Vroman's Bookstore: Nadia Davids discusses & signs Cape Fever
2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
From award-winning South African author Nadia Davids comes a gothic psychological thriller set in the 1920s, where a young maid finds herself entangled with the spirits of a decaying manor and the secrets of its enigmatic owner.
I come highly recommended to Mrs. Hattingh through sentences I tell her I cannot read.
The year is 1920, in a small, unnamed city in a colonial empire. Soraya Matas believes she has found the ideal job as a personal maid to the eccentric Mrs. Hattingh, whose beautiful, decaying home is not far from The Muslim Quarter, where Soraya lives with her parents. As Soraya settles into her new role, she discovers that the house is alive with spirits.
While Mrs. Hattingh eagerly awaits her son’s visit from London, she offers to help Soraya stay in touch with her fiancé, Nour by writing him letters on her behalf. So begins a strange weekly meeting where Soraya dictates and Mrs. Hattingh writes–a ritual that binds the two women to one another and eventually threatens the sanity of both.
Cape Fever is a masterful blend of gothic themes, folk tales, and psychological suspense, reminiscent of works by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Daphne du Maurier, and Soraya Matas is an unforgettable narrator, whose story of love and grief is also a chilling exploration of class and the long reach of history.

Pasadena Presbyterian: Music at Noon: David Lee Ruest, violin, and Taro Wayama, guitar
2025-12-10 12:10 - 12:45 | Pasadena Presbyterian Church Musical Events, 585 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, 91101
Pasadena Presbyterian church presents Music at Noon, David Lee Ruest, violin, and Taro Wayama, guitar!

Vroman's Bookstore: Fiction Reading
2025-12-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Atrium Building, 709 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
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!
This month’s pick is Real Americans by Rachel Khong.

Holiday Music @ Vroman’s with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music!
2025-12-13 13:00 | Vroman’s Stage, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, Select a Country:
Jazz faculty from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music perform a variety of holiday classics. This program is presented in partnership with our friends at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
Musicians: Danny Janklow (saxophone), Sam Hirsh (piano), Ahmet Türkmenoğlu (bass)

Pasadena Playhouse: Jingle & Mingle
2025-12-13 13:00 - 17:00 | Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The Pasadena Playhouse presents Jingle and Mingle: A Holiday Concert, a joyful seasonal celebration featuring students from the Playhouse’s classes of all ages. Audiences can enjoy a heartwarming blend of song, story, and performance, including a Frozen megamix, personal storytelling, festive numbers from the Playhouse Singers, and a lively audience singalong that captures the holiday spirit Playhouse style.

Vroman’s Bookstore & PJ Library of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel & Pomona Valleys Present: Dara Henry reading from & signing Hanukkah Pajamakkahs
2025-12-14 11:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A lively picture book celebrating holiday traditions, the patience of parenting, sibling relationships, and children’s fondness for pajamas, along with a fun, read-aloud, new book to help everyone celebrate the holiday together – in, or out, of pajamakkahs.
When Ruthie receives pajamakkahs for Hanukkah, she loves them so much she refuses to take them off–for all eight nights. But as they get smeared and stained, splattered and smudged, Ruthie’s determined to show her parents she can stay spotless.
With globs of humor, a big splatter of love, and out of the gift-box creativity, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is a fresh, new celebration of a special holiday.

Holiday Music @ Vroman’s with The Ukelele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere!
2025-12-14 13:00 | Vroman’s Stage, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, Select a Country:
The Ukelele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere is what happens when 16(ish) ukes of wildly varying shapes, sizes, and questionable backgrounds fall into the hands of an equally eclectic group of humans. This isn’t your average ukulele group—it’s a genre-bending ensemble that plays the unexpected with charm, energy, and joy.
The UOWH takes on music never meant for four little strings: think new wave anthems, dance-pop bangers, torch song heartbreakers, Top 40 hits, and deep cuts from the collective musical subconscious. The result? Unexpected, unrestrained, and undeniably entertaining.
Over the years, The UOWH has rocked local venues like El Cid, The Bootleg, The Coffee Gallery, and The Autry Museum. They have a soft spot for school fairs, fundraisers, retirement homes, community festivals, weddings, and the occasional sketchy traveling circus. Their antics and passion are even the subject of the documentary STRUMMERS.
The UOWH is ukulele-fueled mayhem on a mission to surprise, delight, and every now and then, baffle. We guarantee you’ve never heard ukuleles like this.

Landmark Theatres: Retro Replay: Elf
2025-12-16 19:00 | Landmark Theatre, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Experience these Holiday Essentials with family and friends the way they were meant to be seen — on the Big Screen at Landmark Theatres. Be social and have fun! Titles screen on the dates and showtimes shown below, and all seats are only $5 for Paid Loyalty Members!

Vroman's Bookstore: Dec 18 Christmas Paper Craft Workshop with Joel Stern
2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Join origami artist and author Joel Stern for a Christmas paper craft workshop on Thursday, December 18th, from 4-5pm! Participants will be making origami evergreen trees and five-pointed stars, as well as pop-up cards using characters from Joel’s book, In the Holly Jolly North Pole.
Joel is the author of Into the Deep Blue Sea, Into Starry Outer Space, and many other papercraft books. His art has been featured in movies, commercials, and on television. Visit his website here.

Chanukah Menorah Parade & Celebration
2025-12-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Playhouse Village Park, 701 Union St, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Chabad of Pasadena and Playhouse Village Foundation invite you to a joyous Chanukah Celebration as we illuminate the night with a spectacular menorah car parade, public menorah lighting, and festive activities for the whole family! The excitement kicks off at 5 pm with a dazzling car parade, starting at Chabad of Pasadena and winding its way through the charming streets of Pasadena. As the parade concludes, gather at Playhouse Village Park for a magical celebration featuring a grand menorah lighting, Chanukah arts and crafts for kids with Drawn2Art, and the delicious aroma of hot latkes and donuts filling the air. This free event promises to be a festive evening, spreading the warmth and light of Chanukah throughout the community. Don’t miss out on this enchanting celebration of the Festival of Lights!
The car parade begins at 5:00 PM at Chabad of Pasadena, located at 1090 E. Walnut St., and ends with a celebration at 6:00 PM at Playhouse Village Park, situated at 701 E. Union St.

Holiday Music @ Vroman’s with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music!
2025-12-20 13:00 | Vroman’s Stage, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, Select a Country:
A brass quintet with friends and faculty from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music perform a variety of holiday classics. This program is presented in partnership with our friends at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
Musicians: Mike Zonshine (trumpet), Mike Davis (trumpet), Melia Badalian (horn), Lori Stuntz (trombone), Blake Cooper (tuba)

Holiday Music @ Vroman’s with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music!
2025-12-21 13:00 | Vroman’s Stage, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, Select a Country:
PCM faculty member Natalie Brejcha is joined by The Scotti Old Time Family String Band to perform a variety of holiday classics. This program is presented in partnership with our friends at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
Musicians: Natalie Brejcha (fiddle) and The Scotti Old Time Family String Band

Ice House Comedy: A Christmas Night w/Annie Bosko
2025-12-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106
Get ready for a magical holiday evening as country sensation Annie Bosko brings her powerful vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and festive spirit to The Ice House! Enjoy holiday classics, original songs, and unforgettable moments—plus a surprise special guest

Ice House Comedy: Mas Locos Holiday Special
2025-12-26 21:30 - 22:00 | Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106
Ice House Comedy presents Mas Locos: Holiday Special. Live in the Legendary Room. 2-drink minimum.

Pasadena Heritage: Annual Architectural Legacy Tour: Historic Churches
2025-12-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Pasadena Heritage, The Blinn House 160 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, 91101, United States
Pasadena Heritage presents the Churches of Pasadena Walking Tour, inviting guests to explore Playhouse Village and discover some of the city’s most architecturally significant churches. This guided experience highlights a variety of historic sanctuaries, each with its own distinct architectural style and rich history. Knowledgeable docents lead participants along a 2.5-hour walking route—just over 2 miles—featuring notable design details, festive holiday decorations, and select opportunities to step inside and view church interiors.
For the comfort of all attendees, dogs are not permitted on Pasadena Heritage walking tours. Please note that tours take place rain or shine.
Members may enter code “MEMBER” at checkout; membership status will be verified.
Tickets are non-refundable.

Ice House Comedy: Laugh Bombs
2026-01-02 21:30 - 23:00 | Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106
Ice House Comedy presents Laugh Bombs. Live in the California Room. Ice House doors open at 6:30pm. The show starts at 9:30pm.

Prepare for a wild ride of high-risk, high-reward comedy that’s as raw as it is hilarious. Watch as gifted comedians swing for the fences: delivering gut-busting punchlines one moment, then BOMBING gloriously the next. Because in comedy, it’s about the thrill, the timing, and the unforgettable moments that come when everything goes “BOOM!” in the best possible way.

Ice House Comedy: The Twin New Year Show (chinese show)
2026-01-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106
Ice House Comedy presents The Twin New Year Show. LIVE IN THE CALIFORNIA ROOM! Ice House doors open at 4:30pm. Show Starts at 7:30pm. **21+ only with a 2 item minimum per seat in the showroom**

Ice House Comedy: The Twin New Year Show (English Show)
2026-01-03 21:30 - 22:00 | Ice House Comedy Club, 24 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA, 91106
Ice House Comedy presents The Twin New Year Show. LIVE IN THE CALIFORNIA ROOM! Ice House doors open at 4:30pm. Show Starts at 9:30pm. **21+ only with a 2 item minimum per seat in the showroom**

Vroman's Bookstore: Chanel N. Grant reads from & signs Michael Goes to School: The M.O.D.Y Kid's Collection
2026-01-10 11:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
When Michael starts a new school, he hopes to make friends and have fun. But the kids aren’t friendly, and the teachers don’t notice when he struggles. With courage and honesty, Michael tells his mom how he feels, and together they find a new school where he feels safe, seen, and happy. A heartfelt story from Chanel N. Grant reminding children that their feelings matter and their voices deserve to be heard.

Vroman's Bookstore: Alexander Berman & Camille Stochitch, in conversation with Estelle Laure, discuss & sign Love Goes Viral
2026-01-10 16:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
An aspiring pop star crafts a fake relationship with a small-town boy to rehab her image, until her ex and her real feelings get in the way in this sweeping romance perfect for fans of Lynn Painter.
Love Thompson went viral. Now she has it all–fifty million followers, brand deals, a Hollywood address, and the fast track to the music career she’s always dreamed of–until…she doesn’t.
After Love takes the blame for her influencer boyfriend’s mistake, the fallout goes more viral than the video that rocketed her to fame. By the next morning, she’s already lost sponsorships, ten million followers, and her debut single. Love needs to rehab her image, and that means dating someone a little more homegrown.
Enter Austin Grey. Austin is about as homegrown as it gets. His only followers are the regulars at his family’s struggling diner that he’s doing his best to save. But everything changes when he gets a DM from a star he never expected to cross paths with again.
When Love walks back into Austin’s life, she thinks this is a purely online scheme with an expiration date. But as genuine feelings start to develop that keep them coming back to each other again and again, will either of them be willing to take a chance on something real?

The Mixx: Open Tables
2026-01-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
The Mixx Pasadena invites vinyl collectors to take the decks at Open Tables.Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite records and step into the spotlight, spinning vinyl through a concert-quality surround sound system. The night features open-format selections alongside 2-for-1 drinks and food specials.

Free Second Sunday: Silk Road Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum & SCCM
2026-01-11 11:00 - 17:00 | USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
On Sunday, January 11, the Southern California Children’s Museum and USC Pacific Asia Museum are collaborating for Second Free Sunday: Silk Road Day. Offering an exciting day of live music, artmaking, and Silk Road-themed children’s programming.

Both museums offer free admission and parking, plus hands-on art making inspired by the Exploring the Silk Road gallery. Enjoy creative activities throughout the day and a live music performance at PAM.

Vroman's Bookstore: Kadir Nelson discusses & signs Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game (American Sports Histories #2)
2026-01-11 16:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson delivers the perfect gift for basketball fans of any age–a beautifully illustrated history of the game and its key players over the years–in this companion to his bestselling We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.
Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life.
The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players–including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry–are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.

Boston Court: NT Live: The Fifth Step
2026-01-13 19:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Boston Court Pasadena presents National Theatre Live: The Fifth StepThis powerful National Theatre Live screening explores trust, recovery, and the stories we tell ourselves, unfolding in a tense and intimate exchange that keeps audiences on edge.

Vroman's Bookstore: Denise Nicholas discusses & signs Finding Home: A Memoir
2026-01-13 19:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
“This stirring memoir proves what readers of Nicholas’s debut novel, Freshwater Road, already know: that Nicholas, a pioneer Black actress, is also a writer of deep talent and understated eloquence. This is not your typical Hollywood tell-all, full of ‘I did this, and I did that, ‘ complete with cheap shots and horrible reveals about the rich and famous with whom she worked. Rather, it’s a long thoughtful moment, in which an artist peers into the looking glass and reflects on her life in a manner that allows us to see every corner of every room she’s ever been in–and every corner of every room we’ve ever been in. Because her story is ours. Nicholas is a distinct American voice. Her inspiring story, written with deep humility and refreshing honesty, is further proof that women will one day save this country. And I’m a witness.” –James McBride, National Book Award winner
A poignant, revelatory memoir from acclaimed novelist and actor Denise Nicholas that offers an episodic exploration of her multifaceted life, delving intimately into themes of artistic self-invention, race, and grief.
Long before writing her acclaimed novel Freshwater Road, or her career as a path-breaking TV and film star, Denise Nicholas was a middle-class Black girl growing up in 1950s Detroit, struggling to decipher her family’s profound secrets. She loved Detroit’s vibrant culture despite the harsh realities of its racial segregation, which deeply influenced her perspective on identity. In her early twenties, she dropped out of the University of Michigan to tour the Deep South with the Free Southern Theater at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a path that ultimately ignited her lifelong commitment to social justice and activism. A few short years later she would launch from stage work to meteoric national fame as a series lead on the groundbreaking ABC-TV show Room 222, a role that earned her three consecutive Golden Globe nominations.
With eloquence, vulnerability, and resolve, Nicholas mines her six-decade journey through TV and film stardom, the complexities of her three marriages, and her reconstituting her creative life to become a celebrated novelist, reflecting on the personal, professional, and societal pressures that buffeted her throughout. Constructed of episodic reflections from both personal and professional high points and low points of her life, Nicholas navigates the intersections of love and identity, exploring how her experiences in Hollywood shaped her understanding of success, intimacy, and commitment. Her narrative is rich with anecdotes from her career in Hollywood, as an actor and, later, a successful screenwriter for television and eventually a novelist, providing a backdrop to the struggles and achievements that marked her path. She outspokenly discusses the challenges she faced as a trailblazing actress of color, shedding light on the systemic barriers and biases within the entertainment industry.
But at the deepest level, this memoir is a heartfelt exploration of grief, as Nicholas recounts the profound losses–including the unsolved, targeted slaying of her sister, the telling of which occupies the center of her story–that have shaped her. Her reflections on mourning and resilience paint a vivid, moving portrait of how to journey through healing to new dimensions of self-discovery. Through her powerful, stylish, and evocative storytelling, Nicholas not only chronicles her own remarkable life but also provides a resonant narrative of what it means to live, work, and succeed as a Black woman in America over the past half-century.

The Mixx: Salsa Mixx
2026-01-13 20:00 | The Mixx, 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Tropical Tuesday Nights are back at The Mixx Pasadena.Guests are invited to dust off their dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of Salsa and Bachata set to the hottest Latin rhythms in town. The night features sensational Salsa and Bachata dance lessons led by award-winning Los Angeles instructor Rogelio Moreno, followed by social dancing with new and familiar faces on The Mixx’s vibrant professional dance floor. Music is curated by DJ Salsa y Sabor, keeping the energy going all night long.
Enjoy 2-for-1 drinks throughout the evening, free parking, and a delicious dinner and cocktail menu—including refreshing new zero-proof cocktails.

Boston Court: NTL: Mrs. Warren's Profession
2026-01-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Boston Court Pasadena presents National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren’s ProfessionGeorge Bernard Shaw’s provocative classic confronts money, morality, and independence in a bold, still-relevant drama. Smart, uncompromising, and deeply engaging.

Boston Court: NTL The Life of Pi
2026-01-14 19:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Boston Court Pasadena presents National Theatre Live: Life of PiBased on the beloved novel, this visually stunning stage adaptation tells an extraordinary story of survival, resilience, and imagination. A breathtaking National Theatre Live experience.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Boston Court: NTL Live: Inter Alia
2026-01-15 19:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Boston Court Pasadena presents National Theatre Live: Inter AliaLed by Rosamund Pike, this gripping National Theatre Live screening examines authority, accountability, and the complexities of modern life in a bold and thought-provoking production.
Inter Alia – Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright? Writer Suzie Miller and director Justin Martin reunite following their global phenomenon Prima Facie, with this searing examination of modern motherhood and masculinity.

Pasadena Heritage: Pattern Keepers: Batchelder Nature In Relief
2026-01-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Blinn House, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Pasadena Heritage presents Pattern Keepers: Batchelder Nature in Relief. Learn how to create bird-inspired ornamental designs by observing local species, sketching natural forms, and translating feathers, movement, and pattern into hands-on relief and surface work using clay and found materials.
