New Coffee Shop in Town

Boxing returns to Pasadena City Hall with a free outdoor amateur boxing showcase on August 21, while Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. celebrates the opening of its new Old Pasadena café.

News N’ Roses
July 24, 2026

Good afternoon, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. Long before the pickleball epidemic, Villa Parke was home to one of Pasadena’s oldest sports traditions. The city’s boxing program has been training local fighters since the 1940s, and this August that tradition returns to City Hall for one of Pasadena’s most unique annual events.

In this weekend’s News N’ Roses:

Boxing Returns to Pasadena City Hall Next Month
Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. Opens in Old Pasadena
Events this Weekend
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Don’t be mad at me Pickleballers. I’m just playing with you.😅

THE DIGEST

Boxing Returns to Pasadena City Hall Next Month

One of Pasadena’s more unique summer traditions is back. The 11th Annual Centennial Square Boxing Show returns to Pasadena City Hall on Friday, August 21, bringing an evening of free, Olympic-style amateur boxing to Centennial Square. The event features male and female boxers ages 8 and up from gyms across Southern California, including several athletes from Pasadena’s own Villa Parke Boxing Program.

The outdoor event has become a local favorite over the past decade, transforming the plaza in front of City Hall into a boxing venue for one night. Whether you’re a longtime boxing fan or just looking for something different to do on a Friday evening, it’s free, family-friendly, and a chance to cheer on local talent. Bouts run from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at Centennial Square, 100 N. Garfield Ave. For more information, click here.

Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. Opens in Old Pasadena

That coffee you used to grab before the first chairlift in Mammoth? It’s now being poured in Old Pasadena. Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. officially opened its Pasadena location this past week at 183 N. Fair Oaks Ave. The specialty café, which got its start in Mammoth Lakes, serves small-batch roasted coffee, espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, avocado toast, and house-made pastries. The Pasadena shop is locally owned by Pasadena residents David and Patricia, who say bringing Mammoth Coffee to their hometown has been a longtime goal. So, the next time you’re looking for a new coffee shop to check out, add Mammoth to your list.

Follow Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co on Instagram or visit their website here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Friday (7/24)

🧶 Cozy Crafters: Bring your own project or raid the supply basket at this casual crafting hangout. Callisto Tea House | Friday | July 24 | 4PM

🎶 Sunset Music Series: Afro-Latin Summer Jam: Kidspace stays open late for live Afro-Latin performances, dancing, and art activities for families. Kidspace Children’s Museum | Friday | July 24 | 5–8PM

⚽ World Cup Soccer Tournament with Dena United: A free youth soccer tournament for grades 7–12, with championship matches at the Rose Bowl. Robinson Turf Field | Friday | July 24 | 5–9PM

🎶 Sunset Sessions | Live Music & Libations: A Friday night courtyard series with live music and cocktails hosted by Javier’s. One Colorado Courtyard | Friday | July 24 | 7:30PM

🥋 Caltech Tai Chi Club: A community gathering for tai chi practice open to all levels. Caltech’s Hameetman Center 220, Multipurpose Room | Friday | July 24 | 7PM

🌿 Descanso After Dark: Nature’s Magic: An evening of art, performance, and interactive experiences inspired by the hidden magic of the natural world. Descanso Gardens | Friday | July 24 | 7–10PM

🎬 Movies in the Park: GOAT: Catch a free outdoor film screening at one of Pasadena’s neighborhood parks. Robinson Park | Friday | July 24 | 7PM

🎭 Mexodus: A new musical exploring the little-known Underground Railroad route that led south into Mexico. The Pasadena Playhouse | Friday | July 24 | 8PM

Saturday (7/25)

🌽 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park: Stock up on fresh, locally grown produce and farm goods at this beloved certified market. Victory Park | Saturday | July 25 | 8AM–12PM

🌱 Seedy Saturdays: Antonio Sanchez of Artemisia Nursery leads a hands-on workshop on growing California native plants from seeds, cuttings, and more. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | July 25 | 9AM

🌽 La Canada Farmers’ Market: Fresh, California-grown produce straight from local farms to you. 4526 Rinetti Ln | Saturday | July 25 | 9AM–1PM

🌱 Join a Garden Rebuild Project with Sybil Grant: Roll up your sleeves and learn regenerative gardening alongside fellow volunteers in a beautiful Pasadena garden. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Saturday | July 25 | 9–12PM

🧘 Yoga@PAM: A community yoga session in the museum courtyard, open to all levels, inspired by the Mythical Creatures exhibition. USC Pacific Asia Museum | Saturday | July 25 | 10–11AM

📚 Vroman’s Summer Sale: Discounted books and more fill the upstairs Event Space for over a week of savings. Vroman’s Bookstore | Saturday | July 25

🌱 Grand Opening and Seed Swap: Introducing Hastings Seed Library: The Hastings Branch gets its own seed library, celebrated with a community swap. Hastings Branch Library | Saturday | July 25 | 10:30AM

🎨 Make a Custom Apron: Customize an apron using the Cricut at this all-levels crafting session with supplies provided. Loma Alta Park Gymnasium | Saturday | July 25 | 10:30AM

🪶 Parks After Dark: Aztec Dance Toltecayotl: Learn traditional Aztec dance steps and drum rhythms with live drumming for all ages. Villa Parke Community Center Softball Field | Saturday | July 25 | 4:30–8:30PM

🎻 Summer Concert on The Paseo With Café Luar from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music: Enjoy an evening of live music on Vroman’s paseo featuring Café Luar from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Vroman’s Bookstore | Saturday | July 25 | 5PM

🔭 Talks & Telescopes: Clifford V. Johnson: An evening of stargazing and conversation at one of Pasadena’s most beloved hilltop observatories. Mt. Wilson Observatory | Saturday | July 25 | 5:30PM

🌊 Parks After Dark: Aqua Boogie Nights: An all-ages night of swimming, music, and dancing at the pool. Kennedy Pool | Saturday | July 25 | 6–9PM

🎷 A Toast to the Rat Pack: The Pasadena Pops brings Sinatra, Dino, and Sammy Davis Jr. to life with a full big band under the stars. LA County Arboretum | Saturday | July 25 | 7:30PM

🎸 Tom Nolan Band Fundraiser for Outward Bound Adventures: A 10-piece rock ‘n’ soul dance band plays a live fundraiser supporting environmental education. SM Moose Lodge #702 | Saturday | July 25 | 8–11PM

Sunday (7/26)

🌱 Holding Space With Hands in The Soil: A monthly community gathering in the garden focused on rest, healing, and connection for Eaton Fire-affected families. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Sunday | July 26 | 12PM

🎸 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park: Elvis Tribute Performance: A free outdoor Elvis tribute show at the beloved Memorial Park Bandshell in Sierra Madre. Memorial Park Bandshell | Sunday | July 26 | 6PM

🎷 Jazz in the Park: Michael Haggins: Pasadena-born bassist and composer Michael Haggins brings live jazz to an outdoor summer evening. Playhouse Village Park | Sunday | July 26 | 6–8PM

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 🌡️ 68 |☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 50 (Moderate)

Saturday

92 🌡️ 69 ☀️| 💨 S 8 mph

Sunday

91 🌡️ 69 |☀️| 💨 SW 8 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🎹 Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas: Experience an evening of experimental jazz and microtonal soundscapes from Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas, with special guest Jill Fraser. The Lodge Room | Friday | July 24 | 7PM

🎷 Jenny & The Jazz Birds: A beloved local jazz group brings their classic sound back to their longtime Raymond Ave. home. Jones Coffee Roasters | Saturday | July 25 | 10AM

🎶 Summer Concert on The Paseo With Café Luar: Live accordion, violin, and bass from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, outdoors on the bookstore paseo. Vroman’s Bookstore | Saturday | July 25 | 5PM

🎺 2026 Levitt Vibe Pasadena Music Series: Julian Torres y Mariachi Cenzontle: The LA-based mariachi band, famously signed to Death Row Records, brings a free evening of live music to the Levitt Pavilion. Memorial Park | Saturday | July 25 | 6PM

🎶 29th Annual Concert Series 2026: Las Chikas: A free outdoor concert featuring Las Chikas at the beloved Altadena summer series. Loma Alta Park | Saturday | July 25 | 5:30PM

🎸 Wu Lyf: Manchester band Wu Lyf brings its independent rock sound to the Lodge Room with opening act Bondo. The Lodge Room (Highland Park) | Saturday | July 25 | 7PM

🎹 The Gold Line Jazz Collective: A locally rooted jazz ensemble blending Cool Jazz, Hard Bop, and Latin Fusion at a neighborhood favorite. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday | July 26 | 10AM

🎷 Jazz Sundays with Catlin & Rosser: Barb Catlin and Ken Rosser bring an eclectic jazz set featuring Carla Bley, Wayne Shorter, and original compositions. Jones Coffee Roasters | Sunday | July 26 | 2PM

THANKS!

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Boxing returns to Pasadena City Hall with a free outdoor amateur boxing showcase on August 21, while Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. celebrates the opening of its new Old Pasadena café.

THE DIGEST

Boxing Returns to Pasadena City Hall Next Month

Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. Opens in Old Pasadena

SPONSORED BY UNIVERSAL LANDSCAPING SERVICES

Professional Landscaping in Pasadena