Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Jan. 28 to Feb. 3

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Jan, 28, to Friday, Feb. 3.

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

USC Pacific Asia Museum is still closed for a major seismic retrofit and restoration, but the revered institution will still host the annual celebration of the Chinese lunar new year Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the museum courtyard isn't available, the location for this Year of the Rooster event will be the courtyard at Fuller Theological Seminary just across the way from the museum. There will be dance, musical and martial arts performances, arts and crafts activities, a story time for children and much more.

Armory Center for the Arts, Kidspace Children's Museum and Pasadena Museum of California Art are among more than 30 Southern California cultural institutions that will open their doors for free during Museums Free-For-All Sunday, Jan. 29, during each institution's regular hours.

Jazz vocalist V.R. Smith and an ensemble will perform Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" (1974, PG) starring Cicely Tyson and Eric Brown will be shown Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A woman born into slavery in the 1850s recounts her life as she becomes part of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Enjoy a date night with a free movie in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library while staff members provide activities for your school-aged children (ages 8+) Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. You and your sweetheart will watch "50 First Dates" (2004, PG-13) starring Drew Barrymore as a woman with short-term memory loss who each day forgets what happened the day before, and Adam Sandler as the man who woos her over and over again. At the same time, your kids will be in the Children's Story Room creating Valentine cards, watching cartoons and enjoying refreshments. This event is limited to 50 parents/guardians and 50 children. Email creeder@cityofpasadena.net to sign up -- include names of adults plus names and ages of children. Arrive between 6:45 and 7 p.m. for check-in.

The first Friday (and third Thursday) of every month is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Friday, Feb. 3, from noon to 5 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer.

"Florence Foster Jenkins" (2016, PG-13) starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant will be shown Friday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A wealthy New York heiress attempts to become an opera singer despite her horrible singing voice. Based on a true story,. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Admission is free the first Friday of every month at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer. 

Photo credits: Ask Ideas, John Gross Music, Tomorrow Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Qwerty Films, Norton Simon Museum

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events January 21 to 27

Here are events scheduled from Saturday, Jan. 21, to Friday, Jan. 27.

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

If you're concerned about human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination, come to Pasadena City Hall for the Rally at the Rotunda Saturday, Jan. 21, from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Non-political leaders in their fields will discuss women's health, targeted communities, economic justice and public education. We'll share information about local organizations that serve women and we'll issue a call to action for moving forward with passion and purpose in 2017 and beyond. Please don't come if you plan on being disruptive or disrespectful -- this isn't that rally.

Sing along as Women on the Move Trio performs folk songs Saturday, Jan. 21, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Bring friends and family for this fun event! 

A celebration in honor of Pasadena-born Julia Child Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library will feature two French cooking demonstrations by Isabelle Camps-Campins using recipes from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume Two." Be one of the first 40 guests to arrive and you'll receive a ticket entitling you to sample the dishes!

Dr. Gary Stickel will introduce children (and people of all ages) to the Greek writer Homer's masterpieces "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" in a very unique way Saturday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. 

Enjoy a spellbinding afternoon of eclectic, eccentric and exemplary works, from poems to true stories to hilarious monologues and more, as 15 members of the Independent Writers of Southern California read aloud some of their witty, emotional and thoughtful works Sunday, Jan. 22, beginning at 2 p.m. at Vroman's Book Store.

Classical guitarist David Margolis, a music instructor at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, will perform in recital Monday, Jan. 23, at 3 p.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library. 

Classical pianist Charles Fierro will perform Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"From Time to Time" (2009, PG) starring Alex Etel and Maggie Smith will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. When a boy discovers he can mysteriously travel between two worlds that are two centuries apart, he begins to unlock family secrets that have been hidden for generations.

Children ages 8 to 12: May the Force Be With You! Learn how to create your own lightsaber from a master model-builder Thursday, Jan. 26, at 3:30 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. Call 626-744-7272 to sign up.

Calling all teen writers! Whether you're a novelist or a poet or simply love writing, join others who share the same passion Thursday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. in Teen Central at Central Library for a few writing exercises, bounce ideas around, talk about writing and share your work. Stories and poems produced during the session will be considered for the library's Teen Zeen.

Former Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard will serve as the narrator for Pasadena Community Orchestra's performance of Aaron Copeland's "Lincoln Portrait" Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene. The program will also include Copeland's "Outdoor Overture," Dudley Buck's "Festival Overture," Morton Goulde's "American Salute" and William Bolcom's "Seattle Slew."

Photo credits: University of Arkansas, Hellenism.net, Geocaching, South Pasadena Public Library, Keyboard Concepts, Ealing Studios, LucasFilm, T, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation,

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Jan. 14 to 20

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, Jan. 14, to Friday, Jan. 20.

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

The 2007 documentary "Rare Earth" will be shown Saturday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m. at Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map). Our planet is unique in the solar system and perhaps even in the galaxy. The film explores some key chapters in Earth's past -- from the formation of our moon to mass extinctions of life -- and asks how essential these events were to the emergence of complex life forms, including us. Christopher Spalding, a graduate student in geological and planetary sciences at Caltech, will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion.

The Whyman Project will perform genre-bending chamber music with an intriguing mashup of musical styles from classical and jazz to pop, rock and film music Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Pianist Louis Landon will perform Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. as part of the Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"Ladyhawke" (1985, PG-13) starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A thief comes to the aid of tragic lovers -- a woman who is cursed to become a hawk every day at sunrise and a man who turns into a wolf at sunset -- while the sorcerer who cast the spell sends his henchmen to prevent the couple from ever living in human form again.

The third Thursday (and first Friday) of every month is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Thursday, Jan. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer.

Noir Night Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library will feature Phoef Sutton, author of the modern L.A. noir mysteries "Heart Attack and Vine" and "Crush," who will introduce the film "The Long Goodbye" (1973, R) and discuss some of its labyrinthine plot points and the story behind the making of this witty and enthralling movie starring Elliott Gould and Nina van Pallandt, based on the Raymond Chandler novel of the same name. Private eye Philip Marlowe befriends a down-and-out war veteran whose wealthy and promiscuous wife ends up dead. As his friend goes on the lam, the police and a vicious gangster go after Marlow before he finally solves the case. Please note this film is not appropriate for children.

"The King and I" (1956, NR) starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr will be shown Friday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A British widow hired by the king of Siam to tutor his many wives and children in modern western culture soon finds herself in a culture clash of her own. Based on true events. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Photo credits: Bill Frymire, The Whyman Project, Louis Landon, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Pasadena Museum of California Art,, Lion's Gate Films.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Jan. 7 to 13

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Jan. 7, to Friday, Jan. 13.

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

Bring your broken small appliances, electronics, jewelry and tools -- plus dull knives for sharpening -- to Transition Pasadena's Repair Cafe Saturday, Jan. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center. There will also be a seed and seedling swap, gardening advice, music, the Really, Really Free Market (bring something, take something), massages and much more. You do not have to be a senior or a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Children and teens are invited to join Rose Queen Victoria Castellanos and her Royal Court for a special tea party as they share their favorite stories about kings, queens, princes and princesses Saturday, Jan. 7, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.

Songs from light opera will be performed by Carol Lande, Matthew Keffell and Ben Lin Sunday, Jan. 8, at 2:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library, presented by Tuesday Musicale.

Resident actors will perform a reading of Harold Pinter's play "The Birthday Party" Monday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at A Noise Within as part of the Words Within series. Reservations are required.

Pasadena Presbyterian Church will be one of the venues for the annual Villa-Lobos International Chamber Music Festival! Cellist Lars Hoefs and pianist Marek Zebrowski will perform Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m.

"Once Upon a Time" (1944, NR) starring Cary Grant and Janet Blair will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A fly-by-night Broadway producer promotes a 9-year old boy's talented caterpillar and alienates some very special people along the way.

Editorial staff from the Pasadena Weekly will discuss the ways hyper-local newspapers have found a sustainable niche serving their communities, how the PW makes editorial decisions, plus they'll shed some light on Pasadena city politics Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. The panelists, who will also answer your questions, will include Editor Kevin Uhrich, Deputy Editor André Coleman, Arts Editor Carl Kozlowski, Columnist Ellen Snortland and Contributor Justin Chapman.

"Sully" (2016, PG-13) starring Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart will be shown Friday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. After making a heroic emergency landing on the Hudson River, airline pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his copilot must justify their actions to the National Transportation Safety Board. Based on true events. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Photo credits: Repair Cafe Stuttgart, Tournament of Roses, Getty Images, Cheltenham Everyman, Lars Hoefs, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Pasadena Weekly, Flashlight Films.