Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events July 27 to Aug. 2

Here are events scheduled Saturday, July 27, to Friday, Aug. 2.

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, there are plenty of events and activities at all branches. Here are events scheduled July 27 to Aug. 3:

• Children ages 0 to 12 are welcome at the fun-filled comedy juggling show featuring David Cousin Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central 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 Tuesday, July 30, at 3:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.
• Ina Buckner-Barnette, The Sunshine Storyteller, will weave movement, songs, poetry and tales from around the world in a spellbinding performance for children ages 5 to 12 Wednesday, July 31, at 4 p.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library. 
• Children 12 and younger will take a journey through the world of music with steel drum percussionist Joseph Peck Thursday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. at San Rafael Branch Library, 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library and 3 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library.
• Teens who like to write are invited to Teen Writers Meetup Thursday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the fourth floor conference room at Central Library. Meet other teens, do a few writing exercises, talk about writing, bounce ideas around and share your work.

"The Many Worlds of Huckleberry Finn" is the topic of an illustrated and interactive talk Saturday, July 27, at 2 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Dr. Peter J. Blodgett, curator of western American history at The Huntington Library, will interweave Mark Twain's and Tim De Roche's novels and their respective river settings, followed by a conversation with the audience. Many of Mark Twain's novels, including his 1883 novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," take place at the Mississippi River, and Mark DeRoche's 2018 novel "The Ballad of Huck and Miguel" strongly features the Los Angeles River. DeRoche's novel was the subject of this summer's One City, One Story community reading celebration.

A live public podcast titled "The Social Territories of a Warming World" Saturday, July 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts will be a community conversation about non-ideal theories of art, collaborative design and spatial justice in the 21st century city. A working podcast studio has been curated for the event, one of a series of podcasts (the next is Aug. 3) in conjunction with the exhibition "The Winter Office: Non-Perfect Dwelling," new works that engage the challenges facing Southern California, including rising housing inequality, economic displacement, house-lessness and environmental disaster. The works feature a comic book anti-hero, ancient ammonite fossils, futuristic holograms and the operational podcast studio, all of which create an environment where urgent approaches to dwelling and cohabitation can be imagined and planned.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Nacho Libre" (2006, PG) starring Jack Black and Ana de la Reguera Saturday, July 27, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. Berated all his life by those around him, a monk follows his dream and moonlights as a luchador (Mexican wrestler). Seating is limited, so arrive early to secure your seat. Free popcorn from IPIC Theaters will be available while supplies last.

The Playhouse District Association's Summer Jazz Concert Series presents the Iban Lee Trio performing straight-ahead jazz Sunday, July 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Vroman's Book Store.

The summer concert series for all ages in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center continues with Pam Kay and the Tap Chicks entertaining with energetic dance routines, Vaudeville-style comedy and clever costumes Monday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Feel free to bring a picnic. Membership at the Pasadena Senior Center is not required, and all ages are welcome. The concert series will continue every Monday through Sept. 2.

"Soul Surfer" (2011, PG) starring AnnaSophia Robb and Dennis Quaid will be shown Wednesday, July 31, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A teenaged surfer who took to the waves at a young age and later participated in national surfing competitions overcomes the odds and her own fear of returning to the water after losing her left arm in a shark attack. The film is based on true events.

Children, teens and adults are invited to a Harry Potter birthday party Wednesday, July 31, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. Wizards and witches who attend this magical birthday bash will be tested on their Harry Potter trivia, create wizard crafts, show off their costumes representing their favorite Harry Potter characters, and much more.

Vroman's Bookstore will host "Women in Classical Music," a panel discussion and Q&A on women's roles in classical music, issues and challenges female musicians face and the future of inclusivity in music, Wednesday, July 31, at 7 p.m. in the Playhouse District store. While the event is free, registration is encouraged.

One Colorado presents its summer concert series in the courtyard every Thursday and Saturday evening. The series kicks off with Laika & the Unit performing dreamlike music with organically orchestrated themes Thursday, Aug. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. Kicking up the heels on the dance floor is encouraged for all ages!

Parks After Dark presents "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018, PG) with the voice talents of Shameik Moore and Jake Johnson will be shown Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Grant Park. In a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man universe, teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his reality and joins five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Zootopia" (2016, PG) with the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Central Park. A rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox team up to solve a mystery. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and an alcohol-free picnic. Come as early as 6:30 p.m. for DJ music, activities for the kids and free ice cream from Paradis while supplies last.

"The Mustang" (2019, R) starring Mattias Schoenaerts and Jason Mitchell will be shown Friday, Aug. 2, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A convict in a rural Nevada prison who struggles to escape his violent past is required to participate in a rehabilitation therapy program involving wild horses, where he finds his humanity in gentling an especially unbreakable mustang. You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

On Friday, Aug. 2, at 3:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, MUSE/IQUE guest performing artists will explore music from their upcoming concert TRAIN/GLORY that celebrates trains as a historical catalyst for human inspiration and connections. 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 Aug. 3 TRAIN/GLORY concert at Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens.

Admission to the Norton Simon Museum is free the first Friday of every month. On Friday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition "The Sweetness of Life: Three 18th-Century French Paintings from The Frick Collection" and everything else the museum has to offer.

Parks After Dark presents "BumbleBee" (2018, PG-13) Friday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Victory Park. 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 teenaged girl discovers him and soon learns this is no ordinary yellow VW.

Photo credits: City of Pasadena, Paramount Pictures, Playhouse District Association, Pam Kay, Enticing Entertainment, Vroman's Bookstore, Laika & the Unit, Easy Breezy Parties, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures, Canal+, MUSE/IQUE, Norton Simon Museum, Hasbro.