It’s time to put your cards on...
It’s time to put your cards on the table and let the chips fall as they may. More than 2,000 players from around the world are expected to compete for part of the $5-million prize pool in the sixth annual Diamond Jim Brady Poker Tournament at the Bicycle Club, 7301 Eastern Ave., Bell Gardens, through Aug. 30.
Such games as hold ‘em, low-ball, seven-card stud and razz will be featured in the 20-event tournament. The player who collects the most points will drive away a red 1990 Corvette. Poker veteran Bob Thompson will be the host. Bicycle Club managing partner George Hardie, above, dressed in cutaway jacket and glittery vest, will assume the role of 1890s poker giant Diamond Jim Brady.
Tournament play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. weekdays and at noon on weekends. Each event spans two days, with public spectators welcome at the event finals. For information on the tournament, call (800) 537-2846.
The 1990 Long Beach Jazz Festival will return to downtown Long Beach for three days of music, food and fun from Friday through Aug. 12.
The festival will open Friday night with the piano playing of Bobby Lyle, the socially relevant songs of Gil Scott-Heron and singer Phyllis Hyman. Saturday’s musical lineup will be Ramsey Lewis, the Yellowjackets, Roy Ayres, the Rippingtons, Dakota Station, Hank Crawford and headliner Master Collection, featuring Kirk Whalum, Wayne Henderson, Alphonse Mouson, Nathan East and Muyuto Corea. The program for Sunday will include Hugh Masakela, Gerald Albright, Tania Maria, McCoy Tyner, the Al Williams Jazz Society plus Eddie Harris, the Nat Adderly Quintet and local favorite Poncho Sanchez.
Grounds will open for the festival at Rainbow Lagoon, Pine Avenue and Shoreline Drive, at 6 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday and Aug. 12. Lawn seating is available for $20 a day in advance and $25 at the gate. A limited number of box seats sell for $35 a day, and VIP seating is available for $100 each.
Festival vendors will sell ethnic foods, including African, Mexican, Caribbean and American specialties. VIPs will be served a gourmet meal, including personalized waiter and waitress service and complimentary wine.
Birdland West, a nightclub at 105 W. Broadway, Long Beach, will hold post-event parties on all three days of the festival. A festival stub will entitle the bearer to free admission. For information, call 436-7794.