Looking for Someting to Do? Free Pasadena Events June 29 to July 5

Here are events scheduled Saturday, June 29, to Friday, July 5. 

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

It's Showtime at Your Library! is the theme of this year's summer reading program for children, tweens and adults through Aug. 3. Register here. In addition to reading there are plenty of events and activities at all branches. Here are events scheduled June 29 to July 6:

• Children 12 and younger will love The Wacko Show, a comedy and magic extravaganza Saturday, June 29, at 11 a.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library.
• Children 12 and younger will watch with glee as Michael Rayner presents Whacky Jugglement, a combination of funny tricks and stunts with a whole lot of improvised fun Wednesday, July 3, at 4 p.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library. 

Yahoo! Happy 133rd birthday, Pasadena! We're celebrating a rootin-tootin' community birthday Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pasadena Museum of History with live entertainment, free admission to the current exhibition Giddy Up: Children Take the Reins, wild-west-themed activities, delicious birthday cake, crafts and other special activities for little cowboys/girls in training and much more.

The Playhouse District Association's Summer Jazz Concert Series presents the Colibri Quartet performing jazz, bossa and Americana Sunday, June 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Vroman's Book Store. 

Children 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well-trained dogs at Barks and Books Monday, July 1, at 1 p.m. at San Rafael Branch Library and 3 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. Barks and books continues at various locations throughout July.

Teens 13 to 18 are invited to show off their chops during an open session featuring hip-hop, breaks, funk and house music Tuesday, July 2, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. Learn how to DJ or express yourself on the open mic and dance floor.

"The Right Stuff" (1983, PG) starring Sam Shepard and Barbara Hershey will be shown Wednesday, July 3, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Covering some 15 years, this film recounts the formation of America's space program, concentrating on legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager and the original Mercury 7 astronauts.

"Independence Day" (1996, PG-13) starring Will Smith and Bill Pullman will be shown Wednesday, July 3, at 6 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. Aliens in a series of massive spaceships approaching Earth are welcomed by many, but have not come in peace, and they prove it by unleashing powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities. A group of scrappy Earthlings, including a computer genius, a hot-shot jet pilot and the president of the United States, are not going to give up without a fight.

"The Lion King" (1994, PG) with the voice talents of Matthew Broderick and Jeremy Irons will be shown Friday, July 5, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The lion cub Simba begins life as an honored prince and the son of the powerful King Mufasa, but after his happy childhood turns tragic, he is banished from the kingdom by the evil lion Scar, who wants the throne for himself.. As he approaches adulthood, he is visited by the spirit of his father who instructs him to defeat Scar and reclaim his rightful throne.

Admission is free for all visitors to the Norton Simon Museum the first Friday of every month. On Friday, July 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition Matisse/Odalisque, The Sweetness of Life: Three 18th Century French Paintings from The Frick Collection and everything else the museum has to offer.

SAVE THE DATE!

Parks After Dark presents fun youth and family activities every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. between July 10 and Aug. 10 at parks throughout Pasadena, including movies, concerts in the park, recreational swimming, arts and crafts, sports leagues, fitness classes and much more.


Photo credits: Pasadena Museum of History, Colibri Quartet, Walt Disney Pictures, Norton Simon Museum, Record Gazette, City of Pasadena, DJ Angelo, The Ladd Company, Twentieth Century Fox.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events June 22 to 28

Here are events scheduled Saturday, June 22, to Friday, June 28.

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

"It's Showtime at Your Library!" is the theme of this year's summer reading program for children, teens and adults through Aug. 3. Register here. .In addition to reading, the program includes plenty of fun events and activities at all branches. Here are events scheduled June 22 to 28:

• Children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy "The Three Little Pigs: A Puppet Musical Saturday, June 22, at 11 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. The fun show teaches the timeless lesson that hard work and dedication pay off.
• Children will learn about Asian arts and cultures through storytelling, crafts and more Monday, June 24, at 1 p.m. in the Children's Story Room at Central Library. This event is presented by educators from the USC Pacific Asia Museum.
• Children and families will love Arty Loon's variety show featuring magic, juggling, puppetry and silly fun Wednesday, June 26, at 4 p.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library.
• Children ages 5 to 12 will love the Billy Bonkers show filled with amazing magic, slapstick comedy and much more Thursday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at San Rafael Branch Library and 3 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. 
• Teens are invited to an informal Teen Writers Meetup Thursday, June 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Fourth Floor Conference Room at Central Library where you'll meet other teens, do a few writing exercises, talk about writing, bounce ideas around and share your work. 

In remembrance of the first moon landing 50 years ago, people of all ages are invited to see three classic science fiction films Saturday, June 22, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

• "Destination Moon" (1950, NR) starring John Archer and Warner Anderson. The first major sci-fi film to deal realistically with the subject of spaceflight and the dangers inherent in human space travel in accurate technical detail, the film traces the flight of four astronauts to the moon, but when they get there, they realize the ship is too heave to lift off the surface for the return back to Earth. 
• In 1950, three pioneering sci-fi giants -- George Pal, Robert A. Heinlein and Chesley Bonestell -- get together on the set of "Destination Moon" to discuss the making of that film. Don't miss this rare, historic kinescope recording and interview.
• "Countdown" (1968, NR) starring James Caan and Robert Duvall. Based on the novel "The Pilgrim Project" by Hank Searls, the film focuses on two NASA astronauts in the Apollo program vying to be the first American to walk on the moon as part of an urgent program to beat the Soviet Union, but this first attempt is one-way. He would stay on the moon for a few months in a shelter pod launched and landed before him (he would have to find it first), and later a manned Apollo mission would come to retrieve him. 

The Folias Duo will perform on flute and guitar Wednesday, June 26, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"Calendar Girls" (2003, PG-13) starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters will be shown Wednesday, June 26, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A dynamic group of women who are members of the Women's Institute in Great Britain decide the fundraising effort for a local hospital will feature members posing nude for a calendar that becomes a media sensation. The film is based on true events.

The Great American Songwriters series continues Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center with a focus on the men who wrote the songs for Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, featuring songs by Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, including "Moonlight Becomes You," "Pennies from Heaven," "Swinging on a Star," "Come Fly with Me," "My Kind of Town" and more. Join pianist Bob Lipson and commentator/performer Saul H. Jacobs for this fun, interactive program. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

"Now, Voyager" (1942, NR) starring Bette Davis and Paul Henreid will be shown Friday, June 28, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A spinster who has been repressed by her domineering mother for years is urged by a psychiatrist to make radical changes to her life, so she gets a makeover, buys a new wardrobe, takes an ocean cruise and gets married, although her new home life becomes more complicated than she bargained for.

SAVE THE DATE!

Happy 133rd birthday, Pasadena! We're celebrating with a community birthday Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pasadena Museum of History with live entertainment, free admission to the current exhibition "Giddy Up: Children Take the Reins," crafts and other special activities, delicious birthday cake and much more.

Photo credits: City of Pasadena, William Conrad Productions, George Pal Productions, Folias Duo, Touchstone Pictures, Bob Barry, Warner Bros.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events June 15 to 21

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, June 15, to Friday, June 21.

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

Pasadena's One City, One Story 2019 summer edition book selection, "The Ballad of Huck & Miguel" by Tim DeRoche, has been the topic of book discussion groups all over Pasadena. Drop in on any of the remaining groups:

• Hill Avenue Branch Library Book Discussion Group Saturday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m.
• West Pasadena Book Discussion Group Saturday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library.
• Rave Reviews Monday, June 24, at 2 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library.
  

The Juneteenth Festival Saturday, June 15, from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Center will feature the history of Juneteenth, live entertainment, plenty of family-friendly activities, food and more.

Third@First presents Thursday Morning Little Big Band for an open-air concert featuring classic jazz Saturday, June 15, at 4 p.m. in the courtyard in front of First United Methodist Church Pasadena.

Now in its 26th year and originally inspired by a chalk festival in Paris, the Pasadena Chalk Festival Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Paseo Colorado will feature hundreds of talented muralists who will use chalk as their medium and pavement as their canvas, as well as live music, art-making with chalk, plenty of fun, family-friendly activities, the Pasadena Police Classic Car Show (June 16 only, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and much more. See some of the first-place-winning chalk art from over the years here.

The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Group presents "Wilde" (1997, R) starring Steven Fry and Jude Law Tuesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Based on true events, the film tells the story of genius, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, whose homosexuality caused him enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas and an intolerant Victorian society. After legal action instigated for indecency by the Marquise of Queensberry, Bosie's father, Wilde refused to flee the country and was sentenced to two years of hard labor. The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Group features a provocative film the first and third Tuesday of every month, preceded by a presentation about the film's hidden history and followed by a lively discussion. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

"It's Showtime at Your Library!" is the theme of this year's summer reading program for children, tweens and adults through Aug. 3. Register here. In addition to reading, there are plenty of events and activities at all branches. Here are events scheduled June 15 to 21:

• Christopher T Magician will perform a not-so-traditional magic show with his lovely assistant Peanut the Rat Tuesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library and at 3 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. 
• Abbit the Average will perform a funny, high-energy show with props, juggling, illusions and more Wednesday, June 19, at 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library and 3 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library.
• John Abrams' Animal Magic will feature magic, comedy, music and live animals Wednesday, June 19, at 2 p.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library and 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.

"Influenza 1918," a film produced by PBS, will be shown Wednesday, June 19, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A deadly new influenza virus began to spread across the country in 1918 and became the worst epidemic in American history, killing 600,000 people until it disappeared as mysteriously as it had begun. (As a side note, my great-grandfather's second wife died as a result of the epidemic.)

Calling all kids ages 9 to 16! If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a rock star, come learn a little about the history of rock music, listen to professional rock/jazz guitarist Kimberly "AC" Allison play rock tunes on an electric guitar, learn some easy riffs and take part in a rock jam session Wednesday, June 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Beginning, intermediate and advanced players are welcome. Acoustic and electric guitars will be available, or you can bring your own. Ten guitars will be available for checkout with your library card on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meet and greet some of the local heroes from the Pasadena Fire Department and get up close and personal to a big red fire engine Thursday, June 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.

"My Fellow Americans" (1996, PG-13) starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner will be shown Friday, June 21, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Two former U.S. presidents who are hated rivals join forces to expose the current, corrupt president at the risk of their lives. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory presents "Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made Of: Designing Tomorrow's Space Missions Today" Friday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in Caltech's Ramo Auditorium at Baxter Hall (#77 on this map). Dr. Randii Wessen, JPL systems engineer and A-Team lead study architect for the JPL Innovation Foundry, will take the audience through the lifestyle of a mission from its start as a crazy idea to concept, development, construction, testing and launch. Parking is free in Caltech lots and parking structures after 5 p.m. 

Photo credits: Flowerstales.com, City of Pasadena, PBS, School of Rock, Pasadena Fire Department, Samuelson Productions,  Peters Entertainment, JPL

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events June 8 to 14

Here are events scheduled Saturday, June 8, to Friday, June 14.

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

Every week, Family Fun Saturday at Eaton Canyon Nature Center includes activities for all ages. On Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon, enjoy a family nature walk, Nature Tails Storytime, a presentation with a live wild animal and creating a nature craft to take home.

Art will intersect with more art during BoldPas: A Day of Art and Play Saturday, June 8, from noon to 8 p.m. in Old Pasadena. Make your own art, visit 17 site-specific installations throughout Old Pasadena, watch Warrior Painters create plein air paintings in several locations, enjoy a DJ spinning tunes all afternoon and much more.

Join a celebration of arts and culture at the Playhouse District Block Party Saturday, June 8, from noon to 10 p.m. on El Molino Avenue between Colorado Boulevard and Green Street. The family-friendly event will feature live music, interactive art making, dramatic and dance performances, kids' zone and much more. 

"It's Showtime at Your Library!" is the theme of this year's summer reading program for children, tweens and adults from June 8 to Aug. 3. Register here. In addition to reading, the program will include plenty of fun events and activities at all branches. Here are events scheduled June 8 to 14.

• "It's Showtime at Your Library!" will kick off Saturday, June 8, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Central Library with a celebration of our One City, One Story summer edition, "The Ballad of Huck and Miguel" by Tim DeRoche. Meet the author as well as illustrator Daniel González, get in the spirit with Southern river music, have fun with a special visit from Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, create an art piece, thrill to Theatre Americana's musical show "Mississippilessly" featuring songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Showboat" and much more.
• Children ages 9 to 12 will make their own stop-motion movies with LEGOs Saturday, June 8, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Studio on 4th (fourth floor) at Central Library. Call (626) 744-4066, option 4 to sign up.
• Children ages 9 to 12 are invited to plan, create and edit their own trailers for their favorite books Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, June 10, 11 and 13, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Children's Story Room at Central Library. Laptops, tablets with video cameras, and all software will be provided.

Inspired by the special exhibition "Tsuruya Kōkei: Modern Kabuki Prints Revised and Revisited," you'll explore the art of self-portraiture by creating your own mask, participating in a contemporary artist's performance, going on a docent-led tour of the exhibition, listening to a special storytime for children and more Sunday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  at USC Pacific Asia Museum. Stay for the entire event, or drop in for a while and drop out.

Your final opportunity to see the exhibition Sandra de la Loza: Mi Casa Es Su Casa at Armory Center for the Arts is Sunday, June 9, from noon to 5 p.m.. De la Loza manipulates historic photographs of her own Mexican American family to address issues of power, memory and history through the concept of home.

Calling all future astronauts ages 9 to 12! Take part in a mission to explore our solar system during a scripted, live-action role play Wednesday, June 12, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. Call (626) 744-7262 to sign up. 

Shhh! With Fathers Day approaching, children of all ages are invited to create their own special craft as a gift for Dad Thursday, June 13, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. All materials will be provided. 

Pasadena City College's Musical Theater Workshop presents the musical "Welcome to Wonderland" Tuesday, June 11, and Thursday, June 13, at 8 p.m. in PCC's Little Theatre (CA on this map). Loosely based on the "Alice in Wonderland" story, in this musical Alice falls asleep while reading and has a vibrant dream in which she learns that life and love are no fairy tale. While the event is free, parking is not. Park in Student Lot #5 and purchase a $2 parking pass at any parking lot vending machine.

The Oakwood Branch Outreach Project will perform Wednesday, June 12, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006, PG-13) starring Will and Jaden Smith will be shown Wednesday, June 12, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A bright and talented yet often unemployed salesman on the hunt for a job finds himself and his young son evicted from their San Francisco apartment, with only the streets to call home.

During the next open forum of pasadenaphotographyarts Thursday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts, documentary photographer Laurie Freitig will show and discuss her works. 

"At Eternity's Gate" (2018, PG) starring Willem Dafoe and Rupert Friend will be shown Friday, June 14, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The film concentrates on the life of painter Vincent van Gogh during the time he lived in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise, France. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

SAVE THE DATE!

• The Pasadena Chalk Festival Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Paseo Colorado will feature hundreds of talented muralists who will use chalk as their medium and pavement as their canvas, live music, art-making with chalk, plenty of fun, family-friendly activities, the Pasadena Police Classic Car Show (June 16 only, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and much more.
• Pasadena's One City, One Story 2019 summer edition book selection, "The Ballad of Huck and Miguel" by Tim DeRoche, has been the topic of book discussion groups all over Pasadena. Drop in on any of the remaining groups:

• Hill Avenue Branch Library Book Discussion Group Saturday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m.
• West Pasadena Book Discussion Group Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library.
• Rave Reviews Monday, June 24, at 2 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library.

Photo credits: Old Pasadena Management District, City of Pasadena, Armory Center for the Arts, Holly Bellsham School for Performing Arts, Oakwood Branch Outreach Project, Columbia Pictures, Laurie Freitig, CBS Films