Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Happy Monday! Hope you had a happy and restful holiday break. If you’re heading back to work or school, I feel you. But it’s also the start of a new year, and a chance to reset, set bigger goals, and ease into what’s next.
In Today’s News N’ Roses:
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2026 Rose Parade Float Awards
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Altadena Music Theatre Returns with “A Cabaret Soirée,”
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Events this Monday & Tuesday
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Civic News
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
THE DIGEST
2026 Rose Parade Float Awards
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses released the official float award winners from the 137th Rose Parade, recognizing 23 floats for excellence across design, creativity, floral presentation, animation, and overall impact.
The parade’s highest honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy for most beautiful entry, was awarded to Cal Poly Universities, marking the first time Cal Poly has received the award and only the seventh time a self-built float has earned it in parade history. Other notable honors included awards for animation, humor, innovation, theme interpretation, and floral craftsmanship, reflecting the wide range of creativity on display along Colorado Boulevard this year.
Below is the full list of 2026 Rose Parade Float Award Winners (listed alphabetically by award):
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Americana – Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions
Travel South Dakota (Builder: AES) -
Animation – Most outstanding use of animation
Kindness is Free (Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of WSGV&E) (Builder: AES) -
Bob Hope Humor – Most whimsical and amusing float
City of Alhambra (Builder: Phoenix) -
Crown City Innovator – Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation, and technology
Shrinking (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television) (Builder: Phoenix) -
Director – Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials
The UPS Store (Builder: AES) -
Extraordinaire – Most extraordinary float
San Francisco Travel Association (Builder: Fiesta) -
Fantasy – Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination
Rising Together (Builder: AES) -
Founder – Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers
Downey Rose Float Association (Builder: Self) -
Golden State – Most outstanding depiction of life in California
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs (Builder: Phoenix) -
Grand Marshal – Most outstanding creative concept and float design
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Builder: AES) -
Isabella Coleman – Most outstanding use of color and floral harmony
Elks U.S.A. (Builder: Phoenix) -
Judges – Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact
Sierra Madre Rose Float Association (Builder: Self) -
Leishman Public Spirit – Most outstanding floral presentation by a non-commercial participant
America250 (Builder: Fiesta) -
Mayor – Most outstanding float from a participating city
La Cañada Flintridge (Builder: Self) -
Past President – Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials
City of South Pasadena (Builder: Self) -
President – Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
OneLegacy Donate Life (Builder: AES) -
Princess – Most outstanding floral presentation (35 feet and under)
City of Torrance (Builder: Fiesta) -
Queen – Most outstanding presentation of roses
City of Santa Fe Springs (Builder: Phoenix) -
Showmanship – Most outstanding display of entertainment and performance
Shriner Children’s (Builder: Phoenix) -
Sweepstakes – Most beautiful entry
Cal Poly Universities (Builder: Self) -
Theme – Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme
City of Burbank (Builder: Self) -
Tournament Volunteer – Best floral presentation of the theme (35 feet and under)
Lions International (Builder: Phoenix) -
Wrigley Legacy – Outstanding floral presentation, design, and entertainment
Trader Joe’s (Builder: Phoenix)
Judging was based on criteria including creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, animation, thematic interpretation, color presentation, and dramatic impact. Congrats to all the winners!
Altadena Music Theatre Returns with “A Cabaret Soirée,” Celebrating Resilience, Community, and the Healing Power of the Arts
Altadena Music Theatre is inviting the community to A Cabaret Soirée, a free evening later this month that marks their first public gathering since the fire that destroyed their theatre space and impacted many of their artists. Rather than a full production, the night is meant to bring people together through music, familiar faces, and shared history.
The evening begins with a cocktail hour, followed by a screening of AMT’s 2023 production of Cabaret, originally performed at Farnsworth Park. After the screening, the event shifts into a piano bar where performers and guests can stick around, mingle, and sing along if the mood strikes.
A Cabaret Soirée takes place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Manoukian Performing Arts Center in Pasadena. Admission is free, but RSVPs are required. If you’ve been part of the AMT community in the past, or you’re simply looking for a meaningful way to support local theatre, this is an easy one to add to your calendar.
For tickets, RSVP here.
For more information about the event, click here.
@NEWSN_ROSES
📷@newn_roses📍Colorado Blvd
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Monday (1/5/26)
🌸 Now Blooming: Magnolias: Stroll the gardens and see winter-blooming magnolias in peak color across multiple sections, from the Chinese and Japanese Gardens to the Rose Garden. The Huntington Gardens | Monday, January 5 (All Day)
🎵 Ukulele Lessons Series A: Learn the basics of ukulele in a multi-week lesson series taught by Children of One Planet (for ages 8-12). Altadena Library | Monday, January 5 at 3:30PM
🎤 Open Mic Night: Share your music, stories, or spoken word—or just come listen and support neighbors in a welcoming, all-ages open mic. Altadena Library | Monday, January 5 at 6PM
🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: Join a social group run with 4- and 6-mile options, open to all paces, walkers, and runners looking to move and meet new people. Run With Us | Monday, January 5 at 6PM
Tuesday (1/6/26)
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh fruits, vegetables, and locally grown farm products directly from certified farmers during this weekly neighborhood market. Villa Parke | Tuesday, January 6 from 8:30AM–12:30PM
☕ Coffee Chat Roadshow: Pasadena: Meet the LA Fire Justice team to ask questions about their case against Edison and learn about support services available to the community. LA Fire Justice | Tuesday, January 6 from 10AM–11AM
💼 SCORE Small Business Mentoring: Get one-on-one guidance from experienced business mentors for help with starting or growing your small business. Santa Catalina Branch Library | Tuesday, January 6 at 1PM
📖 Noelle Cook in Conversation with Mike Rothschild: Researcher Noelle Cook discusses and signs The Conspiracists, exploring how women become drawn into conspiracy movements and extremism. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday, January 6 at 7PM
🧠 Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night: Test your knowledge with weekly team trivia covering everything from pop culture to random facts in a lively bar setting. T. Boyle’s Tavern | Tuesday, January 6 at 8PM
Save the Date
🎶 A Concert for Altadena: A benefit concert honoring Altadena’s resilience, featuring an all-star lineup raising funds to support Eaton Fire recovery efforts. Pasadena Civic Auditorium | Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30PM
🖼️ Free 2nd Sunday @ PAM: Enjoy free admission all day and explore the galleries at USC Pacific Asia Museum during its monthly free day. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Sunday, January 11 (All Day)
🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Browse thousands of vendors offering antiques, vintage clothing, art, and unique finds at this monthly favorite for collectors and casual shoppers alike. Rose Bowl Flea Market | Sunday, January 11, 9AM to3PM
🔭 Astronomy on Tap: Supermassive Black Holes & Radio Astronomy: Grab a drink and dive into mind-blowing space science with short, engaging talks, live Q&A, pub trivia, and guided stargazing with telescopes. Dog Haus Biergarten, Old Town Pasadena. Monday, January 12 at 7:30PM.
💎 Pasadena Bead & Design Show: Explore a curated marketplace of beads, gemstones, artisan jewelry, textiles, and creative supplies from hundreds of makers and designers. Pasadena Convention Center | Friday–Sunday, January 16–18 from 10AM–5PM
🏃 Rose Bowl Half & 5K: Take on either the half marathon or 5K at this annual race that includes a finisher medal, event shirt, and a run around the iconic stadium. Rose Bowl | Sunday, January 18 at 10AM
🎭 A Cabaret Soirée: Altadena Music Theatre hosts its first public gathering since the fires, featuring a screening of Cabaret and a piano bar finale celebrating resilience through the arts. Manoukian Performing Arts Center | Sunday, January 18 at 6PM
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!
CIVIC NEWS
Today’s (Monday, January 5) City Council Meeting is cancelled.
To see the Pasadena City Council meeting schedule, click here.
Attend the monthly public meeting where commissioners discuss and advise on parks, recreation, and related city spaces. City Yards – Public Works | Tuesday, January 6 at 6PM
Join the monthly public meeting focused on promoting understanding and addressing issues related to equity, inclusion, and community relations. Jackie Robinson Community Center | Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30PM
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Monday
60 🌡️ 51 |🌥️25%| 💨 SE 3 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 31 (Good)
Tuesday
62 🌡️ 50 |🌥️10%| 💨 NE 4 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Enjoy jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions from guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio throughout the day. Edwin Mills | Monday, January 5 from 6AM–10PM
☕ The Coffee Shop Jazz Trio: Start your morning with live modern jazz and Latin fusion from pianist Matt Politano and his trio, performing weekly with rotating guest musicians. Jones Coffee Roasters | Tuesday, January 6 at 8:30AM
🎼 Tuesday Musicale in Concert: Enjoy a free midday concert featuring chamber music, piano works, and vocal selections performed by a lineup of local musicians. First Church of Christ Scientist (Sunday School Room) | Tuesday, January 6 at 12:30PM
🎶 Jumpin Joz Band: Catch a lively night of swing, jump jazz, and early R&B that’s perfect for both listening and dancing, delivered with vintage style and big energy. Edwin Mills | Tuesday, January 6 from 6PM–10PM
THANKS!
Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who needs motivation to uphold their new year’s resolution.
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