Pasadena happenings include the Pasadena ARTWalk this weekend, Green Technology’s 20th anniversary celebration, and a 90s-themed Party in the Park coming September 26.
Matthew Ramirez
September 16, 2026
TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Today marks 216 years since Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bell in Dolores and called for an uprising against Spanish rule, helping launch Mexico’s fight for independence. Happy Mexican Independence Day!
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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Playhouse Village Is Throwing a 90s Party for Its 30th Birthday
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Pasadena ARTWalk this Weekend
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Green Technology Celebrates 20 Years in Pasadena Today
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Civic News
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Restaurant Spotlight
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Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at El Portal Tonight
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Panda Inn
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
A MESSAGE FROM
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THE DIGEST
Playhouse Village Is Throwing a 90s Party for Its 30th Birthday
Playhouse Village is turning 30, and they’re celebrating the most 1996 way possible: with a free 90s party in the park. On Saturday, September 26, Playhouse Village Park will host Party in the Park from 6–8PM, with live music from Hit Me 90s, local food, themed activities, and plenty of throwback songs you probably still know every word to.
The Playhouse Village Association was founded in 1996, so the 90s theme fits pretty perfectly. Over the past three decades, the district has grown into a 32-block neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, cafés, theaters, and cultural spots. Bring a blanket or chair, grab some friends, and feel free to lean into the theme with your best 90s outfit. The event is free and takes place at Playhouse Village Park, 701 E. Union St. Click here for details.
Pasadena ARTWalk this Weekend
More than 180 artists and makers are taking over Green Street this weekend for the 18th annual Pasadena ARTWalk. The free outdoor fair runs Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, from 11AM–6PM between Los Robles and El Molino in Playhouse Village.
Expect plenty to browse, including original art, photography, jewelry, clothing, home goods, paper goods, food and more. There will also be live music throughout the weekend, plus family-friendly activities like drawing workshops, caricatures, watercolor painting and a community art project.
Admission is free, all ages are welcome, and leashed pets can come along too. So if you like wandering around, checking out local art and finding things you definitely didn’t plan on buying, this is a good weekend for it. Click here for more.
Green Technology Celebrates 20 Years in Pasadena Today
Green Technology is celebrating its 20th anniversary today at the Pasadena Convention Center, bringing together people from across California’s public sector who work on sustainability, schools, facilities and community planning.
For this year’s event, they’re combining two of their biggest gatherings, the Sustainable Facilities Forum and the Green California Schools & Higher Education Summit, into one larger celebration. That means state and local government leaders, educators, facilities teams, policymakers and sustainability professionals are all in the same place.
Over the past 20 years, Green Technology has helped connect people working on greener buildings, healthier schools and more sustainable communities. Today’s event is a chance to look at what’s been accomplished so far and what still needs to happen next.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Wednesday (9/16)
🧶 A Stitch in Time Fiber Arts Club: Drop-in crafting meetup at Crowell Library for knitters, sewers, crocheters, and embroiderers of any skill level. Crowell’s Barth Community Room | Wednesday | September 16 | 1PM
🔖 Adult Crafternoon: Felt Bookmarks: Drop-in crafting session at the library where adults make felt bookmarks. Altadena Library at Loma Alta Park | Wednesday | September 16 | 4PM
🍹 Garden to Glass: A Cocktail-Making Experience: Farmhouse bartenders walk you through making one signature and one classic cocktail, paired with chef-curated small bites. Descanso Gardens | Wednesday | September 16 | 4–5PM
🏡 What Makes a Craftsman a Craftsman?: A discussion about whether post-Eaton Fire rebuilds using modern materials and codes can still claim the Craftsman label, with context from Altadena’s lost Louis B. Easton and Greene & Greene homes. The Blinn House | Wednesday | September 16 | 5–6:30PM
🇲🇽 Mexican Independence Day: Celebrate with the national anthem by Ignacio Hernandez, Mariachi Real del Oro, Ballet Folklórico Nahuatzén, an El Grito ceremony with Mayor Victor M. Gordo and special guests, plus dinner and drinks. El Portal | Wednesday | September 16 | 5:30PM
🎴 Lotería Family Night: The South Pasadena Library hosts a free play session of Lotería, the classic Mexican bingo-style game, with prizes. South Pasadena Library Community Room | Wednesday | September 16 | 6–7PM
🎭 The Visit: Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s dark comedy, directed by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak and starring Jefferson Mays, about a wealthy woman’s unsettling offer to her hometown. Pasadena Playhouse | Wednesday | September 16 | 7:30PM
🎵 Wine & Song: Brad & Friends: Brad Colerick performs at this speakeasy-style venue — enter from the back alley with the password “Pterodactyl.” Dinosaur Farm “Speakeasy” | Wednesday | September 16 | 7PM
🧠 Trivia Night: Test your knowledge at Stone Brewing Tap Room’s weekly trivia night hosted by Game Night Trivia. Stone Brewing Tap Room – Pasadena | Wednesday | September 16 | 6PM
Thursday (9/17)
🎨 Mindful Looking: Claude Monet’s Mouth of the Seine at Honfleur (1865): Education and Public Programs Manager Samantha Santiago leads an up-close look at this 1865 Monet, limited to 15 participants. Norton Simon Museum | Thursday | September 17 | 1PM
🎨 Library Art Collective: An art-focused study hall at Allendale Branch where kids can bring their own projects or work in different mediums with the group. Allendale Branch Library | Thursday | September 17 | 3:45–5PM
🫙 Hojalata: A hands-on introduction to the Mexican tin art tradition of hojalata, including embossing and painting thin metal pieces. Crowell’s Barth Community Room | Thursday | September 17 | 3–4:30PM
🎨 Sip & Paint: A Latino Heritage Month craft program where kids 3+ paint fruit-inspired mini canvases, inspired by A Song of Frutas, while sipping aguas frescas. Villa Parke Branch Library | Thursday | September 17 | 4PM
🔬 WOW! That’s STEM: Pasadena-area high school students lead a free workshop where kids build earthquake-resistant structures. Linda Vista Branch Library | Thursday | September 17 | 4PM
🌽 South Pasadena Farmers’ Market: California-grown produce, prepared food vendors, and live music under a canopy of trees near the Gold Line station. South Pasadena Farmers’ Market | Thursday | September 17 | 4–8PM
🎨 Opening: KALEIDOSCOPE: A Reflection of Staff Artwork: ArtCenter’s fourth annual exhibition showcasing artwork made by the college’s own staff across disciplines and materials. ArtCenter College of Design South Campus Fine Art Gallery | Thursday | September 17 | 5:30–8:30PM
🎸 Live Music at Farmhouse: Multi-genre LA guitarist Stuart Crespo plays as part of Descanso’s weekly Thursday evening music series, with drinks and food available. Descanso Gardens | Thursday | September 17 | 6–8PM
🎤 Toastmasters Talk of the Town: A drop-in speaking practice session where visitors can give short speeches and receive coaching from leaders at no charge. Crowell’s Thornton Conference Room | Thursday | September 17 | 6PM
🎭 August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: Gregg T. Daniel directs Wilson’s 1927 Chicago recording studio drama as part of A Noise Within’s American Century Cycle series. A Noise Within | Thursday | September 17 | 7:30PM
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events are regularly added to the News N’ Roses events page.
*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 Weighs Homeless Encampment Rules
Pasadena officials had a pretty direct conversation this week about what the city should do next when it comes to homeless encampments. During Monday’s Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee meeting, Mayor Victor Gordo and Councilmember Rick Cole briefly clashed over whether Pasadena has acted with enough urgency. The larger discussion focused on possible safety zones around schools, stronger enforcement of existing laws, additional shelter and service options, and whether the city needs new rules at all.
Pasadena’s latest homeless count found 577 unhoused people, including 322 people sleeping outdoors or in vehicles on the night of the count. The committee ultimately asked a city team to come back with recommendations on possible new policies, enforcement tools, services and funding. The motion passed without objection.
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Pasadena’s Public Safety Committee meets Wednesday, September 16 at 5PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249. Click here to view the agenda.
Library Commission Meeting
Pasadena’s Library Commission meets Wednesday, September 16 at 6PM at Hill Avenue Library, 55 S. Hill Ave. Click here to view the agenda.
Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach
Thinking about ditching your lawn? Pasadena Water and Power is hosting a class on Thursday, September 17 from 6:30–8PM at Robinson Park Recreation Center covering turf removal, water-wise plants, irrigation, soil prep, and how to build a more sustainable yard. Registration is required. Click here to register.
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at El Portal Tonight
El Portal is celebrating Mexican Independence Day tonight with a full evening of food, music, and Mexican tradition. The festivities start at 5:30PM with the “El Alcalde Margarita,” prepared by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, followed by the El Grito ceremony at 6:15PM. Guests can also enjoy live music from Mariachi Real del Oro, a performance by Ballet Folklórico Nahuatzen, and the Mexican National Anthem performed by Ignacio Hernandez.
The celebration runs from 5:30–9PM at El Portal, 695 E. Green St. It should be a lively night, and a great excuse to grab dinner, order a margarita, and celebrate Mexican Independence Day right here in Pasadena.
Panda Inn
Panda Inn has been part of Pasadena since 1973, and it’s also where the story behind Panda Express began.
The restaurant was founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng with Andrew’s father, chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. About a decade later, the family opened the first Panda Express at the Glendale Galleria. Panda Inn, though, has always been the full-service version, with a much larger menu and a more traditional sit-down experience.
Andrew Cherng
The Pasadena location reopened in 2024 after a major renovation, and it looks really nice now. The dining room feels modern and polished, with private dining areas, a patio, and a sushi bar. It’s definitely more upscale than you might expect if your only reference point is Panda Express.
Orange Chicken
As for the food, my favorite is still the Orange Chicken, and there’s a pretty good chance it’ll be yours too. It’s crispy, sweet, tangy, and just spicy enough. The Honey Walnut Shrimp is another popular one, with crispy shrimp, candied walnuts, and a creamy sauce. Panda Beef is great if you want something a little richer, with crispy beef tossed in a sweet and spicy orange peel sauce. You’ll also find classics like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef & Broccoli, plus more interesting options like Tea Smoked Duck, lion’s head meatballs, braised pork rice, and sushi.
lion’s head meatballs
It’s a longtime Pasadena restaurant with a surprisingly big place in local food history, and after the renovation, it feels worth revisiting even if you haven’t been in years.
WEATHER
Wednesday
77 🌡️ 61 |☀️| 💨 S 9 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 53 (Moderate)
Thursday
77 🌡️ 59 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC
🎻 Music at Noon: Belrose Duo: LA Philharmonic cellist David Garrett and Occidental College pianist Junko Ueno Garrett perform classical chamber music. Pasadena Presbyterian Church | Wednesday | September 16 | 12:10–12:40PM
🎵 Wine & Song: Brad & Friends: Brad Colerick performs at this speakeasy-style venue — enter from the back alley with the password “Pterodactyl.” Dinosaur Farm “Speakeasy” | Wednesday | September 16 | 7PM
🎸 Live Music at Farmhouse: Multi-genre LA guitarist Stuart Crespo plays as part of Descanso’s weekly Thursday evening music series, with drinks and food available. Descanso Gardens | Thursday | September 17 | 6–8PM
🎸 Doug MacDonald: Jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald performs standards shaped by a career that has included work with artists such as Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Buddy Rich and Ray Brown. Edwin Mills | Thursday | September 17 | 6PM
🎸 Meltt: The Vancouver indie-pop quartet brings its layered, textured sound to Lodge Room. Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Thursday | September 17 | 7PM
THANKS!
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