Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events Jan. 4 to 10

Here are arts and cultural events scheduled Saturday, Jan. 4, to Friday, Jan. 10.

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

Each week, Family Fun Saturday at Eaton Canyon Nature Center includes activities for all ages. On Saturday, Jan. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon enjoy a family nature walk, Nature Tails Storytime, a presentation with a live wild animal and make a nature craft to take home.

Children 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well-trained dogs during Barks and Books Monday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. at San Rafael Branch Library and 3 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library, and Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m. at Villa-Park Community Center Branch Library. Barks and Books continues at various branch libraries throughout January.

Tuesday Musicale presents Haydn Trio in E flat with violinist Roberta Wilcox, cellist Nancy Friedmann and pianist Sharon Chan, Schubert Piano Fantasie for 4 Hands with Priscilla Yam and Agatha Hou, Verdi arias performed by Diana Briscoe accompanied by pianist Geraldine Keeling, Dvořák Romance performed by violinist Ann Levi and Bruch's Eight Pieces Numbers 1, 2 and 6 with violist Jo Ann Hakonsson, flutist Deborah Perchik and pianist Eve Lubin Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 12:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

The first Tuesday of every month is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. get to know the local arts community as Kidspace celebrates the Art of Pasadena. Don't miss a performance by the renowned Lineage Dance Company at 6 p.m. at the museum's Stone Hollow Amphitheater.

"Babe: The Babe Didrikson Zaharias Story" (1975, NR) starring Susan Clark and Alex Karras will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Track and field star Mildred "Babe" Didrikson competes in the 1932 Olympics and wins two gold medals, then pursues professional women's golf with great success and meets former wrestler George Zaharias, the love of her life, before she has to battle cancer. The film is based on true events.

The Great American Songwriters series continues with "An Era of Wit and Sophistication: Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart" Thursday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. Join pianist Bob Lipson and commentator/vocalist Don Snyder as they feature songs from Rodgers and Hart's hit Broadway musicals including "Pal Joey," "Jumbo," "Babes in Arms" and more. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

Celebrate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower Thursday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. Descendants of Mayflower passengers, dressed in historical costumes, will share stories about how the 102 passengers and 30 crew members survived the first trip across the Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth, England, to the New World in 1620 to escape religious persecution and establish the Plymouth Colony. There also will be crafts, refreshments, photo opps and more. All ages are welcome.

Celebrate the birthday of beloved film animator and manga illustrator Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. It will be an evening of treats, quizzes and a screening of the critically acclaimed film "Spirited Away" on the big screen. Enjoy photo opps with characters from that movie and others produced by Studio Ghibli. All ages are welcome.

"Fiddler on the Roof" (1971, G) starring Topol and Norma Crane will be shown Friday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A humble Jewish peasant attempts to hold on to the traditions of his faith while constantly challenged by poverty, intimidation by anti-Semitic czarist officials and the pressure to marry off his daughters to ideal Jewish husbands. See the trailer here. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend, but you do have to be 50 or older.

Photo credits: Ypsilanti District Library, Lineage Performing Arts Center, MGM Television, Michael Ochs Archive/Getty, Vintage Images, AsianCrush, The Mirisch Production Company