Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events Nov. 24 to 30

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

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

NASA's InSight, the first robotic explorer built to study the interior of Mars and take the planet's vital signs, will land on Monday, Nov. 26. Watch NASA's live coverage of the landing during a viewing party beginning at 11 a.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map). Touch down is expected at about noon, with the first images coming through soon after. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., and seating will be on a first-come, first served basis, so come early! 

Shower (1999, PG-13, English subtitles) starring Cunxin Pu and Zhu Xu will be shown Monday, Nov. 26, at 12:30 p.m. in Studio on Fourth (fourth floor) at Central Library. A public bath house becomes the venue for sentimental and funny explorations of family and friendships. There will be a discussion following the film.

A bubbleologist will entertain and educate children and families by sharing the science behind bubbles during Bubblemania Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Park, sponsored by La Pintoresca Branch Library.

Pianist Carlos Gardels will perform classical works Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Lady on a Train (1945, NR) starring Deanna Durbin and Ralph Bellamy will be shown Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. While a train is stopped at a station, a female passenger sees a man murder a woman in a nearby building, but police think she's delusional because there is no body so she seeks the help of a popular mystery writer to work with her on solving the crime.

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, MUSE/IQUE guest performing artists will explore how music, when paired with words, can evoke deep wells of memory and unite a crowd of people in a single, shared emotion. You do NOT have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older. Participants who register in advance at the Welcome Desk and attend this event will be eligible for a limited number of free tickets for MUSE/IQUE'S Dec. 2 SINGING/STORIES concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. 

The Christmas tree lighting celebration for La Pintoresca Branch Library and La Pintoresca Park Friday, Nov. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the park will include carol-singing, holiday stories, crafts, free tamales and a visit from Santa Claus..

Sixteen members of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music faculty will perform in concert Friday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the conservatory's Barrett Hall. 

The Christmas tree lighting celebration in the courtyard at the Pasadena Playhouse will kick off the holiday season in the Playhouse District Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. with hot chocolate and coffee courtesy of Zona Rosa Caffe, live music, a performance by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater and more.

SAVE THE DATE!

Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue Saturday, Dec. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. will feature Santa's Village, carolers, children's holiday crafts, roaming holiday characters in costume, a scavenger hunt and more.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946, NR) starring James Stewart and Donna Reed will be shown Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map) in celebration of director Frank Capra's graduation from Caltech in 1918. There will also be a discussion about Capra's time at the institute. While the event is free, reservations are required. Parking in Caltech lots and parking structures is free on weekends.

JPL/NASA, Imar Film, Sportz Assassin, Carlos Gardels, Universal Pictures, MUSE/IQUE, Bill Frymire Visuals, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.