Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events September 28 to October 4

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Sept. 28, to Friday, Oct. 4.

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

Enjoy live entertainment by top-ranked L.A.-area bands, food sampling at several restaurants, pumpkin painting, a traveling trivia game, photo opps with Hello Kitty and plenty of other family-friendly activities at Tastes & Sounds presented by the South Lake Business Association Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. Free trolleys will take you up and down the avenue. In addition to free food sampling, many restaurants will offer deep discounts. Purchase of food is not required to attend the event.

Central Library presents a science fiction classics double feature in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium Saturday, Sept. 28, from 2 to 6 p.m. First up is "Them!" (1954, NR) starring James Whitmore and Joan Weldon. The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization. The second feature is "The Black Scorpion" (1957, NR) starring Richard Denning and Mara Corday. Volcanic activity frees giant scorpions from the earth that wreak havoc in the rural countryside and eventually threaten a major world capital.

One Colorado's Thursday & Saturday Night Music presents Mestizo Beat performing R&B and soul Saturday, Sept. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the courtyard.

The Baseball Reliquary presents "A Swinging Centennial: Jackie Robinson at 100" Sunday, Sept. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Westerbeck Recital Hall at Pasadena City College's Center for the Arts (Building CA on this map). The event, featuring renowned jazz trumpeter Bobby Bradford, jazz songwriter/vocalist Byron Motley and a jazz ensemble, will celebrate the late pro baseball player who was raised in Pasadena and broke the sport's color barrier when he became the first African American on a major league team.

Elementary-aged children and their families are invited to join educators from the USC Pacific Asia Museum Monday, Sept. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at Central Library for storytelling and artmaking. Hear the Bengali folktale "Grandma and the Great Gourd" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, then create a mixed media artwork inspired by the book's illustrations.

Tuesday Musicale presents a recital featuring piano trios by Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms and concert variations by Clara Schumann performed by pianist Jamie Caridi and show tunes sung by Ruth Ridenour Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

An LA Opera community educator will share insights into the upcoming production of "The Light in the Piazza" Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. in room 113 at the Pasadena Conservancy of Music. The wife and 26-year-old daughter of an American businessman tour the Tuscan countryside, where the daughter Clara falls in love with a handsome young Florentine. As the mother Margaret tries to keep the two apart, a secret is revealed: Clara is not quite all that she appears.

The first Tuesday of every month from 4 to 8 p.m. is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, enjoy puppet theater and everything else the museum has to offer.

Rockin' across the railways and beyond, The Conductors will perform music from '50s rockabilly and '60s pop rock to folk/Americana that will appeal to children and adults alike Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. While the event is free, RSVPs are encouraged.

Baritone Ralph Cato, accompanied by pianist Frank Fetta, will perform Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"Ghandi" (1982, PG) starring Ben Kingsley and John Gielgud will be shown Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A spiritual and political leader in India forsakes all worldly possessions, adopts a policy of passive resistance and works tirelessly to win freedom from British rule for the people of his country. The film is based on true events.

Former winners, finalists and other successful contestants from throughout the world will return to the stage and compete in hopes of taking home the first-ever title of America's Got Talent Champion Thursday, Oct. 3, through Monday, Oct. 21. Times vary. Be part of the audience! With Simon Cowell leading the charge, it will be the ultimate display of talent, edge-of-your-seat moments and extraordinary performances of every kind. While the attendance at the televised shows is free, tickets are required.

Michael Kelly, a member of the local Irish band Sligo Rags, will present a demonstration of traditional Irish fiddle playing and explain its social effect in Southern California Thursday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. 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.

Children of all ages will enjoy Buster Balloon's SPOOK'tacular Halloween-themed show Thursday, Oct. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado where he will perform creepy comedy and spooky magic and make monstrous balloon creations that will have everyone howling and screeching with delight! While the event is free, RSVPs are encouraged.

Mystery writer Anne Louise Bannon will explain the process for writing a novel -- how to get from the first glimmer to a full-blown book, with side trips down the rabbit hole and tips on how to get in touch with your own inner novelist Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

Join USC Professor Ketaki Pant as she explores the lost and found of South Asia Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. Learn the history of Bengal in the mid-twentieth century, the little-known story of South Asians in 19th and 20th century Mauritius and more. While the event is free, RSVPs are required.

"Rocketman" (2019, R) starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell will be shown Friday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The shy young piano prodigy Reginald Dwight becomes the international superstar Elton John, one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have be 50 or older.

Admission to the Norton Simon Museum is free the first Friday of every month. On Friday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition AIR LAND SEA: A Lithographic Suite by William Crutchfield and everything else the museum has to offer. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Explore 20 prestigious Pasadena arts and cultural institutions that will showcase works of art, music, dance and more during ArtNight Pasadena Friday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Photo credits: South Lake Business Association, Warner Bros., Amex Productions, Hal Masonberg Photography, Pomona College, The New York Times, Byron Motley, Roaring Brook Press, Kidspace Children's Museum, The Conductors, Michal Kalmi, International Film Investors, Burnish Creative, Sligo Rags, Buster Balloon, EdX, Asia Society, Paramount Pictures, Heather David