Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Did you know the Colorado Street Bridge was once considered one of the largest concrete bridges in the western United States when it opened in 1913? Its iconic arches rise about 150 feet above the Arroyo Seco.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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PCC Women’s Business Center to Honor 100 Women Entrepreneurs at Caltech Luncheon
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Family Fun Night at ABVM
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Events this Weekend
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The Box Office: Plays & Musicals
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
THE DIGEST
PCC Women’s Business Center to Honor 100 Women Entrepreneurs at Caltech Luncheon
Pasadena City College’s Women’s Business Center is celebrating women entrepreneurs in a big way later this month with its upcoming “100 Women” luncheon and awards event at The Athenaeum on the Caltech campus. The May 27 event will honor 100 women business owners and advocates while raising funds for the center’s free advising, workshops, and business training programs serving entrepreneurs across the San Gabriel Valley.
The Women’s Business Center, launched by Pasadena City College in 2024 through a competitive federal grant, has already become a major local resource. Earlier this year, the center partnered with Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media Impact and GoFundMe to distribute $25,000 grants to 50 women-owned businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire. The luncheon’s theme is “Bold Enough To Bloom,” with networking, awards, music, and a plated lunch planned throughout the afternoon.
For more details and tickets, click here.
A MESSAGE FROM ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY SCHOOL
Giddy up for Family Fun Night 2026 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School on Saturday, May 16, from 6:00 PM–10:00 PM! This year’s “Gator Gallop” promises an unforgettable evening filled with live entertainment, carnival rides, games, bingo, prizes, and delicious food for the whole family.
Enjoy performances by Amber Sauer, as seen on The Voice, School of Rock, and DJ Gino spinning music throughout the night. Guests can also enjoy favorites from Rodney’s BBQ, refreshing bowls from UbaTuba Açaí, and specialty drinks from the Coffee Truck featuring matcha and espresso beverages.
Whether you’re coming for the music, rides, food, or community fun, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the biggest night of the year — gather your family and friends and join us for a memorable evening at ABVM! For more details and tickets, click here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
🎭 The Box Office 🎫
🪴 Little Shop of Horrors: Lineage Performing Arts Center closes its season with a dance-infused production of the sci-fi musical about a florist’s assistant and a mysterious plant. Lineage Performing Arts Center (LPAC) | This Weekend | Various Times
🎭 Mach 33 Festival: Theater Arts Caltech’s three-day festival will feature staged readings of science-driven plays and new works in progress. Frautschi Hall (2nd Floor), Hameetman Center, Caltech | This Weekend | Various Times
👑 Exit the King: An absurdist comedy by Eugene Ionesco about a crumbling king who refuses to accept that his last day on Earth has arrived. A Noise Within | This Weekend | Various Times
🎶 Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon: This classic musical follows two American travelers who discover a mysterious Scottish village that appears only once every hundred years. The Pasadena Playhouse | This Weekend | Various Times
🎭 A Midsummer Night’s Dream from Will & Company: This family-friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy brings fairies, magic, audience participation, and mischievous humor to the stage. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | May 16 | 11AM
🎨 Café Incoherent: The Impressionists: The Parson’s Nose Players will explore the Impressionists through the chaos of the “Café Incoherent” in Lance and Mary’s final presentation at Parson’s Nose. Parson’s Nose Theater | This Weekend | Various Times
Friday (5/15)
🎭 Mach 33 Festival: Theater Arts Caltech’s three-day festival will feature staged readings of science-driven plays and new works in progress. Frautschi Hall (2nd Floor), Hameetman Center, Caltech | Friday | 5:30PM – 7:30PM
🐱 Coloring with Cats at Tailtown Cats: Enjoy an afternoon of coloring and spending time with adoptable rescue cats at Tail Town Cats. Tail Town Cats | Friday | 5PM – 6PM
🍷 Speakeasy Friday Nights: Enjoy live jazz, wine tastings, and curated bites during a specialty wine and cheese tasting led by Agnes Cheesery and the Heritage Collection. Baldwin Oaks Estate | Friday | 6PM – 8PM
☯️ Caltech Tai Chi Club: Learn and practice Hao-style tai chi along with other martial arts forms in a beginner-friendly environment. Caltech’s Hameetman Center 220 – Multipurpose Room | Friday | 7PM
Saturday (5/16)
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh locally grown produce and farm products directly from certified California farmers. Victory Park | Saturday | 8AM – 12PM
🚲 Tour d’ Allée Pasadena: Explore 13 alleys across Pasadena during this guided ride featuring stops through Old Pasadena, PCC, Caltech, and more. Big Bang Theory Way | Saturday | 9AM – 12:30PM
🚲 Eva Lin Team Community Bike Build: Join local volunteers at Victory Park to help build and donate 100 new bikes and helmets for children served by organizations including the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, Hillsides, and Elizabeth House during this community-focused morning event. Victory Park | Saturday | May 16 | 9:30AM – 12PM
🖼️ Curator’s Tour | Cha-Rie Tang: 48 Years of Artistic Innovation in Pasadena: Join curator Cha-Rie Tang for a guided tour of her exhibition featuring fused glass, ceramic tiles, and architectural designs. Pasadena Museum of History | Saturday | 10AM
🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: Browse handcrafted goods from more than 200 independent artisans along with live music, workshops, demonstrations, and artisan food. Pasadena Convention Center | Saturday | 10AM – 5PM
🎨 Market Place@PAM: Creativity and Tradition: Shop handmade crafts, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and artisan foods while meeting local makers and hearing their stories. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Saturday | 11AM – 4PM
📚 Musical Storytime at the Gamble House with Pasadena Conservatory of Music: Children’s books and musical play come together during this outdoor storytime led by Pasadena Conservatory of Music. The Gamble House | Saturday | 11AM
🛍️ AKASSA Makers Market: Open House – AAPI Heritage Month: Shop goods from 20+ independent AAPI and women-owned makers while enjoying craft activities and community programming. Whimsy Pasadena | Saturday | 11AM – 3PM
🎭 NPRF25: Agape: Boston Court Pasadena’s New Play Reading Festival continues with this coming-of-age story set within a church drama ministry in Maryland. Boston Court | Saturday | 2PM
🎶 Zipangu Japanese Music Festival: This J-Pop festival at Brookside at the Rose Bowl will feature live performances from artists including Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA, and MAN WITH A MISSION. Cloud Nine, Golden Voice | Saturday | 3:30PM
🔭 Talks & Telescopes: Michael Blanton: Carnegie Observatories Director Michael Blanton will discuss the history and future of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and its impact on modern astronomy. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | 5:30PM
🎉 Foothill Family Annual Gala: 2026 Centennial Gala: Foothill Family will celebrate 100 years of service during an evening focused on community, storytelling, and supporting mental health care for children and families. The Langham Huntington Pasadena | Saturday | 6PM
🌴 Parti Gras 2026: Palm Royale: The South Pasadena Educational Foundation will host a 1960s-inspired evening of cocktails, dining, and fundraising in support of local students. Arroyo Seco Country Club | Saturday | 6PM – 11PM
💃 Nancy Evans Dance Theatre Gala: Enjoy a full performance of Works 2026 along with cocktails, desserts, dancing, and auctions during this gala event. ARC (A Room to Create) | Saturday | 7PM
💃 It’s The PEPPER MOONS: Enjoy a swing dance lesson followed by live music from The Pepper Moons with coffee, snacks, and door prizes included. Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association | Saturday | May 16 | 7:30PM – 11PM
Sunday (5/17)
🚴 Greene and Greene Architecture Ride: Ride through Pasadena to explore more than a dozen Greene and Greene-designed homes with commentary from The Gamble House curator. The Gamble House Bookstore | Sunday | 8:30AM – 12PM
🚴 Trek Pasadena Sunday Morning Shop Ride: Join this recurring 20-mile intermediate group ride through the Rose Bowl, South Pasadena, and San Marino. Trek Bicycle Pasadena | Sunday | 8AM – 11AM
🦜 Exotic Animal Vet Center Annual Open House: Tour the veterinary hospital, meet exotic animal rescues, and attend educational talks focused on the care of rabbits, birds, reptiles, and more. Exotic Animal Vet Center | Sunday | 10AM – 4PM
🧘 One Colorado’s The Courtyard Series: Sound Bath with Somer Skye Energy Works: Relax with guided breathwork and a restorative sound bath featuring crystal bowls, chimes, and live cello. 35 Hugus Alley, Suite 200 | Sunday | May 17 | 10AM – 11AM
🛍️ Artazan Handcraft Market: Browse handcrafted goods from more than 200 independent artisans along with live music, workshops, demonstrations, and artisan food. Pasadena Convention Center | Sunday | 10AM – 5PM
🤖 NPRF26: The Frankenstein Project: Boston Court Pasadena’s New Play Reading Festival continues with a story connecting Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to a present-day relationship with a sentient AI robot. Boston Court Pasadena | Sunday | 2PM
☕ New Horizon School Pasadena’s “Deja Brew” Alumni Reunion 2026: Alumni are invited back for an afternoon of refreshments, campus tours, and reconnecting with former classmates and the school community. New Horizon School Pasadena’s Peace Garden | Sunday | 2PM
🎤 Go Fact Yourself LIVE with Laura Dave and William Stanford Davis: Author Laura Dave and actor William Stanford Davis will join hosts J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong for a live pop culture trivia show. The Crawford | Sunday | 4PM – 6PM
Upcoming Events
New events added to the News N’ Roses events page. Check them out here!
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!
WEATHER
Friday
69 🌡️ 57 |🌤️| 💨 S 8 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 56 (Moderate)
Saturday
68 🌡️ 56 |⛅| 💨 SW 9 mph
Sunday
66 🌡️ 55 |🌤️ | 💨 SW 8 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC
🎹 Larry Garf Performs: Pianist Larry Garf will perform a mix of ragtime, early jazz, blues, standards, and Beatles songs. Jones Coffee Roasters | Friday | May 15 | 9AM
🪗 Stanley Oropesa Performs: Local accordionist Stanley Oropesa will perform classical pieces, original compositions, Irish music, ragtime, pop, and film scores. Jones Coffee Roasters | Friday | May 15 | 11AM
🎶 Friday Night Ska & Rocksteady at The Barkley!: Enjoy vintage vinyl, ska, reggae, and rocksteady with a live performance by Selohsa. The Barkley Restaurant & Bar | Friday | May 15 | 9PM – 1AM
🖤 Ultra MODE at The OffBeat: Ultra MODE will perform a live tribute to Depeche Mode at The OffBeat in Los Angeles. The OffBeat – A Bar On York | Friday | May 15 | 9PM
🎶 Zipangu Japanese Music Festival: This J-Pop festival at Brookside at the Rose Bowl will feature live performances from artists including Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA, and MAN WITH A MISSION. Cloud Nine, Golden Voice | Saturday | May 16 | 3:30PM
🎼 Third@First: Hers: Music Ensemble: This concert will feature vocal works by Los Angeles female composers performed by Karen Hogle Brown, Tamara Bevard, and pianist Jennie Jung. First United Methodist Church (FUMC) | Saturday | May 16 | 4PM
🤘 TOOL / Alice in Chains / STP Tribute Night: Tribute bands Forty Six & TOOL and Would will perform songs from TOOL, Alice In Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots at The OffBeat. The OffBeat – A Bar On York (Highland Park) | Saturday | May 16 | 6PM
🎷 Live Jazz on the Rooftop at Visionarium with The Carla Bartlett Quartet: The Carla Bartlett Quartet will perform live jazz during this rooftop evening featuring piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Visionarium Live Italian | Saturday | May 16 | 7PM – 9PM
🎸 Jerry’s Middle Finger: Jerry’s Middle Finger will perform music from the Jerry Garcia Band catalog along with selections inspired by Garcia’s side projects and collaborations. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Saturday | May 16 | 8PM
🎸 MUSIC | Jodi Siegel: Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jodi Siegel will perform a mix of blues, R&B, soul, and jazz with her band. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | May 16 | 8PM
🎶 Ruben Hakhverdyan Live In Concert: Ruben Hakhverdyan and his band will perform an evening of music and storytelling at Ambassador Auditorium. Ambassador Auditorium | Saturday | May 16 | 8PM
🎼 Orchestra Concerts “Four Great Film Composers”: The Caltech Orchestra will perform iconic film music by Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, Elmer Bernstein, and Michael Giacchino. Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium | Saturday | May 16 | 8PM – 9:30PM
🖤 Live Tribute to The Cure by Pictures of You, Live Show & Dance Party: Pictures of You will perform a live tribute to The Cure followed by a dance party with DJ Jack Tames. The Mixx Pasadena | Saturday | May 16 | 9PM
🎶 The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Grateful Dead + More for Kids: This family concert series introduces kids to Grateful Dead music through live performances, games, movement, and storytelling. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Sunday | May 17 | 11:30AM
🎷 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser: Barb Catlin and Ken Rosser will perform an eclectic mix of jazz standards and original compositions. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday | May 17 | 2PM
🎸 Acoustic Sundays presents “Too Many Miles” with Bobbo Byrnes plus Mike Berman: Bobbo Byrnes and Mike Berman will perform an intimate afternoon of folk-rock songs and storytelling. Diana March Jeweled Universe | Sunday | May 17 | 2:30PM
🎼 Orchestra Concerts “Four Great Film Composers”: The Caltech Orchestra will perform film music by Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, Elmer Bernstein, and Michael Giacchino. Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium | Sunday | May 17 | 3PM – 4:30PM
🎻 Dvorak & Burleigh: A Chamber Music Concert by Mt. Lowe Chamber Players: Mt. Lowe Chamber Players will perform works by Antonín Dvorak and Harry Burleigh featuring violin, piano, cello, and vocal performances. Westminster Presbyterian Church | Sunday | May 17 | 3PM
🎶 Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Spring Concert: The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus will celebrate its 40th anniversary with performances by the Concert Choir, Young Men’s Ensemble, and Chamber Singers. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Sunday | May 17 | 7PM
🎷 Sunday Night Jazz at The Barkley!: The Richard Glaser Quartet will perform live jazz during this weekly Sunday night event. The Barkley Restaurant & Bar | Sunday | May 17 | 7PM – 11PM
🎷 JAZZ | Ryan Cross: Grammy-recognized bassist and composer Ryan Cross will perform jazz with his band at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday | May 17 | 8PM
THANKS!
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