Events

my hands are monsters who believe in magic is a group exhibition that explores an artist’s capacity for the radical reimagination of the self through a process of unmaking and remaking. Featuring contemporary photography, video, and ceramics by ten artists from the Asian diaspora—Alex Anderson, Tommy Kha, Maggie Lee, Jarod Lew, Cathy C. Lu, Diane Severin Nguyen, Miraj Patel, Leonard Suryajaya, Guanyu Xu, and Amia Yokoyama—the exhibition highlights the liberatory possibilities of self-construction and reinvention. The works on view navigate the endless, messy, contradictory, and sometimes grotesque process of understanding oneself in relation to history, materiality, and community. The title of the exhibition quotes a line from Ocean Vuong’s poem “Dear Sara” in Time Is a Mother. my hands are monsters who believe in magic is organized by guest curator Kris Kuramitsu.

Opening Public Celebration
Sunday, May 4
1:00 to 3:30 PM

Join us for the opening celebration on May 4, which includes a drop-in, all-ages artmaking workshop led by Armory Teaching Artist Lark Crable. Participants will create and take home their own "Clay Monster." This event and workshop are free and open to everyone.

About the Curator
Kris Kuramitsu is an independent curator and educator in Los Angeles. As Senior Curator at The Mistake Room in Los Angeles, she organized exhibitions such as Matsumi Kanemitsu: Metamorphic Effects (2014); Cao Fei: Shadow Plays (2015); A Tender Spot: Sky Hopinka and Karrabing Film Collective (2018); and Gaëlle Choisne: Temple of Love – ADORABLE (2019), among others. She curates the Candlewood Arts Festival, a program of temporary public art projects in the Anza Borrego Desert for the Under the Sun Foundation. Additionally, she has organized exhibitions for institutions such as the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, Claremont, CA; LAXART, Los Angeles; Instituto Cervantes, Madrid; and the Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles. She has taught at Harvey Mudd College and was the 2022 curatorial resident at Occidental College, where she organized the exhibition Voice a Wild Dream: Moments in Asian American Art and Activism, 1968-2022. She is the recipient of the 2024 Call to Dream Sam Francis Fellowship.

 

Words from the Heart ~ Mother's Day Celebration at One Colorado 

Join One Colorado from Saturday, April 26, until Sunday, May 11, for a heartwarming opportunity to honor the special Moms in your life. Guests are invited to write complimentary postcards and “mail” them at our turquoise mailbox, beautifully displayed in Douglas Alley.

They’ll take care of the rest! Simply write your heartfelt message, and they’ll mail the postcard on your behalf—no matter where Mom is in the world—just in time for Mother’s Day.

Special activation hours:

• SAT APR 26: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
• SAT MAY 03: 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Both Saturdays will host a poet on the property to craft custom short poems in honor of Mom. To receive a personalized poem, guests must show proof of purchase from any One Colorado shop or restaurant (no minimum spend required).

 

One Colorado

46 Smith Alley
Suite 250
Pasadena, CA 91103

626.564.1066
www.onecolorado.com

One Colorado is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district spanning one and a half city blocks in Old Pasadena, roughly bounded by Colorado Boulevard, Union Street, De Lacey, and Fair Oaks Avenues. This award-winning destination unites the urban environment of 17 historic buildings with 40 contemporary fashion and dining attractions, including Anthropologie, Patagonia, Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery, and IPIC Theaters. One Colorado Food District includes a row of convenient concept restaurants, including Main Chick, Paper Rice, and Tacos 1986, along Union Street. Longstanding favorites, Russell's diner, renowned for breakfast, and 21 Choices Frozen Yogurt are found on Fair Oaks Avenue.

Shopping options are varied and include both national retailers and independent small businesses.  From Sephora and Aesop, to Skin Laundry, beauty is covered. Jewelers include high-end Place Vendome, trendy Gorjana, and Brilliant Earth to fulfill your diamond needs.  Curated home goods can be found at Parachute.  

The One Colorado Courtyard, designed in the tradition of European town squares, is one of Old Pasadena’s public gathering spaces, offering regularly scheduled outdoor film screenings, live music, art markets, children’s programs, and site-specific art installations. 

Members and nonmembers of the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street, are invited to free events and activities for anyone 50 and older. The center is a vital community resource where older adults can age in place while thriving in motion. Residency in Pasadena is not required to attend events and activities. 

Registration for Zoom activities and most onsite events is required by visiting www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and clicking on Activities & Events, Lectures & Classes, or Resources.  Everyone who registers for Zoom events will receive an email link for joining each activity online.

Bilingual Tech Help Program – Mondays at 10 a.m. in the Technology Lab, with instructor Mariana Porras. Learn how to navigate social media platforms, send texts, check voicemails, set alarms, and more. Whether you need assistance with your smartphone, tablet, or computer, this is a valuable chance to get those questions about your device answered. Let us help you make the most of your devices and explore the possibilities of the digital world. See you there.  

Legal Consultations – Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to noon onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Learn about wills and trusts, conservatorships, durable powers of attorney and estate planning. To schedule a required appointment, call (626) 795-4331.

Depression and Anxiety – Thursday, May 1 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, Presented by the L.A. Department of Mental Health. Legacy is a gift from one generation to another. We will share various ideas and ways to "Defy Invisibility" through the power of photographs and videos.  Learn how you can touch the future and make an impact on future generations. Registration is required for this online event. Visit PasadenaSeniorCenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Monthly Food Bank Distribution — Friday, May 2, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Pasadena Senior Center. Low-income adults 60 and older receive one free box of food and couples receive two. Each box includes foods that meet specific nutritional needs. Proof of income and California ID are required. Boxes are heavy, so bring a pull-behind personal cart to the parking lot between the Pasadena Senior Center and the Metro Gold Line station. Opening boxes on the premises is prohibited. For more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Resources, then Food Distribution Programs or call (626) 685-6732.

MUSE/IQUE Offstage Encounters – Monday, May 5 at 3 p.m. MUSE/IQUE Offstage Encounters is an informal hour featuring guest artists from MUSE/IQUE’s 2025 concert season Make Some Noise: Music and Stories of American Defiance and Hope.  Don’t miss this special opportunity to get to know some very talented people. Reservations are suggested. Visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Technology Information Sessions – Thursdays, May 8 – may 22 at 10 a.m., Presented by Mariana Porras. May 8: we will present “Email Made Easy.” Learn how to Stay in touch with family, friends, and important contacts by mastering the basics of email! May 15: “Grocery Shopping Made Easy. Discover how to simplify your grocery shopping experience with easy-to-use phone apps! May 22: “Getting Around Made Simple.” Learn how to get where you need to go with ease using popular transportation apps like Uber and Lyft! Registration is required for each session on www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org. Space is limited.  

Depression and Anxiety – Thursday, May 8 at 1 p.m., Presented only in Spanish by the L.A. Department of Mental Health. Learn to recognize the symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults. Discover what contributes to these problems and what to do when you or a loved one is experiencing depression or anxiety. Registration is encouraged by calling (626) 795-4331 or on www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org.    

How Pets Enhance Health and Life – Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, Presented by Foundation for Senior Services.  Animals. Some people love them (like us!), Some people would prefer to live without them. But your own preferences aside, what does research on the topics tell us? How improved and different is our life with pets vs. without? And can you have the benefits of animals and pets, without the accompanying mess? We will learn the answers! Registration is required for this online event. Visit PasadenaSeniorCenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Fiesta de Mayo with the Latino Club – Friday, May 9 at 1 p.m. Join us for a celebration with lively music, delicious food, and great company. Don’t miss the fun! Registration is required. Visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Movie Matinees – Fridays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, at 1 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Each PSC member who registers may bring one non-member guest.

• May 2: “A Better Life” (2011, PG-13) starring Demián Bichir and José Juliá. An East L.A gardener struggles to keep his son away from gangs while trying to give him opportunities he never had.
• May 9: “Corrina, Corrina” (1994, PG) Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ray Liotta. A businessman begins to fall for his daughter’s nanny, but some think their interracial relationship is too ahead of its time for the 1950s.  
• May 16 “Kundun” (1997, PG-13) Starring Thuthob Tsarong and Gyurme Tethong. Director Martin Scorsese brings to the screen the true story of the Dalai Lama. Kundun brings to life the account of the Dalai Lama's early life, from childhood through the Chinese invasion of Tibet and his journey into exile.
• May 23: “Green Zone” (2010, R) Starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller and his team of inspectors are on a mission in 2003 to find Iraq’s reported stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Instead, they discover an elaborate coverup.
• May 30: “Breaking Away” (1997, PG) Starring Dennis Christopher and Daniel Stern. Four friends face opposition from all corners as they decide to make their friend’s dream come true in their university’s annual bicycle endurance race.

To register for any or all these films or for more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Activities & Events, then Friday Movie Matinee or call (626) 795-4331.

Guided Tours of Pasadena Senior Center – Mondays, May 5, 12, 19, and 26, at noon and Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 10 a.m. onsite at PSC. Take a guided tour with a PSC ambassador and learn how the center can enhance your life. Peek in on various activities at the center, such as an art class, dance lessons, computer lab and dozens more, and learn everything else about this first- ever accredited senior center in California. To schedule a tour or for more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on About Us, then About the Facility or call (626) 795-4331.  

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy – Tuesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to Noon. The Center for Health Care Rights provides free Medicare and Medi-Cal counseling and advocacy services. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting the Welcome Desk.  

#AgeWell Round Table – Thursday, May 15 at 1 p.m., Presented by Foundation for Senior Services. What’s On Your Mind? Let’s Talk About It! This will be a supportive and confidential setting where participants are seen, heard, and understood. Roundtables provide an environment to listen to and learn from one another, share experiences and insights, where all viewpoints, fears and feelings are valued by the group. Based on participant needs and requests, specialists will address specific topics of interest in the on-going roundtable sessions. Reservations are suggested. To sign up, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on the Workshops button in the Lectures & Classes dropdown menu.

Scam and Fraud Self-Defense – Thursday, May 15 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, Presented by Miles McNeely, LCSW, Director of Elder Abuse Prevention. Miles McNeeley is also a member of the Los Angeles Stop Scams Workgroup. This will be an interactive discussion on scam and fraud prevention. Participants will learn to identify scams, report instances of fraud to law enforcement, and tools to help combat scammers. This discussion will include a live question and answer session to address the participants’ concerns. Registration is required for this online event. Visit PasadenaSeniorCenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Health Fair and Fresh Produce Distribution – Friday, May 16, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Kathy Eastwood from Huntington Hospital will be doing blood pressure and glucose testing. The Hear Center will be doing free hearing screenings. Insurance representatives will be on hand to show different Medicare Health Plans, and answer questions that you may have. Preassembled bags of fresh, nutritious vegetables will be distributed on the patio while supplies last, courtesy of Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. Everyone is encouraged to bring a bag or personal pull-behind cart to transport the produce home. Registration is not required. For more information call (626) 795-4331.

Tech Lab Lallapalooza – Monday – Friday, May 19 to 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Presented by Mayfield Senior School Seniors. Workshops are open to all. Get assistance and instruction on Android & Apple Smartphones, iPads & Laptops, Microsoft Office Suite, and Social Media Applications. Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment call the Welcome Desk at (626) 795-4331. Walk-ins are also welcome!  

Aging and the Five Senses – Thursday, May 22 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, Presented by Foundation for Senior Services. Aging brings many changes to the body, but none affect our life as much as our senses. See how to prepare for changes to your "gateways to the world," and how anticipating changes helps you prepare for the future. Registration is required for this online event. Visit PasadenaSeniorCenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

After Physical Therapy – Thursday, May 29 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, Presented by Chrystal Yen, Community-based Physical Therapist. Our “After Physical Therapy” program is designed for guests who need additional physical training following their initial physical therapy. This program provides a seamless transition from physical therapy to continued rehabilitation, ensuring ongoing support and progress beginning with an individual evaluation by our licensed Community-based physical therapist, Chrystal Yen. Learn more about this new program provided by PSC.   Registration is required for this online event. Visit PasadenaSeniorCenter.org and click on Special Events under the Activities & Events menu.

Mediation and Dispute Resolution – Thursday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to noon onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Learn how to resolve conflicts with the help of a trained mediator, including property ownership, landlord/tenant disputes, workplace/employment issues, family disagreements and more. Presented by Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution. To make an appointment, call 626-795-4331.

Lunch Program – Ongoing weekdays at 11:00 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. If you are 60 or older, enjoy a hot lunch every Monday through Friday on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins at 11 a.m. A donation of $3 is suggested but not required. For more information, call (626) 685-6742.

Home Tea Program – Ongoing monthly. Anyone who is 50 and older can sign up to receive tea and an inspirational card once a month. To participate in this program, call (626) 685-6732.

Food Pantry – Ongoing weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don’t let financial hardship, being homebound or other issues prevent you from eating healthy food. Pasadena Senior Center volunteers deliver food and other supplies to your door. To request delivery, call (626) 685-6732 and leave a message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.

About the Pasadena Senior Center:

For 65 years, Pasadena Senior Center’s mission has been to improve the lives of older adults through caring service with opportunities for social interaction, fitness programs, basic support and needs services, education, volunteerism and community activism. With 10,000 Americans per day becoming older adults, the center is a leader in addressing issues of aging and provides innovative, cutting-edge, nationally recognized programs for this population group.

As a donor-supported nonprofit, the center operates without any local, state, or federal funding and provides more services to older adults than any other organization in the San Gabriel Valley. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. To learn more visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call 626-795-4331.

 

Pasadena Bike Month is a month-long campaign of fun and healthy bicycle activities that Pasadena residents and visitors can experience in the month of May. Activities include group rides, social gatherings, a film screening, and guided tours. Pasadena Bike Month is made possible by the City of Pasadena, Day One, and Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition. Visit their website for the full calendar and to sign up for a ride.

Organizers have planned free activities for riders of all ages and abilities all month long. Helmets, bikes in good working order, and bike lights (for night events) are strongly encouraged. Highlights of Bike Month events include:

SUN MAY 04
NATIONAL RIDE A BIKE DAY
Celebrate National Ride a Bike Day by taking a spin on your bicycle. Explore wherever you'd like!  Nearly a dozen locations in Old Pasadena are offering special discounts and other fun giveaways if you ride your bike and let them know! Details are here.
Time: All day
Location: Anywhere!

SAT MAY 10
PUBLIC ART RIDE
What’s better than riding bikes on a beautiful day in May? Riding bikes and eating pie and ice cream! We’ll visit local purveyors of America’s favorite treats and sample their offerings.
DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED

THU MAY 15
BIKE TO WORK DAY
Visit our Bike to Work Day rest stop at Pasadena City Hall to say hello. Enjoy a free snack and a can of cold brew, plus a local bike shop will be doing quick tune-ups on site. Remember, if you need to travel far, go multimodal. Metro buses and trains, Metrolink trains, and Pasadena Transit buses are free for bicyclists on Bike to Work Day.
DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED

SAT MAY 31
PIE and ICE CREAM ARE FRIENDS RIDE
What’s better than riding bikes on a beautiful day in May? Riding bikes and eating pie and ice cream! We’ll visit local purveyors of America’s favorite treats and sample their offerings.
DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED

For a full list of events and details, visit www.bit.ly/BikeMonthPasadena.

Bike Month Pasadena is organized by the City of Pasadena Department of Transportation, Day One, and Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition. Day One and partners Pasadena CSC are Pasadena-based community organizations working towards advocating for safe, inclusive, and healthy streets for all road users, regardless of mode and ability.

 

 

Every year since 1963, National Small Business Week has been recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create about two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) highlights the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.  Visit the National Small Business Week page for the latest news and events.

Old Pasadena is proud to count nearly 200 small and independent businesses located within our historic district.  We use the #OnlyinOldPas tag to indicate our indie businesses on this site.  You can see our directory list of small businesses here. 

Help support our community by celebrating Small Business Week in Old Pasadena, shopping small and dining local.  

We have been featuring some of our small business owners and their unique stories on our social media this week. We will continue to highlight our small businesses as we highlight AAPI Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June.  

 

 

On Saturday, May 10, My Valley Pass returns with the popular Pasadena Walking Film Tour.
On this offshoot of our popular Pasadena (bus) Film Tour, join My Valley Pass co-founder Jared Cowan for a jaunt through Old Pasadena and the Pasadena Civic Center, and learn about a number of the popular movies and TV shows that have used this visually dynamic and historic area as a filming location. We'll even visit a few locations where a tour bus can't go!

Space is limited, so get your tickets today!

About Your Tour Guide:

Jared Cowan is a photographer and film journalist who has written extensively on the subject of filming locations for various publications including Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. TACO, and LA Weekly. He leads our My Valley Pass film tours of the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, and the Langham Huntington Hotel. On his podcast, On Location with Jared Cowan, he interviews filmmakers on-site at the locations from their movies. Find it at Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Jared is also the co-editor of the recently releasedbook, World Film Locations: Los Angeles, Volume 2.

 

 

Pasadena Heritage is celebrating the fantastic indoor and outdoor spaces of the Gilded Age with a Victorian Weekend from Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1.  Old Pasadena takes the stage on Friday, May 30, for a special evening of Victorian Splendor.

Join Pasadena Heritage for an immersive three-day celebration of Victorian architecture, leisure, and life. From Pasadena’s iconic Castle Green to the Adena Mansion not open to the public in two decades, to the charming Doctors House in Glendale, this weekend will transport you to the Gilded Age through exclusive tours, classic lawn games, and a sunset lawn bowling dinner experience.

FRIDAY MAY 30, 2025, 4:00-8:00 PM
Evening of Victorian Splendor + Dinner in Old Pasadena

TICKETS:
(Only 30 tickets will be sold, including a dinner)

• Before May 5: Sold only as part of the Package ticket for the entire weekend, with only 30 tickets available
• Starting May 5 (If available): $65 nonmember / $52 member (20% discount, not eligible for Golden Ticket)

4:00 – 4:30 PM | History Walk at Central Park
Begin with a brief walking tour of Central Park in the heart of the Old Pasadena Management District to set the stage for the evening.

4:30 – 5:15 PM | Castle Green Tour
Explore this 1887 marvel of Moorish, Spanish, and Victorian design that helped put Pasadena on the map as a destination for the wealthy.

5:30 – 7:30 PM | Sunset Lawn Bowling & Picnic Dinner
Head to the Pasadena Lawn Bowling & Croquet Club—founded in 1921 and the oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi—for an unforgettable evening of Victorian pastimes.
🏆 Enjoy a picnic dinner featuring Mexican food, chicken, and pie!
🎩 Victorian garb or lawn whites + straw hats encouraged!