Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events July 20 to 26

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

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

The opening reception for "I, The Real Me," a vibrant, heartfelt exhibition of works by adult artists with developmental disabilities, is Saturday, July 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts. Several artists will be there to discuss their works. Light refreshments will be served. The artists are participants in the City of Pasadena's Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Program. The exhibition will be in place through Sept. 8.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Coco" (2017, PG) with the voice talents of Anthony Gonzalez and Gael Garcia Bernal Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. Despite his family's baffling, generations-old ban on music, young Miguel aspires to be an accomplished musician and enters the Land of the Dead where he meets an array of extraordinary characters who help him unlock the real story behind his family history. Seating is limited, so arrive early to secure your spot. Free popcorn will be provided by IPIC Pasadena while supplies last.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema and Parks After Dark present "Singles" (1992, PG-13) starring Bridget Fonda and Campbell Scott Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. In grunge-era Seattle, a group of twenty-something friends try to find love and come to terms with their passage into adulthood. Come as early as 6:30 p.m. with a lawn chair or blanket and an alcohol-free picnic and enjoy DJ music, special activities and free ice cream from Paradis while supplies last.

The creators of award-winning immersive theater events Wicked Lit, History Lit and Mystery Lit present a wicked afternoon of staged readings of new short plays adapted from classic horror literature Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Each afternoon will include two short plays and an audience Q&A with the playwrights. This event is not suitable for children under 13.

Old Pasadena Management District's Summer Jazz Concert Series presents The Tony Inzalaco Group performing bebop jazz Sunday, July 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Vroman's Book Store.

"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 there are plenty of events and activities at Central Library and all branches. Here are events scheduled July 20 to 26:

• Children and families will enjoy John Abrams' Animal Magic, a blend of magic, comedy, music and animals Monday, July 22, at 3 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library.

Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra will perform Monday, July 22, at 6 p.m. in air conditioned comfort in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center to kick off the center's free summer concert series. This event is open to the community and all ages are welcome. Feel free to bring a picnic. 

It's Kids Week at Vroman's Bookstore. Here are fun-filled activities planned for young ones. All will take place in the Playhouse District store.

• Bring your children for some fun music and movement activities with a summertime theme, all led by Pasadena Conservatory of Music Monday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore. Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to attend. 
• Little ones will love exploring their creativity and making art with help from Armory Center for the Arts Tuesday, July 23, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore. Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to attend.
• Bam! Boom! Pow! Kids will create their own capes, masks and superpowers and show them off in a photo booth Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore. Watch them become the superheroes they've always wanted to be! Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to attend. 
• Help your little ones celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing Thursday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore where they'll make rocket ships, turn themselves into little astronauts, play an asteroid toss game and enjoy a special snack of moon craters and Tang. Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to attend. 
• You and your children will escape the heat with some good, old-fashioned water activities Friday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Bookstore. Be sure to wear something you won't mind getting wet, and bring a towel to dry off with afterward. Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to attend. 

"Touching Home" (2008, PG-13) starring Ed Harris and Robert Forster will be shown Wednesday, July 24, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Twin brothers must contend with their homeless, derelict father and ne'er-do-well friends while working at a small-town rock quarry after failing to find success as major league baseball players. The film is based on true events.

In honor of National Carousel Day, admission will be free to the exhibition "Giddy Up! Children Take the Reins" Thursday, July 25, from noon to 5 p.m. at Pasadena Museum of History. National Carousel Day commemorates the date in 1871 when William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa, was issued the first American patent for a carousel.

Parks After Dark presents "BumbleBee" (2018, PG-13) Thursday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Villa Parke. On the run from an agent of a secret government department that monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth, Autobot Scout B-127 transforms himself into a Volkswagen Bug and finds refuge in a small-town California junkyard where a teenage girl discovers him and soon learns this is no ordinary yellow VW.

Children and teens ages 8 to 17 are invited to Open Mic Night Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m. at Vroman's Bookstore where they may choose to read some poetry, share a short story or sing an original song. Let the world hear what you have to say! Call (626) 449-5320 to sign up. Book purchases are not required to participate.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Ocean's 8" starring Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett Friday, July 26, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. Upon her release from prison, Danny Ocean's estranged sister Debbie assembles a team of expert crooks to pull off the heist of the century at the Met Gala in New York City. Free popcorn will be provided by IPIC Pasadena while supplies last.

Photo Credits: City of Pasadena, Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra, The Chopra Center, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros., Wicked Lit, Winston Movie, Rank Ranger, Hasbro, Wise Geek.