Rose Court Announced, Free Pizza Grand Opening

Pasadena’s 2027 Rose Court is named, Burattino’s opens with free pizza, and LA Tech Week brings six events focused on AI, startups, climate and space.

Matthew Ramirez
September 28, 2026

Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses. The first Tournament of Roses was held in 1890 by Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club. The idea was specifically to show former East Coast neighbors Pasadena’s warm winter weather and blooming flowers while much of the East was buried in snow. The original event included a flower-decorated carriage parade plus chariot races, jousting, foot races and tug-of-war.

In today’s News N’ Roses:

Meet the 2027 Rose Court
Free Pizza at Burattino’s Grand Opening
Pasadena Gets Its Own LA Tech Week Lineup
Events this Monday & Tuesday
Civic News
NASADENA
Weather
Live Music Lowdown

Let’s get to it.

—Matthew Ramirez

P.S. Happy birthday to my sister Rebeca! 🎂

THE DIGEST

Meet the 2027 Rose Court

Pasadena officially has its 2027 Rose Court.

The Tournament of Roses introduced the seven members Monday morning at Tournament House: Evita Bridge, Tessa Choi, Daniela Guzman, Irene Maddox, Maria Teresa McDonald, Elizabeth Rweyemamu and Lucy Wendling.

They were selected from 28 finalists based on academics, school and community involvement, public speaking and leadership. Over the next few months, the court will serve as ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses, making public appearances, volunteering in the community and preparing for New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

Each member will also receive a $7,500 academic scholarship and take part in leadership and personal development programs. And, of course, they’ll get one of the best seats in town on Jan. 1, riding in the 138th Rose Parade and attending the Rose Bowl Game.

Congrats to the 2027 Rose Court!

Free Pizza at Burattino’s Grand Opening

Burattino Brick Oven Pizza is celebrating the grand opening of its Pasadena location with a deal that’s pretty hard to ignore: two hours of free pizza.

The party is happening Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 8–10 PM at 1400 E. Washington Blvd. Burattino says it’ll be serving slices straight from the brick oven, including its popular 120 Pepperoni, Cheese Lava Pie and other menu favorites. There’s no ticket or sign-up required.

Burattino has built a following for over-the-top pies, especially its 120 Pepperoni, which is exactly what it sounds like. So if you’ve been curious about the new Pasadena spot, this is your chance to try it!

Pasadena Gets Its Own LA Tech Week Lineup

If you’re into tech, startups or space, there’s a lot happening around Pasadena during LA Tech Week this year. From Oct. 13–16, the city and Innovate Pasadena are hosting six events covering everything from health care AI and climate tech to startup pitches and space infrastructure. There’s a health care AI panel at HMRI, a startup pitch competition at Pasarroyo, a water and energy discussion with speakers from JPL and Pasadena Water and Power, and the monthly Pasadena Tech Happy Hour. Then on Friday, leaders from Sophia Space, Varda and Rocket Lab will sit down for a SpaceTech Showcase focused on what the growing space economy actually needs to keep expanding. Pasadena hosted four events during LA Tech Week last year, so this year’s lineup is getting noticeably bigger.

For more info, click here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Monday (9/28)

🍳 Cooking for a Cause: A cooking event benefiting a local cause, held at Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery. Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery | Monday | September 28 | 6–8PM

🏃 Run With Us: Monday Fun Run: A weekly social run/walk open to all paces, with a chance to try shoes from top brands. Run With Us | Monday | September 28 | 6PM

📚 Jon Else discusses & signs Frenchman Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs: Else discusses his book tracing a single 37-kiloton nuclear bomb’s Cold War life and its environmental and political fallout. Vroman’s Bookstore | Monday | September 28 | 7PM

🍄 Exploring the Mycoverse: Mycologist Aaron Tupac leads a free community workshop on fungi, interconnectedness, and the more-than-human world. Arlington Garden Pasadena | Monday | September 28 | 7–9PM

🔭 Astronomy on Tap: Black Holes and Galaxy Simulations: Caltech researchers Elias Kammoun and Nicole Sanchez present talks on supermassive black holes and galaxy simulations, followed by pub trivia and telescope stargazing. Dog Haus Biergarten | Monday | September 28 | 7:30–9:30PM

Tuesday (9/29)

🌽 Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke: Certified vendors sell produce they grew themselves, plus jams, jellies, and fish. Villa Parke | Tuesday | September 29 | 8:30–12:30PM

🔬 Molecular Mysteries: Caltech grad students lead kids ages 7–11 through hands-on molecule-building and atomic science. Hastings Branch Library | Tuesday | September 29 | 4–5PM

✍️ Mindfulness Calligraphy Workshop: Professional calligrapher Aspacia Kusulas leads beginners through basic strokes, lowercase letterforms, and a closing guided meditation to create a personal mantra. Bob Lucas Library | Tuesday | September 29 | 5:30–7:30PM

📚 Miriam Pawel discusses & signs California Dreams: Pulitzer Prize winner Miriam Pawel presents her history of the University of California, covering its founding mission and role in major policy debates. Vroman’s Bookstore | Tuesday | September 29 | 7PM

💃 The Mixx: Salsa Mixx: Salsa and Bachata lessons led by LA instructor Rogelio Moreno, followed by social dancing with DJ Salsa y Sabor. The Mixx Pasadena | Tuesday | September 29 | 8PM

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events posted regularly on the website. 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!

CIVIC NEWS

Legislative Policy Committee Special Meeting

Pasadena’s Legislative Policy Committee will hold a special meeting Monday, September 28 at 5PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249. Click here to view the agenda.

City Council Special Meeting

Pasadena City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday, September 29 at 6PM in the City Hall Council Chamber, Room S249. Click here to view the agenda.

NASADENA

NASAdena T-Shirts

Pasadena’s connection to space and science runs deep. JPL, Caltech and Mount Wilson Observatory have all helped shape major discoveries and missions over the years.

The NASAdena shirt pulls those pieces together, with references to Mars exploration, Caltech astronauts and Mount Wilson’s 100-inch telescope.

Available as a classic tee or crop top.

👉 Shop NASAdena Shirts here

WEATHER

Monday

80🌡️61 |☀️| 💨 SW 9 mph

🌆 Air Quality Index: 51 (Moderate)

Tuesday

87🌡️63 |☀️| 💨 NW 10 mph

Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler Radar.

LIVE MUSIC

🌹 Music in the Rose Garden: A free outdoor concert set among the Huntington’s rose blooms. The Huntington’s Rose Garden | Monday | September 28 | 1PM

🎸 The Riner Scivally Trio: Riner Scivally, Mike Alvidrez and Paul Kreibich perform jazz standards, Brazilian tunes and original compositions. Edwin Mills | Monday | September 28 | 6PM

🎷 The David Eastlee Trio: Guitarist David Eastlee performs jazz standards, drawing on a career that includes work with John Pisano, Bruce Forman, Pete Christlieb, Earl Palmer and Doug Webb. Location not provided | Tuesday | September 29 | 6PM–10PM

🎸 The Colorado Jam: Every Tuesday, LA musicians gather to jam out and hang out together. The Colorado Bar | Tuesdays | September 29 | 9PM-12AM

THANKS!

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Rose Court Announced, Free Pizza Grand Opening

Pasadena’s 2027 Rose Court is named, Burattino’s opens with free pizza, and LA Tech Week brings six events focused on AI, startups, climate and space.