Looking for Something to Do? Free Events May 27 to June 2

Here are events scheduled Saturday, May 27, to Friday, June 2.

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

Family Fun Day at La Pintoresca Park Saturday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce house, fitness challenges, basketball tournament and much more. 

Folk singer and music historian Ross Altman will lead "Ask Not: JFK 100, a Musical Celebration of the John F. Kennedy Centennial" Saturday, May 27, at 2 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library. In conjunction with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's year-long centennial celebration, Altman will present songs from 1941 to 1963 that exemplify the history and background of JFK's World War II military service and his presidency. 

The Enduring Heroes memorial honoring 11 Pasadenans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq will be dedicated on Memorial Day -- Monday, May 29 -- at 3 p.m. at Defenders Park. The event will include patriotic music, keynote speakers and a flyover by the Condor Squadron. (When you click in to the Enduring Heroes link above, be sure to scroll down to the video, which is quite moving.) 

Classical guitarist Cameron O'Connor will perform Wednesday, May 31, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Last Best Year" (1990, PG)  starring Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters will be shown Wednesday, May 31, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A terminally ill woman and her therapist come to terms with their respective senses of loss.

"An Iliad," a modern retelling of Homer's classic, epic story "The Iliad," will be read by resident actors at A Noise Within Wednesday, May 31, at 7 p.m. as part of the Words Within series. While admission is free, reservations are required.

The first Friday of every month is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Friday, June 2, from noon to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer, plus a birthday party celebrating the museum's 15th anniversary.

"Fences" (2016, PG) starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis will be shown Friday, June 2, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A working-class father in 1950s Pittsburgh, bitter that baseball's major league color barrier was broken after his own heyday in the negro leagues, takes his frustrations out on his loved ones. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The first Friday of every month is Free Admission Night at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, June 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer.

SAVE THE DATE!

Reading by Design, Pasadena Public Library's summer reading program with something for everyone -- children, teens and adults -- kicks off Saturday, June 3.

Music Under the Stars in front of Pasadena City Hall is the annual gift to the community from the Pasadena Symphony and Pops. This year's concert on Saturday, June 3, at 8 p.m. will feature music from Broadway, Hollywood and the Great American Songbook, with guest vocalists and the JPL Chorus.


Photo credits: Williamsburg Families, Jesse Saucedo, Homeland Magazine, Cameron O'Connor, David W. Rintels Productions, A Noise Within, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Bron Studios, Norton Simon Museum.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events May 20 to 26

Here are events scheduled Saturday, May 20, to Friday, May 26.

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

The Spring Awakening Festival at Eaton Canyon Nature Center will feature traditional Native American dancers, drummers musicians, singers, storytellers and artisans plus special exhibits and more Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LitFest Pasadena returns for its sixth year Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with author panels, readings, children's activities, entertainment and more in the Playhouse District and Central Library. Yours truly will be introducing all of the authors on panels in the Friendship Room at the Pasadena Playhouse throughout the weekend. Here's the schedule.

The Pasadena Motorcycle Club, the third oldest motorcycle club in the U.S., will celebrate its 110th anniversary with a street fair Saturday, May 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall with live music, fun activities and much more. (The photo was shot in 1911 at the northeast corner of Raymond Avenue and Green Street.)

"Tango, Soul and Passion" is the theme of a special concert Saturday, May 20, at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena. Pianist Junko Ueno Garrett will perform works by Astor Piazzolla, Joe Hisaishi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, William Bolcom and Lowell Liebermann.

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music chamber music ensembles will perform Saturday, May 20, at 7 p.m. in Barrett Hall. The ensembles are made up of Quartetto Brioso, Canto Quartet, Quartet Capriccioso, Daghlian Trio, Fuoco String Quartet, Le Dolce Trio, Mellojam Trio, Padula Trio and Presto Quartet. 

The Gamble House and the Pasadena Museum of History will be among the museums opening their doors for free on Museums of the Arroyo Day Sunday, May 21, from noon to 5 p.m.

The annual Caltech chamber music marathon Sunday, May 21, beginning at 2 p.m. in Dabney Hall (#40 on this map) will include works written by composers from Beethoven to Piazzolla. 

The annual Expressing Feelings Through Art juried exhibition at Art Center College of Design's south campus Sunday, May 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. will feature the works of highly talented high school art students. A short ceremony with recognition and refreshments will begin at 3 p.m.

The opening reception for The Art of John Barge III is Sunday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Alkebulan Cultural Center. The artist will do some live painting; refreshments will be served.

The JPL documentary "To the Rescue" will have its premiere Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (# 91 on this map). Due to a minuscule flaw in the lens of the Hubble Telescope, JPL scientists and engineers came up with an unlikely and ingenious solution...but would it work?

Children ages 2 to 5 are invited to a special Wee Read program Wednesday, May 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Pasadena Museum of California Art that will include a storyteller reading the book "The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. Children will create a related craft to take home inspired by the book "Color Pasadena."

Ruth Kasckow on flute, Leslie Baker on bass, Ken Park on drums and Alan Geier on piano will perform Claude Bolling's Suite No. 1 for Flute and Jazz Piano Wednesday, May 24, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Lost Battalion" (2001, NR) starring Rick Schroder and Phil McKee will be shown Wednesday, May 24, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. An American battalion of more than 500 men gets trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest in France during the closing weeks of World War I. The film is based on true events.

Join Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and Fire Chief Bertral Washington as they lead a memorial event Thursday, May 25, at 10 a.m. in front of Pasadena City Hall (Garfield side) to pay tribute to Pasadena police officers and firefighters who gave their lives in service to their community. 

Meet and greet Pasadena police officers and volunteers and learn about efforts to deter crime in neighborhoods Thursday, May 25, from 4 to 5 p.m. when the Pasadena Police Department's mobile command post pulls up to Hastings Branch Library. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Family Fun Day Saturday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at La Pintoresca Park will include entertainment, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce house, fitness challenges, basketball tournament and more.


Photo credits:Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates, Pasadena Museum of History, Junko Ueno Garrett, Museums of the Arroyo, Caltech, Light Bringer Project, John Barge III, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cantilena Records, A&E Television Networks, City of Pasadena, Jason Clawson

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events May 13 to 19

Here are events scheduled Saturday, May 13, to Friday, May 19.

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

Students in fifth, sixth and seventh grades in PUSD's Math Academy will compete in Solve 2017, an exciting, interactive event that will feature individual and team contests Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Caltech's Baxter Hall (#77 on this map).

The Pasadena Police Department will host its first open house Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet police officers, take a tour, see demonstrations and exhibits, enjoy free food and much more. Don't miss the police helicopter fly-in!

Fire Service Day is Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by any or all Pasadena fire stations for open houses and tours where you'll meet firefighters and see big, red fire engines up close! At Station 33, there also will be demonstrations by firefighters, equipment displays, free food, family-friendly activities and more. 

Stroll through beautiful Arlington Garden Saturday, May 13, where more than 30 artists will show their work in a juried exhibition (Art on Palm) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Parson's Nose Readers Theater series presents "I Remember Mama" Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 14, at 2 p.m. The play, based on playwright John van Druten's childhood recollections, is a study of life centered around a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco in the early 20th century. While the readings are free, reservations are required. 

Classical guitarist Kendrick Shen will perform works by Dowland, Paganini, York, Villa-Lobos, Tarea, Ponce and de Falla Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

The Caltech Glee Club and Caltech Symphony will perform Saturday, May 13, at 8 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium at Baxter Hall (#77 on this map). Works will include Haydn's Mass in Time of War and Revuelta's 1935 score for the Mexican film "Redes" ("Nets).

The Crown City Symphony will perform works by Bruch, Debussy and Barber Sunday, May 14, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Pasadena.

The Caltech Chamber Ensembles will perform a special Mothers Day concert Sunday, May 14, at 3:30 p.m. at Dabney Hall (#40 on this map) with works by Franck, Arensky, Ewazen, Mozart and Debussy.

Jazz bassist Putter Smith will perform with pianist Jeff Colella Wednesday, May 17, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Miracle Worker" (1979, NR), a made for TV movie starring Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert, will be shown Wednesday, May 17, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Devoted teacher Annie Sullivan leads deaf and blind Helen Keller into the light of learning.

The third Thursday of every month is Free Admission Night at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Thursday, May 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy everything the museum has to offer as well as a 6:45 p.m. conversation with "Interstitial" artists Shirley Tse and Aili Schmeltz in conversation with curator John David O'Brien about their works in the exhibition, followed by Q&A.

The documentary film "The Journey Within" (2015, NR) will be shown Thursday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. In a post-9/11 Pakistan faced with war and conflict, a powerful movement has led to one of the biggest cultural and musical initiatives in South Asia.

Everyone is invited to the fifth annual Jazz on Hill at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music Friday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Drop in anytime or stay all day! Learn about jazz history, sit in on a master class, enjoy a concert with guest artist Barbara Morrison and more.

"How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953, NR) starring Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall will be shown Friday, May 19, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Three fashion models of modest means rent an expensive Manhattan penthouse apartment and pretend to be wealthy so they can snare rich husbands. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The 37th annual Bandorama Saturday, May 19, at 8 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium at Baxter Hall (#77 on this map) will feature the Caltech Jazz Band and the Caltech-Occidental Concert Band performing works by Ellington, Mendelssohn, Bojčevski, Dello Joio, de Meij and more.

SAVE THE DATE!

The Spring Awakening Festival at Eaton Canyon Nature Center will feature traditional Native American dancers, drummers, musicians, singers, storytellers and artisans plus special exhibits and more Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LitFest Pasadena returns for its sixth year Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with author panels, readings and much more in the Playhouse District and Central Library.

The Gamble House and the Pasadena Museum of History will be among the museums opening their doors for free on Museums of the Arroyo Day Sunday, May 21, from noon to 5 p.m.

Photo credits: Pasadena Unified School District, City of Pasadena, Ann Erdman, Creative Arts Group, Gustav Wentzel, Guitar Salon, Caltech, Half-Pint Productions, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Mian Adnan Ahmed, Barbara Morrison, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events May 6 to 12

Here are events scheduled Saturday, May 6, to Friday,  May 12.

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

Saturday, May 6, is Free Comic Book Day! 

• Pick up free comic books at any Pasadena Public Library, P Dot's Comics & Collectibles, Comics Factory and Collectors Paradise during regular hours (one per person while supplies last).
• Creators and independent publishers of comic books will discuss "How Do Comics Happen?" during a special presentation for teens and adults at 2 p.m. at Central Library's Studio on 4th.

Teens are invited to Anime Afternoon Monday, May 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Library's Studio on 4th. Enjoy the Anime feature "Comic Party: Revolution," Japanese snacks and the newest manga in the library's collection.

Children and families will love The Wacko Show, a comedy and magic extravaganza Tuesday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library. 

The Elixir Piano Trio will perform Wednesday,  May 10, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"Postcards from the Edge" (1990, R) starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine will be shown Wednesday, May 10, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. An actress's drug addiction lands her in rehab and then at the home of her flamboyant actress/singer mother. The film is based loosely on Carrie Fisher's autobiographical novel.

Federico Garcia Lorca's play "The House of Bernarda Alba" will be read by resident actors at A Noise Within Wednesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. as part of the Words Within series. While admission is free, reservations are required.

Caltech history professor Nicholas Wey-Gomez will present "What Columbus Discovered" Wednesday, May 10, at 8 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map). He will discuss some of the facts and fiction surrounding Christopher Columbus's geographical surveys of the Bahamas and the Caribbean Basin and show how the navigator's discoveries revolutionized old ideas about the globe and how science, faith and politics shaped the momentous encounter between Europe and the Americas.

The documentary film "Bluespace" will be shown Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. in Caltech's Baxter Hall (#77 on this map). The film sets out on a creative expedition to two planets: Earth, where rising seas threaten our existence, and Mars, where canals and ice offer astrobiologists and authors of science fiction the promise of terraforming and colonization.

"Manchester by the Sea" (2015, R) starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams will be shown Friday, May 12, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at Pasadena Senior Center. After the death of his brother, a man returns to his hometown to care for his teenaged nephew and confront memories of a tragic event that led to divorce from his wife. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The Caltech Glee Club and Caltech Symphony will perform Friday, May 12, at 8 p.m. in Ramo Auditorium at Baxter Hall (#77 on this map). Works will include Haydn's "Mass in Time of War" and Revueltas's 1935 score for the Mexican film "Redes" ("Nets").

The Pasadena Community Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with guest pianist Rufus Bordal as well as Brahms's Hungarian Dance No. 19, Massenet's ballet music from the opera "Le Cid" and Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave Op. 31 Friday, May 12, from 8 to 10 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena.

Photo credits: Diamond Pop-Culture Network, Komipa Junbikai, The Wacko Show, Elixir Piano Trio, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Amazon Studios, Caltech, Pasadena Community Orchestra