Looking for Something to Do? Free Events October 1 to 7

Here are free events scheduled from Saturday, Oct. 1, to Friday, Oct. 7.

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

KPCC Radio will host a community open house Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet your favorite Southern California Public Radio hosts, tour the broadcast studios, enjoy plenty of activities, partake in free food and beverages, enter to win special prizes, and much more.

Attend the opening reception for "Harry Dodge: The Inner Reality of Ultra-Intelligent Life" Saturday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts and enjoy the exhibition, which will include premieres of two new video works as well as sculptures and drawings. The exhibition will continue through Jan. 8.

"Radio Imagination: Artists in the Archive of Octavia E. Butler" is a group exhibition* debuting six new, contemporary commissions inspired by the Octavia E. Butler papers at the Huntington Library. Attend the opening reception Saturday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts and enjoy the exhibition, which will continue through Jan. 8.

Following the opening reception for "Radio Imagination: Artists in the Archive of Octavia E. Butler" at Armory Center for the Arts, Malik Gaines and Alexandro Segade will collaborate with local singers for "Star Choir," a multimedia musical performance Saturday, Oct. 1, from 8 to 9 p.m.* at Memorial Park (across the street) based on texts drawn from Butler's novels and archive.

Get up and moving Sunday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning with a warmup led by Basecamp Fitness in front of the Rose Bowl Stadium, then walk one lap around the Rose Bowl Loop (the red line on this map) with firefighters and other Pasadena Fire Department personnel, all of whom will be wearing pink shirts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (you can purchase one in front of the stadium if you want; proceeds will help support Huntington Hospital's Jim and Eleanor Randall Breast Center), followed by the Health and Fitness Fair at Brookside Park. 

The first Tuesday of every month is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. children will celebrate animals by meeting some of the Kidspace Critters, learning what kinds of animals make good family pets, creating toys and treats to take home to pets, enjoying a 6 p.m. parrot show and much more. 

Preschool-aged children are invited to Sunny Tales: Fall Fun Time Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Finnish Folk Art Museum on the grounds of the Pasadena Museum of History. Each child will create a fun autumn craft following the stories.

Bring your young child(ren) to the courtyard at One Colorado for a Mommy & Me morning with a performance of Luce Puppet Co.'s "The Reluctant Dragon" Thursday, Oct. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. A boy befriends a peaceful, poetry-loving dragon, but when townspeople hire a knight to slay it, the boy comes up with a plan.

"Leave Her to Heaven" (1945, NR) starring Cornell Wilde and Gene Tierney will be shown Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A writer meets a socialite on a train and the two marry soon after, but her obsessive love for him threatens to be the undoing of them and everyone around them.

A series of kids' craft afternoons begins Thursday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado where children will use geometric wooden shapes to create patterns on fabric and learn about the history of this ancient textile form. The workshop will be led by Purple Twig.

The next supply of garden-ready mulch from Pasadena Public Works Department street tree trimmings will be available Friday, Oct. 7, at the southeast corner of the parking lot at Victory Park. Bring your own shovel, container and gloves between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The mulch supply is replenished once a month from February to November and is available to Pasadena residents only. Mulch is also available at Robinson Park every fourth Friday from February to November in the south parking lot.

The first Friday (and third Thursday) of every month is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Friday, Oct. 7, from noon to 5 p.m . enjoy the new exhibitions "In the Land of Sunshine: Imaging the California Coast Culture" and "Lloyd Hamrol/Joan Perlman: 'a sky in the palm of a hand'" and everything else the museum has to offer.

"Porgy and Bess" (1959, NR) starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge will be shown Friday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. In this legendary Gershwin opera set in 1912 in a South Carolina tenement, a disabled man overlooks the past of a woman trying to break free from her brutish lover. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The first Friday of every month is Free Visitors Night at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition "Dark Visions: Mid-Century Macabre" and everything else the museum has to offer.

Learn about the observations of ancient astronomers who were the first to record spectacular supernovas and ponder their significance Friday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. at Caltech's Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (south side of California Boulevard -- #17 on this map), and then stargaze through powerful telescopes.

Find your own voice as author Esther Bradley-DeTally walks you through the process of writing during the hands-on, six-week "The Courage to Write" workshop Fridays, Oct. 7 to Nov. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. No prior experience is necessary. Reserve your spot by calling 626-744-7268. There will be no class on Nov. 11, the Veterans Day holiday.


*Layla Ali, Malik Gaines, Alexandro Segade, Lauren Halsey, Mendi + Keith Obadike, Connie Samaras and Cauleen Smith.

**There will be two performances, each 20 minutes in length -- the first at 8 p.m. and the second at 8:40 p.m.

Photo credits: Southern California Public Radio, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena Now, Happy Birds, Annandale United Methodist, Luce Puppet Co., One Colorado, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Samuel Goldwyn Company, InnerSelf, Supernovae, The Storytelling Center Inc. of New York City.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Sept. 24 to 30

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Sept. 24, to Friday, Sept. 30.

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

Learn watercolor techniques from local artist Janell Mithani Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library, then paint a flower using what you've learned. Call 626-744-7264 to sign up.

The summer concert series at Levitt Pavilion comes to a close with Element Band performing Armenian-inspired folk fusion Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Franz Joseph Haydn is Pasadena Conservatory of Music's composer of the year. Enjoy performances of his works and learn about his life Sunday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. 

Works by Christen Austin, LP AEkili Ross and Maurice Howard are featured through Sept. 28 at Alkebu-lan Cultural Center. Come to a special reception Sunday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. 

"The Odd Couple" (1968, PG) starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Two friends share an apartment but their ideas about lifestyles and housekeeping are as different as night and day.

Teens will create miniature, magical fairy gardens Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Villa-Parke Branch Library. All materials will be provided. The workshop will be led by local artist Janell Mithani. Call 626-744-6510 to sign up.

Pasadena City College presents a Jazz Faculty Concert Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in Westerbeck Recital Hall at PCC's Center for the Arts (Building CA on this map). 

The 2015 documentary "Star Men" will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (Building 91 on this map). Four of the world's leading astronomers celebrated 50 years of friendship and exploration during a reunion road trip through the American Southwest. Along the way they chatted about astronomy, the unimaginably vast reaches of the universe, life on other planets and our own, and more. The four began their friendship as British students at Caltech. See more info about the screening here.

If Caltech had a founding father, it was astronomer George Ellery Hale, who also was a guiding force behind the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. "George Ellery Hale's Vision of the Humane Scientist: Has It Survived?" is the title of a talk that will be presented by John Sutherland, University College London professor emeritus, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. in Caltech's Baxter Hall (Building 77 on this map). 

"The Letters" (2014, PG) starring Juliet Stevenson and Rutger Hauer will be shown Friday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The life of Mother Teresa is explored through letters she wrote to her longtime friend and spiritual advisor Father Celeste van Exem over a nearly 50-year period. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Photo credits: Ann Arbor Art Center, Meher Kourouyan, Thomas Hardy, Alkebu-lan Cultural Center, Paramount Pictures, By Stephanie Lynn, Wellesley College, Bungalow Town Productions, Caltech, Big Screen Productions V.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Sept. 17 to 23

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, Sept. 17, to Friday, Sept. 23.

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

Everybody loves to meet firefighters and see big, red fire engines up close. Come to an open house at Fire Station 34 (Del Mar Boulevard just east of Holliston Street) Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. Pasadena Fire Department personnel will lead tours, showcase fire trucks and special equipment, provide disaster preparedness information and much more.

This is Constitution Week! On Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Central Library, exhibits will include women involved n the American Revolution; members of the Martin Severance Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will staff an information table near the circulation desk where they'll provide free gift bags, each with a pocket-size U.S. Constitution, small American flag, U.S. Flag Code and Pledge of Allegiance bookmark; at 1 p.m. everyone will be invited to take turns ringing bells throughout the first floor in celebration of Bells Across America, a national commemoration of Constitution Week.

Learn about the artists and architects who incorporated their ideas for the Arts and Crafts movement into the Arroyo Culture movement and how iconic landmarks such as The Gamble House continue to endure Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library.

An open house celebrating the 25th anniversary of A Noise Within Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will include backstage tours, a sneak peek at the rehearsal process, visits with actors and the creative team, and more. Reservations are required (click on the link above). 

The third annual Pasadena Loves YA teen book festival Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at Central Library will feature nearly two dozen Young Adult genre authors in panel discussions, Q&A and book signings plus light refreshments and more. Teens may arrive as early as 11 a.m.

Singer/songwriter Glen Phillips will perform Saturday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Renowned blues singer/guitarist Laith Al-Saadi and "Conan" musical director Jimmy Vivino will perform Sunday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Constitution Week continues Monday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library where an information table will be staffed by members of the Martin Severance Chapter of DAR who will provide gift bags containing a pocket-size U.S. Constitution, a small American flag, U.S. Flag Code and a Pledge of Allegiance bookmark. 

An LA Opera community educator will take visitors through Giuseppe Verdi's gripping and mesmerizing opera "Macbeth" based on William Shakespeare's play Monday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center. An Anglo Saxon lord receives a prophesy from a trio of witches that one day he will be king of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his power-hungry wife, Macbeth murders the king and takes the throne for himself in a plot that ends in despair. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Calling all teens! If you are an Undertale fan, spend the afternoon playing and creating all things Undertale Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 3:30 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library.

"Mrs. Parkington" (1944, NR) starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A woman recounts the story of her life through the rises and falls in the family fortunes.

If you are an immigrant aged 50+, you are invited to attend an eight-week session to become a U.S. citizen Wednesdays, Sept. 21 to Nov. 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center. The first four weeks will cover some of the American history and U.S. government questions on the citizenship exam, along with discussions about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; the four remaining classes will cover more questions on the exam as well as how to complete the application for citizenship and have a successful interview. 

In celebration of Constitution Week, the one-hour film "To Begin the World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine" will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. The film stars Ian Ruskin with Elliott Gould as the narrator and cinematography/direction by Haskell Wexler. The first 20 people to arrive will receive founding father Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"; one hardcover "Thomas Paine, Crusader for Liberty: How One Man's Ideas Helped Form a New Nation" will be presented as a door prize. Ruskin will answer audience questions after the screening. 

Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well trained dogs at Barks and Books Thursday, Sept. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library.

The findings of NASA's Cassini mission have revolutionized our understanding of Saturn, its complex rings, the amazing assortment of moons and the planet's dynamic magnetic environment. What new puzzles will Cassini solve? Come hear the stories of the most recent discoveries and the growing excitement over final orbits of the robotic spacecraft Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College.

Stonehoney will perform southern rock Friday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Photo credits: Ann Erdman, The Gamble House, Tenth Amendment Coalition, A Noise Within, Pasadena Public Library, CPTV, NBC, Jimmy Vivino, Martin Severance Chapter DAR, LA Opera, TV Tropes, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Immigration Direct, Life of Thomas Paine Productions, Analia Saban, NASA, Stonehoney

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events September 10 to 16

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, July 10, to Friday, July 16.

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

U.S. Elevator will perform original works inspired by visionary '60s and '70s bands such as The Beatles, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Gram Parsons and The Hollies Saturday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Vocal music from the 1300s to today, arranged for women's voices, will be presented Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Sponsored by Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena.

Barbara Morrison will perform jazz Sunday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Children and families are invited to celebrate Roald Dahl Day Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Children's Story Room and West Patio at Central Library with birthday cake, crafts, a musical revue on film, a quiz to test your Dahl novel knowledge, prizes and a special presentation about the author's life.

Jazz vocalist VR Smith and an ensemble will perform Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Road to Morocco" (1942, NR) starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Two carefree castaways on a desert shore find an Arabian Nights city where they compete for the hand of Princess Shalmar as madcap adventures ensue.

The Orange County Guitar Orchestra will perform music from around the world Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

Albert Lee will perform rockabilly Thursday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

"Casablanca" (1942, NR) starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman will be shown Friday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A cynical American expatriate meets a former lover in Morocco in 1941 with unforeseen complications. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Fiestas Patrias Friday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Villa-Parke Community Center will celebrate the independence of 18 Latin American countries with live music, dance performances, children's activities, boxing and soccer exhibitions and much more. 

BMI Summer Nights presents rising Latin stars including Sin Color and ¡Aparato! Friday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket plus a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE!

Fire Station 34 on Del Mar near Holliston will host an open house the morning of Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. with tours, big red fire trucks, demonstrations and more.

Sept. 17 to 23 is Constitution Week throughout the U.S. In Pasadena, the Martin Severance Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will host three free activities at two public libraries that you won't want to miss!

Details will be included in my next Free Events blog post.

Photo credits: U.S. Elevator, I Wall Free, Barbara Morrison, The Conversation, John Gross Music, Paramount Pictures, Orange County Guitar Orchestra, Warner Bros. Women's West, Sin Color, ¡Aparato!