Happy June 1st!

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Happy June 1st! It’s starting to really feel like summer now.

Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events in New York City that began on June 28, 1969 and helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Pasadena Celebrates Pride Month with Events in June

• Pasadena Summer Events 2026

• Golden Five Acres Gala

• Events this Monday & Tuesday

• Civic News

  • Election Day Information

  • Meetings

• Weather

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

A MESSAGE FROM CTRL COLLECTIVE

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I’ve been using CTRL Collective as the home base for News N’ Roses, and it’s become part of my routine. The space offers open seating, dedicated desks, private offices, conference rooms, fast WiFi, and soundproof phone booths. There’s also a podcast studio available to rent, complimentary coffee, a full kitchen, and it’s dog-friendly.

Whether you’re working remotely, running a business, freelancing, or building your next project, CTRL Collective gives you a professional workspace without the corporate feel. Flexible options include full-time memberships, part-time plans, and day passes.

👉 Schedule a tour and try the space free for a week.

THE DIGEST

Pasadena Celebrates Pride Month with Events in June

Pasadena is celebrating Pride Month with a variety of events designed to foster connection, creativity, education, and community support throughout June.

The month kicks off today, June 1, with the City of Pasadena Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall. Mayor Victor M. Gordo and the Pasadena City Council will join residents in recognizing Pride Month and celebrating Pasadena’s LGBTQIA+ community.

The city’s main Pasadena Pride Celebration takes place June 13 at City Hall, featuring live entertainment, crafts, local LGBTQIA+ organizations, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free, with food available for purchase.

Later in the month, teens can participate in a Keith Haring-inspired art workshop exploring the artist’s influence on LGBTQIA+ rights and activism. Other events include an online Pride-themed book discussion for adults 50+, a crafting and storytelling mixer at Hill Avenue Branch Library, and a month-long social media spotlight highlighting LGBTQIA+-owned businesses throughout Pasadena.

Most events are free and open to the public, offering residents numerous ways to celebrate Pride Month and connect with the community. For more information on these events, click here.

Pasadena Summer Events 2026

If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recently put together an updated guide to some of the biggest events happening around Pasadena this summer, from concerts and outdoor movies to festivals, family activities, and more.

Check out the Summer Events Guide here.

A MESSAGE FROM FIVE ACRES

Celebrate a century of impact at the Golden Five Acres Gala this Saturday, June 6! This special evening marks 100 years at Five Acres’ historic Altadena campus, while honoring 138 years of caring for children across Los Angeles County. Held at a private club in Pasadena, the night draws inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s and brings together community members, supporters, and partners for a meaningful cause. I’m also proud to say News N’ Roses is a media sponsor for the event!

Guests can expect an elegant evening with live music, cocktails, and a full program designed to celebrate the organization’s legacy and future. It is a chance to be part of a milestone moment while supporting a mission focused on safety, well-being, and permanency for every child.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available! Join the Five Acres community in celebrating 100 years of hope, heart, and home. Buy tickets or become a sponsor here.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (6/1)

👕 Summer Clothing Swap Rack: Refresh your summer wardrobe by swapping clothing throughout June at this community clothing exchange. Altadena Library at Loma Alta Park | Monday | June 1 | All Day

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month Flag Raising: Join Mayor Victor M. Gordo and the Pasadena City Council for the City of Pasadena’s Pride Flag Raising ceremony. Pasadena City Hall | Monday | June 1 | 12:30PM

🏺 Inlay Ceramics Workshop: Platter Making: Learn how to design and handbuild a decorative platter using ceramics inlay techniques in this two-day workshop. Armory Center for the Arts | Monday | June 1 | 1PM

🎤 Open Mic Night: Share your music, stories, or spoken word and cheer on fellow community members at this all-ages open mic. Callisto Tea House | Monday | June 1 | 6PM

🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: Join this community fun run featuring 4- and 6-mile route options, shoe demos, prizes, and a welcoming atmosphere for runners and walkers of all abilities. Run With Us | Monday | 6PM

📚 There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood: An Evening with Rasheed Newson: Celebrate the launch of Rasheed Newson’s new novel with a conversation featuring author Laura Warrell, followed by a book signing and Q&A. Octavia’s Bookshelf | Monday | June 1 | 6PM

Tuesday (6/2)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Shop fresh locally grown produce and farm products directly from certified California farmers at Villa Parke. Villa Parke | Tuesday | 8:30AM – 12:30PM

🔴 Mars through the Ages: Caltech’s Keck Institute for Space Studies will host a lecture on Mars exploration, geochemistry, organic molecules, and future astrobiology missions. Arms 155 (Robert P. Sharp Lecture Hall) | Tuesday | June 2 | 4:30PM

🎧 Open Turntables: DJs of all experience levels can sign up for 20-minute sets during this weekly open-turntable night before karaoke. The Offbeat Bar (Highland Park) | Tuesday | June 2 | 6PM–9PM

🌱 Little Shop of Horrors: Lineage Performing Arts Center closes its season with a dance-infused production of the sci-fi musical Little Shop of Horrors. Lineage Performing Arts Center | Tuesday | June 2 | 7PM

🎷 MUSE/IQUE: The Sun Rises in Harlem: Explore the music of the Harlem Renaissance through performances celebrating artists like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bessie Smith. The Huntington | Tuesday | June 2 | 7:30PM

😂 COMEDY | Brendan Scannell + Laurie Kilmartin + Andrea Jin: Comedy at the Playhouse returns with performances from Brendan Scannell, Laurie Kilmartin, and Andrea Jin. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Tuesday | June 2 | 8PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events are 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!

CIVIC NEWS

Election Day Information

If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time. Voting centers across Pasadena are open today, June 1, from 10AM–7PM, with extended hours tomorrow, June 2, from 7AM–8PM. Voting locations include Victory Park Recreation Center, Jefferson Branch Library, Villa Parke Community Center, Webster Elementary School, Rosemont Pavilion, and Robinson Park Recreation Center.

If you’ve already completed your ballot, official ballot drop boxes are available at Pasadena City Hall, Victory Park, Rose Bowl Stadium (Lot I), Washington Park, Grant Park, Jackie Robinson Community Center, Allendale Branch Library, and Hastings Branch Library. Drop Boxes close at 8 PM on Tuesday, June 2.

Legislative Policy Committee Meeting

Pasadena’s Legislative Policy Committee will meet Tuesday, June 2 at 4:30PM at City Hall, Council Chamber Room S249 to discuss legislative priorities and provide recommendations to the City Council on state and federal policy matters affecting the city. Click here to view agenda.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Historic Preservation Commission will meet Tuesday, June 2 at 6PM in the Hale Building Hearing Room to review preservation matters and help protect the city’s historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and architectural resources. Click here to view agenda.

Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting CANCELED

Pasadena’s Recreation and Parks Commission as been canceled and rescheduled to Tuesday, June 9, at 6:00PM. The meeting takes place at the City Yards Pubic Works building.

Human Relations Commission Meeting

Pasadena’s Human Relations Commission will meet Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30PM at the Jackie Robinson Community Center to discuss issues related to equity, inclusion, community relations, and the well-being of Pasadena residents. Click here to view agenda.

WEATHER

Monday

77🌡️57 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 77 (Moderate)

Tuesday

74🌡️56 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎷 Triple Shot Jazz Trio: Pasadena-based modern jazz trio Triple Shot will perform improvisations and original compositions influenced by jazz, blues, gospel, and funk. Jones Coffee Roasters | Monday | June 1 | 9AM

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Guitarist Riner Scivally and his trio perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Monday | June 1 | 6PM

🎼 Tuesday Musicale in Concert: Enjoy a free chamber music concert featuring piano, vocal, violin, cello, and string quartet performances by members of Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena. Christian Science Church | Tuesday | June 2 | 12:30PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee and his trio perform an evening of jazz standards. Edwin Mills | Tuesday | June 2 | 6PM

🎷 MUSE/IQUE: The Sun Rises in Harlem: Explore the music of the Harlem Renaissance through performances celebrating artists like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bessie Smith. The Huntington | Tuesday | June 2 | 7:30PM

THANKS!

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