Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 28 to January 3

Here are free arts and cultural events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 28, to Friday, Jan. 3.

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

Family Science Fiction Classics presents "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" (1964, NR) starring John Call and Pia Zadora Saturday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Martians come to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus because there is nobody on Mars to give their children Christmas presents, but two Earth children are kidnapped as well, and they set out to save Santa and return him to Earth. See the trailer here. The kitchy film has been digitally remastered from the best surviving prints.

The annual Live on Green festival Sunday and Monday, Dec. 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid avenues will include live music from pop and rock to jazz and folk, additional entertainment from drum circles and theater groups to dance troupes and comedians, a family fun zone, Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game historical films and exhibits, demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and much more.

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" (2019, PG) starring Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried will be shown Friday, Jan. 3, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A witty and philosophical golden retriever named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) gains insight into the human condition at the side of his best friend, a Formula One race car driver. See the trailer here. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

The first Friday of every month is Free Admission Night at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Jan. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions "By Day and By Night: Paris in the Belle Époque," "Paul Gauguin's 'The Swineherd,' 1888, on loan from LACMA" and "Beyond the World We Know: Abstraction in Photography" plus everything else the museum has to offer.

Photo credits: Jalor Productions, Live on Green, Fox 2000 Pictures, Heath Ceramics

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 21 to 27

Here are arts and cultural events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 21, to Friday, Dec. 27.

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

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! One Colorado will bring snow flurries to the courtyard to accompany the Charles Dickens Carolers and icy snow cone treats Saturday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Jason "Bluesbop" Keene will perform jazz on an electronic harmonica in concert Saturday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Garfield Promenade (street level) at Paseo Colorado. Be on the lookout for festive snowfall and Santa!

A brass quintet will perform a holiday concert in and around the courtyard at One Colorado Sunday, Dec. 22, from 1 to 2 p.m. as part of Random Acts of Music presented by the Pasadena Symphony and Pops .

The annual family festival in front of Pasadena City Hall sponsored by Chabad of Pasadena Sunday, Dec. 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. will feature the lighting of a giant menorah to signal the beginning of Hanukkah, live klezmer music, traditional foods, Hanukkah crafts, giveaways including gelt and dreidels, and more. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to attend. Please note the large menorah is removed after the festival.  

The Katie Ferrara Duo will perform in concert Sunday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Garfield Promenade (street level) at Paseo Colorado. Be on the lookout for festive snowfall and Santa!

Hanukkah 2019 will be celebrated from Dec. 22 to 30. Enjoy special displays commemorating the Festival of Lights at Central Library. Please note the library will be closed Dec. 25.

"Heidi" (1937, NR) starring Shirley Temple and Jean Hersholt will be shown Monday, Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. at Villa-Parke Community Center Branch Library. In the Swiss Alps, the newly orphaned Heidi is left in the care of her bitter grandfather whose hardened heart she soon softens before things take a sinister turn and she is stolen by a sinister aunt, which leaves Heidi forlorn and yearning to go home to her grandfather. Free popcorn will be provided.

Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture is Friday, Dec. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. Enjoy music, stories and tasty dishes prepared by members of the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and more.

Photo credits: Visit Pasadena, Jason Keene, Cool Cleveland, Pasadena Star-News, Katie Ferrara, Museum of the Bible, Twentieth Century Fox, City of Sunny Isles Beach, 

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 14 to 20

Here are arts and culture events scheduled Saturday, December 14, to Friday, December 20.

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

Old Pasadena's Yappy Holidays Saturday, Dec. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Big Bang Theory Way (near 93 E. Green St.) is a festive meet-up for everybody's pooches! There will be live, toe-tapping music, an official green carpet, Santa's merry-costumed elves, picture-perfect photo opps with holiday props, special doggy treats, free Yappy Hour bandanas (while supplies last), visits from local Instagram doggy celebrity guests and much more. Pups are encouraged to dress in their holiday finest (but that's not required). All dogs must be on leashes. This event is for dogs and their people friends only -- no other types of pets will be allowed.

Layla Lane will perform a holiday concert Saturday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Garfield Promenade (street level) at Paseo Colorado. Keep your eye out for festive snow and Santa! Music and Snow concerts are scheduled every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 22.

The Cantare Chamber Choir will perform choral works by Antonín Dvořák, Claude Debussey, Thomas Tallis, Arnold Schoenberg, Johannes Brahms and more Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in Pasadena Conservatory of Music's Barrett Hall.    

The Baseball Reliquary presents the final "A Swinging Centennial: Jackie Robinson at 100" concert Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. at Robinson Park Recreation Center featuring cornetist Bobby Bradford's jazz suite "Stealin' Home" featuring an all-star ensemble, plus singer/songwriter Byron Motley's performance of songs that reflect Robinson's historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Light refreshments will be served. While admission is free, please RSVP to sporras@cityofpasadena.net. 

The opening reception for the exhibition "Trudie Strobel: A Life in Tapestry" is Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts. Trudie Strobel's haunting embroidery work is drawn from the stitching techniques of Yemenite Jews and chronicles the history of the Jewish people and the horror of the Holocaust, and tells a cautionary tale that remains relevant today. 

Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas will perform holiday music Sunday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

If you're looking for a sing-along "Messiah" by George Frederic Handel, come to Lake Avenue Church Sunday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m., with a 35-piece chamber orchestra, a 100-member choir and five soloists. This event has become the largest of its kind in the Los Angeles area, so think about arriving early. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. Child care will be provided for children 0 to 5 years old. The Lake Avenue Gold Line station is just a half block away if you want to avoid the hassle of finding a place to park. 

Monday@JoJo's will perform holiday favorites a cappella with their captivating harmonies Monday, Dec. 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Group presents "L'Amore" (1948, NR, Italian with English subtitles) starring Anna Magnani and Federico Fellini Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 1:30 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Hoping to find redemption, a young woman who has been seduced and abandoned in the big city returns to her small town and discovers her male neighbors know all about her fall from grace because her new reputation has preceded her. The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Group features a provocative movie the first and third Tuesday of every month, preceded by a presentation about the film's hidden history and followed by a lively discussion., Free popcorn will be available. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

AlmaNova will perform works for flute and guitar Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The House Without a Christmas Tree" (1972, NR) starring Jason Robards and Mildred Natwick will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A man embittered by the death of his wife is enraged when his young daughter wins a Christmas tree at school, so she attempts to soften his heart.

The Little Brazil Trio will perform a holiday concert Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard at the Pasadena Playhouse, presented by the Playhouse District Association.

See the ideas, concepts and projects created by the next generation of artists and designers at Art Center College of Design's exhibition featuring the works of fall 2019 graduates Thursday, Dec. 19, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. in Exhibit Hall B at the Pasadena Convention Center. The grads will be there to chat it up with visitors about their stellar works and their plans for the future. RSVP here.

Photo credits: Old Pasadena Management District, Layla Lane, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Armory Center for the Arts, Girl Talk HQ, Eurekatainment, Finecine, AlmaNova, CBS Television Network, Little Brazil Trio, Art Center College of Design.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 7 to 13

Here are arts and entertainment events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 7, to Friday, Dec. 13.

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

The Winter Wonderland celebration for kids Saturday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore in the Playhouse District will include treats, holiday crafts and a free photo with Santa.

Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon to 5 p.m. will feature Santa's Village, holiday crafts for kids, cookie decorating, strolling carolers, roaming holiday characters, a scavenger hunt, live music, giveaways and more.

A Swinging Christmas Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library will feature a selection of jazz tunes and holiday favorites performed by the Larry Muradian Trio and the Blair Studio Singers, plus the lighting of the Allendale Park Christmas tree (5:30 p.m.). Refreshments will be provided.

The holiday season at One Colorado will kick off with a concert by Nutty performing their signature mixup of jazz, swing and lounge in the courtyard Saturday, Dec. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The second Sunday of every month is Free Admission Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum. On Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. join in a drop-in collaborative artmaking workshop inspired by the current exhibition "Following the Box," take a docent-led tour of the museum, enjoy a performance by students from artworxLA and bring the kids to a special storytime.

Celebrate the season at a holiday open house at the Pasadena Museum of History Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. with festive live music by Galen Wilkes, refreshments and free entry to the Finnish Folk Art Museum, the Fenyes Mansion adorned with touches of Edwardian-style holiday décor, plus free admission to the current exhibition "Starting Anew: Transforming Pasadena, 1890-1930" in the main building.

The Pasadena Master Chorale will present "A Dickens Christmas" with music of the season and readings from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" Sunday, Dec. 8, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church. RSVP here. 

Berman Board is an ongoing exhibition at Armory Center for the Arts through Jan. 12 that considers the future of 11 objects that originated from regions and cultures across Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. Sunday, Dec. 8, to Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. join the Berman Objects Reading Group in reading a selection of extracts from texts on the subjects of collecting and restitution, including theoretical texts, poems, fiction and the 2018 Restitution Report. Ten of the 11 objects will be on hand as a case study for discussion. 

Pam Kay and her famous Tap Chicks will perform a selection of favorite routines themed for the holidays Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

The Bob Baker Marionettes heartwarming holiday show will be performed Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. 

"I'll Be Seeing You" (1944, NR) starring Joseph Cotten and Ginger Rogers will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A soldier suffering from combat fatigue meets a young woman on Christmas furlough from prison, and they attempt to have a happy Christmas together.

The Great American Songwriters series continues with "Popular Christmas Songs and the Stories Behind Them" Thursday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Pianist Bob Lipson and commentator/singer Don Snyder will perform holiday and seasonal favorites including "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Let It Snow," "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Sleigh Ride" and "The Chipmunk Song." You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

Get into the spirit of the season at the Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Thursday, Dec. 12, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library featuring musical performances, crafts and other activities. 

The Playhouse District Association presents classical and jazz guitarist Joe LoPiccolo and friends in performance at a holiday concert Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Vroman's Bookstore.

"Call Me Mrs. Miracle" (2010, NR) starring Doris Roberts and Jewel Staite will be shown Friday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Posing as an unassuming toy clerk, Mrs. Miracle gets to work at making Christmas meaningful for the owners and customers of a financially troubled New York City department store. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

The Christmas tree-lighting celebration Friday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library and La Pintoresca Park will including community carol-singing, craft-making and more.

Help decorate the Christmas tree at Lamanda Park Branch Library Friday, Dec. 13, through Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Make an ornament and then find a special place on the tree to hang it. All materials will be provided.

Photo credits: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, South Lake Avenue Business Association, Feature Pics, Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture, Nutty, Pasadena Master Chorale, Armory Center for the Arts, Pam Kay, Selznick International Pictures, Books and Umbrellas, PX Here, Newman University, MRM Productions (II), Grateful.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events November 30 to December 6

Here are arts and entertainment events scheduled Saturday, Nov. 30, to Friday, Dec. 6.

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

Children 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well-trained dogs at Barks and Books Monday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. at San Rafael Branch Library. Barks and books continues at various branch libraries throughout December.

Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena presents a concert Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 12:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Selections will include Beethoven's Piano Trio in D Major performed by Eve Lubin on piano, Katie Boyle on violin and Margery Fain on cello; Brahms's Sonata in F Minor performed by Geraldine Keeling on piano and Emily Denney on clarinet; Debussy's Children's Corner Suite performed by pianist Louise Earhart; and mezzo-soprano Adrien Raynier performing selections from Bach's Christmas Cantata and Magnificat in D Major.

The first Tuesday of every month is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., art education students from Cal State LA will guide children and families as they create special projects with paper.

Berman Board is an ongoing exhibition at Armory Center for the Arts through Jan. 12 that considers the future of 11 objects that originated from regions and cultures across Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. On Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. Fiona Connor and Neil Doshi, two of the project leaders, will present recorded interviews with people in and around Los Angeles about being stewards of a non-institution collection. After this listening session, the recordings will become part of the Berman Board archive.

Young children are invited to hear Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" performed by the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map). In the narrated story about a boy and his animal friends setting out to capture a wolf, against the wishes of his grandfather, each character is assigned a different musical instrument or class of instruments, and Peter himself is represented by the entire orchestra.

"Meghe Dhaka Tara" (The Cloud-Capped Star) (1960, NR, Hindi with English subtitles) starring Supriya Choudhury and Anil Chatterjee will be shown Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at USC Pacific Asia Museum. A selfless young woman sacrifices her own happiness to provide for her uncaring, unappreciative family. Free popcorn will be available. RSVPs are encouraged.

The Christmas tree-lighting celebration signaling the beginning of the holiday season in the Playhouse District is Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in the courtyard at the Pasadena Playhouse, with live music, a performance by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater and perhaps even some snow! If you bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Spark of Love Toy Drive, you'll receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

"The House Without a Christmas Tree" (1972, NR) starring Jason Robards and Mildred Natwick will be shown Friday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A man embittered by the death of his wife is enraged when his young daughter wins a Christmas tree at school, so she attempts to soften his heart. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

The lighting of the Christmas tree at Pasadena City Hall is a holiday tradition! Come to the festivities Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. for light refreshments, a visit from Santa, crafts for kids, live performances by local school and community groups and much more. Be sure to snap a photo with the Ho-Ho-Ho man himself in Santa's Village. Mayor Terry Tornek will flip the switch to light the tree at 6 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Pasadena Police Department's own Lt. Rodney D. Wallace and Sgt. Glenn Thompson will serve as emcees. If you can, bring a new, unwrapped toy for the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. 

The first Friday of every month is Free Admission Night at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the exhibitions By Day & By Night: Paris in the Belle Époque and Beyond the World We Know: Abstraction in Photography plus everything else the museum has to offer.

SAVE THE DATE!

Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon to 5 p.m. will feature Santa's Village, holiday crafts for kids, cookie decorating, strolling carolers in costume, a scavenger hunt, live music, giveaways and more.

Photo credits: AV Daily News, Kidspace Children's Museum, Armory Center for the Arts, Little Golden Books, Pasadena Playhouse, CBS Television Network, City of Pasadena, Heath Ceramics.