known and emerging contemporary artists; 498-5761

2. Long Beach Ballet, Terrace Theater at convention and entertainment center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.; classical ballet from September until June with 26 dancers performing traditional and contemporary works; director, David Wilcox; 424-8498.

3. Long Beach Blues Festival; mid-September; citywide event, with Blues Weekend at California State University, Long Beach; a weeklong celebration of the blues, from traditional to contemporary, featuring live music, and blues in art; performers have included B.B. King, Brownie McGhee, Albert King and Johnny Copeland; 498-5566

4. Long Beach City College Art Gallery, 4901 E. Carson St.; six shows a year: faculty, student and four exhibits by primarily Southern California contemporary artists; 420-4317

5. Long Beach Children’s Museum, Marina Pacifica Mall, 6336 E. Pacific Coast Highway; hands-on exhibits, daily art activity, dress-up corner, infant-toddler area and educational gift shop; field trips available; 431-1084

6. Long Beach Civic Light Opera, Terrace Theater at convention center; Broadway musicals and oprettas performed from October to March, with celebrity guest concerts and a Christmas spectacular; 435-7605

7. Long Beach Community Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St.; a 57-year-old group with a 200-seat theater and horseshoe-shaped stage featuring family-oriented plays, and a 98-seat Equity Waiver playhouse upstairs featuring experimental theater; alumni have included Robert Mitchum and Hugh Beaumont; 494-1616

8. Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd.; contemporary museum focusing on California artists; 439-2119

9. Long Beach Opera, Center Theater (800 seats) at convention center; three-opera season is October through May with opera-as-theter productions; general director, Michael Milenski; 436-9611

10. Long Beach Symphony, Terrace Theater and Long Beach Arena at convention center; classic series in Terrace Theater is mid-September through mid-April, with traditional and newer compositions and two concerts highlighting Mozart and Beethoven; music director and conductor, Murry Sidlin; Cabaret Pops series in Long Beach Arena is late January through early June with focus on party atmosphere featuring picnic or catered dinners; music director, Murry Sidlin; 436-3203