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.