Looking for Something To Do? Free Events Aug. 8 to 14

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 8, to Friday, Aug. 14.

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

California Assemblyman (and former Pasadena City Councilman) Chris Holden's annual block party on his street Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature live music, children's arts and crafts, free school backpacks while supplies last, classic car show, Ballet Folklorico, video game trucks, puppet show, free hot dogs and lemonade, community resource tables and much more.  

Gary Lewis and the Playboys will perform all their iconic hits from the '60s and beyond Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. 

Mia Doi Todd will perform a program of Brazilian-inspired avant folk music Saturday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Movies in the Park presents Flight of the Navigator (1986, PG) starring Joey Cramer and Veronica Cartwright Saturday Aug. 8, at 7:45 p.m. at Washington Park. A boy has an adventure with the alien spacecraft that has transported him eight years into the future. 

The second Sunday of every month is Free Admission Day at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. On Sunday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. enjoy the Pacific Islands Festival including the exhibition The Art of Pacific Asia in the Orientation Gallery all day, art activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., special tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a performance by the Aloha Time Machine at 2 p.m. and more.

Join the L.A.based collective Fallen Fruit in the courtyard at One Colorado Sunday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for communal jam-making. Bring homegrown or picked public fruit.

The Playhouse District's Summer Jazz Series presents the Scott Martin Band Sunday, Aug. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Vroman's courtyard.  

Laith Al-Saadi featuring Jimmy Vivino will perform rock and blues Sunday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

• Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Read to the Rhythm summer reading program include the following (and much more):
• For children: Ages 8+ will learn about the science behind inventions that let us record and replay great music Monday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Children's Story Room at Central Library, then make your own phonograph for playing records. Call 626-744-4066, option 4, to sign up. 
• For teens: Come for a low-tech game night Monday, Aug. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Central Library's Studio on 4th where there will be snacks and board games including Castle Panic, Forbidden Island, Yahtzee, Risk, Ticket to Ride and more.
• Download the summer newsletter for the full schedule. 

INCA the Peruvian Ensemble will perform a colorful array of music and dance from the Andes region using authentic instruments Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the bandshell  at Memorial Park. Sponsored by the Pasadena Senior Center, all ages are welcome. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

Pete's Dragon (1977, G) starring Mickey Rooney and Helen Reddy will be shown on the big screen Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A young orphan flees his abusive foster family and befriends a magical dragon while his family is in hot pursuit.

Mariachi Divas will perform Thursday, Aug. 13, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.  

The Dirty Dozen (1967, NR) starring Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine will be shown on the big screen Friday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A U.S. Army major is assigned a dozen convicts to train and lead them into a mass assassination mission of German officers during World War II. You do not have to be a member to attend.

The California Feetwarmers will perform jazz and ragtime Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

Movies in the Park presents McFarland, USA (2015, PG) starring Kevin Costner and Ramiro Rodriguez Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. at Villa-Parke. A cross country coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.

 

Photo credits: Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association, Ann Erdman, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, mxdwn.com, Signal Hill Tribune, Fallen Fruit, Scott Martin Band, Laith Al-Saadi, Edyta Linek, Cinema Blend, Mariachi Divas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, California Feetwarmers, i09.