Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses, the newsletter that’s like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get. Except, you kinda do: the best events in town.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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America Sings! Brings Music and Service to Pasadena
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2026 Astronomy Lecture Series at The Huntington
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Events this Weekend
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Civic News
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Live Music Lowdown
Let’s get to it.
—Matthew Ramirez
P.S. In case you didn’t know — today is Galentine’s Day — the February 13 tradition created by Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation to celebrate “ladies celebrating ladies” over brunch and friendship. And if you’re out celebrating today, just know: a lot of the show was filmed in Pasadena. Pasadena City Hall, for example, stood in as Pawnee City Hall in the show.
THE DIGEST
America Sings! Brings Music and Service to Pasadena
On Saturday, February 28, the steps of Pasadena City Hall will come alive as America Sings! Pasadena gathers approximately 400 student singers from across the country for a day centered on music, service, and community.
Founded on the belief that “hope is a song we share,” America Sings! is a national nonprofit focused on empowering young people through high-quality performance and meaningful service. The Pasadena event blends both.
The morning will begin at Pasadena High School, where students will participate in rehearsals led by composer and educator John Jacobson and guest clinicians. Students will also take part in community service projects benefiting schools impacted by the Altadena fires, offering direct support to affected students and educators.
From 1:00–4:00 p.m., individual choirs will perform on the steps of Pasadena City Hall, culminating in a 4:00 p.m. grand finale featuring all 400 singers performing together.
The festival is non-competitive and open to school and community choirs of all sizes. It brings families, educators, and students into the heart of downtown for an afternoon that combines music with hands-on support for local schools. For more information, visit thier website here.
2026 Astronomy Lecture Series at The Huntington
If you’ve ever wanted to hear directly from scientists studying the biggest questions in the universe, The Huntington’s Astronomy Lecture Series is back this spring with a strong 2026 lineup.
Hosted at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, the free series features researchers from Carnegie Science Observatories and covers four major topics:
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March 2 – Ultraviolet Suspects: Dr. Anthony Pahl will discuss how astronomers use ultraviolet light from distant galaxies to understand the universe’s first billion years.
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March 16 – Planetary Habitability: The Origin of Water: Dr. Anat Shahar will explain how water may form during a planet’s earliest stages — and what that means for life beyond Earth.
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March 30 – Shining a Light on Dark Matter: Andrew Robertson will walk through the evidence for dark matter, including insights from dramatic galaxy cluster collisions like the Bullet Cluster.
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April 13 – How to Look Inside an Exoplanet: Shreyas Vissapragada will explore how certain extreme exoplanets may reveal what lies beneath their surfaces.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with music at 7:00 p.m. and lectures at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required. As always, I’ll make sure to remind you of the event ahead of time.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Friday (2/13)
🧭 February’s Chapter Event: Camino, ft. Krystie Yen: A morning conversation exploring personal paths, creativity, and community as part of the ongoing Camino series. Free event with pastries and coffee included. CTRL Collective | Friday, February 13 from 8:30AM–10AM
🌸 Twigzz Flower Market: Browse fresh blooms, seasonal stems, and handcrafted arrangements at this open-air pop-up flower market. One Colorado Courtyard | Friday, February 13 from 9AM–7PM
🎨 Valentine Paint Social: Join a guided painting session and create your own Valentine-inspired artwork to take home. Bob Lucas Library | Friday, February 13 at 3PM
🎨 Adult Art Classes: Return to Basics: Fundamentals of Art: Join artist Oscar Rodriguez for a six-class course exploring the building blocks of art, from line and value to studying how artists apply these fundamentals, using works from the Museum’s collection as inspiration. Norton Simon Museum | Friday, February 13 at 4:30PM.
🧧 La Salle College Prep’s Lunar New Year Night Market Celebration: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, hands-on art activities, classic Chinese food, and family-friendly games at this community night market. La Salle College Preparatory | Friday, February 13 from 4PM–7PM.
💗 Galentine’s Event & Deck Launch!: Join bestselling author and mental health expert Oludara Adeeyo for a relaxed, in-person Galentine’s gathering featuring open conversation, connection, and activities inspired by her Self-Care For Black Women Deck. Octavia’s Bookshelf | Friday, February 13 from 6PM–7:30PM.
🎭 Amadeus: Follow the intense rivalry between Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in this Tony and Oscar-winning drama starring Jefferson Mays and directed by Darko Tresnjak. The Pasadena Playhouse | Friday, February 13 at 8PM.
Saturday (2/14) ❤️
🥕 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Shop fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables along with jams, fish, and other farm products at this certified farmers’ market where you buy directly from the growers. Victory Park | Saturday, February 14 from 8AM–12PM.
🐶 Pop-Up Dog Adoption Event at Pasadena Farmer’s Market: Stop by the Wiggle Waggle Waggin’ to meet adoptable dogs and maybe head home with a new best friend. Victory Park | Saturday, February 14 at 9AM.
🌱 Learn Regenerative Gardening by Doing it Yourself with Capri Kasai: Join a hands-on volunteer session to learn regenerative gardening techniques while working in the soil, planting, landscaping, and identifying native plants and weeds. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday, February 14 at 9AM.
🌸 Twigzz Flower Market: Browse fresh blooms, seasonal stems, and handcrafted arrangements at this open-air pop-up flower market. One Colorado Courtyard | Saturday, February 14 from 9AM–7PM
💌 Valentine’s Day Family Workshop: Drop in to create handmade toys, treats, cozy items, and vintage-style Valentine cards that will be delivered to shelter pets later in the month. Pasadena Humane | Saturday, February 14 from 10AM–12PM.
📚 Patio Book Sale – The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library: Browse books, CDs, and DVDs at this patio sale hosted by The Friends’ Bookstore, with proceeds supporting programs at Pasadena’s libraries. The Friends’ Bookstore | Saturday, February 14 from 11AM–2PM.
💘 Huntington Valentine’s Day Brunch: Gather with friends, family, or a special someone for a festive brunch featuring breakfast favorites, seafood stations, buffets, and a dessert display with two seatings available. Rose Hills Foundation Garden Court | Saturday, February 14 from 11AM–3PM.
🐐 Goat Yoga for Families!: Stretch and unwind during this family-friendly yoga session where gentle goats roam and interact with participants, led in partnership with Hello Critter Yoga. Altadena Library District | Saturday, February 14 from 1PM–3PM.
🥂 Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wine Tasting at The Gamble House: Enjoy a guided tasting of champagne-method sparkling wines from around the world, led by wine expert Nicole Lalague and paired with shareable charcuterie boards. The Gamble House | Saturday, February 14 at 2PM & 5PM.
🌹 A Vintage Valentine at the Queen Anne Cottage: Step back into the Victorian era with champagne on the porch, stories of historic courtship, a look inside the Queen Anne Cottage, and a hands-on floriography bouquet activity. LA County Arboretum | Saturday, February 14 at 2PM.
📖 Accordion Bookbinding Craft: Learn how to create a simple accordion (concertina) book using beginner-friendly folding and adhesive techniques in this hands-on craft session. South Pasadena Public Library | Saturday, February 14 at 3PM.
💕 Romance Along the Arroyo – A Valentine’s Day Event: Spend the evening exploring two historic homes with romantic music, sparkling toasts, sweet and savory bites, and interactive activities including floral traditions and custom typewritten poetry. Pasadena Museum of History | Saturday, February 14 from 4PM–7PM.
🐱 Kittens in Wonderland: Art Show Reception with Tail Town Cats: Celebrate an Alice in Wonderland–inspired community art show inside the adoption lounge with light refreshments and first access to artwork benefiting the cats. Tail Town Cat Cafe | Saturday, February 14 at 6PM.
💃 Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association’s Valentine Dance with the Pepper Moons: Hit the dance floor with live music from the Pepper Moons at this Valentine’s dance, featuring an evening of social dancing and a pre-dance swing lesson. Grace Hall | Saturday, February 14 at 8PM.
Sunday (2/15)
🦉 Cemetery Wildlife Walk: Join Pasadena Humane for a guided walk to observe local wildlife, identify plants and flowers, and learn about notable gravestones throughout the cemetery grounds. Mountain View Cemetery | Sunday, February 15 at 6:30AM.
💪 February 15 | Partner Power: Valentine’s Edition with Alloy Personal Training: Join a partner-based workout featuring synchronized strength moves, core challenges, and a full-body cool-down—with options for couples, singles, or anyone flying solo. One Colorado Courtyard | Sunday, February 15 from 10AM–11AM.
🐲 Lunar New Year @ PAM: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with live performances, family-friendly activities, crafts, and free museum admission throughout the day. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Sunday, February 15 from 11AM–5PM
🧧 Lunar New Year at One Colorado: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with live music, a traditional Lion Dance, festive treats, and lucky red envelopes throughout the afternoon. One Colorado | Sunday, February 15 from 1PM–4PM
🎻 Isidore Quartet: Hear the acclaimed quartet perform a program highlighting Brahms alongside works by Bach and Beethoven, exploring the composer’s admiration for his predecessors. Coleman Chamber Music Association, Caltech | Sunday, February 15 at 3:30PM.
🎸 From Starfleet to the Stage: Tim Russ Rocks Jeweled Universe: Tim Russ, known for his role as Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, brings his blues-rock band to the Starlit Stage for an afternoon of strong guitar riffs and high-energy performances. Jeweled Universe | Sunday, February 15 from 3PM–5PM.
🎤 Go Fact Yourself LIVE with Dree Hemingway and Eric Winter: Watch a live taping of the pop culture trivia show hosted by J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong, featuring Dree Hemingway, Eric Winter, and surprise guest experts. The Crawford | Sunday, February 15 at 4PM.
🍷 Wine Club Wednesday: Cote of Paint: Celebrate Black History Month with a tasting featuring wines from Cote of Paint, a Black woman-owned winery from Santa Ynez Valley, with owner and winemaker Kristin Harris Luis in attendance. Bacchus’ Kitchen + Wine Bar | Sunday, February 15 at 5:30PM.
🎨 Pasadena Sunday – Paint Nite with Boozy Pigments: Skip the pressure of a traditional class and enjoy a laid-back paint night with hip-hop, Latin, and pop hits while you create at your own pace. The Corner Craft Kitchen + Bar (Pasadena Hilton Hotel) | Sunday, February 15 at 7PM.
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
Safely dispose of household hazardous materials and electronic waste at this drive-thru collection event for Los Angeles County residents (no business waste accepted). LA County Sanitation Districts | Saturday, February 14 from 9AM–3PM.
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Friday
67 🌡️ 48 |☀️| 💨 SW 4 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 24 (Good)
Saturday
64 🌡️ 47 |☁️| 💨 SW 8 mph
Sunday
59 🌡️ 48 |🌧️25%| 💨 S 7 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎹 Larry Garf Performs: Pianist Larry Garf plays ragtime, early jazz, blues, and classic standards in a morning set. Jones Coffee Roasters | Friday, February 13 at 9AM
🌌 MUSIC | Chuck Jonkey and Stephen James Taylor – “Interstellar Sound Bath”: Experience an immersive, hour-long sonic meditation as the composers blend handcrafted instruments, electronic textures, and spatial sound design into a continuous, 360-degree sound journey. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Friday, February 13 at 7PM & 9:30PM.
🎶 Catalina Combo: Enjoy an evening of jazz with Catalina Combo featuring Paul Eckman on bass, Willie McNeil on vocals, and Jeff Miley on guitar. Edwin Mills | Friday, February 13 from 7PM–11PM.
🎷 Club 1881 Live Jazz: Catch live jazz every Friday night featuring artists from around the world in an intimate evening performance. Club 1881 | Friday, February 13 from 8:30PM–11:30PM.
🎸 Grateful Goons – Live at Old Towne Pub: Catch Grateful Goons live as part of Blues for Sallah for a night of high-energy music. Old Towne Pub | Friday, February 13 at 8:30PM.
🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: Enjoy a live set of classic jazz with this homegrown South Pasadena group known for their musical flair and regular performances at Jones Coffee. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday, February 14 at 10AM.
🎷 Jazz on Valentine’s Day: Enjoy romantic classics from the Great American Songbook performed by the Ann Louise Trio in a live afternoon set. Linda Vista Branch Library | Saturday, February 14 from 4:30PM–5:30PM.
🎻 MUSIC | The Romantic Violin from Martin Chalifour: Hear Los Angeles Philharmonic concertmaster Martin Chalifour perform a lyrical program rooted in the romantic violin tradition, highlighting expressive phrasing and technical brilliance. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Saturday, February 14 at 5PM.
🎤 Ed Romero: Enjoy a night of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook as Ed Romero brings classic vocals to the stage. Edwin Mills | Saturday, February 14 from 7PM–11PM.
🎶 The Gold Line Jazz Collective: Catch a live set led by pianist Hank Mehren, featuring a rotating group of local musicians performing cool jazz, hard bop, and Latin fusion. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, February 15 at 10AM.
🎷 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser: Enjoy an eclectic afternoon set featuring works by Carla Bley, Billy Strayhorn, Steve Swallow, Wayne Shorter, and original compositions performed by longtime duo Barb Catlin and Ken Rosser. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday, February 15 at 2PM.
🎻 Isidore Quartet: Hear the acclaimed quartet perform a program highlighting Brahms alongside works by Bach and Beethoven, exploring the composer’s admiration for his predecessors. Coleman Chamber Music Association, Caltech | Sunday, February 15 at 3:30PM.
🎸 From Starfleet to the Stage: Tim Russ Rocks Jeweled Universe: Tim Russ, known for his role as Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, brings his blues-rock band to the Starlit Stage for an afternoon of strong guitar riffs and high-energy performances. Jeweled Universe | Sunday, February 15 from 3PM–5PM.
🎻 MUSIC | The Romantic Violin from Martin Chalifour: Experience an evening of romantic violin repertoire performed by Los Angeles Philharmonic concertmaster Martin Chalifour, highlighting lyrical expression and virtuosic depth. Sierra Madre Playhouse | Sunday, February 15 at 5PM.
🎷 Ken Song: Enjoy an evening of live jazz as Ken Song takes the stage with a smooth, laid-back set. Edwin Mills | Sunday, February 15 from 6PM–10PM.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading News N’ Roses today. If you found something useful, share it with your Valentine. ❤️
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