10 Years in the Ring: Centennial Square Boxing Night Returns

Good morning, Pasadena. 🕶️🎤 Stepping into the boxing ring…

News N’ Roses—Pasadena’s newsletter champion, bringing you all the events you need to know for this weekend! 🥊🏆

In Today’s News N’ Roses:

• Centennial Square Boxing Show

• Remembering Pasadena’s William “Bill” Thomson Jr.

• Arlington Garden Reopens After Fire

• Events This Weekend

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

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THE DIGEST

Centennial Square Boxing Show

Pasadena’s Centennial Square Boxing Show is back for its 10th year! City Hall will turn into an outdoor boxing arena with Olympic-style bouts featuring local fighters of all ages. It’s free, family-friendly, and one of those Pasadena summer traditions that’s just fun to be at. Grab a spot, cheer on the boxers, and enjoy the energy of the night. See you at Pasadena City Hall at 7PM.

Remembering Pasadena’s William “Bill” Thomson Jr.

We’re sad to say that William “Bill” Thomson Jr., a former mayor and longtime city council member, passed away at age 89. This deeply civic-minded patent attorney helped transform Old Pasadena into the lively arts and business district we all know today. He also played a key role in bringing four Super Bowls and the 1994 World Cup to the Rose Bowl, helping raise our city’s profile well beyond our borders.

Thomson served on the City Council from 1981 to 1997 and held the mayor’s office from 1988 to 1990. Beyond politics, he championed education, setting up pathways at PCC, and stayed involved with community organizations right up until last year, including the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

Pasadena’s current mayor, Victor Gordo, called him a “visionary leader,” and it’s hard not to agree. A memorial service is set for this Sunday, August 24, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, at 3PM. Our city owes a lot to the foundation he helped lay and we’ll miss him.

Arlington Garden Reopens After Fire

Back in May, a fire destroyed Arlington Garden’s storage shed and volunteer hub, forcing the beloved three-acre garden to close while staff and volunteers assessed the damage. Thankfully, the garden has now reopened in a limited capacity and is once again free for the public to enjoy daily from 8AM to sunset!

Visitors can stroll the paths, bring along leashed pets, and enjoy Pasadena’s only dedicated climate-appropriate public garden. A celebratory reopening potluck is also planned in the coming weeks. The Arlington Garden has an ongoing GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for helping complete the restorations, if you’d like to support them.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

All Weekend

• 🌙 626 Night Market: Santa Anita Park transforms into a massive open-air festival with hundreds of food stalls, artists, and vendors filling the night with flavor and energy. Inspired by Asia’s famous bazaars, it’s a San Gabriel Valley tradition that blends eating, shopping, and late-night fun. Friday/Saturday/Sunday, from 4:00PM–11:00PM.

Friday

• 🧵 Cozy Crafters Club at Callisto Tea House: Settle in with a cup of tea and some creative energy. Bring a project you’ve been meaning to finish—or try something new from the supply basket—while connecting with fellow makers in a relaxed, crafty atmosphere. Friday, August 22 at 4:00PM.

• 🍰 Rumors: A High Tea, Immersive Theatre Experience: Settle in for an evening where fine dining meets farcical comedy. As you enjoy tiers of scones, sandwiches, and sweets, Neil Simon’s Rumors unfolds around you—an upscale dinner party gone hilariously wrong, complete with chaos, cover-ups, and razor-sharp wit. Friday, August 22 at 7PM.

• 🏡 Friday Nights at The Gamble House: Wind down the week on the Gamble House lawn with live music, wine flights from West Altadena Wine & Spirits, and plenty of room to picnic. Afterward, step inside the historic home’s first floor, where docents will be on hand to share stories about this Pasadena treasure. Friday, August 22 from 5:30PM–7:30PM.

• 🎬 Family Movie Night: Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cléopâtre: Alliance Française de Pasadena screens this French comedy favorite (with English subtitles), making for a lighthearted evening the whole family can enjoy. Friday, August 22 at 7:00PM.

• 🧘 Caltech Tai Chi Club: Ease into the weekend with an evening practice of Hao-style tai chi, along with Yang-style forms and kung fu. Open to all levels, the Caltech Tai Chi Club offers a relaxed, welcoming environment for learning and movement. Friday, August 22 at 7:00PM.

• 🥊 Centennial Square Boxing Show: The gloves are coming out at Pasadena City Hall for the 10th Annual Centennial Square Boxing Show. Expect an electrifying night of Olympic-style bouts as young athletes from across Southern California step into the ring under the lights of this iconic setting. Friday, August 22 from 7:00PM–10:00PM.

Saturday

• 🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Saturday mornings in Pasadena mean fresh-picked produce, local goods, and conversations with the farmers who grow your food. From fruits and vegetables to jams, fish, and more, it’s a weekend staple for good reason. Saturday, August 23 from 8:30AM–12:30PM.

• 🌱 Altadena Farmers’ Free Community Market: In the wake of the Eaton Canyon wildfire, the Altadena Farmers’ Market has shifted its mission—now serving as a nonprofit distribution hub providing free, farm-fresh produce to fire-impacted residents. Saturday, August 23 from 9:00AM–12:00PM.

• 🎨 Self Portrait Day!: Bring your creativity to the Hastings Branch Library for an afternoon of self-expression. All materials are provided, so you can craft a portrait that’s uniquely yours—or make it a shared project with a friend. Saturday, August 23 from 2:00PM–4:00PM.

• 🎨 Summer Arts Crawl: Mission Street comes alive with open galleries, live music, pop-up art, and local flavors during South Pasadena’s seasonal celebration of creativity. It’s a neighborhood-wide evening of art and community spirit. Saturday, August 23 from 3:00PM–9:00PM.

• 🚗 San Marino Motor Classic: Automotive Fine Arts Society: At the AFAS Pavilion, twelve world-class automotive artists showcase their latest works against the backdrop of gleaming classics. It’s an elegant prelude to the evening gala, complete with wine and light bites. Saturday, August 23 from 4:00PM–6:00PM.

• 🎶 Summer Park Concert Series: Memorial Park fills with music as the Michael Haggins Band takes the stage. Bring a blanket, spread out on the lawn, and enjoy an evening of live music. Saturday, August 23 at 5:00PM.

• 🐐 Goat Yoga at The Gamble House: Stretch, laugh, and let a few playful goats wander through your practice on the lawn of Pasadena’s architectural gem. With certified instructor Tina Lenert leading the way, this lighthearted session blends yoga, history, and plenty of goat antics. Saturday, August 23 at 5:00PM & 6:15PM.

• 🎶 San Marino Motor Classic: Symphony of Cars Gala: A glamorous evening where 15 classic cars are paired with live music from Gary Tole and the Legends of Swing Orchestra. With dinner, drinks, and timeless style, this gala supports the Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley. Saturday, August 23 from 6:00PM–10:00PM.

• 🎵 Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles: From “Hey Jude” to “Here Comes the Sun,” the Fab Four’s biggest hits get the full symphonic treatment under the stars at the Arboretum. Pasadena POPS and Classical Mystery Tour team up for a night of nostalgia and orchestral power. Saturday, August 23 at 7:30PM.

• 🎥 Matinees on the Mountain: Head up to Mt. Wilson for Envisioning the Skies: A Short History of Astronomical Films, a special screening with LA Filmforum. Between the Observatory views, the historic auditorium, and a lineup of vintage cosmic cinema, it’s an afternoon that blends science, history, and a touch of Hollywood magic. Saturday, August 23 from 3:00PM–5:30PM.

Sunday

• 🚘 San Marino Motor Classic 2025: Lacy Park transforms into a showcase of automotive elegance with one of Southern California’s premier car shows. From rare classics to iconic designs, it’s a day of style, history, and horsepower set against a beautiful park backdrop. Sunday, August 24 from 9:00AM–3:00PM.

• 🎉 Community Family Reunion at La Pintoresca Park: Pasadena Church brings neighbors together for an afternoon of music, games, and community connection. Expect activities for kids, free resources for families, and plenty of good vibes in the park. Sunday, August 24 from 1:00PM–3:00PM.

• 🤠 Music in the Park: The Pistol Blonde: La Canada Memorial Park sets the stage for an evening of country tunes with The Pistol Blonde. Pack a blanket, settle in with friends, and enjoy the summer air as the music carries you into the night. Sunday, August 24 from 6:00PM–8:00PM.

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!

CIVIL NEWS

Pasadena Library Offers Free State Park Passes to Cardholders

Pasadena library cardholders can now check out free California State Park passes, giving you day-use access to more than 200 parks across the state. You can also borrow Explorer backpacks—complete with binoculars, field guides, a magnifying glass, and a compass—thanks to a partnership with the State Parks Foundation and REI. Passes are available at all Pasadena Public Library branches (except the Central Library, still closed for seismic work).

NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER

Friday

96 🌡️ 72 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 43 (Good)

Saturday

95 🌡️ 71 |☀️| 💨 SW 7 mph

Sunday

94 🌡️ 71 |☀️| 💨 S 6 mph

⚠️Extreme Heat Warning

Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 95 to 110 degrees expected until 9PM Saturday. (Issued by the National Weather Service).

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• 🎻 Expressions of Faith and Hope Concert: An evening of Franck, Gershwin, and hymn arrangements with Bolshoi Theater Orchestra soloists Stanislav (violin) and Sergey Izmailov (piano). Expect virtuosity, emotional depth, and a few playful surprises woven into the classics. Friday, August 22 from 7:30PM–8:45PM.

• 🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Sip your morning coffee to the smooth sounds of this beloved South Pasadena jazz group. With their blend of classic jazz, blues, and funk, Jenny & The Jazz Birds have become a Saturday favorite at Jones Coffee Roasters. Saturday, August 23 at 10:00AM.

• 🎵 Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles: From “Hey Jude” to “Here Comes the Sun,” the Fab Four’s biggest hits get the full symphonic treatment under the stars at the Arboretum. Pasadena POPS and Classical Mystery Tour team up for a night of nostalgia and orchestral power. Saturday, August 23 at 7:30PM.

• 🎶 Katie Thiroux & Friends at Bacchus’ Kitchen: Jazz bassist Katie Thiroux brings her signature swing back to Bacchus’ Kitchen, joined by a lineup of top-notch players. Paired with a special multi-course menu from Chef Claud, it’s an evening where great music meets fine dining. Saturday, August 23 at 6:00PM.

• 🎼 Music @ the Playhouse: Bryan Roach + Musica Transalpina: Step into the sounds of the 17th century as baroque ensemble Musica Transalpina, led by Bryan Roach, brings rarely performed sacred works to life with both authenticity and passion. Saturday, August 23 at 7:30PM.

• 🎶 An Evening with Claire Holley and The Ukulele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere: Singer-songwriter Claire Holley shares the stage with a 15-strong ukulele ensemble that’s anything but ordinary—expect genre-bending energy, charm, and plenty of surprises. Proceeds benefit Altadena Musicians, supporting locals who lost instruments in the Eaton Fire. Saturday, August 23 at 7:30PM.

• 🎬 Music from the Movies with Paul McDonald Big Band: The Paul McDonald Big Band teams up with Lineage dancers and singers for a high-energy tribute to Hollywood’s greatest soundtracks. It’s the kickoff to Lineage PAC’s 26th season, blending live music and movement in cinematic style. Saturday, August 23 at 7:00PM & Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00PM.

• 🤠 Music in the Park: The Pistol Blonde: La Canada Memorial Park sets the stage for an evening of country tunes with The Pistol Blonde. Pack a blanket, settle in with friends, and enjoy the summer air as the music carries you into the night. Sunday, August 24 from 6:00PM–8:00PM.

THANKS!

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