Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that tells you about events and news like a neighbor. Because I am your neighbor.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Pasadena Neighbor Day
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Events this Weekend
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Civic News
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
THE DIGEST
Pasadena Neighbor Day
Pasadena Neighbor Day is happening this Sunday, January 18, with the main gathering from 2–8PM at Wild Parrot Brewing Company in Lamanda Park.
It’s a day built around spending time with the people who live near you and supporting local spots. Lamanda Park is the main hub, with live music throughout the afternoon and evening from The Nextdoors, Licata Brothers, Nina Lares, and Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls, but the spirit of the day stretches beyond one location.
Anyone can take part. If you’re hosting something, you can list your Neighbor Day event by filling out the form and it’ll be shared with the rest of the city. Whether you own a business, work locally, or just live here, Neighbor Day is meant to be easy to join and shape.
The event is organized by the City of Pasadena and local band The Nextdoors, and it’s become a meaningful way for people to connect, especially after everything the community has been through over the past year. Part of the proceeds also support local nonprofits, including the Pasadena Educational Foundation and Pasadena Fire Foundation.
It’s free, open to all ages, and easy to drop into. Grab a drink, catch some music, say hi to someone you haven’t met yet, and spend a little time with your neighborhood. For more information, visit the Pasadena Neighbor Day website here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
This Weekend
💎 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
Friday (1/16/26)
🏊 FREE Lap Swimming Friday: Enjoy free lap swimming and fitness center access as RBAC marks the one-year anniversary of reopening after the 2025 res. Rose Bowl Aquatic Center | Friday, January 16 from 9AM–11AM
🎨 Daily Art: Color in Motion: Young artists explore paint through gliding, swiping, and blending colors to create movement-based artwork. Southern California Children’s Museum | Friday, January 16 at 1:30PM
💡 All About Light: Explore how light behaves as both a particle and a wave through interactive demos inspired by classic experiments. Hastings Branch Library | Friday, January 16 at 4PM
🧘 Caltech Tai Chi Club: Practice Hao-style tai chi chuan in an open, beginner-friendly class led by experienced instructors. Caltech Hameetman Center (Multipurpose Room) | Friday, January 16 at 7PM
🎤 Tiffany Haddish, Faysal Lawrence: A stacked stand-up lineup featuring Tiffany Haddish and Faysal Lawrence, with additional comics joining the night. The Ice House Comedy Club | Friday, January 16 at 7:30PM
🎭 NT Live: Inter Alia: Boston Court presents a filmed National Theatre production starring Rosamund Pike in a new play by Suzie Miller examining modern motherhood and masculinity. Boston Court Pasadena | Friday, January 16 at 7PM
Saturday (1/17/26)
🚗 Altadena Cars & Coffee: A community-driven Saturday morning car meet that brings together vintage vehicles, daily drivers, and neighbors for a casual, welcoming hang. The Bulgarini | Saturday, January 18 at 8AM
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh fruits, vegetables, and farm products sold directly by certified local growers. Victory Park | Saturday, January 17 from 8AM–12PM
🥕 La Cañada Farmers’ Market: Browse fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads, juices, and more at this weekly Saturday market. 1346 Foothill Blvd | Saturday, January 17 from 9AM–1PM
🌳 Workshop on Micro-forests: Learn what micro-forests are, why they work, and how to apply this planting approach at home in a hands-on workshop led by Katherine Pakradouni. Arroyo Seco Woodland & Wildlife Park | Saturday, January 17 at 9AM
🧵 Floral Embroidery Workshop: Learn the basics of embroidery and create a custom floral design on a cotton handkerchief in this hands-on, two-hour workshop. The Huntington’s Education and Visitor Center, Roger’s Classroom | Saturday, January 17 at 10AM & 1PM
🐶 Pop-Up Dog Adoption Event at The WellRock Gym: Meet adoptable dogs brought to the neighborhood by the Wiggle Waggle Waggin’ and find your new best friend. The WellRock Gym | Saturday, January 17 at 11AM
💧 Lecture: Water Conditions and Aquatic Life in the Arroyo Seco Watershed: Learn about streamflow, water quality, and aquatic life in the Arroyo Seco during an illustrated talk by fisheries biologist Matt Drenner, PhD. Hahamongna Native Plant Nursery | Saturday, January 17 at 11AM
🛍️ 1042 Flea: Nothing Over 25: Shop vintage, art, jewelry, handmade crafts, and more from 40+ vendors, with $5 bins, $10 racks, and everything capped at $25. 112 E Colorado Blvd | Saturday, January 17 from 11AM–4PM
🎶 Power Up Altadena!: A family-friendly festival featuring live music from Bobby Bradford & Dwight Trible, Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Rhythms of the Village Family Band, Earthseed Band & The Whispering Giants, plus art, workshops, and emcees Medusa & Myka 9. Westminster Presbyterian | Saturday, January 17 from 11:11AM–4:44PM
👹 Night Parade: Yokai Unleashed: Explore the cultural and spiritual legacy of yokai through a panel discussion with experts in Japanese folklore, art history, and pop culture, followed by a costume contest and music. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Saturday, January 17 at 6PM
🚀 Mach 33 Blast Off Party!: Meet the MACH 33 and Launchpad playwrights and science advisors, connect with the Caltech theater community, and get a sneak peek at this year’s festival plays. Theater Arts Caltech (TACIT) House | Saturday, January 17 from 6:30PM–9PM
🎶 Howie Sings the Great American Songbook: Enjoy classic standards in the Sinatra tradition with Howie and the Mike Saul Jazz Quartet—plus Hawg Heaven’s well-known cheeseburgers if you stay for dinner. Hawg Heaven BBQ & Gastro Pub | Saturday, January 17 from 7:30PM–9PM
Sunday (1/18/26)
🌿 Cemetery Wildlife Walk: Take an early-morning walk to observe local wildlife, plants, and notable gravestones while learning about the cemetery’s natural residents. Mountain View Cemetery | Sunday, January 18 at 6:30AM
🎉 Pasadena Neighbor Day – Main Event: Celebrate community with live music from Licata Brothers, Nina Lares’ Yacht Rock Singalong, The Nextdoors, and Jason Heath & the Greedy Souls, plus an official community toast and raffle prizes benefiting local nonprofits. Wild Parrot Brewing Company | Sunday, January 18 from 2PM–7:30PM
🏃 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
🎼 Valencia Baryton Project: Experience chamber music centered on the rare baryton, featuring works by Haydn and others performed by a trio of baryton, viola, and cello. Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium | Sunday, January 18 at 3:30PM
🎭 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
Madison Pushes for Full Council Vote on Safe Parking Program
Councilmember Steve Madison is asking for a full City Council vote on the stalled safe-parking proposal at All Saints Church, saying the application deserves a clear decision.
The program would allow up to 25 people living in their cars to park overnight in the church’s north lot with security and basic services. A November council vote ended in a split over required environmental findings, leaving the proposal unresolved.
Madison, who supports the program and was absent for that vote, said bringing it back for a full council vote could break the deadlock. No date has been set for when the item will return to the agenda.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Friday
77 🌡️50 |☀️| 💨 NE 6 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 27 (Good)
Saturday
77 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 NE 6 mph
Sunday
75 🌡️ 57 |☀️| 💨 NW 1 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎸 Daryl Darden: Veteran guitarist Daryl Darden brings his jazz and blues sound to an evening shaped by decades of performing and collaboration. Edwin Mills | Friday, January 16 from 7PM–11PM
🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Enjoy a morning set of classic jazz with a local group known for their blues, funk, and jazz flair. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday, January 17 at 10AM
🎶 Third@First: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Vocal and instrumental ensembles from the California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley perform Gospel music and works by Black composers in honor of MLK Day. First United Methodist Church | Saturday, January 17 at 4PM
🎶 Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys: Enjoy jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, featuring beloved songs from the 1920s through the 1960s. Edwin Mills | Saturday, January 17 from 7PM–11PM
🎉 FREE Live 80’s & 90’s + Rock En Español & Cumbia Show & Fiesta: Dance to live 80s and 90s throwbacks with CENIZA, plus rock en español and cumbia sets mixed by DJ Jack Tames. The Mixx Pasadena | Saturday, January 17 at 8PM
🎷 The Gold Line Jazz Collective: Pianist Hank Mehren leads an evolving jazz group blending cool jazz, hard bop, and Latin influences with local musicians. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, January 18 at 10AM
🎼 Valencia Baryton Project: Experience chamber music centered on the rare baryton, featuring works by Haydn and others performed by a trio of baryton, viola, and cello. Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium | Sunday, January 18 at 3:30PM
🎷 Ken Song: Catch a jazz set led by Ken Song in an intimate live-music setting. Edwin Mills | Sunday, January 18 from 6PM–10PM
🎭 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
THANKS!
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