Record Breaking Warm Friday

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Pasadena may set a record high of 86°F today! Pretty warm for January.
Also, make sure to visit your favorite burger spots. Cheeseburger week ends tomorrow!

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Celebrates Jackie Robinson Today

• Events this Weekend

• Civic News

  • Pasadena Braces for National Shutdown

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

THE DIGEST

Pasadena Celebrates Jackie Robinson Today

Pasadena is honoring the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson today with a public event celebrating what would have been his 107th birthday, just ahead of the start of Black History Month in February.

Robinson grew up in Pasadena and attended John Muir High School before going on to UCLA and later breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The city is hosting “Jackie Robinson: Beyond Baseball” today from 11AM–1PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, located at 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., in the neighborhood where he was raised.

The program is led by Pasadena Public Library staff and will walk attendees through Robinson’s childhood in Pasadena, the sports he played and loved long before baseball, and some lesser-known moments from his early life. A self-guided exhibit and birthday treats will also be available, offering a meaningful way to kick off Black History Month in Pasadena.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IS POWERED BY. . .

This Weekend

🃏 Pasadena Front Row Card Show – Cards, Comics & Collectibles: A two-day collectors show featuring hundreds of vendor tables with cards, comics, memorabilia, grading, autograph authentication, and community trade events. Pasadena Convention Center | Saturday, January 31 at 10AM through Sunday, February 1 at 5PM

🍽️ Dine LA Restaurant Week: Enjoy special prix-fixe menus at participating Pasadena and Los Angeles restaurants—just dine out and ask for the Dine LA menu. Participating Restaurants | Runs until Friday, February 6

🍔 Pasadena Cheeseburger Week: Celebrate Pasadena’s claim as the birthplace of the cheeseburger with a citywide week of signature burgers and special creations honoring Lionel Sternberger’s 1924 invention. Pasadena (citywide) | Runs until Saturday, January 31

Friday (1/30)

☕ Altadena Chamber of Commerce Business Coffee Chat: A weekly, informal conversation where local business owners can connect, share updates, and talk through challenges and recovery efforts together. Altadena Community Center | Friday, January 30 at 9:30AM

🚀 LEGOLAND Junior Galaxy Explorers: Kids can build LEGO spacecraft alongside a Master Model Builder during a hands-on collaboration between Kidspace Museum and LEGOLAND California. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday, January 30 from 10AM–6PM

🦞 Cousins Maine Lobster at Altadena — Near Grocery Outlet: Cousins Maine Lobster heads to Altadena serving up classic Maine-style lobster rolls and other favorites straight from the truck. 2270 N. Lake Ave | Friday, January 30 from 11AM–6PM

⚾ Jackie Robinson: Beyond Baseball: A kid-friendly, interactive program that explores Jackie Robinson’s early life in Pasadena, including the sports he loved and lesser-known stories from before his baseball career. Jackie Robinson Community Center | Friday, January 30 from 11AM–12PM

🩰 Public Program: Ballet des Porcelaines: Dancers from the Oakland Ballet Company present a contemporary reimagining of an 18th-century ballet, followed by an introduction and Q&A with the creative team. The Huntington’s Rothenberg Hall | Friday, January 30 from 6PM–7PM

🧘‍♂️ Caltech Tai Chi Club: A weekly, open-to-all practice focused on Hao-style tai chi chuan, with additional forms taught in a relaxed, beginner-friendly setting. Caltech Hameetman Center 220 – Multipurpose Room | Friday, January 30 at 7PM

🎨 Friday Pasadena Fun* Paint Nite with Boozy Pigments: A relaxed, adults-only paint night with music, drinks, and a no-pressure creative setup where you can paint at your own pace. Hilton Hotel Pasadena | Friday, January 30 at 7:30PM

🎬 Film: Woman of the World (1925) with Pearl Jam: A silent-era drama starring Pola Negri is reimagined through the Silents Synced project, pairing the 1925 film with a live soundtrack drawn from Pearl Jam’s catalog. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday, January 30 at 8PM

Saturday (1/31)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh, locally grown produce and farm goods directly from certified farmers, along with a small selection of specialty food vendors. Victory Park | Saturday, January 31 from 8AM–12PM

🥬 La Cañada Farmers’ Market: A weekly Saturday market offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and other locally made food items. 1346 Foothill Blvd. | Saturday, January 31 from 9AM–1PM

🌱 Weekend Projects on Final Saturdays: Join a hands-on volunteer gardening project focused on regenerative practices and garden rebuilds led by Sybil Grant. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday, January 31 from 9AM–12PM

🧵 Embroidery Social: A relaxed morning gathering where beginners and experienced stitchers can work on embroidery projects together and connect through craft. Pasadena Heritage, Folk Lounge | Saturday, January 31 at 10AM

🤸‍♂️ Diavolo T.R.U.S.T.: A high-energy performance blending dance, acrobatics, and architecture as performers move with large-scale structures through tightly coordinated, gravity-defying choreography. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday, January 31 at 11AM

🚀 SPHEREx: A Launch Odyssey Guest Speaker: Hear from Caltech/IPAC scientists about NASA’s SPHEREx mission, the science behind the all-sky survey, and what it took to navigate launch delays. Linda Vista Branch Library | Saturday, January 31 from 11AM–12:30PM

🪵 Free Youth Woodworking Class: A hands-on woodworking session for kids where students learn basic skills using hand tools in a guided, small-group setting. The Gamble House | Saturday, January 31 from 11AM–1PM

🧧 AKASSA Lunar New Year Makers Market: Celebrate Lunar New Year with a community-focused makers market featuring small businesses, hands-on crafting, and festive shopping that gives back. Whimsy Pasadena | Saturday, January 31 from 11AM–2PM

🦞 Cousins Maine Lobster at Pasadena – Near Trader Joe’s: Cousins Maine Lobster rolls into Pasadena serving classic Maine-style lobster favorites made fresh to order. 467 N Rosemead Blvd | Saturday, January 31 from 11AM–6PM

🎭 Ceiling in the Floor: A dance and storytelling performance honoring Brandon Toh that weaves original music and personal narrative while exploring themes of loss and mental health. Lineage Performing Arts Center | Saturday, January 31 at 7PM

👽 Aliens! Foreign and Domestic!: A double bill of drama and comedy featuring Brecht’s domestic sketches of Nazi Germany alongside a Pasadena-set War of the Worlds radio-style spoof. Parson’s Nose Theater | Saturday, January 31 at 7PM

🎬 Film: Woman of the World (1925) with Pearl Jam: A silent-era film starring Pola Negri is reimagined through the Silents Synced format, pairing the 1925 drama with music from Pearl Jam’s catalog. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday, January 31 at 8PM

Sunday (2/1)

🛍️ Pasadena City College Flea Market: Browse antiques, collectibles, and vintage finds from 400+ vendors spread across PCC’s campus parking lots. Pasadena City College | Sunday, February 1

🖼️ Patrick Graham: Notes from Ireland – Opening Reception: An opening reception for a solo exhibition by Irish contemporary painter Patrick Graham, featuring large-scale paintings and mixed-media works on paper. Jack Rutberg Fine Arts Gallery | Sunday, February 1 from 3PM–6PM

👽 Aliens! Foreign and Domestic!: A double bill of drama and comedy pairing Brecht’s domestic sketches of Nazi Germany with a Pasadena-set War of the Worlds radio-style spoof. Parson’s Nose Theater | Sunday, February 1 at 3PM

🎭 Ceiling in the Floor: A dance and storytelling performance honoring Brandon Toh that combines original music and personal narrative while exploring themes of loss and mental health. Lineage Performing Arts Center | Sunday, February 1 at 4PM

🎥 Documentary: Beneath the Ashes: The Past Reimagined: A documentary premiere sharing personal stories from Altadena’s historic African American community as it rebuilds in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire. AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Cultural Center | Sunday, February 1 at 4:30PM

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

Pasadena Braces for National Shutdown

State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is asking Pasadena residents to take part in a nationwide “National Shutdown” today — a day without work, school, or shopping meant to protest federal immigration enforcement. As a result, many local businesses are expected to be closed, and organizers anticipate protests happening throughout Pasadena.

Pérez says coordinated, nonviolent action like this is one way to push the federal government toward change. Locally, residents have already been mobilizing, with recent protests and community defense trainings drawing hundreds of people. Isaac Bryan has also voiced support, saying public pressure is beginning to make an impact.

Those concerns were also visible at Pasadena’s State of the City address earlier this week. Mayor Victor Gordo spoke about recovery from last year’s Eaton Fire and acknowledged the strain immigration enforcement has placed on local communities, saying it has heightened tensions. Protests outside the address reflected how immediate the issue feels for many residents.

I don’t typically cover politics. But this is a significant moment affecting people, businesses, and daily life in our city. When issues directly impact the community, I believe it matters to acknowledge them — and that any platform, big or small, has a role in helping protect people’s rights and making space for voices to be heard.

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

81 🌡️53 |☁️| 💨 SE 4 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 34 (Good)

Saturday

82 🌡️ 59 |☀️| 💨 W 3 mph

Sunday

78 🌡️ 58 |☀️| 💨 SW 5 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎹 Larry Garf Performs: Pianist Larry Garf plays a wide-ranging set spanning ragtime, early jazz and blues, classic standards, and a few familiar favorites along the way. Jones Coffee Roasters | Friday, January 30 at 9AM

🎶 Live Music and Food Popups at Stone Pasadena: An easygoing evening with live music from the Johnny Deadly Trio alongside a food popup from Irie Taco. Stone Brewing Tap Room | Friday, January 30 from 5PM–9PM

🎶 Chloe Perrier: French jazz singer Chloe Perrier brings classic jazz standards, bossa nova, French songs, and original compositions with a warm, expressive vocal style. Edwin Mills | Friday, January 30 from 7PM–11PM

🎼 Chamber Music Concert: Caltech students perform chamber works for strings, winds, and piano featuring music by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and more. Caltech’s Dabney Hall, Lounge | Friday, January 30 at 8PM

🎷 Live Jazz: An evening of live jazz featuring Greg Weiss on bass, Mitch Forman on keys, and Joel Taylor on drums. Club 1881 | Friday, January 30 from 8:30PM–11:30PM

🎶 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: The South Pasadena–based group brings a mix of jazz, blues, and funk to their longtime weekend morning set. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday, January 31 at 10AM

🎼 Main Series No. 3: Les Délices Impressionistes: Salastina presents a program of French music for strings, flute, and harp featuring works by Jean Cras, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Debussy. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Saturday, January 31 at 3PM

🎼 Chamber Music Concert: Caltech students perform chamber works for strings, winds, and piano featuring music by Brahms, Corelli, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and more. Caltech’s Dabney Hall, Lounge | Saturday, January 31 at 3PM

🎷 Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys: A night of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, celebrating classic songs from the 1920s through the 1960s. Edwin Mills | Saturday, January 31 from 7PM–11PM

🎷 Caltech Jazz Band Guest Artist Concert: The Caltech Jazz Band performs with guest artists Sarah Hanahan, Chuck Manning, and Zach Caplinger in a tribute to Jim McNeely, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter. Beckman Auditorium | Saturday, January 31 at 8PM

🇧🇷 Brazilian Live Music: Live Brazilian jazz with Ted Falcon and rotating musicians in an intimate late-night set. Club 1881 | Saturday, January 31 from 8:30PM–11:30PM

🎷 Ken Song: Jazz guitarist Ken Song performs an evening set of modern and classic jazz selections. Edwin Mills | Sunday, February 1 from 6PM–10PM

🎷 JAZZ | Greg Porée Quintet: Guitarist and composer Greg Porée leads his quintet through a blend of jazz, world rhythms, and richly layered improvisation as part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday, February 1 at 8PM

THANKS!

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