Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Aug. 30 to Sept. 5

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Aug. 30, to Friday, Sept 5.
All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena! 

Pasadena doesn't get all its electricity from the local power plant. See the new film "Energy Roadmap" Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse 7. The film explores how Pasadena's electricity is created and how that energy makes its way into homes, businesses and institutions. Reservations are required. Everyone in attendance will receive free popcorn and a free LED light bulb. 

The final event in the Playhouse District Summer Jazz Series will feature Grey Beret Sunday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, and continuing through Oct. 9, Pasadena Central Library will be the site of a national traveling exhibition commemorating the Dust Bowl, including photos, oral histories, writings and scholarly analysis.

Tuesday, Sept. 2, from, 4 to 8 p.m. is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. Your children will enjoy a special musical performance, create their own art and play games from other countries. 

The Great American Swing Band will have everybody up and moving when they perform Big Band, rhythm and blues, jazz and Dixieland Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. in the band shell at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar.

Helix Collective will perform high-energy, out-of-the box classical music Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 12:10 to 12:30 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon concert series. 

Part I of "The Dust Bowl" (2012, PG), a documentary film by Ken Burns, will be shown Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Part II will be shown Sept. 10 at the same time.

Admission to the Pasadena Museum of California Art is free the first Friday of every month from noon to 5 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 5, experience everything California art, architecture and design from 1850 to the present day.

"Belle" (2013, PG) starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Matthew Goode will be shown Friday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy admiral is raised by her aristocratic granduncle in 18th century England. You don't have to be a member of the Senior Center to attend.

The Norton Simon Museum opens its doors for free the first Friday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy everything the museum has to offer -- including Degas, Rembrandt, historic Asian art, contemporary works and more -- Friday, Sept. 5. 

"Chicken Run" (2000, G) with the voice talent of Mel Gibson and Miranda Richardson will be shown Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. ["or when it gets dark," according to the website] in the courtyard at One Colorado. While the chickens on evil Mrs. Tweedy's farm dream of a better life, a clever hen named Ginger is hatching plans to fly the coop - for good.

SAVE THE DATE!

On Saturday, Sept., 6, Pasadena Central Library will host "Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone By," a full day of special activities commemorating the Dust Bowl, the disaster that wreaked havoc on the Great Plains in the 1930s.


Photo credits: Seourpicz, Kidspace Children's Museum, Joogleberry Acts, Arrested Motion, Living History Farm, York Vision, Hometown Pasadena, IMDB, PBS.