Cars, Jazz, & Summer Nights

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. I don't know about you, but “helicopters, explosions, and troops rappelling onto an old hospital rooftop” was not on my Pasadena bingo card this past week.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

• Jazz in the Park Returns to Playhouse Village This Summer

• Pasadena Police Department Car Show Is Tomorrow

• Daniel Peacock Opens Solo Exhibition in South Pasadena

• Events this Weekend

• The Box Office: Plays & Musicals

• Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. I made an error in the last newsletter regarding the PMH Part 1: Route 66 event. June 14 falls on Sunday, not Saturday. Thank you to everyone who caught the mistake and brought it to my attention!

THE DIGEST

Jazz in the Park Returns to Playhouse Village This Summer

Looking for a free way to spend a summer evening in Pasadena? Jazz in the Park is back and the first concert is this Sunday!

The popular concert series returns to Playhouse Village Park every Sunday from June through July, bringing eight weeks of free live music to the Van Halen Stage at 701 E. Union Street. Concerts take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

2026 Lineup:

• June 7: Elliott Caine Quintet (Bebop & Boogaloo)

• June 14: Grace Fae & the Grandbirds (Vintage Jazz)

• June 21: Louie Cruz Beltran Trio (Latin Jazz)

• June 28: Little Brazil (Bossa Nova & Brazilian Music)

• July 5: Sounds from LACM (Jazz)

• July 12: Susie Hansen Latin Jazz Band (Latin Jazz)

• July 19: Kira & the Major 3 (American & World Standards)

• July 26: Michael Haggins (Smooth Jazz)

Presented by the Playhouse Village Foundation and Arash Danialifar, the annual series has become a favorite summer tradition for Pasadena residents. Bring a blanket or low-backed chair, grab takeout from a nearby restaurant, and enjoy an evening of live music under the stars.

Admission is free. Alcohol, tents, canopies, and large umbrellas are not permitted. For more information, click here.

Pasadena Police Department Car Show Is Tomorrow

The Pasadena Police Department's 24th Annual Car Show takes place tomorrow, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall. The event is free.

The family-friendly event will feature classic cars, custom builds, motorcycles, food vendors, and activities for all ages. More than just a car show, the event serves as a fundraiser for the Pasadena Police Explorer Program and Pasadena Police Activities League (PAL), which provide mentorship, educational opportunities, sports programs, and other positive experiences for local youth.

If you enjoy cars—or just want a fun community event—this is one worth checking out.

Daniel Peacock Opens Solo Exhibition in South Pasadena

Artist Daniel Peacock will open The Aart Show with a reception on Saturday, June 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the SPARC Centre Gallery in South Pasadena.

A graduate of ArtCenter College of Design, Peacock is known for colorful, character-driven paintings that blend humor, imagination, and storytelling. His work has been commissioned by Disney, Nickelodeon, Nike, and KCRW.

The exhibition runs through June 27.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

This Weekend (Sat & Sun)

🎮 SoCal Gaming Expo: A two-day gaming convention featuring a vendor marketplace, esports competitions, free play arcade, cosplay, museum exhibits, and special guests. Pasadena Convention Center | Saturday & Sunday | June 6–7 | 10AM–8PM

Friday (6/5)

🦕 Dinosaurs at Descanso Railroad: Opening Weekend: Explore dinosaur installations, Cretaceous-era mammals, and hands-on activities during the opening weekend at Descanso Railroad. Descanso Gardens | Friday | June 5 | All Day

🖼️ Free First Friday at the Norton Simon Museum: Enjoy free admission to the museum’s galleries and garden during this monthly community open house. Norton Simon Museum | Friday | June 5 | 4PM–7PM

🎪 Family Night: Cotton Candy Carnival: Enjoy dinner, a magic show, and carnival games during this family-friendly evening. San Marino Community Center MPR 1, 2, & 3 | Friday | June 5 | 6:00PM–8:00PM

☯️ Caltech Tai Chi Club: Learn and practice Hao-style tai chi chuan along with other martial arts forms in a welcoming environment open to beginners and experienced students alike. Caltech's Hameetman Center 220 – Multipurpose Room | Friday | June 5 | 7PM

💃 Salsa Series: Learn basic salsa footwork, patterns, turns, and technique in this beginner-friendly dance class series. Remainders Creative Reuse | Friday | June 5 | 7PM

🎼 MUSIC | Paul Salerni's Haunted: Composer Paul Salerni presents a contemporary work for solo voice, dancers, and chamber ensemble that combines dance, opera, and a ghost story. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday | June 5 | 8PM

🕺 Bachata Series: Learn the fundamentals of bachata, including footwork, turns, and soft hip motions, in this beginner-friendly dance class series. Remainders Creative Reuse | Friday | June 5 | 8PM

Saturday (6/6)

🥕 Pasadena Farmers' Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and farm products directly from certified California farmers. Pasadena Farmers' Market | Saturday | June 6 | 8AM–12PM

🇬🇧 June Faire: Enjoy a traditional British village faire featuring handmade goods, British foods, dancing, games, and live entertainment. The British Home | Saturday | June 6 | 9:30AM–2:30PM

🚗 24th Annual Pasadena Police Department Car Show: Enjoy a family-friendly car show that supports the Pasadena Police Department’s youth programs. The event is free. Pasadena City Hall | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM-3:30PM

🚶 Exploring Pasadena on Foot | Part 1: Route 66 & Old Pasadena’s Car Scene: Join PMH Curator Julia Long for a walking tour exploring Route 66 and Pasadena’s automotive history in Old Pasadena. 300 West Colorado Blvd. | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM–12PM

📦 Move Out Donation & Flea Market: Bring unwanted items to this free campus flea market, with unclaimed items donated to ACTS Thrift Store after the event. Caltech Olive Walk | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM–2PM

🚀 Build a Space Rover: Learn about the challenges of planetary exploration and design a model space rover using recycled materials. Hill Avenue Branch Library | Saturday | June 6 | 10:30AM

🌸 Flower Arranging: Garden Color Wheel: Create a floral arrangement featuring proteas while exploring color theory and floral design techniques. The Huntington's Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM

🎨 Altadena Arts Fair 2026: Explore original artwork from local artists working across a variety of mediums at this community art fair. Fraternal Order of Eagles #719 | Saturday | June 6 | 11AM–5PM

🐱 Tail Town Cat Cafe to Host Carnival of Cats Summer Celebration: Meet adoptable cats and enjoy games, activities, and cat-themed fun during this summer open house event. Tail Town Cat Cafe | Saturday | June 6 | 11AM–6PM

🎨 The Art Show by Daniel Peacock: Meet artist Daniel Peacock at the opening reception for his solo exhibition featuring colorful, character-driven works inspired by storytelling and imagination. SPARC Centre Gallery | Saturday | June 6 | 4PM–7PM

✨ The Golden Five Acres Gala: Celebrate the centennial of Five Acres’ historic headquarters during an evening of live music, cuisine, and fundraising in support of its programs and services. Annandale Golf Club | Saturday | June 6 | 6PM

🎸 Pasadena Right Here Right Now – a Rock Opera for our Place and Time: A rock band and string quartet present a new rock opera inspired by stories and experiences shared by Pasadena-area residents. Crown City Dance | Saturday | June 6 | 7:30PM

Sunday (6/7🤪)

🛍️ PCC Flea Market: Browse 400+ vendors offering vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, furniture, records, CDs, DVDs, and memorabilia across the PCC campus. Pasadena City College | Sunday | June 7 | 8AM–3PM

✨ Glow Festival, a Beauty & Wellness Market: Browse beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands while enjoying product sampling, shopping, and interactive experiences. The Paseo | Sunday | June 7 | 12PM–5PM

🎨 Adult Art Classes: Plein-Air Watercolor Painting from Creative Interpretation: Explore light, movement, and atmosphere in a plein-air watercolor workshop led by Robert Sherrill. Norton Simon Museum | Sunday | June 7 | 1PM

🌹 Roses in June: Songs from the Lanterman Archives: Enjoy an afternoon of music inspired by the shared history of the Lanterman House and Church of the Lighted Window. Lanterman House | Sunday | June 7 | 1PM–2PM

🎶 MUSE/IQUE: The Sun Rises in Harlem: Explore the music of the Harlem Renaissance through works by artists including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Bessie Smith. Skirball Cultural Center | Sunday | June 7 | 3PM & 7:30PM

🎻 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: Rogue Lemon Collective: Rogue Lemon Collective presents “High Ground, New Sound” as part of Mt. Wilson Observatory’s concert series in the Dome. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Sunday | June 7 | 3PM & 5PM

🖼️ Opening Reception – Pasadena: L.A.’s Art Legacy: Explore an exhibition featuring 70 works by 60 artists that highlights Pasadena’s role in shaping Los Angeles as an international art center. Jack Rutberg Fine Arts | Sunday | June 7 | 3PM–6PM

🍷 52nd Annual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival: Enjoy an evening of food, wine, live music, and auctions celebrating 100 years of AbilityFirst’s work supporting individuals with disabilities. Private Residence in South Pasadena | Sunday | June 7 | 5PM–8PM

🎷 Jazz in the Park: Elliott Caine Quintet: Enjoy an evening of bebop, boogaloo, and Latin-influenced jazz from the Elliott Caine Quintet as part of the Jazz in the Park concert series. Playhouse Village Park | Sunday | June 7 | 6PM–8PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events get 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!

THE BOX OFFICE

🎭 "Dr. Freud, I Presume": Theatre Americana presents an original comedy following the Bellvue family as they interact with Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Pasadena New Thought Center | 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

🪴 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

WEATHER

Friday

79 🌡️ 60 |☀️| 💨 SW 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 83 (Moderate)

Saturday

75 🌡️ 59 🌥️| 💨 S 9 mph

Sunday

75 🌡️ 59 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎼 MUSIC | Paul Salerni's Haunted: Composer Paul Salerni presents a contemporary work for solo voice, dancers, and chamber ensemble that combines dance, opera, and a ghost story. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday | June 5 | 8PM

🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Enjoy a live performance from this South Pasadena group known for its classic jazz sound. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday | June 6 | 10AM

📚 Pasadena Conservatory of Music presents Musical Storytime: This Is a Moment by Micah Player: Enjoy a story, creative movement, and a mini-concert during this musical storytime for children and caregivers. Vroman's Bookstore | Saturday | June 6 | 11:30AM

🎵 MUSIC | Twinkle Time’s Bilingual Children’s Concert: Families can sing, dance, and enjoy a bilingual pop-rock concert featuring music in English and Spanish. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | June 6 | 11AM

🎻 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Pasadena Orchestra: Enjoy a live outdoor performance by the Pasadena Orchestra as part of Sierra Madre’s summer concert series. Memorial Park Bandshell | Saturday | June 6 | 6PM

🎸 Pasadena Right Here Right Now – a Rock Opera for our Place and Time: A rock band and string quartet present a new rock opera inspired by stories and experiences shared by Pasadena-area residents. Crown City Dance | Saturday | June 6 | 7:30PM

🎼 MUSIC | Paul Salerni's Haunted: Composer Paul Salerni presents a contemporary work for solo voice, dancers, and chamber ensemble that combines dance, opera, and a ghost story. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday | June 6 | 8PM

🎻 Beethoven Symphony #9 – College Community Orchestra, PCC Vox Combined Choirs & Soloists: Pasadena City College presents Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 featuring student, alumni, and community performers under the direction of Henry Shin. Pasadena City College | Saturday | June 6 | 8PM

🎻 Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: Rogue Lemon Collective: Rogue Lemon Collective presents “High Ground, New Sound” as part of Mt. Wilson Observatory’s concert series in the Dome. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Sunday | June 7 | 3PM & 5PM

🎶 Pasadena Pro Musica Presents “I Hear America Singing”: This concert commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through music celebrating America’s diverse cultures and history. First United Methodist Church | Sunday | June 7 | 4PM

🎵 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Sierra Madre Music: Enjoy a live outdoor performance by Sierra Madre Music as part of Sierra Madre’s summer concert series. Memorial Park Bandshell | Sunday | June 7 | 6PM

🎷 Jazz in the Park: Elliott Caine Quintet: Enjoy an evening of bebop, boogaloo, and Latin-influenced jazz from the Elliott Caine Quintet as part of the Jazz in the Park concert series. Playhouse Village Park | Sunday | June 7 | 6PM–8PM

🎷 JAZZ | Naima Quartet: The Naima Quartet blends Brazilian music and jazz through original compositions and reimagined classics. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday | June 7 | 8PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with someone who realizes this Sunday will be 6/7! 🤪

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