Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses—the newsletter that takes a bigger bite out of listing Pasadena events than the CEO of McDonald’s managed to take out of his own burger “product.”
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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IPIC Old Pasadena Is Closing
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Police Everywhere, Helicopters Flying Around: What Was Going On?
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Events this Weekend
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Civic News: Pasadena Incumbents Qualify for June Election
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
P.S. Last chance! If you missed this the last few times — I put together a short 6-question survey to better understand who’s reading News N’ Roses. It truly takes about 10 seconds. I’ll be closing the survey on Sunday! Thank you for everyone that’s filled out! I really appreciate it. ❤️
P.P.S. Happy birthday to my brother Jonathan! 🎂
THE DIGEST
iPic Old Pasadena Is Closing
I just learned some sad news: iPic Theater at One Colorado is closing on April 28, and honestly, this one hurts.
The iPic is one of my favorite places to watch a movie in Pasadena. Although I still love the traditional movie theatre experience, at iPic, you could show up early, play a game of pool, grab a drink, and then settle into those booth-style seats with a blanket and your own little table. Being able to order food during the movie — tuna crispy rice, sliders, a drink — made it feel more like a night out than just going to the theater.
One of my favorite memories there was seeing A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic staring Timothée Chalamet (if you haven’t seen it, you should watch it). Sitting back in those reclining seats with food delivered right to the table just made the whole experience feel special.
The closure comes after iPic’s parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the Old Pasadena theater will shut down along with the company’s Westwood location, resulting in 91 layoffs locally. Movie theaters have struggled since the pandemic, with attendance still below pre-COVID levels and several premium theater chains closing in recent years.
I know I’ll be going to iPic at least 10 more times before they close and ordering as many crispy tuna rice orders as I can (they are the best).
I really wish there were something we could do to keep it open. 😢
Police Everywhere, Helicopters Flying Around: What Was Going On?
If you were wondering what was going on in Pasadena yesterday afternoon—helicopters overhead, police activity near Maranatha High School, and heavier traffic along the 210—it was tied to a search for suspects connected to an armed robbery the night before in Baldwin Park.
According to reports, the search began after the driver of a vehicle connected to the robbery ditched the car near the school’s parking lot. Officers then searched the surrounding area, and Maranatha High was placed on lockdown as a precaution.
The lockdown was lifted later in the afternoon and students were dismissed afterward. That’s about it. Nothing sensational. Hope that satisfied your curiosity.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Friday (3/6)
🖼️ Free First Fridays at Norton Simon Museum: Enjoy free admission to the museum’s galleries and garden—no reservations required. Norton Simon Museum | Friday | 4PM–7PM.
🧒 Free First Fridays at Kidspace Children’s Museum: Enjoy free admission to Kidspace on the first Friday of the month from 2–5PM with advance reservation (tickets released about two weeks prior). Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday | 2PM–5PM.
🧶 Kids Crochet: A beginner-friendly class where kids learn crochet basics—from making a foundation chain to single crochet stitches—while creating projects like scarves or washcloths. All materials included. Remainders Creative Reuse | Friday | 4PM.
🧧 Southern California Children’s Museum 2026 Lunar New Year Gala: A festive fundraising evening supporting play-based learning, featuring a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, and live auction. Guests are encouraged to wear red or traditional Lunar New Year attire. Southern California Children’s Museum (at Golden Dragon Restaurant, Los Angeles) | Friday | 6PM.
🧘 Caltech Tai Chi Club: Weekly practice of Hao-style tai chi chuan along with Yang-style tai chi, kung fu, and other forms in a welcoming environment for beginners and experienced practitioners. Caltech’s Hameetman Center 220 | Friday | 7PM.
🎬 Janus Film Club: Watch Stromboli (1950), followed by a group discussion as part of this film screening series featuring selections from the Janus Films catalog. South Pasadena Library Community Room | Friday | 7PM–9PM.
🎨 Boozy Pigments Paint & Sip – It’s a Frida Kahlo World, Kitty Cat: A relaxed paint night with music, drinks, and good vibes—no experience needed. Paint along or create your own style while enjoying hip-hop, Latin, and pop tracks. Hilton Pasadena | Friday | 7:30PM.
Saturday (3/7)
🚗 Altadena Cars and Coffee: A community cars-and-coffee meetup hosted by Altadena locals and Not EV Altadena, bringing together car enthusiasts for coffee and conversation. Unincorporated Coffee Roasters | Saturday | 8AM.
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Browse fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables along with farm products like jams, jellies, and fish from certified vendors. Victory Park | Saturday | 8AM–12PM.
🛍️ Ezze Flea Market Pasadena: Shop vintage finds, collectibles, designer clothing, and more from 40+ vendors at this pop-up flea market. CTRL Collective | Saturday | 10AM–4PM.
👶 Baby Expo: A curated event for expecting and new parents featuring expert insight from Huntington Hospital physicians, local family resources, workshops, demos, and giveaways. Shakespeare Club of Pasadena | Saturday | 10AM–3PM.
🧵 Stitch Class: Learn basic hand-sewing stitches and create a wool felt teacup bookmark in this beginner-friendly class for kids, teens, and adults. South Pasadena Library Community Room | Saturday | 10:30AM–12:30PM.
🌸 Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop: Learn the Japanese art of flower arranging as Gamble House docents guide you through creating your own ikebana arrangement to take home. The Gamble House | Saturday | 11AM–1PM.
🐶🍻 Barks & Brews: Meet adoptable pets, enjoy craft beer and food trucks, get free dog portraits, and try the agility course with your pup. LA County Arboretum | Saturday | 11AM–4PM.
✏️ Drawing the Face: Learn the fundamentals of portrait drawing—including facial proportions, lighting, tone, and texture—while creating a finished portrait during this two-hour session. Museum on West Colorado Blvd | Saturday | 12PM.
🧶 Crafting Meet-Up: Bring a portable craft—knitting, crochet, watercolor, scrapbooking, and more—and spend the afternoon creating and socializing under the big oak tree. The Gamble House | Saturday | 12PM.
🎻 Chamber Music Master: David Low: Cello master David Low coaches Pasadena Conservatory of Music chamber music students in this public masterclass. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Saturday | 5PM
🎻 Melodia Mariposa Presents “Women in Music”: A world-class ensemble of female musicians performs works by women composers including Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, and Anna Drubich. AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Center | Saturday | 7PM.
🎭 The Opera Buffs, Inc.: A program of six new mini-operas in English performed by emerging opera singers supported by this long-running nonprofit. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | 8PM.
Sunday (3/8)
🛍️ Rose Bowl Flea Market: Browse over 2,500 vendors selling antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, and more at this world-famous monthly market. Rose Bowl Stadium | Sunday | 5AM.
🔬 76th Annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair: The largest and longest-running science fair in the western U.S., where hundreds of students present research projects and compete for medals, awards, and scholarships. LA County Office of Education (Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles) | Sunday | 8:30AM–10:30PM.
🐉 Free Second Sunday @ USC PAM: A family-friendly day with lion dance performances, story time, and hands-on art workshops inspired by the Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry exhibition. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Sunday | All Day
🌈 Holi Hungama – Festival of Colors: Celebrate Holi with an afternoon of color play, music, dancing, Indian food, and family-friendly festivities. Victory Park | Sunday | 11:30AM–3PM.
🎮 Family Day!: Enjoy arcade games, food, and family-friendly fun at Barcade’s weekly Family Day. A portion of token sales supports Gamers Outreach, which brings video games to children in hospitals. Barcade Highland Park | Sunday | 12PM–3PM.
🧛 Dracula by Bram Stoker: A gothic stage adaptation of the classic tale, following the battle between Count Dracula and those who dare to resist his dark power. La Cañada Playhouse | Sunday | 7PM.
🎭 The Opera Buffs, Inc.: A program of six new mini-operas in English performed by emerging opera singers supported by this Los Angeles nonprofit. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday | 8PM.
Save the Date
🎨 ArtNight Pasadena Spring: Museums and cultural institutions across the city open their doors for free with special programming during this twice-yearly celebration of art and culture. City-Wide Pasadena | Friday, March 13 from 6PM–10PM.
🪩 Glow Before Dark LA: Dance the early evening away to a mix of 80s New Wave, 90s dance club classics, and modern EDM at this high-energy daytime dance party built for people who want the music without the late-night hours. The Mixx | Saturday, March 21 from 5PM–9PM.
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Events List Updated: 3/5 |
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 Incumbents Qualify for June Election
Pasadena’s three incumbents have now qualified for the June municipal election. District 3 Councilmember Justin Jones filed his candidacy Wednesday, joining District 7 Councilmember Jason Lyon and Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, who had already submitted their paperwork. As of Thursday morning, no challengers had officially filed, though several candidates have pulled nomination papers. The filing deadline is March 6 at 5 p.m. This will be Pasadena’s first municipal election since the Eaton Fire.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Friday
71 🌡️ 51 |🌤️| 💨 NE 8 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 47 (Moderate)
Saturday
71 🌡️ 53 |🌤️| 💨 NE 9 mph
Sunday
80 🌡️ 55 |🌤️| 💨 NE 9 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎶 Live Music at Jones Coffee Roasters: Pianist Larry Garf opens the morning with ragtime, early jazz, blues, standards by Gershwin and Irving Berlin, plus Beatles favorites, followed by resident accordionist Stanley Oropesa performing an eclectic mix of classical pieces, Irish music, ragtime, pop, and film scores. Jones Coffee Roasters | Friday, March 6 at 9AM & 11AM.
🎶 Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys: Enjoy a night of classic jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, featuring beloved songs from the 1920s through the 1960s. Edwin Mills | Friday, March 6 from 7PM–11PM.
🎸 Dutch Interior – In The Round: LA/Long Beach band Dutch Interior brings their genre-blending indie rock—drawing from ambient, country, jazz, and alternative influences—for an intimate “in the round” performance. Lodge Room Highland Park | Friday, March 6 at 8PM.
🎸 Too Short Pants, Indiana Bradley, Them & Two-Faced Machines: Four bands take the stage for a night of live punk and alternative rock. Old Towne Pub | Friday, March 6 from 8PM.
🎷 Live Jazz at Café 1881: Enjoy live jazz from top artists every Friday night. Café 1881 | Friday, March 6 from 8:30PM–11:30PM.
🎶 The Two-Tones Live: The Two-Tones bring their ska-inspired sound to The Barkley with guest DJ Davey The Kidd spinning throughout the night. The Barkley Restaurant & Bar | Friday, March 6 from 9PM–1AM.
🎶 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: This South Pasadena group brings their classic jazz sound with touches of blues and funk to a lively Saturday morning set. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday, March 7 at 10AM.
🎻 Melodia Mariposa Presents “Women in Music”: A world-class ensemble of female musicians performs works by women composers including Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, and Anna Drubich. AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Center | Saturday, March 7 at 7PM.
🎤 Spill Tab: LA-based French-Korean artist Claire Chicha blends indie rock, alternative pop, and experimental textures in her spill tab project. Lodge Room Highland Park | Saturday, March 7 at 7PM.
🎶 Ed Romero: Vocalist Ed Romero performs timeless jazz and Great American Songbook classics inspired by legends like Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter. Edwin Mills | Saturday, March 7 from 7PM–11PM.
🎶 Keiju Kollektiv Vocal Ensemble – Nordic Folk Music Redefined: This professional vocal ensemble performs Nordic folk music in a program titled “Tales of the North,” celebrating themes of nature, peace, and humanity. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Saturday, March 7 from 7:30PM–9PM.
🎤 Morrissey & Smiths Tribute Night with MalAdjusted: MALADJUSTED performs the iconic songs of Morrissey and The Smiths live. The Mixx Pasadena | Saturday, March 7 at 8PM.
🎶 Chinese Folk Songs with Xiaobo Li, Celia Yu Liu, and Susan She: Enjoy a live performance of Chinese folk songs followed by an interactive jam session where musicians and audience members can join in. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Sunday, March 8 at 12PM.
🐙 Octopus’s Garden: A world premiere play about two marine biologists and a composer whose lives unravel after discovering an octopus has written a transcendent piece of music. Boston Court Pasadena | Sunday, March 8 at 2PM.
🎶 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser: Barb Catlin and Ken Rosser perform an eclectic mix of jazz standards and originals, drawing from composers like Carla Bley, Billy Strayhorn, Steve Swallow, and Wayne Shorter. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, March 8 at 2PM.
🎻 Restoration Concert Series: New Hollywood String Quartet: The quartet performs as part of the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library’s 30th anniversary concert series. South Pasadena Library Community Room | Sunday, March 8 at 4PM.
🎭 The Opera Buffs, Inc.: A program of six new mini-operas in English performed by emerging opera singers supported by this Los Angeles nonprofit. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday, March 8 at 8PM.
THANKS!
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