Grand Prix Fun Sans the Cars

Grand Prix to-dos outside of the racetrack.

Gleaming machines on wheels rule the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and rightfully so. But the street race is so large that, like other events of its size, it has sprouted and supports all sorts of other things to do, some of them car-related, some not.

Here are a few things to catch between races, and after the races wrap:

Lifestyle Expo: Like a lot that is happening over the Grand Prix weekend, the expo is at the race-close Long Beach Convention Center. What's there? Several booths showing "action sport demos," an area for kids to monkey around, and plenty of looking/strolling for the sun-weary shopper.

Lucha VaVOOM: It's an all-ages show, which, if know the lovely lascivious Lucha, is notable. It's also at the convention center. It's at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16, and if you've got a race ticket, it is just $20. Note that you can still go to the wrestling/burlesque night even if you're not attending the races, but it'll cost you $30.

Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar Concert presented by KLOS: Cheap Trick is the headliner. It's on Saturday, April 17, on an outdoor stage near the convention center. And, bonus: If you're going to the races, you can go to this on the house.

Arena JAMM: Also at the Long Beach Convention Center. The "JAMM" in the name says there will be music, and lots of it. About 18 or so bands'll play 30-minute gigs throughout the day each day of the Grand Prix. Here's the line-up.

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