Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Aug. 30 to Sept. 5

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 30, to Friday, Sept 5.
All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 

Pasadena doesn't get all its electricity from the local power plant. See the new film "Energy Roadmap" Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse 7. The film explores how Pasadena's electricity is created and how that energy makes its way into homes, businesses and institutions. Reservations are required. Everyone in attendance will receive free popcorn and a free LED light bulb. 

The final event in the Playhouse District Summer Jazz Series will feature Grey Beret Sunday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, and continuing through Oct. 9, Pasadena Central Library will be the site of a national traveling exhibition commemorating the Dust Bowl, including photos, oral histories, writings and scholarly analysis.

Tuesday, Sept. 2, from, 4 to 8 p.m. is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. Your children will enjoy a special musical performance, create their own art and play games from other countries. 

The Great American Swing Band will have everybody up and moving when they perform Big Band, rhythm and blues, jazz and Dixieland Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. in the band shell at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar.

Helix Collective will perform high-energy, out-of-the box classical music Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 12:10 to 12:30 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon concert series. 

Part I of "The Dust Bowl" (2012, PG), a documentary film by Ken Burns, will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Part II will be shown Sept. 10 at the same time.

Admission to the Pasadena Museum of California Art is free the first Friday of every month from noon to 5 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 5, experience everything California art, architecture and design from 1850 to the present day.

"Belle" (2013, PG) starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Matthew Goode will be shown Friday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral is raised by her aristocratic granduncle in 18th century England. You don't have to be a member of the Senior Center to attend.

The Norton Simon Museum opens its doors for free the first Friday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy everything the museum has to offer -- including Degas, Rembrandt, historic Asian art, contemporary works and more -- Friday, Sept. 5. 

"Chicken Run" (2000, G) with the voice talent of Mel Gibson and Miranda Richardson will be shown Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. ["or when it gets dark," according to the website] in the courtyard at One Colorado. While the chickens on evil Mrs. Tweedy's farm dream of a better life, a clever hen named Ginger is hatching plans to fly the coop - for good.

SAVE THE DATE!

On Saturday, Sept., 6, Pasadena Central Library will host "Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone By," a full day of special activities commemorating the Dust Bowl, the disaster that wreaked havoc on the Great Plains in the 1930s.


Photo credits: Seourpicz, Kidspace Children's Museum, Joogleberry Acts, Arrested Motion, Living History Farm, York Vision, Hometown Pasadena, IMDB, PBS.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Aug. 23 to 29

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 23, to Friday, Aug 29.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 

Do you have a green thumb? Drop in on the Gardening Club and Seed Library Saturday, Aug. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library.

Come see the 10 Pasadena Idol teen finalists Saturday, Aug. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Garfield Promenade at Paseo Colorado. They have been learning how to enhance their vocal and performance techniques, so prepare to be impressed as each steps up to the microphone to compete for the title of Pasadena Idol! A red carpet opening will begin at 5 p.m. 

The final event in the Levitt Pavilion summer concert series at Memorial Park is Brother Sun and John Fullbright performing folk and rock Saturday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Summer Jazz Series in the Playhouse District continues with Tony Inzalaco Sunday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore.

Grammy-winning Lisa Haley and the Zydekats will perform lively Cajun Zydeco music Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. in the band shell at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar.

In celebration of Women's Equality Day 2014 and the day women in the U.S. won the right to vote in 1920, there will be a special screening of the documentary "Feminist: Stories from Women's Liberation" Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. 

"The Adventures of Tintin" (2011, PG) with the voice talent of Daniel Craig and Jamie Bell will be shown Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.

You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to see "Still Mine" (2012, PG-13) there starring James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold. A mature couple fights local authorities in rural New Brunswick to build their final home.

Pasadena doesn't get all its electricity from the local power plant. Be one of the first to see "Energy Roadmap" Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse 7. The film explores how Pasadena's electricity is created how that energy makes its way into homes, businesses and institutions. Reservations are required. Everyone in attendance will receive free popcorn and a free LED light bulb. The film will also be shown Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m.


Photo credits: Through Two Blue Eyes, Green Thumb Garden Club of Uvalde, The Ryder, IMDB, Lisa Haley, Brother Sun

Mystery History -- Solved!

The winner this week is Terrie with her 4:10 p.m. Tuesday guess "Fenyes Mansion with Tom Nix" (sic). 

In the 1918 photo above, a scene from the silent movie "Western Blood" starring Tom Mix and Victoria Forde is filmed at the Fenyes Mansion in Pasadena. Other scenes were shot in wide open spaces near Santa Clarita.

Mix and Forde had starred together in several Fox Film Corporation short films; this was their first full-length Fox feature. They got married shortly after the film's release. 

Tom Mix was an honest to goodness cowboy who had been a U.S. Marshal in Oklahoma and a Texas Ranger. He was the first Hollywood superstar, popularly known as King of the Movie Cowboys and starring in 283 films from 1909 to 1940. 

He also had a traveling circus and wild west show. 

Here is the same side of the Fenyes Mansion today that is in the top photo:

Eva Scott Fenyes was the first person in Pasadena to allow film production on private property; the first movie filmed at the Fenyes Mansion was D.W. Griffith's "When Kings Were the Law" in 1912.

The most recent film with scenes shot there was "The Social Network" in 2010. Scenes were also shot at the Pasadena Masonic Temple and one of the fraternity houses at Caltech. (Thanks to Bellis for the clarification.)

You can see a more complete list of films shot at the Fenyes Mansion here.

One final photo: The Tom Mix Circus and Wild West Show came to Pasadena in March 1936. I'm not sure which neighborhood this was. Anybody?

A lot of filming takes place in Pasadena. Is your property ready for a starring role? Click here for more information and to register. 


Many thanks to Pasadena Museum of History, Pieces of Our Past, Circus World, Silent Hall of Fame and Big Old Houses.

Mystery History

Where are we? And what's happening?

The first person to guess correctly will win lunch with me -- I'll buy yours and you'll buy mine.

Remember, leave your brief guess as a comment on this blog post but don't try to give the entire back story (that's my job).

I'll have the full scoop on Thursday.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Aug. 16 to 22

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 16, to Friday, Aug 22.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 

TCU, winner of the 2011 Rose Bowl Game, will produce a national breast cancer music video in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation featuring Josh Grobin's "Brave" Saturday, Aug. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Rose Bowl Stadium and you can be part of it! Find more information and register right this minute here.

The Dive-In Movie Fest at the Robinson Park pool comes to a close Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. with "Little Giants" (1994, PG) starring Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neill. Young misfits form their own opposing football team to an elite peewee team.

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca will perform afro latin music Saturday, Aug. 16, 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. 

The Summer Jazz Series in the Playhouse District continues with Little Road Sunday, Aug. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore.  

Guitarist Richard Smith will perform tango music Sunday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Provide your input on priorities for future bikeways in Pasadena during a community meeting Monday, Aug. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Center.

The Perfect Gentlemen will combine harmonies with humor Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Gold Shell at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar.

"Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian" (2009, PG) starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson will be shown Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Security guard Larry Daley infiltrates the Smithsonian Institution to rescue Octavius and Jedediah, who have been shipped there by mistake.

Birdie's Playhouse will perform for children (and everyone) Wednesday, Aug. 20, 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.

See Folded: The Origami Art of Robert J. Lang, one of the leading masters of the art, through Aug. 20 at Art Center College of Design's Williamson Gallery. 

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

• For children: Frog-themed book party with stories, crafts and more Thursday, Aug. 21, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Brach Library.  
• Download Pasadena Public Library's summer newsletter for the full Summer Reading Club schedule.

Admission to the Pasadena Museum of California Art is free the third Thursday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 21, see the current exhibitions "June Wayne: Paintings, Prints and Tapestries" and "Time, Space & Matter: Five Installations Exploring Natural Phenomena" as well as everything else the museum has to offer. 

Representatives from utilities, advocacy groups and the private sector will discuss the drought’s impact on cities in this region and the future of water in Southern California during a special forum Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Southern California Public Radio's Crawford Family Forum. Larry Mantle, host of Airtalk on KPCC Radio, will moderate.

Omega String Quartet will perform soul music Thursday, Aug, 21, 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.

Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution will perform soul and gospel Friday, Aug. 22, 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.


Photo credits: IMDB, Sweet Station, Robert J. Lang Origami, Louis Stern Fine Arts, Hearken Creative, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Framingham Public Schools, Pilates in Brighton, Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager, Birdie's Playhouse, Hotflick,

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Aug. 9 to 15

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 9, to Friday, Aug 15.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 

Folk singer Ross Altman will present "Countdown: The Cold War Hit Parade" with songs by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and others as well as related stories Saturday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library, 

Mariachi Divas will perform traditional Latin music Saturday, Aug. 9, 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.
 

Join the art collaborative Fallen Fruit in the courtyard at One Colorado Sunday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for communal jam-making. Bring homegrown or self-picked public fruit and clean, empty glass jars. 

The Summer Jazz Series in the Playhouse District continues with North Side Jazz Collective Sunday, Aug. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore.  

Hot Club of Detroit will perform jazz Sunday, Aug. 10, 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.

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

• For teens: Create and develop characters for video games and animation films Monday to Friday, Aug. 11 to 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. on the West Patio at Central Library. Led by Ronald Llanos, Art Center College of Design. Call (626) 744-4066, option 4, to register.
• For children: Creative writing workshop Friday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. in the Children's Story Room at Central Library. 
• Download Pasadena Public Library's summer newsletter for the full Summer Reading Club schedule.

Will Ryan and the Cactus County Cowboys will perform the swingingest tunes ever to come out of the old west Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar. 

"The Sandlot" (1993, PG) starring Denis Leary and James Earl Jones will be shown Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A new boy in the neighborhood joins up with the regular baseball buddies and all is well until he hits a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the Beast's back yard.

Planning a trip to England? With plenty of trains and dozens of operating companies but no national train system, figuring out how to get around can be daunting. Learn the ins and outs Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Distant Lands.

"Mr. Peabody and Sherman" (2014, PG) with the voice talents of Ty Burrell and Max Charles will be shown Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7:45 p.m. in the park at Villa-Parke. An advanced canine and his adopted son travel through time as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created. 

You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to see "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954) starring Jane Powell and Howard Keel there in the Scott Pavilion Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide they want to get married too. Subtitles will be included for anyone with hearing impairments.

Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band will perform interactive, bilingual music for children (and everyone) Wednesday, Aug. 13, 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.

The Dwight Trible Ensemble will perform eclectic music Thursday, Aug. 14, 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.

Dr. Ashwin Vasavada of JPL's Mars Science Laboratory will present "Curiosity's Second Year: The Epic and Occasionally Bogus Journey to the Foothills of Mt. Sharp" Friday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College.

The Dive-In Movie Fest at the Villa-Parke Community Center pool continues with "Free Birds" (2013, PG) with the voice talents of Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson Friday, Aug 15, at 8 p.m. Two turkeys team up to travel back in time to change the course of history - and get turkey off the holiday menu for good. 

Blame Sally will perform Americana music Friday, Aug. 15, 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.

 

Photo credits: North Side Jazz Collective, Culinate, IMDB, Dallas Movie Screenings, Petrea Burchard, Slant, L.A. County Arts Commission, M Live, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Steve Reid Foundation, Tom McKean, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Framingham School District, BritRail, Pasadena Public Library, Fox Sports