Another Summer Weekend

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Mount Wilson Observatory was once home to the world’s largest telescope, the 100-inch Hooker Telescope, which Edwin Hubble used to help prove that the universe extends far beyond the Milky Way. You can head up the mountain yourself for a free public star party tonight, where the Los Angeles Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up for an evening under the stars.

In this weekend’s News N’ Roses:

• Applications Open for the 2027 Rose Court

• Rose Bowl Masters Making Waves at Nationals

• Events this Weekend

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. I want to give a warm welcome to Dr. Jivan Hovsepyan of Hovsepyan Family Optometry! He and his wife, Anna, opened their Pasadena practice just a few months ago and are already becoming a wonderful part of the local community.

A MESSAGE FROM HOVSEPYAN FAMILY OPTOMETRY

Looking for an eye doctor who treats you like more than just an appointment? At Hovsepyan Family Optometry in Pasadena, Dr. Jivan Hovsepyan and his team provide comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages, from thorough, unhurried eye exams to pediatric care, contact lens fittings, dry eye treatment, and medical eye care.

Patients consistently praise the experience, from the warm, modern office and state-of-the-art equipment to Dr. Hovsepyan’s personal approach. He takes the time to listen, explain everything clearly, and make sure patients feel comfortable throughout their visit. With a 5.0 rating on Google, the practice has quickly earned the trust of local patients and families.

Whether you need a routine exam, a new prescription, or specialized care, you’ll receive thoughtful, personalized attention every step of the way.

Call (626) 345-5279 to schedule an appointment or visit www.hovopto.com.

Receive a special News N’ Roses $25 gift card from Hovsepyan Family Optometry.

THE DIGEST

Applications Open for the 2027 Rose Court

I know it’s only August, but in Pasadena it’s apparently never too early to start thinking about the Rose Parade.

The Tournament of Roses has officially opened applications for the 2027 Rose Court, which means the road to the next Rose Parade has already begun. Seven young women will be selected to represent the Tournament and Pasadena in the months leading up to Jan. 1.

The tradition dates back to 1905, and each Rose Court member receives a $7,500 educational scholarship. They’ll also ride down Colorado Boulevard in the 138th Rose Parade and attend the 113th Rose Bowl Game.

Applicants must live and attend school full time within the Pasadena Area Community College District or one of several additional eligible ZIP codes. Interviews take place Sept. 5 and Sept. 8 at Tournament House, with the seven-member court announced a few weeks later.

Interested applicants can learn more about eligibility, the selection process, and what it means to serve on the Rose Court at tournamentofroses.com/about/rose-court-applications.

Rose Bowl Masters Making Waves at Nationals

Fresh off winning the SPMS Championship in Mission Viejo, the Rose Bowl Masters Swim Team headed north to Sacramento this week for U.S. Masters Swimming Summer Nationals. The first two days included the 1500 free, 400 free, 100 back, 200 breast and 100 fly, with the Pasadena crew picking up plenty of top finishes along the way.

Nationals continue today, Friday, through Sunday, with a full slate of individual events still ahead. Today also brings some team racing, with Rose Bowl swimmers taking on the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

And yes, yours truly is up here racing—I just won my first medal for the 200m Breaststroke! Plenty more swimming to come. Go Rose Bowl!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Friday (8/7)

🌵 Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show & Sale: Cactus and succulent enthusiasts display and sell plants at the LA County Arboretum. LA County Arboretum | Friday | August 7 | 9AM–5PM

🎬 Friday Movie Matinee: Parenthood: The 1989 Steve Martin and Mary Steenburgen comedy screens at the Senior Center, open to members plus one guest. Pasadena Senior Center | Friday | August 7 | 1PM

🎵 Sunset Music Series: Journey through the Philippines: Filipino-themed live music, dance, and art activities for kids, with performances in the Stone Hollow Amphitheater at 5:30PM and 7PM. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday | August 7 | 5–8PM

🎃 Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus: The 1993 Halloween classic screens outdoors at Victory Park. Victory Park | Friday | August 7 | 7PM

🔭 Mount Wilson Observatory Star Party: The LA Astronomical Society sets up telescopes for public viewing at the observatory, with donations accepted at the gate. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Friday | August 7 | 7PM–1AM

🎶 Grease: Altadena Music Theatre performs the 1950s musical at the outdoor grounds of Mountain View Mausoleum. Mountain View Mausoleum | Friday | August 7 | 8PM

💃 DANCE | Versa-Style Street Dance Company: LA-based hip hop and street dance ensemble co-founded by Miss Funk and Breeze-lee performs live. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday | August 7 | 8PM

Saturday (8/8)

🧘 Tai Chi: A guided tai chi session focused on relaxation, balance, and flexibility, held in the gardens. Descanso Gardens | Saturday | August 8 | 8:30AM

🥦 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: A certified market with locally grown produce plus vendors selling jams, jellies, and fish. Victory Park | Saturday | August 8 | 8AM–12PM

🔭 Special Behind the Scenes Engineering Tour: A guided look at the working infrastructure and equipment behind Mt. Wilson Observatory’s telescopes and facilities. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | August 8 | 9AM–2:30PM

🌱 Learn Regenerative Gardening with Arlington Garden’s Horticultural Team: Hands-on session where Arlington Garden’s horticultural team guides participants through regenerative gardening techniques. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | August 8 | 9AM–12PM

🎵 Pasadena Conservatory of Music Open House: The conservatory’s second annual open house features faculty meet-and-greets, sample classes, and student and faculty performances. Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Saturday | August 8 | 9:30AM–1PM

🌱 Community Service Day: Volunteers age 16+ help with hands-on gardening projects at Descanso; all experience levels welcome, RSVP required. Descanso Gardens | Saturday | August 8 | 9AM

🌽 La Canada Farmers’ Market: A weekly outdoor market running Saturday mornings in La Cañada Flintridge. 4526 Rinetti Ln (Next to LCF Post Office) | Saturday | August 8 | 9AM–1PM

🎵 Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival 2026: 88rising’s annual festival returns to the Rose Bowl, with Katseye, XG, UMI, Warren Hue, and others on the lineup. Brookside at Rose Bowl | Saturday | August 8 | 12–11PM

🍷 Perfect Pairings at Robbins Brothers: Enjoy an afternoon of wine, imported cheeses and charcuterie, live piano, and personalized tarot readings paired with Verragio jewelry, plus special event offers on select diamonds and qualifying purchases. Robbins Brothers | Saturday | August 8 | 1PM–5PM

🎨 Adult Art Classes: Second Saturday Sketching: A recurring sketching session held at the Norton Simon Museum for adult participants. Norton Simon Museum | Saturday | August 8 | 3PM

🌊 Parks After Dark: Aqua Boogie Nights: All-ages evening swim with music and dancing at Kennedy Pool, with lifeguards on duty. Kennedy Pool | Saturday | August 8 | 6–9PM

🌍 2026 Levitt Vibe Pasadena Music Series: World Fusion – Jessica Fichot | Melo Gía | Ara Dabandjian: French-Chinese-American accordionist Jessica Fichot, Puerto Rican-American vocalist Melo Gía, and LA composer Ara Dabandjian perform at the Levitt Pavilion. Memorial Park | Saturday | August 8 | 6PM

🚶 Walking Tour | Pasadena Hotels, Motels & Resorts: PMH Curator Julia Long leads a walk through Old Pasadena and the Civic Center tracing historic hotels like Castle Green, Hotel Carver, and the Maryland Hotel. 275 S. Raymond Avenue | Saturday | August 8 | 6PM

🎶 29th Annual Concert Series 2026: Upstream: Keni Arts leads a free plein air painting demo and hands-on session at Loma Alta Park, with all materials provided. Loma Alta Park | Saturday | August 8 | 7PM

🎥 Filmforum 50, Program 17: Floribunda: LA Filmforum screens a program of contemporary short experimental films about gardens, outdoors at Arlington Garden. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | August 8 | 7:30PM

🕯️ Candlelight Pasadena: Best of Cantonese Pop: Experience Cantonese pop performed by the Orchid Quartet in a candlelit string concert featuring music by Faye Wong, Eason Chan, Leslie Cheung, Hins Cheung, Kay Tse, and more. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Saturday | August 8 | 8:15PM

Sunday (8/9)

🌿 Second Sundays: Summer Fun: Kids and adults can build and decorate a birdhouse, tour the Teaching Greenhouse with gardener Molly Lazar, or make clay nature pendants. The Huntington’s Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden | Sunday | August 9 | 11AM

🧘 Resonance: A Yoga and Sound Journey: Pasadena-raised yoga teacher and musician Qur’an Shaheed leads outdoor movement and breathwork alongside a rotating guest musician. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Sunday | August 9 | 12PM

🐉 Conversations@PAM: Mythical Creatures | Panel Talks Part 1: Artists and collaborators behind the exhibition discuss how sound, film, and digital media shaped the work, with composer Juan Cortes Arango, filmmaker Yimeng Yuan, and light sculptor Gautam Rangan on the panel. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Sunday | August 9 | 12PM

🎷 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: Jazz – Carte Blanche to Tom Ranier: Pianist Tom Ranier performs a jazz set inside the historic 100-inch telescope dome at Mt. Wilson. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Sunday | August 9 | 3PM & 5PM

🌿 Twilight Garden Strolls: The Huntington opens its gardens for an after-hours evening walk as day turns to dusk, with most gardens accessible but galleries and the Conservatory closed. Various garden locations at The Huntington | Sunday | August 9 | 4:30PM

🌿 Twilight Garden Estate Tours: Ecological educator Kristy Brauch leads a hands-on science walk through the gardens at dusk. Various Gardens at The Huntington | Sunday | August 9 | 5 & 5:30PM

🎸 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Skinny Ties: Skinny Ties performs at this free outdoor concert series in Sierra Madre. Memorial Park Bandshell | Sunday | August 9 | 6PM

🚶 Explore Historic Old Pasadena at Twilight: A Pasadena Heritage walking tour covers the northern section of Old Pasadena, including the ruins of the city’s second library and a historic theatre converted to condominiums. Memorial Park | Sunday | August 9 | 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!

WEATHER

Friday

91 🌡️ 67 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 61 (Moderate)

Saturday

92 🌡️ 68 ☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Sunday

92 🌡️ 69 |☀️| 💨 S 7 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎸 Widowspeak with Dead Gowns: Indie rock band Widowspeak performs at the Lodge Room with special guest Dead Gowns. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Friday | August 7 | 7PM

🎷 Live Jazz at Club 1881: Club 1881 hosts its weekly Friday night jazz series featuring musicians from around the world. Club 1881 | Friday | August 7 | 8:30PM–11:30PM

🎷 Live Jazz Brunch with the Stephanie Barone Quintet: Stephanie Barone leads a five-piece ensemble performing straight-ahead and contemporary jazz, including jazz interpretations of modern favorites, alongside an Italian brunch menu. Visionarium Live Italian | Saturday | August 8 | 12PM–2PM

🎶 29th Annual Concert Series 2026: Upstream: Keni Arts leads a free plein air painting demo and hands-on session at Loma Alta Park, with all materials provided. Loma Alta Park | Saturday | August 8 | 7PM

🎸 Live Music Rooftop Night with The Rayband: The Rayband returns for a rooftop performance featuring classic hits and live music alongside Visionarium’s Italian food and drinks. Visionarium Live Italian | Saturday | August 8 | 7PM–9PM

🎤 Anthony Green: This Tour Won’t Save You: Circa Survive frontman and original Saosin vocalist Anthony Green brings his solo tour to Highland Park, drawing from a career spanning more than two decades of alternative and post-hardcore music. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Saturday | August 8 | 7PM

🕯️ Candlelight Pasadena: Best of Cantonese Pop: Experience Cantonese pop performed by the Orchid Quartet in a candlelit string concert featuring music by Faye Wong, Eason Chan, Leslie Cheung, Hins Cheung, Kay Tse, and more. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Saturday | August 8 | 8:15PM

🎸 The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Red Hot Chili Peppers + More for Kids: A family-friendly concert introduces kids 10 and under to the music of Red Hot Chili Peppers and other rock favorites through live music, movement, games, and stories. Lodge Room | Sunday | August 9 | 11:30AM

🎸 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Skinny Ties: Skinny Ties performs at this free outdoor concert series in Sierra Madre. Memorial Park Bandshell | Sunday | August 9 | 6PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who hates mincing garlic because the smell stays on your fingers for two days.

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