Spend a remarkable evening in beautiful Pasadena exploring 18 prestigious arts and cultural institutions showcasing famous works of art, music and dance by the best that the City’s creative community has to offer from 6-10 p.m., Friday, October 13, 2017. This fantastic, free “open house” experience is available to all ages and walks of life to experience memorable visual and performing arts and participate in hands-on, interactive activities with free admission to all participating venues and free transportation.
Yes, it’s FREE! Admission to all art institutions is free and the public can ride free shuttles provided by the City of Pasadena to and from each location, with City Hall serving as the primary transit hub.
Go to www.artnightpasadena.org for a complete listing of the awesome, family friendly art and cultural offerings at ArtNight, October 2017 edition—one of the best art events in Southern California! Be sure to take photos of your experience and send to the City’s Twitter account, @PasadenaGov with the hashtags #ArtNight2017 and #Pasadena and we’ll re-tweet as many as we can!
One of the many special highlights this year includes the announcement ceremony at the Pasadena Central Library for its “One City, One Story” book selection. The announcement will be made at 6:15 p.m. In addition, several venues will feature co-located food trucks with savory comfort dishes and beverages for purchase.
Participating arts and cultural institutions include, in alphabetical order:
ArtCenter College of Design, www.artcenter.edu; ArtWorks Teen Center, www.artworkspasadena.com; Boston Court Performing Arts Center, www.bostoncourt.com; City of Pasadena, www.cityofpasadena.net/arts; Jackie Robinson Community Center, www.cityofpasadena.net/HumanServices; Light Bringer Project, www.lightbringerproject.org; Pasadena Public Library, www.cityofpasadena.net/library; Pasadena City College, www.pasadena.edu; Pasadena Conservatory of Music, www.pasadenaconservatory.org; Pasadena Museum of History, www.pasadenahistory.org; Pasadena Playhouse, www.pasadenaplayhouse.org; USC Pacific Asia Museum, www.pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu.
ArtNight is produced by the Cultural Affairs Division of the Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department in collaboration with the participating arts and cultural institutions. For accessibility assistance or shuttle transportation to the venues, or to request information in braille or large-print format, call (626) 744-7062.
Event sponsors include the City’s Department of Transportation, www.cityofpasadena.net/Transportation; METRO, www.metro.net; the Pasadena Center Operating Company, www.visitpasadena.com, and Pasadena Media, www.pasadenamedia.tv. Media sponsors include Pasadena Now, Pasadena Star-News, KPCC, LA Weekly and Tolucan Times.
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Join the free family fun at Pasadena’s 19th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Jamaica (community fair) on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The event is sponsored by the Human Services and Recreation Department and the Latino Heritage Committee. Online updates will be posted at www.cityofpasadena.net/LatinoHeritage and www.pasadenalatinoheritageparade.org.
More than 2,000 participants and spectators are expected at this year’s event that begins with the parade at 11 a.m. on a new route, followed by the festive Jamaica with cultural activities, food, music, and dance from noon to 4 p.m. This year’s theme “Embracing our Latino Military Servicemen and Women” celebrates the Latino Community’s accomplishments in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The new parade route starts at Los Robles Avenue and Prescott Street, heads south on Los Robles and ends at the Villa-Parke Community Center, 353 E. Villa Street. Street closures and temporary no parking zones on Prescott Street, Los Robles Avenue and Villa Street will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. Street closures will be lifted as soon as the parade clears the area.
The Jamaica features live entertainment, art exhibits, fun activities for children and tasty food for purchase. A special feature this year includes the “Hispanic Medal of Honor Wall” display promoting awareness of the patriotism, loyalty and sacrifices made by Hispanic Americans in military service. Oct. 14 is the last day of this special exhibit at the Villa-Parke Community Center.
At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., two short films by Latino veterans will be screened in the Center’s auditorium. Outside, on the festival’s stage, a special ceremonial presentation at 1 p.m. will honor this year’s Parade Grand Marshal, Command Sgt. Maj. Ramon Rodriguez. Community Grand Marshal is Staff Sgt. Hector Rodriguez, another local community member who also faithfully served in the U.S. Army.
Command Sgt. Maj. Rodriguez was just 17 when he enlisted, ultimately serving 23 years and attaining one of the highest ranks in the U.S. Army for enlisted personnel. He is a Congressional Medal of Honor nominee—our nation’s highest honor—after serving 32 months in Vietnam and earning three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars and five Purple Hearts. He was a Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division and U.S. Special Forces member. He also has three Army Commendation Medals; the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal; was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2008 and served as Chair of Los Angeles County’s Military and Veterans Affairs Commission.
Staff Sgt. Rodriguez, this year’s Community Grand Marshal, grew up and worked in Pasadena and now resides in Altadena. After attending local schools, he followed in his family’s military footsteps, enlisting in the Army, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Montana and serving from 1992 to 1997. In 1999, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and was deployed to Kosovo in 2000 as part of Operation Joint Guardian, serving as an assistant team leader on a Tactical PSYOP Team (TPT). He deployed twice to Afghanistan and served in a variety of leadership roles in support of both Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) and Combined Joint Task Force–10th Mountain Division. In 2007, Mr. Rodriquez ended his military service at the rank of Staff Sergeant (E6) after serving for 13 years.