Friday
Rumors: The 1988 farce by Neil Simon, performed by the 413 Repertory Theatre, as an immersive audience experience enjoys a full English high tea (dinner), opens 7 p.m. Aug. 15. Minimum age: 18. Tickets $75 (high tea dinner); $105 (ticket includes VIP seating, high tea dinner and a glass of champagne). Reservations required. Show runs 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Aug. 16; 6 p.m. Aug. 17; other dates through Aug. 31. Madeline Garden Bistro, 1030 E. Green St., Pasadena. 413rep.org
Saturday
Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse – Volunteers needed: Learn about the many ways to support the historic regional theater at a meeting, 11 a.m. Aug. 16. Tender Greens restaurant, 621 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Details: friendsofthepasadenaplayhouse.org
Nisei Week Japanese LA Festival: The 83rd festival with the theme Kansha (Gratitude) continues Aug. 16-17 with special cultural activities, entertainment and exhibits throughout Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Festival booklet: https://niseiweek.org/festival-booklets/. Festival map: https://niseiweek.org/festival/#map. 213-687-7183. niseiweek.org
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute Car Show: The event includes classic cars on display, Pinewood Derby races, games for children, vendor booths and food trucks, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 16. Admission $15; free for ages 12 and younger. Cash-less event (some vendors may accept cash); credit/debit cards. Location, 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena. 310-324-6611. www.jci-gardena.org. Details: www.jci-gardena.org/car-show-pinewood-derby-2025.html
Nisei Week Plaza Festival and Beer Garden – Japanese American Cultural and Community Center: Two days of live entertainment, games, shopping, Japanese food, beer and sake, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 16-17. Free admission. In addition, a special Taiko Gathering, Aug. 17. Location, 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles. jaccc.org/. Schedule: jaccc.org/events/83rd-annual-nisei-week-jaccc/
Natsumatsuri Family Festival – Little Tokyo: The festival includes bon-odori dancing and taiko performances, storytime with author and race car driver Nadine Sachiko Hsu, summer theme crafts and origami, noon-5 p.m. Aug. 16. Free admission: janm.org/events. Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles. www.janm.org/events/2025-08-16/2025-natsumatsuri-family-festival
Flashback Classic Car Show: Called the largest end-of-summer party in the East San Gabriel Valley, the 37th annual event, 6-11 p.m. Aug. 16. View the classic cars, trucks and hot rods lining Glendora Avenue. In addition, enjoy live entertainment, a Kids Fun Zone, food and drink booths (minimum age for beer and wine: 21). Proceeds fund scholarships for local students and other community philanthropies in the Village area of downtown Glendora. Free admission. 626-963-4128. www.facebook.com/flashbackglendora. www.flashbackinfo.org/
Laugh Factory Covina: Jimmy Shin and Friends – The Shindig Show, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Minimum age: 18. Check the website for ticket prices (regular and VIP). Two-item minimum for all shows. Location, 104 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. 626-339-0093. www.tixr.com/groups/laughfactorycovina
Sunday
Nisei Week Japanese LA Festival – Closing Ceremony and Street Ondo: Event, 4-8 p.m. Aug. 17. First Street (street closures, at 11:30 a.m., between Central Avenue and South San Pedro Street), Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. https://niseiweek.org/events/ondo-closing-ceremony/
Music at Sierra Madre Playhouse – Baroque, Classical and Contemporary: House on Fire — Richard An, Andrew Anderson, Wells Leng — plus guest musicians Kevin Good and Élise Roy, perform contemporary compositions that use speaker cones, wooden frog instruments, toy pianos, or twigs, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 ($25; $35). Upcoming concerts: Bryan Roach and Musica Transalpina perform a program from early Tudor England, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 ($25). Street Symphony – Jazz, Song and Story, 4 p.m. Aug. 31 ($12; $25; $35). Darshan Trio, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 ($25; $35). See website for details for all concerts. Limited seats available for all concerts. Location, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 626-355-4318. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org/music
Tuesday
Tuesday Night Bingo – Duarte Elks Lodge: The Elks Lodge #1427 brings back its every-Tuesday-night bingo games, 6 p.m. Aug. 19. Doors open, 4 p.m. Location, 2436 Huntington Drive, Duarte. 626-905-1191. Duarte Elks Lodge: tinyurl.com/yc3bkf39. www.facebook.com/duarteelks1427
Vroman’s Bookstore: Mariko Tamaki and Nicole Goux discuss and sign “This Place Kills Me,” 6 p.m. Aug. 19. Stephen Vittoria discusses and signs “Christina and the Whitefish,” 7 p.m. Aug. 21. Local Author Day: Jonathan Grimm presents and signs “The Future Poor – How Families and Communities Can Join Together to Survive the Looming Retirement Crisis,” 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. www.facebook.com/vromansbookstore. vromansbookstore.com
Upcoming
San Marino Motor Classic: The 14th annual event begins with two events on Saturday, Aug. 23: an Automotive Fine Arts Society Art Expo and Sale (4-6 p.m.; free to attend); followed by a “Symphony of Cars Gala,” 6-10:30 p.m. ($300; benefits the Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley (www.cancersupportsgv.org); purchase gala tickets: tinyurl.com/3he8mspd). The San Marino Motor Classic, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 24. Tickets are $45 in advance; $55 on day of event; free for ages 12 and younger; also, VIP ticket $175 (includes a 10 a.m. reception, and also a lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road, San Marino. sanmarinomotorclassic.com
California State Speedway Championship: Thrill to see racers piloting 170-pound speedway motorcycles around the dirt oval “Thunderdome,” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23. Gates open, 6 p.m. General admission $25; free for ages 10 and younger. Parking is $10. Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Ave., City of Industry. www.facebook.com/IndustryRacing. industryhillsspeedway.com
Pasadena Symphony and Pops concerts: Classical Mystery Tour, a tribute to the Beatles, performing with the symphony orchestra, conducted by Larry Blank, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 (tinyurl.com/4pezhp8m). Michael Feinstein’s Favorites, with guest Christine Ebersole, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 (tinyurl.com/36ekyhks). Gates open, 5:30 p.m. for picnicking or table service (depending on your ticket purchase). Tickets $35; $15 ages 12 and younger (for lawn seating); table seats $59 and up; front area table seats, $85 and up). Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-793-7172. https://pasadenasymphony-pops.org/rusnak-summer-concert-series-2025/
Movies Under the Stars – One Colorado: “Coco” (2017), 8:30 p.m. Aug. 23. Free to attend, but also a VIP seating option. Make a reservation (tinyurl.com/2j553huk); space-limited. Bring your own blanket or low-back lawn chair for seating (see details on the website). Location, in the Courtyard, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena. 626-564-1066. www.onecolorado.com/events/
Glendora Genealogical Group: A professional genealogist discusses “Using Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Genealogy Research,” 6 p.m. Aug. 26. In addition, a “Beginner’s Refresher Class,” 7 p.m. Monthly meetings at held at La Fetra Senior Center, Elm Room, 333 E. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. 909-592-4030.
The March Toward Civil War in Southern California: Historian and author Maria Carrillo Colato, Phd, of the A.K. Smiley Library and the Lincoln Memorial Shrine discusses the the topic at the monthly meeting of the Pasadena Civil War Round Table, 7:15 p.m. Aug. 26. Free admission. Free parking behind the building (use the driveway at 160 N. Madison Ave.). Location, Blinn House, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. Email: pasadenacwrt@gmail.com. Meeting details: tinyurl.com/3pkj9bvt. www.facebook.com/PasadenaCivilWarRoundTable. www.pasadenacwrt.org
Ongoing things to do
ArtCenter College of Design – Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography: “Primarium: A Case for Cursive,” an exhibit that includes international and historic handwriting examples, textbooks and teaching tools and typographic works that show the evolution of cursive writing, through Oct. 31. Gallery hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Free admission. HMCT Gallery at ArtCenter of Design (south campus), 950 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. 626-39602200. Details about the exhibit: tinyurl.com/2p9v9zh2
Farmers Market: Presented by the Regional Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley. Held every Saturday on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Parking Lot B, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. It features fresh produce, artisan goods, and pre-packed food from local growers and vendors. Open to the public, the market supports healthy living and local entrepreneurship. Free Parking. Location: 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut. rccsgv.com/farmers-market/
TOPS weight loss meeting: The first meeting is free for non-members of this Take Off Pounds Sensibly group, 10 a.m. Fridays. Meeting at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, classroom building, 1359 E. Covina Blvd., Covina. For more information, patalmeida44@gmail.com
Friends of the Pasadena Public Library Bookstore: The store has used books for sale, especially for children. The bookstore is extending 50% off to any area resident who lost a home in the Eaton fire and a free book with every purchase. Ask about free books for schools that were impacted by the Eaton fire. Proceeds from sales help to fund Pasadena Public Library programs, including One City One Story and Summer Reading. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Closed on Friday and Sunday. In addition, ask about volunteering at the bookstore. Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St., Pasadena. friendsppl.org/
Armory Center for the Arts: “My Hands Are Monsters Who Believe In Magic,” a group exhibition composed of ten artists from the Asian diaspora that explores an artist’s capacity for the radical reimagination of the self, through Dec. 14. (armoryarts.org/exhibitions/2025/monsters). See contemporary art exhibitions and learn about community-based art education. Gallery hours: 2-6 p.m. Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free admission. Donations appreciated. Location, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. For more information, 626-792-5101. armoryarts.org
California African American Museum: Ongoing special exhibits: “Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe,” through Aug. 17. “J. Yolande Daniels: To a Future Space-Time,” through Sept. 6 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/j-yolande-daniels-to-a-future-space-time). “Ode to ‘Dena: Black Artistic Legacies of Altadena,” through Oct. 12 (caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2025/ode-to-dena-black-artistic-legacies-of-altadena). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Monday (caamuseum.org/visit/hours-directions). Free admission. Parking $20 before 5 p.m.; $24 after 5 p.m. (parking lot entrance at West 39th and South Figueroa streets. Museum location, corner of Exposition Boulevard and South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (in Exposition Park). 213-744-7432. www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA/. www.caamuseum.org
Descanso Gardens: “What’s in Bloom” (depending on the weather): https://www.descansogardens.org/gardens-and-collections/whats-in-bloom/. Hours: 9-5 daily. Admission $15; $11 ages 65 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 818-949-4200. descansogardens.org. www.facebook.com/DescansoGardensLA.
Duarte Historical Museum: Hours: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays (except closed on Saturday on holiday weekends). Free admission. Location, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. 626-357-9419. ranchodeduarte.org
The Huntington: Ongoing: “Stories from the Library: The Tales Through Time,” the Huntington’s Ellesmere Chaucer, through Dec. 1 (www.huntington.org/exhibitions/stories-library-tales-through-time). More exhibits: www.huntington.org/exhibitions. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesday). Reservations required on Friday-Sunday; holidays. Admission is by timed entry (no walk-ins): $29; $24 ages 65 and older and students ages 12-18 with ID; $13 ages 4-11 (respectively by ages on Friday-Sunday and holidays: $34; $28; $15). Location, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. huntington.org
Kidspace Children’s Museum: Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Timed tickets are required. Admission $15.50 ages 1-61; $13.50 ages 62 and older. Location, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144. kidspacemuseum.org
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden: Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (last entry is 4:30 p.m.). Admission $15; $11 ages 62 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Admission may be purchased online. Location, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-821-3222. arboretum.org/visit/hours-and-admission. arboretum.org
Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Ongoing special exhibits: “We Live in Painting: The Nature of Color in Mesoamerican Art,” through Sept. 1. “Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia,” through July 12 (www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/realms-dharma-buddhist-art-across-asia). More exhibits: www.lacma.org/art/exhibitions/current. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Plan your visit information here: tinyurl.com/mr3uwzs3. Admission $23; $19 ages 65 and older and students ages 18 and older with a valid ID; free for ages 17 and younger (reserving/purchasing an advance, timed-entry online is recommended; these prices are for residents of Los Angeles County with an ID). Location, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6010. www.lacma.org
Monrovia Historical Museum: Discover Monrovia’s history. Docent-led tours are available. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. Free admission. Location, 742 E. Lemon Ave. For more information, 626-357-9537. monroviahistoricalmuseum.org. Updates: www.facebook.com/monroviahistoricalmuseum
Natural History Museum Los Angeles County: “Fierce! The Story of Cats,” is an international traveling exhibit, from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in France, runs through Feb. 18 (this exhibit requires an add-on ticket price to the museum’s general admission; nhm.org/cats). The “Butterfly Pavilion,” the seasonal outdoor exhibit runs through Aug. 24; reservations required by timed ticket (30-minute time slots; $10; must also purchase museum admission; details tinyurl.com/4asy4c62). Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday (but closed on the first Tuesday of the month and some holidays). Admission $18; $14 ages 62 and older and ages 13-17; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger, but a ticket is required. Location, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. nhmlac.org
John Rowland Mansion: The historic home is open for showings at noon and 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Park at the Hacienda La Puente School District lot. Location, 16021 Gale Ave., City of Industry. 909-241-7961. lpvhistoricalsociety.org
Rubel Castle: The castle is an elaborate folk-art medieval castle in the foothills of Glendora, with 5-story tall towers solidly built out of junk and river rocks by the late Michael Rubel and his friends. The castle offers eight guided tours each month; by appointment-only. Admission $20 for adults; $10 ages 8-18; cash-only. The property is not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible (see website for details). Location, 844 N. Live Oak Ave., Glendora. Glendora Historical Society voicemail, 626-963-0419. rubeltours.org
Norton Simon Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Retrospect: 50 Years at the Norton Simon Museum,” once known as the Pasadena Art Museum the exhibit celebrates its golden anniversary with “significant and lesser-known stories,” through Jan. 12, 2026 (www.nortonsimon.org/exhibitions/current). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Thursday; noon-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday. Admission $20; $15 seniors; free for students with ID and ages 18 and younger. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org
USC Pacific Asia Museum: Galleries are temporarily closed for an upcoming exhibit. The courtyard and museum are open however (free admission while the galleries are closed). Museum hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Location, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2380. https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/visit-us/
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