Looking for Something to Do? Free Events July 12 to 18

 

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, July 12, to Friday, July 18. Events are open to everyone unless otherwise noted.

I've had a couple of requests to include more art-related events, so you'll see some below. (You can hop from one opening reception to the next at Armory Center for the Arts!)

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 
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Recycle your old electronics safely and responsibly at the eWaste collection event Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brookside Park parking lot (Lot I). You may also bring up to five boxes of paper documents to be shredded. This event is open to Pasadena residents only.

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Local author and Disney historian Sam Gennaway will recount how Disneyland was conceived and nurtured into a source of joy and inspiration for generations of visitors Saturday, July 12, at 2 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library.

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge include the following (and much more!):

• For teens: Learn the art of incorporating history into fiction during a creative writing workshop Saturday, July 12, at 2 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library. 
• For adults: Step back into the 1920s and spend an afternoon with F. Scott Fitzgerald Saturday, July 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library.
• For children: Learn what therapy dogs are trained to do and how they make a difference in patients' lives Tuesday, July 15, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. 
• Download Pasadena Public Library's summer newsletter for the full Summer Reading Club schedule.

The opening reception for the California Art League juried exhibition "Summers Past" is Saturday, July 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the historic Blinn House. The exhibition will run from July 27 to Sept. 26.
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The opening reception for "Rain or Shine," an exhibition of art and poetry created by adults with disabilities, is Saturday, July 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts. The exhibition will continue through Sept. 7.

The opening reception for the exhibition "The Fifth Wall" at Armory Center for the Arts is Saturday, July 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will run from July 13 to Dec. 14. 
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The opening reception for the exhibition "Expanding on an Expanding Subject, Part 1: Margie Livingston, Paint as Canvas" at Armory Center for the Arts is Saturday, July 12, at 7 p.m. The exhibition will run from July 13 to Aug. 31.
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The opening reception for the exhibition "Big City Forum: Research and Actions at the Urban Level" in the second floor mezzanine gallery at Armory Center for the Arts is Saturday, July 12, from 7 to 9 p.m.
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The Dive-In Movie Fest at the Robinson Park pool kicks off with “Shark Tale” (2004, PG) with the voice talent of Robert De Niro, Will Smith and Angelina Jolie Saturday, July 12, at 7 p.m.  Dive-In Movie Fest will continue every Saturday through Aug. 16.
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Spaniard Carlos Nuñez will perform celtic music Saturday, July 12, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Nuñez is the world's foremost player of the guita, traditional bagpipes of Spain's northwest coast. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.
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The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "House of Usher" (1960, NR) based on Edgar Allen Poe's tale and starring Vincent Price and Mark Damon Saturday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m. in Central Park. A man discovers a curse when he arrives at his fiancée's family mansion! Music will begin and food will be available at 7 p.m. 
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The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "Gravity" (2013, PG-13) starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney Saturday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m. in Hugus Alley at One Colorado. A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive when a disaster strikes their space shuttle and they are set adrift. Music will begin and food will be available at 7 p.m.

In celebration of National Ice Cream month, stop by the courtyard at One Colorado Sunday, July 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. for a free treat.  

The Summer Jazz Concert Series in the Playhouse District kicks off with the Elliott Caine Quintet Sunday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore. The series continues every Sunday through Aug. 31.

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Bobby Rodriguez Latin Jazz will perform Sunday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists" (1995, NR) Sunday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts. The documentary examines California artist Gerald Gaxiola who gave up everything to make art for art's sake.

The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "Them!" (1954) starring James Whitmore, James Arness and Fess Parker Sunday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m. in Central Park. Atomic testing in New Mexico causes common ants to mutate into giant, man-eating monsters that threaten civilization! Music will begin and food will be available at 7 p.m.

The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "Money & Life" (2013) Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The film explores the meaning, purpose and influence of money in our lives and how it relates to economic and climate changes. A community conversation will follow the film screening.

The Susie Hansen Latin Band will perform fiery jazz and salsa that will have the audience up and dancing Tuesday, July 15, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the bandshell in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ shack.

"Paulie" (1998, PG) starring Tony Shalhoub and Gena Rowlands will be shown Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library. A talking parrot tells his life story to a janitor at an animal testing lab.

La Pintoresca Teen Education Center's Super Hero Film Festival for ages 12 to 18 continues with "Hulk" (2003, PG-13) starring Eric Bana and Jennifer Connely Wednesday, July 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. A genetics researcher with a tragic past suffers an accident that causes him to transform into a raging green monster when he gets angry. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.

Children and families (and everyone) are invited to Princess & Pirate, a sing-along concert for children Wednesday, July 16, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. 

Two leaders on Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Curiosity Rover team will present "Curiosity's Flat Tire on Mars, and What We Did About It" Wednesday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (building 91 on this map).

Admission to the Pasadena Museum of California Art is free every third Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and first Friday from noon to 5 p.m. On Thursday, July 17, see the current exhibitions "June Wayne: Paintings, Prints and Tapestries" and "Time, Space and Matter: Five Installations Exploring Natural Phenomena" as well as everything else the museum has to offer.   

Author and poet Teresa Mei Chuc, a Saigon native, will discuss the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam War, her family's experience immigrating to the U.S. under political asylum and will read passages from her book "Red Thread" Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.

"Despicable Me 2" (2013, PG) with the voice talent of Steve Carrell and Russell Brand will be shown Thursday, July 17, at 7:45 p.m. outdoors in the park at Villa-Parke Community Center. Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.

Kamasi Washington & Teebs Band with DJ Carlos Niño will perform jazz experimental music Thursday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

"Despicable Me" (2010, PG) with the voice talent of Steve Carrell and Russell Brand will be shown outdoors at Paseo Colorado Thursday, July 17, at 8 p.m. When a criminal mastermind with a crew of mischievous minions uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds their love is profoundly changing him for the better.

A new load of fresh garden mulch recycled from Pasadena Public Works Department street tree trimmings will be delivered to Victory Park Friday, July 18. Bring a container, gloves and a shovel anytime between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. This event is open to Pasadena residents only while supplies last. 

The City of Pasadena and the family of 1936 Olympic silver-medal-winning runner Mack Robinson will host a celebration of Robinson's life Friday, July 18, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall.

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You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to see "The Way We Were" (1973, PG) there starring Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand Friday, July 18, at 2 p.m.  A couple enjoys a wonderful romance but eventually their political views and other factors drive them apart. Subtitles are included for any viewers with hearing impairment.

Another celebration of Mack Robinson's life will include a reception, a display of memorabilia and a video of his historic performance at the Berlin Olympics Friday, July 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Creveling Lounge (Building CC on this map) at Pasadena City College.

Dr. Linda Spilker, a scientist with Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Cassini Project, will present an interactive forum titled "Revealing Saturn: Cassini's Tenth Year" Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College.
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"Walking with Dinosaurs" (2013, PG) will be shown outdoors at Robinson Park Friday, July 18, at 7:45 p.m. An underdog dino triumphs to become a hero for the ages.
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Johnny Tillotson and Brian Hyland will perform oldies rock Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.
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The Dive-In Movie Fest at the Villa-Parke Community Center pool continues Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. with "Rio" (2011, G) with the voice talent of Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway. A domesticated exotic bird in Minnesota who never learned to fly is thought to be the last of his species, but when he and his owner learn he has a female counterpart in Brazil they decide to take a walk on the wild side.
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The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "Last Stop for Paul" (2006, PG-13) starring Neil Mandt and Marc Carter Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. at Distant Lands. On their way to Thailand for the Full Moon Party, two men sprinkle the ashes of their friend Paul as they meet people in different countries and have interesting adventures. 

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The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents "Animal Crackers" (1930, NR) starring The Marx Brothers Friday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. in Hugus Alley at One Colorado. Mayhem and zaniness ensue when a valuable painting goes missing during a party in honor of an explorer. Music will begin and food will be available for sale at 7 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE!

Due to an electrical issue, the Old Pasadena Film Festival was unable to screen "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" (1987, PG) on July 5. It has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. This spoof of B movies is widely heralded as one of the best bad movies ever made. Scientists band together to save the world from mutated tomatoes that kill! Music will begin and food will be available for purchase at 7 p.m.



Photo credits: eTours, Framingham Public Schools, Fascination with Fear, Warner Bros. Pictures, Night Journey Rewind, The Vault of Horror, Katie Teague, MovPins, Fan Carpet, Paramount Pictures, Mandt Bros. Productions, That's Reel Talk, Top of Ten, What Culture, Magic Pictures Entertainment, Elliott Caine Quintet, Bobby Rodriguez, Carlos Nuñez, L.A. Weekly, Armory Center for the Arts, California Art League, The History Kitchen, Geek, Hypothetical, IMDB, City of Pasadena, Complex Sports.