BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Playhouse Village Association - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://playhousevillage.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Playhouse Village Association
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20250309T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20251102T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T180000
DTSTAMP:20260817T203430Z
CREATED:20260817T203430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T203430Z
UID:10015808-1789815600-1789840800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Pasadena ARTWalk
DESCRIPTION:Jackalope Arts is excited to be partnering with the Playhouse Village to bring back the beloved Pasadena ARTWalk for its 18th year. \nFeaturing over 180 hand-selected artisans with a focus on fine art\, shoppers can expect to find trendsetting indie goods including visual art and photography\, original fashion and jewelry design\, paper goods\, innovative home decor and housewares\, food\, and much more. \nJoin us on Green Street [between Los Robles and El Molino] in the heart of Playhouse Village for a weekend celebrating handmade artistry!
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/pasadena-artwalk/2026-09-19/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Art Show,Community Event,Craft & DIY,Free,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/17th-Annual-Pasadena-ARTWalk-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T140000
DTSTAMP:20260818T162217Z
CREATED:20260818T162217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T162217Z
UID:10015825-1789826400-1789826400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Alina Chau discusses & signs Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven
DESCRIPTION:Drawing from classic Chinese adventure Journey to the West\, Alina Chau’s bright new adaptation centers on the Monkey King’s wild beginnings and brings one of mythology’s most unforgettable troublemakers to life in a whole new way. \nSun Wukong wasn’t born in the usual way–he hatched from an egg atop Hua Guo Mountain\, full of big dreams and an even bigger attitude. With a shape-shifting staff\, a cloud he can ride like lightning\, and an unstoppable belief in himself\, Wukong isn’t just another monkey . . . he’s the Monkey King. \nWhen word of his wild powers reaches the Heavenly Realm\, the gods try to keep him close to prevent any chaos. But Wukong didn’t come all this way to play by someone else’s rules. And when he decides to shake things up\, the skies themselves might not be ready for the storm he’s about to unleash. Can one monkey’s mischief really cause an uproar in heaven? \nCombining Alina’s sumptuous\, dreamy art with a faithful\, respectful adaptation of a favorite mythical tale\, Uproar in Heaven still manages to be as much fun as a barrel full of monkeys.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-alina-chau-discusses-signs-monkey-king-uproar-in-heaven/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/alina-chau.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T190000
DTSTAMP:20260818T161500Z
CREATED:20260818T161500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T161500Z
UID:10015823-1789844400-1789844400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  TICKETED - Dolph Lundgren\, presents Fights Worth Fighting
DESCRIPTION:Best known for his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV\, Lundgren skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s and has since built a remarkable career spanning over a hundred films—including producing\, writing\, and directing multiple projects. But beyond the on-screen battles lies a far more compelling story: the real-life fights Lundgren has faced behind the scenes. \nIn this deeply personal account\, Lundgren opens up about his upbringing in Sweden\, his rise from a chemical engineering student to a martial arts champion\, and his eventual transformation into an international movie star. He explores the pressures of fame\, the emotional and physical toll of life in a cutthroat industry\, and his private struggles. Now\, as he faces his most difficult challenge yet—a fight against cancer—Lundgren reflects on the cost of survival and what it truly means to keep going. \nMore than just a Hollywood memoir\, Fights Worth Fighting is a guide to resilience. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful\, it blends life lessons with personal storytelling\, offering practical insights on discipline\, reinvention\, and the importance of mental and emotional strength. \nLundgren’s story arrives at a time when audiences crave authenticity. This isn’t just the tale of a movie star—it’s a call to arms for anyone struggling with their own battles. Candid\, inspiring\, and unexpectedly vulnerable\, Fights Worth Fighting shows us that real strength isn’t just about winning—it’s about continuing the fight when no one’s watching. \nThis is a ticketed event at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Tickets include one entry and one copy of Fights Worth Fighting to be handed out at check-in.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-ticketed-dolph-lundgren-presents-fights-worth-fighting/
LOCATION:Pasadena Presbyterian Church\, 585 East Colorado Boulevard\, Pasadena \, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/dolph-lundgren-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T223000
DTSTAMP:20260818T174656Z
CREATED:20260818T174656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T174656Z
UID:10015845-1789851600-1789857000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Ice House Comedy: Cat Ce
DESCRIPTION:Ice House Comedy presents Cat Ce!\nLIVE IN THE CALIFORNIA ROOM!\nIce House doors open at 6:30pm.\nShow Starts at 9pm.\n21+ only with a 2 item minimum per seat in the showroom\nLineups are subject to change.\n\nCat Ce is a Chinese American actress\, comedian\, writer\, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Join Cat as she takes you on a hilarious journey of her misadventures as a Chinese American comedian growing up in Hollywood. Cat Ce’s hour comedy special album by ComedyDynamics is now streaming on Amazon Prime & Apple TV\, Dish\, Direct TV\, Google\, Youtube(VOD) Vimeo.\n  \nCat Ce is also featured as a social media influencer in the hit video game NBA 2K24 & NBA2k25. Her car skits comedy videos has over 150 million views on social media platforms.\n  \nAn actress\, comedian\, writer\, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles\, Ce’s digital comedy content has generated over 150 million views across platforms. The comic appears as an influencer character in NBA 2K24 and NBA 2K25 and has also been seen in TV and film projects likeFX’s Snowfall and Space Jam: A New Legacy. Comics Unleashed on CBS.\n  \nAs a stand-up\, she has performed throughout major comedy clubs across the United States as well as internationally. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Cat Jam in the Car\, recorded in her custom baby-blue Porsche Taycan\, and recently started the podcast-style live show Sexy Secrets with co-host Silvia Saige\, which featured Russell Peters\, Tiffany Haddish\, and Brad Williams in its inaugural episode. You can find more on Cat’s website
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/ice-house-comedy-cat-ce/
LOCATION:Ice House Comedy Club\, 24 N Mentor Ave\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91106
CATEGORIES:Comedy,Dining,Food,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/d5b9e2f1-6d29-4bcc-bda0-7bc242176409_resize.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T190000
DTSTAMP:20260818T162515Z
CREATED:20260818T162515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T162515Z
UID:10015826-1790190000-1790190000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Reading Group: Remarkably Bright Creatures
DESCRIPTION:The Vroman’s Fiction Reading Group explores contemporary fiction -– long and short -– from a diverse selection of writers.  Enjoy lively discussions at our one-hour meetings.  Our Fiction Reading Group is free and inclusive – there are no requirements nor criteria to join. We announce upcoming titles 3-6 months in advance and choose titles that are available in paperback.  Drop by our next meeting! \nSeptember’s pick is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. \nFiction Reading Group meetings are held inside Vroman’s Bookstore on the second floor in the event space.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-reading-group-remarkably-bright-creatures/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,Free,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/heading-26.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T194500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T211500
DTSTAMP:20260818T170700Z
CREATED:20260818T170700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T170700Z
UID:10015839-1790192700-1790198100@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Ice House Comedy:  66Th Anniversary Show
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the 66th Anniversary of Ice House Comedy Club. \nLIVE IN THE LEGENDARY ROOM! \nIce House doors open at 6:30pm \nShow starts at 7:45pm.  \n**21+ only with a 2 item minimum per seat in showroom.** \nLineups are subject to change.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/ice-house-comedy-66th-anniversary-show/
LOCATION:Ice House Comedy Club\, 24 N Mentor Ave\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91106
CATEGORIES:Comedy,Dining,Ice House,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/scaled_384.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260729T183117Z
CREATED:20260729T183117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T183117Z
UID:10015758-1790272800-1790276400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Wellness in the Park: Gentle Yoga with Anytime Fitness
DESCRIPTION:Get outside\, get moving\, and have fun with FREE group wellness classes every 4th Thursday of every month in Playhouse Village Park. Enjoy a free outdoor yoga class designed for all experience levels by Anytime Fitness. Move\, stretch\, and unwind in the fresh air while building strength\, flexibility\, and balance. This class is part of our Wellness in the Park series where we encourage you to get outside\, get moving\, and have fun with our awesome Playhouse Village instructors! We’re bringing a FREE group wellness program every 4th Thursday of the month at Playhouse Village Park\, led by local fitness & wellness studios.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/wellness-in-the-park-gentle-yoga-with-anytime-fitness/
LOCATION:Playhouse Village Park\, 701 Union St\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Free,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Wellness-in-the-Park-Web-lower-3-image-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T193000
DTSTAMP:20260817T190828Z
CREATED:20260817T190828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T190828Z
UID:10015779-1790272800-1790278200@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Pasadena Heritage: El Retiro and the Culture of Modernity during the Progressive Era in Southern California
DESCRIPTION:What can a single Craftsman home reveal about the transformation of Southern California in the early twentieth century? \nCompleted in 1915\, El Retiro\, designed by Los Angeles architect Arthur L. Haley and constructed of reinforced concrete\, reflects a period of rapid technological innovation\, social reform\, and civic development. The home of the Lanterman family offers a fascinating glimpse into how those changes shaped both private life and the growing Southern California community. \nDr. Roy Lanterman’s work in women’s medicine and Emily Lanterman’s leadership in civic and women’s organizations placed the family at the center of many of the reform movements of the Progressive Era. Their embrace of new building technologies and modern domestic conveniences provides another perspective on a time when architecture\, technology\, medicine\, and social engagement were all reshaping the region. \nPresented by Tennessee Gardner\, Executive Director of Lanterman House\, this insightful evening offers a sneak peek at one of the featured homes of this year’s Craftsman Week. Discover the story behind El Retiro and the people who lived there\, and learn how one remarkable home can help us better understand a changing Southern California.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/pasadena-heritage-el-retiro-and-the-culture-of-modernity-during-the-progressive-era-in-southern-california/
LOCATION:Blinn House\, 160 N. Oakland Ave.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Architecture,In-Person,Pasadena Heritage
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/RoyandEmilyinLivingRoom.jpg.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260818T162749Z
CREATED:20260818T162749Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T162749Z
UID:10015827-1790276400-1790276400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Nadia Bowers & Stephanie Wittels Wachs discuss their books\, Dear Dealer: A Memoir\, and Last Day: How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis
DESCRIPTION:About Dear Dealer: \nFor readers of Beautiful Boy and The Night of the Gun\, this gripping memoir explores addiction\, grief\, and family trauma as one woman goes in search of her sister’s killer. \nIn the summer of 2015\, Nadia Bowers’s beloved older sister\, Sasha—a social worker and Ivy League graduate—was found in her car in a restaurant parking lot in their hometown outside New Haven\, Connecticut\, dead from a fentanyl overdose. Plunged into grief\, equipped with Sasha’s phone\, and just weeks from giving birth to her first child\, Nadia began to investigate her sister’s shadow life: who sold Sasha the drugs that killed her? Did they know each other well? Did the dealer have any idea who Sasha was\, outside of addiction? \nExpanding on her viral 2018 This American Life essay of the same name—a letter to this imagined dealer—Bowers’s memoir is a love letter\, a diary\, and a quest in search of the dealer’s identity\, as well as her own. Who is she without her sister? Who is she because of her sister? And what now? Bowers reflects on her shifting roles as sister and mother\, examining how loss has reshaped her sense of self. Her letters to the faceless dealer are interwoven with rage\, reflection\, and even moments of humor as she recounts their intertwined lives alongside memories of charismatic and complex Sasha. \nRooted in unflinching honesty and poetic prose\, Dear Dealer is a richly compelling account of one woman’s search for meaning\, forgiveness\, and hope in the aftermath of tragedy. \nAbout Last Day: \nBased on the groundbreaking podcast of the same name\, Last Day weaves together a heartbreaking story of personal loss and an unflinching investigation of what could have prevented it. Alongside expert voices on opioid addiction\, Stephanie Wittels Wachs issues a clarion call for change in an ongoing and overwhelming opioid crisis. \nBased on the groundbreaking podcast of the same name\, Last Day is borne of Stephanie Wittels Wachs’s determination to shed light on the ongoing opioid epidemic in America. \nAfter the tragic and untimely death of her brother Harris Wittels to an opioid overdose\, Stephanie connected with Jessica Cordova Kramer\, whose brother died under nearly identical circumstances. Together they launched Last Day\, a podcast that facilitates unflinching conversations with addiction specialists\, harm reductionists\, people in long-term recovery\, public policy experts pushing for reform\, and many others\, to determine what could have saved their brothers lives and how we can prevent overdose deaths moving forward. \nTen years ago\, Stephanie lost her brother—her person—and over the last seven years\, her interviews and research have become a vital resource for others fighting not to lose their person. Heartbreaking yet deeply hopeful\, Last Day is\, at its core\, a powerful story of love that endures long after loss.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-nadia-bowers-stephanie-wittels-wachs-discuss-their-books-dear-dealer-a-memoir-and-last-day-how-to-stop-losing-our-loved-ones-to-the-opioid-crisis/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/9781668037898.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T170000
DTSTAMP:20260817T191048Z
CREATED:20260817T191048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T191048Z
UID:10015780-1790420400-1790442000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Pasadena Heritage: Her Pasadena: Women Remaking Home and Civic Life
DESCRIPTION:Tour Pasadena’s Blinn House\, a 1906 Prairie-style residence that became home to the Women’s City Club in the 1940s. Through architecture\, photographs\, exhibits\, and period clothing\, visitors will see how the house supported women’s civic leadership\, social engagement\, and changing ideas of home in midcentury Southern California.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/pasadena-heritage-her-pasadena-women-remaking-home-and-civic-life/
LOCATION:Blinn House\, 160 N. Oakland Ave.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Architecture,In-Person,Pasadena Heritage
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/womenv2.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260927T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260927T160000
DTSTAMP:20260818T163030Z
CREATED:20260818T163030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T163030Z
UID:10015828-1790524800-1790524800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Local Author Day Introducing m.a. Arana\, Esma Ali & Paul J. Ramirez
DESCRIPTION:With entrancing violet eyes and telepathic gifts\, Jalyn Wilds has spent years hiding from her former mentor\, the enigmatic Madam. But when an attempted robbery at Jones’ Store reveals her powers\, she becomes the center of a dangerous conspiracy. \nDetective Ed Daza senses something otherworldly in Jalyn\, and as he follows the trail\, he discovers a hidden network of “Others”-individuals with extraordinary abilities targeted by Madam’s shadow organization with deadly plans. Each step pulls Ed deeper into a world of manipulation\, betrayal\, and supernatural intrigue\, where those he trusts may not be who they seem. \nHunted and caught between forces far beyond ordinary law enforcement\, Jalyn must navigate a web of psychic danger and hidden agendas to survive. Violet Mystique is an urban fantasy thriller that pulses with suspense\, mystery\, and supernatural power-a story of gifts\, secrets\, and the lengths one young woman will go to protect herself and the lives she touches.\nEsma Ali presents Was Jesus A Narcissist?: A Muslim’s Defense of Jesus!\nAs a Christian\, I found this book thought provoking. Well-researched. It has helped me understand the Muslim mindset. I appreciate Esma’s use of Psychology in her illustrations. \n-Anne Nolty\, PhD\, Psychologist\, Pasadena\, CA. \nAs a Catholic\, I have immensely enjoyed the reading!!! Esma Ali brings out perspectives that have never crossed my mind. The book has enhanced an understanding of my own faith as well as Islam. Although I disagree with some of her statements\, I recommend this book. A good educational source for everyone! \n-Adolfo Sanchez\, Accountant \nAs a Bible Study Pastor\, I have grasped the Muslim viewpoint on scripture. This book has enhanced my knowledge. Esma Ali has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the Bible. \n-Jolene Cadenbach\, Pastor\, Arcadia Congregational Church \nAs a Muslim\, I value this book. Esma Ali has illuminated me about the Bible. Her work has enabled me to converse intelligently with Jews and Christians. \n-Dr. Tehmina Khan \nPaul J. Ramirez presents The Fatherless Life: Letters From an Abandoned Playground\nGrowing pains\, adversity\, love\, sadness\, and joy. A broken father preparing his children for the future without him by writing them personal letters from the now abandoned playground they used to play on. A book all should read Please note that purchasing the hardcover helps Paul with his auto-immune treatments. The softcover is at the lowest price possible.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-local-author-day-introducing-m-a-arana-esma-ali-paul-j-ramirez/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/local-authors-600-x-600.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260928T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260928T190000
DTSTAMP:20260818T163810Z
CREATED:20260818T163810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T163810Z
UID:10015829-1790622000-1790622000@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Jon Else discusses & signs Frenchman Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs
DESCRIPTION:The story of a single nuclear bomb’s deep origins\, brief life during the Cold War\, and lasting environmental and political legacies–as a fresh path to consider the entire sweep of the American nuclear enterprise. A grave reminder of the frightening truth about nuclear testing\, as international norms waver. \nAs the US and Russia let one treaty after another falter and expire\, this urgent book reminds us of the price of those tests. Frenchman Flat recounts the science\, politics\, and human experience of those who developed nuclear weapons\, suffered the consequences\, and fought for and against arms control between the 1940s and 1990s. The throughline of this vast\, complex story is a 37-kiloton atomic bomb dubbed “Priscilla” that was exploded above a custom-built mini-civilization at Frenchman Flat\, Nevada\, in 1957. Jon Else uses Priscilla and the bombs that preceded and followed to highlight the terrifying ways we have stockpiled and tested nuclear weapons\, how near and often we came to self-annihilation\, how we managed to avoid it\, and what we did to the planet and to our own bodies in the process\, from wartime Los Alamos to the suspension of US and Soviet nuclear testing in 1992. \nIn the two decades after Hiroshima\, a pair of dramatic stories unfolded alongside each other: the scramble to produce ever more powerful nuclear weapons\, and the struggle to ban testing of those same weapons. The dramatic narrative takes in the physics of the megaton postwar bombs\, the role of private industry\, the near misses of the Cuban Missile Crisis and less well-known events\, and the testimony of scientists\, politicians\, doctors\, weapons developers\, test-site workers\, ranchers\, and families downwind of test sites. \nThis powerful and persuasive book reminds us how we have–so far–prevented nuclear war by deterrence\, diplomacy\, and luck. It is for the moment a success story\, and a warning.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-jon-else-discusses-signs-frenchman-flat-the-rise-and-fall-of-atomic-bombs/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person,Vroman's Bookstore
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/jon-else.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260929T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260929T190000
DTSTAMP:20260818T164228Z
CREATED:20260818T164228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T164228Z
UID:10015830-1790708400-1790708400@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Vroman's Bookstore:  Miriam Pawel discusses & signs California Dreams
DESCRIPTION:Pulitzer Prize winner Miriam Pawel’s epic history of one of the world’s elite public universities\, its sweeping social impact\, and hopeful lessons about endurance in troubled times. \nDistinguished by its founding mission as an engine of upward mobility\, the University of California-a constitutionally independent public trust-is a great American experiment that has persevered through fraught battles over access\, funding\, and leadership. \nThe University has been at the nexus of nearly every public policy debate and social movement since the Civil War\, from women’s rights to student protests\, from academic freedom to affirmative action\, shaping policies that reverberate throughout the United States. \nCalifornia Dreams narrates UC’s rise and resilience through the lens of those whose lives it has transformed-in particular\, five pioneering graduates whose diverse paths underscore why the University remains\, in the words of Berkeley graduate Joan Didion\, “California’s best idea of itself.” \nAt a time of staggering inequality and uncertainty\, as higher education faces unprecedented threats\, that role has never been more crucial. Drawing on extensive research in ten archives and dozens of interviews\, California Dreams weaves together the linked history of the school and state in all its drama\, signi?cance\, and humanity; the result is a magisterial narrative of both a remarkable public institution of higher education\, and also California itself.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/vromans-bookstore-miriam-pawel-discusses-signs-california-dreams/
LOCATION:Vroman’s Bookstore\, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:Books,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://playhousevillage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/miriam-pawel.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261018T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261018T170000
DTSTAMP:20251104T005355Z
CREATED:20251104T005355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T005355Z
UID:10014514-1792339200-1792342800@playhousevillage.org
SUMMARY:Third@First: Piano Extravaganza
DESCRIPTION:Acclaimed faculty pianists Bernadene Blaha (USC)\, Kevin Fitz-Gerald (USC)\, Sarkis Baltaian (Orange County School of the Arts)\, and First UMC’s own Junko Ueno Garrett (Occidental College) unite to play with eight hands on two pianos! Come hear music by Beethoven\, Rachmaninov\, Moscheles\, Ravel\, and Rossini.
URL:https://playhousevillage.org/event/thirdfirst-piano-extravaganza/
LOCATION:First United Methodist Church\, 500 E. Colorado Blvd.\, Pasadena\, CA\, 91101\, United States
CATEGORIES:First United Methodist Church,In-Person,Music
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR