Art, Pride & Culture: Pasadena Comes Alive This Weekend

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that pretends to understand abstract art but really just came for the snacks.

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Festival Lights Up City Hall This Saturday

• Pasadena Celebrates Coming Out Day

• Events this Weekend

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Festival Lights Up City Hall This Saturday

Get ready to dance, eat, and celebrate! The Latino Heritage Festival returns tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 5 to 9 PM at Pasadena City Hall, bringing an evening full of music, food, and community pride. Admission is free, and everyone’s invited.

This year’s theme, “A Proud Past, A Hopeful Future,” honors Pasadena’s Latino community and its generations of creativity, resilience, and heart.

Expect live music from Grammy winners Ozomatli, performances by Los Jornaleros del Norte and local student bands, plus traditional dance, a classic car show, an artisanal marketplace, and plenty of Latin American eats.

Kids can dive into arts and crafts, jumpers, and games while adults explore community booths and local vendors.

Mayor Victor Gordo called the festival “a celebration of who we are as a community.” Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday night in Pasadena.

Pasadena Celebrates Coming Out Day

Pasadena will mark National Coming Out Day for the ninth year, also tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 11, with a celebration at Memorial Park from 11 AM to 1 PM. The event honors the 37th anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and continues the city’s commitment to inclusion and belonging.

Hosted by the Public Health Department, Public Library, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the celebration will include music, crafts, resource tables, and giveaways for an afternoon that’s both fun and meaningful.

The day is about visibility and connection. While half of Americans know someone who is gay or lesbian, only one in ten know someone who is transgender. Pasadena hopes to help close that gap through awareness and community conversation.

Local organizations such as the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center, PFLAG Pasadena, and PCC’s Pride Center will also be present, offering ongoing support and resources.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Friday

• 🕊️ Opening: Sanctuaries: Explore the many meanings of refuge and healing in this powerful group exhibition at the Armory Center for the Arts, featuring works in painting, textile, ceramics, and more. Friday, October 10 at 1PM.

• 🎤 Chappell Roan: Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things: Experience Chappell Roan live at Brookside at the Rose Bowl for an electrifying night of powerful vocals, bold pop anthems, and dazzling stage energy. Friday, October 10 at 4:30PM.

• 🍄 Opening Reception: Sam Shoemaker – Mushroom Boat: Celebrate the launch of Fulcrum Arts’ new Pasadena space with this fascinating exhibition documenting artist Sam Shoemaker’s 26-mile Catalina Channel crossing in a kayak made of mushroom mycelium. Friday, October 10 from 6PM–10PM.

• 🎭 Rent: Experience Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical reimagined with the Lineage Dancers, blending movement, music, and emotion in a powerful celebration of love and resilience. Friday, October 10 at 7PM.

• 🎨 ArtNight Pasadena: Explore 18 arts and cultural venues across the city for free—from haunted puppets and show tune sing-alongs to tile exhibits, interactive art, and live music. Friday, October 10 from 6PM–10PM citywide, with Pasadena City Hall as a central hub.

  

• 🎨 Sierra Madre Art Walk: Explore more than 50 artists across 40+ venues as Sierra Madre transforms into a walkable gallery filled with art, live music, and community spirit—featuring special exhibits supporting fire-affected artists. Friday, October 10 from 4PM–8PM.

• 🗞️ Disney’s Newsies JR.: Extra! Extra! The kids of Young Stars Theatre bring big energy and heart to this inspiring musical about the newsboys who took a stand against the powerful publishers of New York. Expect catchy songs, sharp choreography, and a story full of grit and courage. Friday, October 10 at 7PM.

Saturday

• 🍎 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Load up on the freshest local produce, meet the farmers who grow it, and enjoy the unbeatable taste of seasonal fruits, veggies, and artisan goods. It’s a Pasadena weekend tradition worth waking up for. Saturday, October 11 from 8AM–12PM.

• 🧘 The Courtyard Series | Fitness Sessions Supported by Vuori: Start your Saturday strong with a free outdoor fitness session in the heart of Old Pasadena. Bring your mat, your energy, and a friend for a morning of movement and good vibes. Saturday, October 11 from 9AM–10AM.

• 🚶 Arroyo Terrace Neighborhood Guided Walk: Step back in time with a guided stroll through one of Pasadena’s most architecturally rich neighborhoods, home to stunning Greene & Greene designs and other early 20th-century gems. Led by a Gamble House docent with stories to match the scenery. Saturday, October 11 at 9AM.

• 🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: The Pasadena Convention Center transforms into a vibrant marketplace with over 200 artisans showcasing ceramics, jewelry, textiles, fine art, and gourmet treats. Enjoy live music, hands-on workshops, and seasonal shopping that celebrates creativity and community. Saturday & Sunday, October 11–12 from 10:00AM–5:00PM.

• 🔬 Explore Caltech 2025: Get curious at this campus-wide science festival featuring hands-on STEM activities, JPL exhibits, guest lectures, food trucks, and more. A perfect day for science lovers of all ages. Saturday, October 11 from 10AM–2PM.

• 🚒 Fire Prevention Festival: Meet local heroes, explore fire trucks, and enjoy family fun with hot dogs, bounce houses, and safety demos at the Sierra Madre Fire Station. A perfect mix of learning and excitement for all ages. Saturday, October 11 from 10AM–1PM.

• 🏳️‍🌈 National Coming Out Day: Celebrate love, identity, and inclusion at Pasadena’s 9th annual National Coming Out Day event—featuring music, crafts, community resources, free HIV testing, and more. A joyful gathering for all ages to honor authenticity and connection. Saturday, October 11 from 11AM–1PM.

• 👟 North Lake Neighborhood Discovery Tour with Vice Mayor Jess Rivas: Explore the hidden gems of North Lake on a guided 3-mile walk led by Vice Mayor Jess Rivas. Learn local stories, meet neighbors, and see parts of Pasadena you might’ve never noticed before. Saturday, October 11 from 12PM–3PM.

• 🎉 Pasadena Latino Heritage Festival: Celebrate culture, resilience, and community at this year’s festival themed “Un Pasado con Orgullo, un Futuro con Esperanza” (A Proud Past, a Hopeful Future). Centennial Square in front of City Hall will come alive with music, food, and festivities honoring Pasadena’s Latino heritage. Saturday, October 11 from 5:00PM–9:00PM.

• 🌌 Talks & Telescopes: “Decoding Cosmic Rainbows”: Spend an evening under the stars at Mt. Wilson Observatory with Prof. Jenny Krestow and Dr. Chris Burns as they unravel the hidden colors of the cosmos through the science of spectroscopy. Stick around after the talk for food, picnicking, and rare stargazing through the historic 60- and 100-inch telescopes. Saturday, October 11 at 5:30PM.

Sunday

• 🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Treasure hunters, rejoice! The world-famous Rose Bowl Flea returns with over 2,500 vendors offering antiques, vintage gems, and quirky finds. It’s a Pasadena classic you don’t want to miss. Sunday, October 12 starting at 5AM.

• 🏡 PCM @ The Gamble House: Family Day | Crafting Memories: Spend the day exploring Pasadena’s architectural and artistic gems with hands-on crafts, music, and family fun at The Gamble House and Pasadena Museum of History. Bring a picnic or grab a bite from Kogi Tacos Por Vida. Sunday, October 12 from 11AM–3PM.

• 🏛️ Crafting Memories: Family Free Day: Kick off Pasadena Heritage’s Craftsman Week with a family-friendly day of art, architecture, and hands-on fun—featuring tile workshops, mini mansion tours, quilting exhibitions, and live music across Pasadena’s historic sites. Sunday, October 12 from 11AM–3PM.

• 🔭 Carnegie Observatories Open House 2025: Explore the cosmos right here in Pasadena! Meet astronomers, peek through solar telescopes, make your own constellation, and enjoy sweet treats under the sun at this family-friendly open house. Sunday, October 12 from 2PM–5PM.

• 🌠 Cosmic Art Night: TERRA COSMICA: Step inside Mt. Wilson’s historic 100-inch dome for an unforgettable fusion of art, sound, and starlight. Experience Terra Cosmica, an immersive film by Rebeca Méndez and Stephen Nowlin, followed by telescope viewing under the night sky. Sunday, October 12 at 7PM.

• 🎭 Rent: Experience Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical reimagined with the Lineage Dancers, blending movement, music, and emotion in a powerful celebration of love and resilience. Sunday, October 12 at 7PM.

Save the Date

• 🎳 Pasadena Jaycees Bowling Tournament: Roll into Montrose Bowl for a fun night of bowling, music, food, and raffles—all to support local Jaycees projects like Operation Gobbler thanksgiving food drive and Operation Santa toy drive. Wednesday, October 15 from 6:30PM–8:30PM.

• 🍻 Pasadena Pro Musica Presents Oktoberfest!: Raise your voice (and your stein) at this lively choral concert filled with German folk tunes, drinking songs, and singalongs—followed by a festive beer garden reception. Sunday, October 19 at 4PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!

CIVIL NEWS

Pasadena Plans to Reconnect Neighborhoods Divided by 710 Freeway

More than 50 years after the 710 Freeway split Pasadena communities and displaced thousands, the city is creating a master plan to restore the 50-acre stretch of land returned by the state in 2022.

Officials hope to reconnect neighborhoods and honor the Black, Latino, and Asian-owned institutions once lost to the project, with community input guiding what comes next.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

84 🌡️ 62 |☀️| 💨 SE 6 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 33 (Good)

Saturday

79 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Sunday

79 🌡️ 57 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎶 ArtNight at PCM: Experience live music all evening across multiple stages at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, featuring continuous classical, multicultural, and interactive performances. Friday, October 10 at 6PM.

• 🎻 Wild Up’s L.A. Composer Series: Andrew Tholl with Vicki Ray, Marlon Martinez & Brian Walsh: Get ready for a night of fearless experimentation as some of L.A.’s most boundary-pushing musicians join forces to create a new work live on stage. Expect bold sounds, spontaneous collaboration, and pure creative energy. Friday, October 10 at 8PM.

• 🎶 Main Series No. 1: Ben and HyeJin Recital: Flutist Ben Smolen and pianist HyeJin Kim bring Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky to life in an afternoon of virtuosity and heart. Stay after for a complimentary wine reception with the artists. Saturday, October 11 at 3PM.

• 🎬 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Live Piano Accompaniment: Experience the eerie brilliance of this 1920 silent film classic, brought to life with live piano accompaniment. Step into the haunting world of German Expressionism for a night of shadows, suspense, and cinematic history. Saturday, October 11 at 7:30PM.

• 🎹 Restoration Concert Series: Rodolfo Leone: Enjoy an afternoon of world-class piano as award-winning virtuoso Rodolfo Leone takes the stage in the South Pasadena Library’s historic Community Room. A captivating performance celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary season. Sunday, October 12 at 4PM.

• 🎹 Jazz @ The Playhouse: Kait Dunton, Keys: Settle in for an intimate night of jazz, soul, and storytelling as pianist and composer Kait Dunton brings her warm, expressive style to the Sierra Madre Playhouse stage. Sunday, October 12 at 7:30PM.

THANKS!

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