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BEST OF PASADENA | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 7
8 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
10.10.19 | VOLUME 37| NUMBER 41
opinion ....................................................................9 Letters ......................................................10
Guest Opinion ............................................13
Best of Pasadena .................................................... 15 Pasadena Way ............................................................................................17 Services ........................................................................................................ 28 Shopping........................................................................................................ 46 Dining ......................................................................................................57 Night Life .................................................................................................72
Dining.................................................................... 81
Restaurant Review ......................................81
Bulletin .....................................................83
Arts ........................................................................85 Into the Night .............................................87 Calendar ...................................................................88
Film..........................................................89
classifieds ..............................................................90 8 days ....................................................................98 ABOUT THE COVER: Cover design by Stephanie Torres.
10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 9
PW OPINION
PW NEWS
PW DINING
PW ARTS
•LETTERS•
SUPPORT THE WEEKLY
EDITORIAL EDITOR
Kevin Uhrich kuhrich@timespublications.com DEPUTY EDITOR
André Coleman acoleman@timespublications.com CONTRIBUTING MUSIC EDITOR
Bliss CONTRIBUTORS
Patti Carmalt-Vener, Justin Chapman, Peter Dreier, Randy Jurado Ertll, John Grula, Chip Jacobs, Jana J. Monji, Christopher Nyerges, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Ellen Snortland, INTERNS
Caroline Kimbel, Remali De Silva ART ART DIRECTOR
Stephanie Torres storres@timespublications.com ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR
Richard Garcia CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Danny Liao, Jen Sorensen, Tom Tomorrow, Mercedes Blackhart, Catherine Bauknight ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING
Lisa Chase, Rick Federman, Javier Sanchez CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Ann Turrietta (Legals) BUSINESS
Dear Kevin and the wonderful staff of the Pasadena Weekly: I want to thank all of you who work so hard to cover events in Pasadena and call our attention to important community and national issues. We are a stronger and better community because of your work. About the ownership change at the Weekly! Newspapers are suffering because the advertising base that underwrote these publications is drying up. One reason is on-line purchasing from Amazon and other digital outlets. Unlike the big department stores such as Macy’s that have been the mainstay of many urban newspapers, digital companies advertise through the net. And the brick and mortar stores that line our streets and are the basis for our commercial life are feeling the pinch. So I’ve decided to eliminate any on-line buying and return to the old-fashioned way to purchasing — sales person face to face with customer. I’ve made this decision not just to help save newspapers and the stores that sell from commercial buildings but to save the jobs of those who work in them. I have a couple of other reasons for my decision — all those cardboard boxes and packages delivered by Amazon’s new fleet of diesel Prime vehicles (which Bezos eventually promises to run on electricity but did not do so before he ordered his huge diesel fleet). Although newspapers are printed on paper, they are not as costly to our forests as the heavy packaging used by Amazon. So if you want to help save our planet and our local newspapers, think before you make your next digital purchase. You may just be saving the Weekly and the stores that line the streets of our community.
OFFICE MANAGER
Ann Turrietta CIRCULATION
Don S. Margolin TIMES MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT
Steve Strickbine V.P. OF OPERATIONS
Michael Hiatt Pasadena Weekly is published every Thursday. Pasadena Weekly is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from Pasadena Weekly, take more than one copy of each weekly issue. Additional copies of the current issue if available may be purchased for $1, payable in advance, at Pasadena Weekly office. Only authorized Pasadena Weekly distributors may distribute the Pasadena Weekly. Pasadena Weekly has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in Court Judgment No. C-655062. Copyright: No news stories, illustrations, editorial matter or advertisements herein can be reproduced without written permission of copyright owner. All rights reserved, 2019.
HOW TO REACH US Address: 50 S. DeLacey Ave., Suite 200, Pasadena 91105 Telephone: (626) 584-1500 Fax: (626) 795-0149
~ CHRISTLE BALVIN PASADENA
GOOD DAY
To John Jay, Your submission about NO constitutional rights for nonU.S. citizens [Letters, Sept. 12] is laughable. The document was written over 200 years ago when roughly 25 percent of our nation’s states were nonexistent. The “sacred” document is in dire need of revisions which have yet to be made; including your 10 copies. For clarification purposes I am referring to articles five and 14 specifically. Successful court rulings show that immigrants, regardless of legal status, do indeed have rights. Nowhere is it stated in print that immigrants of any status lack or are deprived of rights; though, some are restricted just the same for US citizens. I am not calling you a racist, but I am calling you a fool (bigot if you choose). I have heard the same statement from my own “two white friends” who feel their opinion is valid by mentioning their black and
Latino friends. It is not surprising your wife is of Mexican heritage but why bring her into it? Your hiding behind Jesus is typical of many “white AngloSaxon” individuals seeking opinion asylum. If you think your days in college still hold superiority on a “sacred” document, then I can only assume you are in your 60s or 70s; decades my senior. Until next time John Jay, I say good day. ~ GARRETT MARSHALL VIA EMAIL
FROM THE WEB:
Climate change is a huge issue! It seems that a lot of the prevailing mentality is for “someone” else to fi x it — the government, the country, the world. A lot of fear is being instilled, with good reason, but there are things that we can personally do, choices we can make that collectively could make an impact. Here are a few: Plant trees, trees, and more trees, choose to drive a smaller or more fuel efficient car, eat less meat, build smaller and smarter homes and buildings, use less plastic and other resources, take your own bags to the store, don’t litter, and pick it up when you see it, contact those who make decisions about things that impact the environment, and demand change. For instance, solar panels in parking lots, and instead of using black asphalt, use something permeable that attracts less heat. There are things WE can do! Let US respect our precious Earth by making better choices. Thank YOU! ~ VIVSWOLFL
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10 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19
Send letters to KUhrich@ timespublications.com. To share news tips and information about happenings and events, contact Kevin at the address above or call (626) 584-1500, ext. 115. Contact Deputy Editor André Coleman by writing to AColeman@ timespublications.com or calling (626) 584-1500, ext. 114.
BEST OF PASADENA | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 11
12 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
PW OPINION
PW NEWS
PW DINING
PW ARTS
•GUEST OPINION• BY ROBERT M. NELSON
PATHS TO ACTION
PAST CONTROLS THE PRESENT IN LISA REDDICK’S ‘THE SAME RIVER’ In her novel “The Same River,” Lisa Reddick considers the ethical imperative for environmental action from the perspective of characters with unique personal situations that constrain their options for action. In the book, each character fi nds ways to fit the picture. The story begins in the present, in the Pacific Northwest. This tale of environmental degradation unveils a spectrum of human behaviors shaped by local circumstances. These localized behaviors, good and bad, have global applicability. While the novel is set in the present, the plot is influenced by characters living a century earlier that cross a time warp to shape the present. The central figure is Jess, a researcher at the state fi sh and wildlife service. She has been involved in a study of the declining salmon population in the local river. Her work documents the deleterious environmental impact of a dam built on the river a century ago. Her job position provides her with knowledge of the internal workings of the dam which is locked in her password protected computer. The dam’s purpose is flood control and to supply energy to the electrical power grid. However, the salmon population that nourished the local humans for 10 millennia is becoming unsustainable. Too few salmon are able to return upstream past the dam to reproduce and maintain a viable population. Jess’s studies conclude that something must be done about the dam. Jess presents compelling results to her supervisor, but he equivocates, unwilling to face the pressure from elected officials whose campaign pockets benefit from the lavish donations of the power company officials. The community also has an active environmentalist constituency that has been pressing for the dam’s removal. Jess has always been open and friendly with the local activists, one of whom has become her close and trusted friend. Jess confides her problem with her boss to her friend. The friend violates her confidence and hacks Jess’s computer. She provides the confidential structural blueprints to a would-be eco-terrorist who plans to blow up the dam, threatening widespread destruction downstream, arguing such violence would serve a higher environmental purpose. The bomb plot unravels. The eco-terrorist is caught before he can act. But, confidential information in the would-be bomber’s hands is traced to Jess, who loses her job. The friend who stole the data leaves town, her boyfriend moves out, and Jess’s personal life is in shambles. Jess continues her environmental mission, surviving by managing a local environmental preservation organization. Her research becomes the basis of a judicial injunction petition that has moved to the federal circuit court of appeals. The Northwest was once the home of a thriving native American community. Piah, a native character emerges from a hundred years in the past. Is she an incarnation of Jess’s sister who drowned in the river while a young girl? In the past epoch Piah’s native community was devastated by diseases introduced by the “civilizing” efforts of the conquistadors. Piah lost her daughter to a fever-driven disease her people had never previously experienced. Consistent with her tribal customs she entrusted her daughter’s body to the river. Her community sends her alone into the wilderness for a period of mourning. In isolation, she lapses in and out of a dream state as she addresses her grief. Meanwhile, in the present, Jess continues her environmental activism, leading visitors to the local wilderness on tours so that they may experience fi rsthand what is being lost. While on a solo backwoods exploration trip in preparation for a tour, Jess is attacked by a mountain lion. Left unconscious, she is found barely alive to face a slow convalescence. Wildlife experts are unable to explain why the attacking mountain lion left the mauling scene with Jess still alive. After all, Jess was about to be the mountain lion’s next meal. Did someone or something intervene to scare the lion away? Did Piah transcend time to save Jess so that she might continue her work in the present? Only Piah and the mountain lion know for sure. Jess’s boyfriend returns. The case involving the dam is then decided by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. There may still be people outside Trump’s Oval Office who remain oblivious to the impending human-induced environmental catastrophe, despite compelling evidence from respected authority. For those who still can’t fi nd a path appropriate for personal action, reading a novel might help. “The Same River” would be good start. ■
Robert M. Nelson is a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. He serves on the executive board of the California Democratic Party. The views he represents here are his own. 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 13
14 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
BEST OF PASADENA READERS’ POLL RULES AND METHODOLOGY All awardees were determined by tabulating verified readers’ ballots. People, places and businesses within Pasadena Weekly’s circulation area were eligible. Ballots for Best of Pasadena were available for download at PW’s home page from July 25 through August 26, 2019. Registered users of pasadenaweekly.com were also able to vote online. All ballots submitted were validated for authenticity. Each category has the potential of one Winner and two Reader Recommended awards. Ties were not broken and appear as additional entries where appropriate. There is a limit of three awards per year per entity.
BEST OF PASADENA | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 15
16 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
Two Cities, One Way HAVANA CONNECTS WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE PASADENA WAY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE, MUSIC, THE ARTS AND SOMETIMES POLITICS BY KEVIN UHRICH
T
hough a few centuries separate our respective municipal histories, and one city towers above the other in population and size, Havana and Pasadena share some things in common, particularly when it comes to our mutual affections for architecture, music, the arts and dining. Both beautiful cities have multiple districts, just as the two communities have their own Old Towns, only Cuba’s capital city is a really old town, some still-standing portions of its 21stcentury iteration dating back to the 1500s. In fact, Havana possesses a wide diversity in styles of architecture — from castles built in the late 16th century to modernist present-day high-rises, according to the BBC. Much as our own infrastructure and buildings are decaying due to time and neglect, the present-day condition of many once aweinspiring structures in Havana is one of ongoing deterioration since the 1959 revolution. Numerous collapses, reports the Habana Times, have resulted in injuries and deaths due to a lack of maintenance. In the world of politics, Cuba is one of the world’s few remaining communist countries, joining Laos, North Korea, Vietnam and China. We mention this because more than one person has referred to the Crown City as the People’s Republic of Pasadena, as they once did of the city of Santa Monica for their sometimes liberal approach to tackling social and political issues. One Pasadena official, former Mayor Bill Paparian, a lawyer, a former Marine and onetime Republican who once ran for Congress as a Green Party candidate, opposed the then more than 30-year-long US economic embargo of Cuba and came under fi re in the late 1990s for his travels there to help efforts in delivering humanitarian aid. In an interesting twist, Paparian also opposed the inclusion of a China-backed Olympic-themed float in the 2008 Rose Parade because of that country’s human rights abuses, urging people to turn their backs on the float as it passed them along the parade route. But there’s one thing that we have here that appears to set Pasadena somewhat apart from modern-day Havana, Santa Monica and really anywhere else, something that Paparian actually exemplifies, and that is the Pasadena Way. For Pasadena police, the Pasadena Way consists of five ostensibly self-evident axioms. They are: We are fair but fi rm; we are proactive; we exist to serve the community; how we get the job done is as important as getting the job done; and we believe in the personal touch. In other words, they care about what they do,
and they care about you. For a cynical few perhaps, the notion of a Pasadena Way is really just another tool used by sophisticated and cultured Pasadenans to maintain a belief that they are somehow better than people living in other San Gabriel Valley cities. While that suspicion may be true to some degree, that phrase has come to mean much more than that to many others. To those people, the Pasadena Way signifies a tradition of excellence through an ability to achieve great things that benefit us all at places like Caltech, PCC, JPL, ArtCenter College of Design, Huntington Library and Huntington Hospital. It means getting things done correctly, with fairness and care for others being major concerns in those processes. It means welcoming artists and others to express themselves in any number of fashions, or it’s putting on a spectacular parade so grand that the whole world delights in watching it on New Year’s Day. To still others it’s taking pride in maintaining strong community bonds and urging those who have much to help those with little. It’s getting involved in the lives of the down and out and helping them get back on their feet, and it is supporting educators who refuse to give up on their students. In short, the Pasadena Way is doing the best thing one can do every time, even when the opportunity presents itself to do less, or look the other way. It is in this section of our annual Best of Pasadena Edition that we take time out to applaud our elected and appointed city officials, the private citizens who volunteer their time, the teachers who instruct our children, as well as the merchants, police officers, fi refighters, religious leaders, and leaders of charities, schools and cultural and artistic institutions who have made significant positive differences in the lives of people by following this city’s own not always simple Golden Rule, the Pasadena Way. Congratulations to one and all. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
BEST OF BES OF PASADENA PASADEN N A | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY WEEK 17
18 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
BEST ANNUAL EVENT ROSE PARADE
tournamentofroses.com READER RECOMMENDED ART NIGHT artnightpasadena.org CHALK FESTIVAL pasadenachalkfestival.com
BEST ART GALLERY/ COLLECTIONS
NORTON SIMON MUSEUM 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-6840 nortonsimon.org READER RECOMMENDED HUNTINGTON LIBRARY 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2100 huntington.org ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 792-5101 armoryarts.org
BEST BUSINESS PERSON HYO KWON
READER RECOMMENDED DARRELL MCKENZIE Pasadena Police Reserve Officer BECKY RAKISITS Board Member Pasadena Casting Club
BEST PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
STEVE MERMELL
1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 395-6811 | caltech.edu
READER RECOMMENDED
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 585-7123 | pasadena.edu
BILL HUANG Pasadena Housing Director DIANE WALKER Senior Librarian Pasadena Public Library
BEST PUBLIC OFFICIAL
STEVE MADISON Pasadena City Council Member READER RECOMMENDED TERRY TORNEK Pasadena Mayor TYRON HAMPTON Pasadena City Council Member
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST CITIZEN
CALTECH
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST CULTURAL FESTIVAL
TODD ROBINSON Crown City Loan and Jewelry 65 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-5404 crowncityloan.com
BEST INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING
Pasadena City Manager
Dots Cupcakes 21 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-7719 dotscupcakes.com MEREDITH MILLER Webster’s Community Pharmacy Meredith M 2450 N. Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 797-1163 altadenarx.com
ROSE BOWL 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena (626) 577-3100 rosebowlstadium.com
ROSE PARADE
PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE 45 W. Eureka St., Pasadena (626) 529-8061 | pacificoaks.edu
BEST KIDS/FAMILY FUN SPOT KIDSPACE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-9144 kidspacemuseum.org READER RECOMMENDED PLAYLAB INDOOR PLAYSPACE 1021 E. Walnut St., No. 100, Pasadena (626) 376-0840 | goplaylab.com EATON CANYON ecnca.org
tournamentofroses.com ART NIGHT artnightpasadena.org CHALK FESTIVAL pasadenachalkfestival.com
BEST LOCAL CHARITY PACIFIC CLINICS
1020 S. Arroyo Parkway, No. 200, Pasadena (626) 403-2794 | pacificclinics.org READER RECOMMENDED
BEST HISTORIC LANDMARK
PASADENA CITY HALL 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-7311 | cityofpasadena.net
FELITA KEALING
READER RECOMMENDED
Marketing Coordinator Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
GAMBLE HOUSE 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena (626) 449-4178 gamblehouse.org
UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES 825 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena (626) 240-4550 unionstations.org BLOOM AGAIN FOUNDATION 221 E. Walnut St., No. 245, Pasadena (626) 405-7310 bloomagain.org CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
BEST OF PASADENA | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 19
20 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
BEST LOCAL CHARITY EVENT MASTERS OF TASTE mastersoftastela.com READER RECOMMENDED WIGGLE WAGGLE WALK pasadenahumane.org BLOOM AGAIN FOUNDATION 221 E. Walnut St., No. 245, Pasadena (626) 405-7310 bloomagain.org
BEST LOCAL NONPROFIT
PACIFIC CLINICS 1020 S. Arroyo Parkway, No. 200, Pasadena (626) 403-2794 pacificclinics.org READER RECOMMENDED BLOOM AGAIN FOUNDATION 221 E. Walnut St., No. 245, Pasadena (626) 405-7310 bloomagain.org PASADENA CASTING CLUB 415 S. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-7406 pasadenacastingclub.org
BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY MR. PASADENA Michael Calderon READER RECOMMENDED ELLEN SNORTLAND Author/Filmmaker/Playwright/PW Columnist LARRY MANTLE Radio Host KPCC 89.3 FM
BEST MUSEUM
READER RECOMMENDED HUNTINGTON LIBRARY 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2100 huntington.org PASADENA MUSEUM OF HISTORY 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 577-1660 pasadenahistory.org
SAN GABRIEL COMMUNITY CHURCH 117 N. Pine St., San Gabriel (626) 656-1000 sangabrielcommunity.org
BEST PLACE TO WORK PACIFIC CLINICS
BEST NEW BUSINESS
1020 S. Arroyo Parkway, No. 200, Pasadena (626) 403-2794 pacificclinics.org
270 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 360-7633 granvillecafe.com
READER RECOMMENDED
GRANVILLE
READER RECOMMENDED ANANYA AESTHETICS 1055 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 500 Pasadena (213) 290-1380 ananyaaesthetics.com DEBATETABLE PRODUCTIONS Debadebatableproductions.com
BEST PARK/OUTDOOR RECREATION SPOT VICTORY PARK
2575 Paloma St., Pasadena (626) 744-7500 ci.pasadena.ca.us READER RECOMMENDED BROOKSIDE PARK 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (626) 744-7311 ci.pasadena.ca.us ROSE BOWL 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena (626) 577-3100 rosebowlstadium.com
UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES 825 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena (626) 240-4550 unionstationhs.org MARSHALL FUNDAMENTAL SECONDARY SCHOOL 990 Allen Ave., Pasadena (626) 396-5810 pusd.us
BEST PRESCHOOL
GOODMAN FAMILY DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL 1090 El Campo Drive, Pasadena (626) 578-1815 goodmandaycare.com READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA CHRISTIAN 1485 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena (626) 791-1214 pasadenachristian.org
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP
PACIFIC OAKS CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SCHOOL 14 W, California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 529-8011 pacificoakschildrensschool.org
132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-1172 allsaints-pas.org
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Michael Calderon
NORTON SIMON MUSEUM
READER RECOMMENDED
JUDSON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449.6840 nortonsimon.org
LAKE AVENUE CHURCH 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 844-4700 lakeave.org
1610 E. Elizabeth St., Pasadena (626) 398-2476 judsonschool.org CONTINUED ON PAGE25
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READER RECOMMENDED LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena (626) 626.351.8951 lasallehs.org ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY 200 N. Michillinda Ave., Sierra Madre (626) 355-3463 alvernoheightsacademy.org
BEST CHARTER SCHOOL
BEST MUSIC SCHOOL
PASADENA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 683-3355 pasadenaconservatory.org MODERN MUSIC SCHOOL 2982 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 578-9242 modernmusicpasadena.com
1919 Pinecrest Drive, Altadena (626) 797-1440 aveson.org. READER RECOMMENDED
BEST TEACHER
ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL 725 W. Altadena Drive, Altadena (626) 229-0993 odysseycharterschool.org
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
MARSHALL FUNDAMENTAL SECONDARY SCHOOL 990 Allen Ave., Pasadena (626) 396-5810 pusd.us READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena (626) 396-5880 pusd.us BLAIR HIGH SCHOOL 1201 S. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 396-5820 pusd.org
BEST ART SCHOOL
ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN
CYNTHIA CALES
Alverno Heights Academy 200 N. Michillinda Ave., Sierra Madre (626) 355-3463 alvernoheightsacademy.org READER RECOMMENDED ARLENE SANTOS Lumina Academy 1052 Allen Ave., Pasadena JACQUELINE GOODMAN Goodman Family Daycare & Preschool 1090 El Campo Drive, Pasadena (626) 578-1815 goodmandaycare.com
900 Valley View Ave., Pasadena (626) 510-6284 mathnasium.com/pasadena MARSHALL FUNDAMENTAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TUTORING 990 Allen Ave., Pasadena (626) 396-5810 | pusd.us MERI EDUCATION 845 Cordova St., Pasadena (626) 639-8810 merieducation.com
BEST PLACE TO HAVE FUN OLD PASADENA oldpasadena.org READER RECOMMENDED ROSE BOWL 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena (626) 577-3100 rosebowlstadium.com KIDSPACE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-9144 | kidspacemuseum.org ■
BEST ENRICHMENT
ELEMENTS DANCE SPACE 1222 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, Suite 110 (626) 817-9988 elementsdancespace.com
1700 Lida St., Pasadena 870 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 950 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 1111 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 396-2200 artcenter.edu
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
PARSON’S NOSE THEATER 95 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 403-7667 parsonsnose.org
ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 792-5101 armoryarts.org
MATHNASIUM
READER RECOMMENDED READER RECOMMENDED
BLOOM SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DANCE 2116 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock (323) 982-1655 bloomschoolofmusicanddance.com
AVESON CHARTER SCHOOL
BEST TUTORING
TWO DRAGONS MARTIAL ARTS 2490 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 398-8853 twodragonsma.com
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Accentuating Service
GET YOUR BODY, LOOKS AND FINANCES IN SHAPE BEFORE HEADING OFF TO VACATION BY JANA J. MONJI
B
efore embarking on any tours of Cuba or other tropical islands be sure to take in the best of what Pasadena has to offer in the area of basic services that will help make your trip extra special. Let’s say you are starting your trip in beautiful Havana, Cuba’s capital city. To get help calculating the extent of your vacation variables, let Pasadena’s favorite accountant Mark Harris Accounting Management Inc. crunch your numbers and keep your bank accounts at Chase in the black with maximized returns from interest-bearing CDs and other savings and safety strategies. Those services also include a safe deposit box for valuables during your vacation that might even be free with the right combination of savings and checking account balances. Feel better about unions than big-buck bankers? Try the Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union on Rosemead and compare their offerings. If you need to do a little moonlighting for some extra cash to make your Havana days cool and nights hot, then consider a co-working space at We Work Pasadena. Get ready for those Havana nights by visiting Pasadena’s Central Library and brushing up on some Cuba facts and fiction for free. Check out the magazines to track down the latest fashions before heading off to Modern Barber or Academy Barber Shop or Tangles for a cool cut and some advice for those humid evenings. Put your best face forward with radiant skin courtesy of dermatologist Dr. Shirley Chi and with a perfect smile courtesy of Pasadena’s favorite dentists: Dr. Michael Yung and Associates or Mak & Kleiger. If you think you might need nips and tucks, slip over to Pasadena’s favorite cosmetic surgeon: Dr. Gordon Sasaki. When in Havana, you want to look hot and hard bodied so don’t forget: fitness matters. But fi rst, check on your vitals with Pasadena’s favorite doctor, Alice Lacey, before embarking on a beach body ready program at Pasadena’s favorite fitness spot, MC2 Fit, to get the beach body you desire. With your body fi nely tuned and ready for action, remember that salsa isn’t just something to eat. Find your rhythm for those sultry nights at Lumina Academy of Dance. With all that physical activity, you might fi nd your body aching, so it would be a good idea to splurge on a Burke Williams Day Spa package to perk yourself up and keep your spine aligned with Premiere Wellness Chiropractic and your chi balanced with Dr. Ya Wen Cheng Acupuncture & Chiropractic. What good is sightseeing if you can’t see? Before signing on for a cruise or tour you’ll want to read the fi ne print. Make sure your world is in sharp focus with Linden Optometry and your hearing is acute with HEAR Center so you can appreciate all the sights and sounds that Havana has to offer. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31
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BEST ACCOUNTANT MARK HARRIS
Accounting Management Inc. 1605 E. Elizabeth St., Pasadena READER RECOMMENDED JOHN HORNICK, CPA 709 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 150, Pasadena (626) 449-6861 | hornickcpa.com
BEST ACUPUNCTURE DR. YA WEN CHENG ACUPUNCTURE & CHIROPRACTIC
51 N. Fifth Ave., No. 305, Arcadia (626) 292-6899 | drcheng.net READER RECOMMENDED BRENDA B. SMITH Pasadena Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wellness Center 99 S. Chester Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-3220 pasadenabreastwellness.com PREMIER WELLNESS CHIROPRACTIC 2750 E. Washington Blvd., No. 140, Pasadena (626) 797-5800 pwcpasadena.com
BEST ARCHITECT
DOUG EWING (D.S. EWING ARCHITECTS)
READER RECOMMENDED
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HAHN & HAHN 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-9123 hahnlawyers.com
LUCKY CAR WASH 3698 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-4888 luckycarwash.com
LAW OFFICE OF KEITH ROUSE 600 S. Lake Ave., Suite 507,Pasadena (626) 449-4211 keithrouselawoffice.com
BEST AUTO REPAIR/ BODY SHOP HRANT AUTO SERVICE
1477 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 798-4064 cartalk.com/ca/pasadena/128749 / hrant-auto-service READER RECOMMENDED ORANGE GROVE BODY SHOP 640 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 568-8217 orangegrovecollisioncenter.com AUTOTECH BY BECK
1930 E. Walnut St. # 6, Pasadena (626) 584-0522 autotechbybeck.com
BEST BANK CHASE
860 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-5177 | chase.com
BEST CHIROPRACTOR PREMIER WELLNESS CHIROPRACTIC
2750 E. Washington Blvd., No. 140, Pasadena (626) 797-5800 pwcpasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED INNATE FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC 33 S. Catalina Ave., No. 104, Pasadena (626) 792-9600 | innatefamily.com FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CENTER OF SOUTH PASADENA 1017 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena (626) 441-4888 southpaschiro.com
BEST COSMETIC SURGEON
DR. GORDON SASAKI 800 Fairmount Ave., No. 319, Pasadena (626) 796-3373 | drsasaki.com READER RECOMMENDED
WELLS FARGO BANK 350 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-3661
DR. WARREN STOUT 800 E. Colorado Blvd. No. 260, Pasadena (626) 449-6494 | stoutlaser.com
HARTMAN BALDWIN 300 S. Raymond Ave. #18, Pasadena (626) 486-0510 hartmanbaldwin.com
BANK OF AMERICA 880 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-3120
BEST CO-WORKING SPACE
BEST BARBER SHOP MODERN BARBER
177 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (310) 570-2041|wework.com
CHRISTINA FU - SILVER ELM STUDIO (510) 863-0341 silverelmstudio.com
935 N. Michillinda Ave., Pasadena, (626) 351-6880
READER RECOMMENDED
723 E. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 584-0860 | dsewing.com READER RECOMMENDED
BEST ATTORNEY/ LAW FIRM
LAW OFFICES OF TIMOTHY BOWLES 1 S. Fair Oaks Ave., # 301, Pasadena (626) 583-6600 | tbowleslaw.com
TIMOTHY BOWLES
READER RECOMMENDED
WE WORK PASADENA
27 N. Catalina Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-1681
CROSS CAMPUS 87 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 298-8420 | crosscamp.us/ locations/pasadena
BEST CAR WASH
BEST CREDIT UNION
ACADEMY BARBER SHOP
PASADENA AUTO WASH 164 W. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-9944 pasadenaautowash.powersites.net
DR. GORDON SASAKI
PASADENA SERVICE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
670 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-9651 mypsfcu.org CONTINUED ON PAGE 33
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READER RECOMMENDED WESCOM CREDIT UNION 123 S. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 535-1000 | wescom.org
659 Foothill Blvd. La Cañada Flintridge (818) 952-3689 333 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 246-3689 I massageenvy.com
SCHOOLS FIRST CREDIT UNION 555 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (800) 462-8328 schoolsfirstfcu.org
BEST DENTISTRY
BEST DANCE STUDIO
696 E. Colorado Blvd., No. 224, Pasadena (626) 449-5420 michaelyungdds.com
LUMINA ACADEMY OF DANCE 1052 Allen Ave., Pasadena (626) 296-2812 luminaacademy.com
LATIN DANCE PRO 2333 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 799-2347 | latindancepro.com
BEST DAY CARE
ARAKELYAN FAMILY CHILD CARE 1245 N. Sierra Bonita Ave., Pasadena (626) 487-7226 care.com/b/l/arakelyan-familychild-care/pasadena-ca-1245-nsierra-bonita-ave READER RECOMMENDED KIDS KLUB PASADENA Child Development Center & Preschool 380 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-2501 | kidsklubcdc.com GOODMAN FAMILY DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL 1090 El Campo Drive, Pasadena (626) 578-1815 goodmandaycare.com
BEST DAY SPA/ MASSAGE
BURKE WILLIAMS DAY SPA 39 Mills Place, Pasadena (626) 440-1222 burkewilliamsspa.com READER RECOMMENDED MASSAGE ENVY 345 S. Lake Ave. No. 205, Pasadena (626) 240-1060 3707 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena (626) 351-9100 1136 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 403-6000
DR. MICHAEL YUNG AND ASSOCIATES
MAK & KLEIGER 959 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 793-6175 makandkleigerdds.com
BEST DERMATOLOGIST DR. SHIRLEY CHI
301 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, (626) 446-4663 centerforadvanceddermatology.com READER RECOMMENDED DR. MARILYN MEHLMAUER 10 Congress St., Pasadena, Ste 320 (626) 585-9474 | mehlmauer.com
BEST EYEBROWS/ WAXING INTEGRITY LASH
350 S. Lake Ave., Suite 290, Pasadena (626) 437-4000 | integritylash.com READER RECOMMENDED CHRISTINA BEE ARTISTRY 300 E. Colorado Blvd. No. #241, Pasadena (626) 344-2405 | facebook.com/ ChristinaBeeArtistry/ RACHEL WRIGHT BEAUTY 455 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena Suite 103 (626) 817-2165 rachelwrightbeauty.com
BEST FACIAL
SASAKI INNOVESSENCE MEDICAL SKINCARE CENTER
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST DOCTOR 612 W. Duarte Road No. # 501, Arcadia (626) 821-1112 |
BEST FUNERAL HOME
BEST DRY CLEANER MAGIC CLEANERS & LAUNDRY
111 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-1975 magiccleanersinc.com READER RECOMMENDED BRYAN’S CLEANERS 544 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 821-1112 bryanscleaners.com/
BEST EYE CARE
LINDEN OPTOMETRY
CABOT & SONS FUNERAL HOME 27 Chestnut St., Pasadena (626) 793-7159 | cabotcare.com READER RECOMMENDED
MOUNTAIN VIEW 2400 N Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena (626) 794-7133
BEST GOLF COURSE
BROOKSIDE GOLF COURSE 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena (626) 585-3594 brooksidegc.com
477 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-1191 | lindenvision.info
EATON CANYON
READER RECOMMENDED
MC2 FIT
DIAMOND VISION OPTOMETRY 350 S. Lake Ave., Suite 111, Pasadena (626) 683-6868 diamondvisionoptometry.com
DR. MICHAEL YUNG
800 Fairmount Ave. No. 319, Pasadena (626) 796-3373 | drsasaki.com REBECCA LOPEZ The Cottage 130 S. Euclid Ave., Pasadena (626) 395-9733
ALICE LACY MD
MC2FIT
BEST GYM 460 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 665-3900 mc2.fit
CONTINUED ON PAGE 37
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READER RECOMMENDED 24 HOUR FITNESS 525 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-7121 465 N. Halstead St., Pasadena (626) 351-2222 24hourfitness.com MOVE BARRE AND YOGA 2535 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 460-8750 Movebarreyoga.com
BEST HAIR SALON TANGLES SALON
145 W. Green St., Pasadena (626) 792-2948 tanglespasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED SALON AGUAYO 101 S. Madison Ave., Pasadena (626) 792-9981 salonaguayo.com LOCK AND CROWN 1088 Allen Ave., Pasadena (626) 639-3697 lockandcrown.com
BEST HEARING SPECIALIST HEAR CENTER
301 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796- 2016 hearcenter.org READER RECOMMENDED LOVE HEARING 2623 E. Foothill Blvd., No. 101, Pasadena (626) 796-4535 lovehearingservices.com
BEST HOME REMODELING
SAMANTHA WILLIAMS INTERIOR DESIGN 1142 Allen Ave., Unit 100, Pasadena (626) 773-8560 williamsinteriordesign.com READER RECOMMENDED NAVARRO CONSTRUCTION, INC. 3579 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 398-1777 navarroconstruction.com
BEST HOSPITAL
HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL 100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 421-7733 huntingtonhospital.org READER RECOMMENDED CITY OF HOPE 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte 209 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 256-4673 cityofhope.org
BEST HOTEL
THE LANGHAM HUNTINGTON HOTEL AND SPA 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena (626) 568-3900 langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/pasadena READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED THE LAUNDRY ROOM 1828 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 200-8078 laundryroompasadena.com FRENCH HAND LAUNDRY 606 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 792-3881 frenchhandlaundry.com
BEST LIBRARY
PASADENA CENTRAL LIBRARY 285 E. Walnut St. Pasadena (626) 744-4066 cityofpasadena.net/library/ READER RECOMMENDED ALTADENA LIBRARY 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena (626) 798-0833 altadenalibrary.org
DUSITD2 HOTEL CONSTANCE 928 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 898-7900 dusit.com/dusitd2/
BEST LOCAL PHARMACY
BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE
2450 N. Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 797-1163 | altadenarx.com
TRUE BLUE MAID SERVICE 2104 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 466-8488 truebluemaids.com
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN
SAMANTHA WILLIAMS INTERIOR DESIGN 1142 Allen Ave., Unit 100, Pasadena (626) 773-8560 williamsinteriordesign.comner READER RECOMMENDED ROBYN NAVARRO, UPSTAGE DESIGN 964A Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge (818) 790-0300 upstagedesign.com
BEST DRY CLEANER/ LAUNDRY MAGIC CLEANERS & LAUNDRY
111 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-1975 magiccleanersinc.com
WEBSTER’S COMMUNITY PHARMACY
READER RECOMMENDED FAIR OAKS PHARMACY 526 Mission St, South Pasadena (626) 799-1414
BEST MARTIAL ARTS SO CAL KEMPO KARATE 47 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, (626) 796-4029 socalkenpokarate.com READER RECOMMENDED TWO DRAGONS MARTIAL ARTS 2490 Lake Ave, Altadena (626) 398-8853 twodragonsma.com ARNOTT KENPO KARATE 2012 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock (323) 999-7369 | arnottkempo.com
BEST MASSAGE
SIERRA MADRE MASSAGE COMPANY 140 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre (626) 585-1964 clients.mindbodyonline.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
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READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
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BURKE WILLIAMS 39 Mills Place, Pasadena (626) 440-1222 burkewilliamsspa.com
TOWN & COUNTRY EVENT RENTALS 523 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 795-7700 tacer.biz
CATZ PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS PERFORMANCE 801 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-0599 | catzpride.com
MASSAGE ENVY 345 S. Lake Ave., No. 205, Pasadena (626) 240-1060 3707 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-9100 1136 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 403-6000 massageenvy.com
BEST PEDIATRICIAN
PASADENA PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATES 95 W. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-0565 pasadenapt.com
BEST MED SPA OH! U BEAUTY MEDICAL SPA JERRY CAMARILLO
130 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 551-1682 | oubeauty.com READER RECOMMENDED SASAKI INNOVESSENCE MEDICAL SKINCARE CENTER 800 S. Fairmount Ave., No. 319, Pasadena (626) 796-3373 | SKIN DEEP LASER MED SPA 425 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-8873 |
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER SIERRA CAPITAL MORTGAGE CO. DR. JOHN LEGAULT
800 Fairmount Ave., Suite 310, Pasadena (626) 449-7350 huntingtonhospital.org READER RECOMMENDED DR. DANIEL SCAFF 960 E. Green St., No. #168, Pasadena (626) 432-4600 huntingtonhospital.org DR. HOLLY WANG 50 Alessandro Place, Suite 200, Pasadena (626) 696-1234 | vitals.com
BEST PET SERVICE MY DOG SPOT
47 Eloise Ave., Pasadena (626) 399-1951 walkmydogspot.com
BEST PILATES
PILATES OF PASADENA 990 S. Arroyo Parkway, Unit 2, Pasadena (626) 765-6500 pilatesofpasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED HOT YOGA PASADENA 2089 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-9642 hotyogapasadena.com PURE PILATES 1401 S Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena (310) 562-8515 purepilatespasadena.com
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BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
I DIG MY DOG 2160 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-7877 idigmydog.com
680 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, Suite 150 (626) 205-4040 | compass.com
COMPASS
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BEST NAIL SALON
MY PET GARDEN 2245 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 106, Pasadena (626) 449-1600 mypetgarden.com
54 S. Pasadena Ave., Pasadena (626) 578-1807 |
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
LUIS SEGURA, CALIFORNIA LUXURY
12 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-8545 | sierracapital.us
HARMONY NAILS
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JERRY CAMARILLO PHOTOGRAPHY
OLIVE & JUNE 146 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 440-9700 | olivejune.com
(626) 375-6684 fotoaztecstudio.com
TINZEE NAIL SALON 436 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 403-3311 tinzeenailsalon.com
NICOLA BORLAND
BEST PARTY RENTAL
1224 E. Green St., No. 200, Pasadena (626) 356-4948 bodysynergypt.com
DOLPHIN EVENT SERVICES 1901 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-5131 | dolphinevents.biz 40 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
DR. JOHN LEGAULT
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BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY BODY SYNERGY
PODLEY PROPERTIES 897 Granite Drive, Pasadena (626) 795-6262 | podley.com
BEST REALTOR
42 S. Pasadena Ave., Pasadena (626) 233-2884 | realtorsegura.com READER RECOMMENDED ANN MARIE VILLICANA, DILBECK ESTATES Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Real Estate 225 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 319-0585 | dilbeck.com DHARI THEIN DEASY PENNER PODLEY 1471 E. Altadena Drive., Altadena (626) 437-7414 | dhari.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 43
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BEST SELF STORAGE ARROYO PARKWAY SELF STORAGE
411 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 768-7780 arroyoparkwayselfstorage.com READER RECOMMENDED STORBOX 2233 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 407-3439 storbox.com
BEST SENIOR LIVING FACILITY
REGENCY PARK FAIR OAKS 951 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 799-9906 regencyparkfairoaks.com READER RECOMMENDED VILLA GARDENS 842 E. Villa St., Pasadena (800) 958-4552 villagardens.org MONTECEDRO 2212 El Molino Ave., Altadena (877) 357-8521 montecedro.org
BEST SPEECH THERAPIST
JUSTINE SHERMAN & ASSOCIATES Monrovia Clinic 147 E. Olive Ave., Monrovia (626) 355-1729 justineshermanslp.com
BEST SUMMER CAMP TOM SAWYER CAMPS 707 W. Woodbury Road, Altadena (626) 794-1156 tomsawyercamps.com READER RECOMMENDED SUMMERKIDS 3697 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena (626) 577-9979 summerkids.net
BEST TATTOO/ PIERCING SHOGUN TATTOO
2480 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 578-1330 shoguntattoo.com
READER RECOMMENDED PRIX BODY PIERCING AND TATTOO 56 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 405-9253 prixbodypiercing.com
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY AAA OF PASADENA
801 E. Union St., Pasadena (626) 795-0601 aaa.com READER RECOMMENDED MONTROSE TRAVEL 2349 Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta-Montrose (818) 553-3200 montrosetravel.com TRAVEL GALLERY 3814 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 201, Pasadena (626) 577-9717 travelgallery.com
BEST URGENT CARE EXER MORE THAN URGENT CARE
3160 E. Del Mar Blvd., Suite 110, Pasadena (626) 270-2400 exerurgentcare.com/pasadena/ READER RECOMMENDED KAISER PERMANENTE URGENT CARE 3280 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (800) 954-8000 kaiserpermanente.org HEALTHCARE PARTNERS URGENT CARE 797 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-2244 healthcarepartners.com
BEST WAXING
EUROPEAN WAX CENTER 569 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-5000 259 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 466-9070 | waxcenter.com
EYES FOR BEAUTYS 455 S. Lake Ave., Suite 103, Pasadena (323) 820-7117 |
BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM MC2 FIT
460 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 665-3900 mc2.fit READER RECOMMENDED LINDORA CLINIC 257 S. Fair Oaks Ave.,Pasadena Suite 101 (626) 796-2614 lindora.com WEIGHT WATCHERS 305 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (800) 651-6000 weightwatchers.com
BEST WORKOUT MC2 FIT
460 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 665-3900 mc2.fit READER RECOMMENDED HOT YOGA 2089 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-9642 hotyogapasadena.com
BEST YOGA HOT YOGA
BEST VETERINARIAN
2089 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-9642 hotyogapasadena.com
2235 N. Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 798-5901 vanderhoofvet.com
READER RECOMMENDED
VANDERHOOF VETERINARY HOSPITAL
READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA PETS VETERINARY HOSPITAL 2850 E. Foothill Blvd., P asadena (626) 568-1115 pasadenapetshospital.com
YOGA HOUSE 11 W. State St., Pasadena (626) 403-3961 yogahouse.com MOVE BARRE + YOGA 2535 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 460-8750 movebarreyoga.com â&#x2013; BEST OF PASADENA | 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 43
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Mejor Compras
PASADENA OFFERS THE BEST SHOPPING OPTIONS IN ANY LANGUAGE BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN
I
f you’re looking for items to jazz up your life, welcome to Pasadena. For starters, it’s all about how you look when you show up for a night of dinner, music and dancing. Actor/musician Desi Arnaz captured the essence of cool in the early days of TV with his jackets, suits and perfectly coiffed hair — all things you can easily fi nd on a shopping spree in Pasadena. Old Pasadena, which again has been voted the Best Shopping Destination by our readers, continues to attract people from miles around with trendy shops and jumping night spots. Pasadena even has the place to go if you’re just decorating the house, as Pasadena Antique Center has once again been voted Best Antiques by our readers. If you’re looking for tunes on vinyl or CDs, check out Canterbury Records, voted Pasadena’s Best Record Store. There you will find hot jazz or fusion records, oldies and good old rock ‘n’ roll. And don’t forget to get those stylish glasses at Linden Optometry, voted Best Eyewear, before getting behind the wheel. If you’re digging the classic styles, then Pasadena still has something for you at the Old Circle Thrift Store, a double winner this year for Best Thrift Store and Best Vintage Resale Store. They have the styles from yesteryear at affordable prices. Elisa B was voted Best Local Women’s Clothing Store and Mark Piscitelli was voted Best Local Men’s Clothing Store. And the truth is, these two places can help anyone look like they are headed for Club Babaloo with their selection of hip threads and evening wear. The nightlife is cool, but sometimes you just have to go casual. If that’s what the day calls for, Run With Us has once again been voted Pasadena’s Best Local Sporting Goods, and if anyone can help you fi nd some cool shoes to lace up, it’s them. If you’re more of an intellectual, you can not only find something deep to read at Vroman’s Bookstore, once again voted Best Local Bookstore/Newsstand, but you can also get some of the top authors in the country to autograph those books during one of the hundreds of book signings they host each year. Samy’s Camera is once again the Best Local Camera Shop, as they continue to fulfi ll the needs of novice and professional photographers alike. And if you just want to kick back and smoke a good cigar, check out Cigars by Chivas, the Best Smoke/Tobacco Shop. They’ve got the smokes, the accessories and those cool cigar boxes, and usually a couple of people hanging out just enjoying their day with a stogie. Whatever your shopping desires might be, fi nd what you need right here in Pasadena. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48
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BEST ANTIQUES
(626) 396-9996 thesoapkitchen.com
480 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-7706 pasadenaantique.center
READER RECOMMENDED
PASADENA ANTIQUE CENTER
READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA ANTIQUE MALL 300 E. Colorado Blvd., No.125, Pasadena (626) 304-9886 thepasadenaantiquemall.com
BEST APPLIANCES SNYDER DIAMOND
432 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 795-8080 Snyderdiamond.com READER RECOMMENDED BEST BUY 3415 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-9516 stores.bestbuy.com
BEST ART/FRAMING STORE MERGE FRAMING
2393 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 797-0977 | mergeframes.com READER RECOMMENDED BLICK ART SUPPLIES 44 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-4985 | dickblick.com
BEST AUTO DEALER TOYOTA OF PASADENA
3600 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-9787 toyotapasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED RUSNAK AUTO GROUP 337 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-0770 rusnakonline.com HONDA OF PASADENA 1965 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 325-0016 hondaofpasadena.com
BEST BATH & BODY
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LUSH COSMETICS 24 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-0901 lush.com
BEST BICYCLE SHOP PASADENA CYCLERY
1670 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 795-2866 pasadenacyclery.com READER RECOMMENDED INCYCLE 175 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-0440 incycle.com STEVE’S BIKE SHOP 843 E. Mariposa St., Altadena (626) 799-8702 stevesbikeshop.wordpress.com
(626) 465-7911 | warbyparker.com DIAMOND VISION OPTOMETRY SHOPS ON LAKE AVENUE 350 S. Lake Ave., No. 111, Pasadena (626) 683-6868 diamondvisionoptometry.com
BEST FARMERS’ MARKET SOUTH PASADENA FARMERS’ MARKET
Meridian Avenue and El Centro Street, South Pasadena (626) 403-2820 southpasadenafarmersmarket.org READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET 363 E. Villa St., Pasadena (626) 449-0179 pasadenafarmersmarket.org
PANACHE BRIDAL SALON
ALTADENA FAMERS’ MARKET 600 W. Palm St., Altadena hello@altadenafarmersmarket. com altadenafarmersmarket.com
78 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 585-8200 panachebridals.com
BEST FLEA MARKET
BEST BRIDAL/TUX SHOP
CONNIE TAO DESIGNS 23 N. MENTOR AVE., PASADENA (626) 765-5939 connietaodesigns.com
BEST ELECTRONICS/ CAMERAS SAMY’S CAMERA
1759 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-3300 | samys.com READER RECOMMENDED BEST BUY 3415 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-9516 | bestbuy.com
BEST EYEWARE
LINDEN OPTOMETRY 477 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-1191 | lindenvsp.com
THE SOAP KITCHEN
READER RECOMMENDED
25 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
WARBY PARKER 106 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, (323) 560-7469 rosebowlstadium.com/events/fleamarket READER RECOMMENDED PCC FLEA MARKET 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 585-7906 pasadena.edu/community/fleamarket/
BEST FLOWER SHOP JACOB MAARSE FLOWERS
655 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 449-0246 | jacobmaarse.com READER RECOMMENDED BRAD LARSEN 597 E. Green St., Pasadena Suite 101 (626) 792-6167 bradlarsenflorals.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 51
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BEST FURNITURE/ ACCESSORIES STORE
(626) 794-4393 altadenahardware.com
FEDDE’S FURNITURE
READER RECOMMENDED
2350 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-7103 32 N. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-1160 | fedde.com
ACE HARDWARE 60 N. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena (626) 789-2005 | acehardware.con
READER RECOMMENDED CRATE & BARREL 75 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 683-8000 crateandbarrel.com
BEST GIFT BOUTIQUE
PASADENA ANTIQUE MALL
BEST LOCAL HOBBIES/CRAFTS
READER RECOMMENDED BANANA REPUBLIC 150 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 683-8286 bananarepublic.gap.com
BEST LOCAL PET STORE I DIG MY DOG
2160 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-7877 | idigmydog.com
MICHAEL’S
1155 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 431-2850 michaels.com
READER RECOMMENDED MY PET GARDEN 2245 E. Colorado Blvd., No. 106, Pasadena (626) 449-1600 | mypetgarden.com
300 E. Colorado Blvd., No.125, Pasadena (626) 304-9886 thepasadenaantiquemall.com
BLICK ART SUPPLIES
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST LOCAL JEWELRY BEST LOCAL ARNOLD’S FINE JEWELRY SHOE STORE 350 S. Lake Ave., No. 110,
HOOPLA! 2591 Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena (626) 797-1135 shopathoopla.weebly.com HOMAGE 100 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 440-7244 homagepasadena.com
BEST GROCERY STORE TRADER JOE’S
610 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 568-9254 traderjoes.com 345 S. Lake Ave. (626) 395-9553 467 N. Rosemead Blvd. (626) 351-3399 READER RECOMMENDED WHOLE FOODS 465 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 204-2066 wholefoodsmarket.com BRISTOL FARMS 606 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 441-5450 | bristolfarms.com
BEST LOCAL HARDWARE STORE ALTADENA HARDWARE
849 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
44 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-4985 dickblick.com
PET FOOD EXPRESS 320 S Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 578-1111 | Petfood.express
Pasadena (626) 795-8647 arnoldsfinejewelry.com
RUN WITH US
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
WAYNE JASON JEWELRY DESIGNS 105 W. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-9215 waynejasonjewelry.com
BEST LOCAL BOOKSTORE/ NEWSTAND
VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 vromansbookstore.com READER RECOMMENDED CENTURY BOOKS 1039 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 796-1703 centurybooksofpasadena.com
BEST LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING MARK PISCITELLI
589 E. Green St., Pasadena 626) 578-7382 markpiscitellimensfashions.com
235 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 568-3331 clubrunwithus.com DSW 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 578-7530 | stores.dsw.com
BEST LOCAL SPORTING GOODS RUN WITH US
235 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 568-3331 clubrunwithus.com READER RECOMMENDED BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS 3719 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-3111 big5sportinggoods.com DICK’S SPORTING GOODS 3359 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-1843 stores.dickssportinggoods.com
BEST LOCAL TOY STORE
DINOSAUR FARM 1510 Mission St., South Pasadena CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
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(626) 441-2767 | dinosaurfarm.com
(626) 449-3359 | poobah.com
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST SHOPPING DESTINATION
SAN MARINO TOY & BOOK SHOPPE 2476 Huntington Drive, San Marino (626) 309-0222| toysandbooks.com
OLD PASADENA
(626) 356-9725 | oldpasadena.org READER RECOMMENDED
BEST LOCAL VIDEO STORE VIDÉOTHÈQUE
1020 Mission St., No. 1, South Pasadena (626) 403-6621 info@vidtheque.com
PASEO COLORADO 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-9100 paseocolorado.com
BEST SMOKE / TOBACCO SHOP CIGARS BY CHIVAS
BEST LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING ELISA B
16 E. Holly St., Pasadena (626) 397-4770 | elisab.com READER RECOMMENDED WALKER VIDEN LUXURY CONSIGNMENT 1033 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 844-9244 | walkerviden.com
BEST NURSERY
BELLEFONTAINE NURSERY 838 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-0747 bellefontainenursery.com READER RECOMMENDED ARMSTRONG GARDEN CENTER 352 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena (626) 799-7139 armstronggarden.com
BEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE
FISHBECKS PATIO CENTER 150 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-9255 | fishbecks.com
BEST RECORD STORE CANTERBURY RECORDS
805 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-7184 canterburyrecords.com READER RECOMMENDED POO BAH 2636 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 54 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
58 S. DeLacey Ave., Pasadena (626) 395-7475 cigarsbychivas.com READER RECOMMENDED ACE SMOKE SHOP 2501 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 296-0273 facebook.com/ACESMOKESHOP1
BEST SPECIALTY FOOD STORES WHOLE FOODS
465 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 204-2066 wholefoodsmarket.com READER RECOMMENDED TRADER JOE’S 610 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 568-9254 345 S. Lake Ave. (626) 395-9553 467 N. Rosemead Blvd. (626) 351-3399 | traderjoes.com BRISTOL FARMS 606 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 441-5450 | bristolfarms.com
BEST STATIONERY SHABOO PRINTS
PAPER SOURCE 163 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 577-3825 | papersource.com
BEST THRIFT SHOP FULL CIRCLE THRIFT STORE 2245 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 639-3051 fullcirclethriftshop.org READER RECOMMENDED GOODWILL 340 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 204-3576 goodwill.org SALVATION ARMY 960 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 773-4400 salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
BEST VINTAGE RESALE STORE
FULL CIRCLE THRIFT STORE 2245 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 639-3051 fullcirclethriftshop.org READER RECOMMENDATION MEOWMEOWZ! RETRO 80S THRIFT SHOP 2423 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 798-6969 | facebook.com/ MeowMeowzPasadena WALKER VIDEN LUXURY CONSIGNMENT 1033 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 844-9244 | walkerviden.com
BEST WINE/ BEER SHOP
MISSION WINE & SPIRITS 1785 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-7026 | missionliquor.com READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
EVERSON ROYCE WINE & SPIRITS 155 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 765-9334 eversonroyce.com
VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 vromansbookstore.com
TOTAL WINE 721 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 463-1444 | totalwine.com ■
(626) 405-8827 | shabooprints.com
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Pasadena Nights
LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS MAKE DINING OUT AN EXCITING AND DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE BY MICHAEL SPRAGUE
O
n a surface level, Havana nights conjures imagery of middle-aged men clad in linen guayabera shirts, cargo shorts and fedoras. But behind the kitsch of cigar bars and inflatable palm tree cozies lies a parallel between Havana and Pasadena. Havana nights grew famous for their namesake city’s culture of drinks, nightlife and food all wrapped up into a perfect anthropological ethnography played to the beat of a salsa song. Not to mention Havana’s iconic reputation of authentic Cuban dishes. For years, Havana nights were preserved and kept alive by the residents and stakeholders of the culture. Pasadena has run parallel, kept alive by dedicated residents and business owners. The planning and design of Old Pasadena in the 1990s stands as a master class to urban planners hoping to revamp their downtowns into thriving hubs of arts and culture. Restaurant owners like Abel Ramirez of El Portal in the Playhouse District, and Perry Bennett of Perry’ Joint, also in Pasadena (and both Best of Pasadena winners) have used their storefronts to impart positive change in this city. Pasadena and Havana have had their ups and downs, with systemic and economic challenges and changing times. Yet both stand as havens of their respective food, culture and, of course, nightlife. For Havana and Pasadena success lies in their authenticity to their culture. As the late Anthony Bourdain said after his 2018 Cuba trip, regarding the impending influx of American businesses, “There will be wealthy hipsters, women in tiny black dresses drinking ironic riffs on the mojito, the lobby of the
spanking-new W Hotel with untz untz untz in the background, and that’s within five years.” The challenge for Pasadena in the next few years is preserving our “Havana Nights” — our Perry Bennetts and Abel Ramirezes. After a year in which resident-owned restaurants like Braise & Crumble and Big Momma’s Rib Shack undeservingly closed their doors, we, as stakeholders in this community must not lose our community in the midst of our growing popularity. Much like Cuba is threatened by the onslaught of faceless corporate financiers, we need not forget to take stock in which businesses have a real connection and understanding of the shared community and which some only see profit margins. The Best of Pasadena list is an annual reflection of the best our community has to offer, from the readers and locals who take their time to vote for the plethora of categories and restaurateurs who hang their Best of awards in their restaurant like a municipal medal of honor. Dargin McWhorter of Big Momma’s Rib Shack had an exterior wall painted with the years of his Best of Pasadena stars. People like Dargin, and people who continue this tradition are what this city needs to preserve its authenticity and to ensure that the culinary destination does not end up with only restaurants owned by Fortune 500 companies. So let this year’s list live on as a testament to those restaurants that PW readers feel truly keep the city alive. Enjoy the best of local fare presented by local culinary artists and soak in all that makes the Pasadena restaurant scene the bustling, exciting, innovative, and delicious experience that it is. Go out and enjoy the color and vibrancy of our fantastic city. CONTINUED ON PAGE 59
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BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT
MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT 145 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena (626) 792-2763 1806 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-6674 mijaresrestaurant.com READER RECOMMENDED THE ARBOUR 527 S. Lake Ave. Suite 120, Pasadena (626) 396-4925 thearbourpasadena.com DOG HAUS 105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-4287 | doghaus.com 93 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0808 410 E. Main St., Alhambra (626) 282-4287
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
READER RECOMMENDED DOG HAUS 105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-4287 93 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0808 410 E. Main St., Alhambra (626) 282-4287 doghaus.com IN N OUT 2114 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (800) 786-1000 in-n-out.com
BEST CHEF
IAN GRESIK — THE ARBOUR 527 S. Lake Ave. Suite 120, Pasadena (626) 396-4925 thearbourpasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED CLAUD BELTRAN Bacchus’ Kitchen 1384 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 594-6377 bacchuskitchen.com
(SINCE OCT. 2018)
GRANVILLE
270 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 360-7633 granvillecafe.com READER RECOMMENDED MERCADO 140 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena Suite 101 (626) 345-5778 traycaviar.com
BEST BUSINESS LUNCH SMITTY’S GRILL
110 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 792-9999 I smittysgrill.com READER RECOMMENDED THE MIXX 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 themixxclub.com GREEN STREET RESTAURANT 146 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena (626) 577-7170 greenstreetrestaurant.com
BEST CHEAP EATS LUCKY BOY
640 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 793-0120 531 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 793-7079 luckyboyburgers.com
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
THE RAYMOND 1886 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 441-3136 theraymond.com READER RECOMMENDED GRANVILLE 270 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 360-7633 granvillecafe.com EL PORTAL 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 795-8553 elportalrestaurant.com
BEST RESTAURANT STAFF PASADENA SANDWICH COMPANY
ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena (626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT THE RAYMOND 1886 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 441-3136 theraymond.com READER RECOMMENDED ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena (626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com PARKWAY GRILL 510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 795-1001 theparkwaygrill.com
BEST SPECIAL OCASSION DINING PARKWAY GRILL
510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 795-1001 theparkwaygrill.com READER RECOMMENDED ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena (626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com
ARROYO CHOP HOUSE 536 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 577-7463 arroyochophouse.com
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT
KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave., No.102, Pasadena (626) 578-1616 pasadenasandwichcompany.com
88 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (626) 568-9310 3539 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-8963 kabukirestaurants.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
WHITE HORSE LOUNGE 41 S. Delacey Ave., Pasadena (626) 583-9013 whitehorsepasadena.com
IAN GRESIK
TOM’S FAMOUS FAMILY RESTAURANT 1130 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 577-7717 tomsfamous.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 61
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STONEFIRE GRILL 473 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 921-1255 stonefiregrill.com
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK LUCKY BOY
640 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 793-0120 531 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 793-7079 luckyboyburgers.com READER RECOMMENDED KING TACO 45 N. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 792-0405 115-117 E. Broadway Ave., Glendale (818) 409-0172| kingtaco.com
READER RECOMMENDED SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT 2226 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-6900 saharapasadena.com
BEST ASIAN FUSION BONE KETTLE
67 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-5702 bonekettle.com READER RECOMMENDED SIERRA FUSION 120 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre (626) 355-3030 sierrafusion.com DAISY MINT 1218 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-2999 | daisymint.com
CONRAD’S 861 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 577-7603
BEST BAKERY
BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
942 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 486-2115 seedbakerypasadena.com
GREAT MAPLE
300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 714-7625 greatmaple.com READER RECOMMENDED WHITE HORSE LOUNGE 41 S. Delacey Ave., Pasadena (626) 583-9013 whitehorsepasadena.com Lounge THE RAYMOND 1886 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 441-3136 theraymond.com
BEST ARMENIAN FOOD ZANKOU CHICKEN
1296 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 405-1502 1415 E. Colorado St., Glendale (818) 244-2237 zankouchicken.com
SEED BAKERY
READER RECOMMENDED EURO PANE BAKERY 345 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-8804 950 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 577-1828 europanebakery.juisyfood.com 85 DEGREES 61 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 792-8585 85cbakerycafe.com
BEST BBQ GUS’S BBQ
808 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena (626) 799-3251 gussbbq.com READER RECOMMENDED BONNIE B’S SMOKIN’ BBQ HEAVEN 1280 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 794-0132 bonniebssmokin.com
BEST BREAKFAST
TOM’S FAMOUS FAMILY RESTAURANT 1130 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 577-7717 tomsfamous.com READER RECOMMENDED THE REYN 635 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 449-5768 LINCOLN CAFÉ 1992 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena (626) 765-6746 lincolnpasadena.com
BEST LOCAL BURGER DOG HAUS
105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-4287 93 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0808 410 E. Main St., Alhambra (626) 282-4287 doghaus.com READER RECOMMENDED PIE & BURGER 913 E. California Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-1123 pienburger.com THE COUNTER PASADENA 140 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena (626) 440-1008 thecounter.com
BEST BURRITO LUCKY BOY
640 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 793-0120 531 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 793-7079 luckyboyburgers.com READER RECOMMENDED BURRITO EXPRESS 1597 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 798-0844 burritoexpresspasadena.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 63
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MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT
145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena (626) 792-2763 1806 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-6674 mijaresrestaurant.com
BEST CALIFORNIA CUISINE
LA GRANDE ORANGE CAFÉ 260 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-4444 lgostationcafe.com READER RECOMMENDED THE ARBOUR 527 S. Lake Ave. Suite 120, Pasadena (626) 396-4925 thearbourpasadena.com TRUE FOOD KITCHEN 168 W. Colorado Blvd.,Pasadena (626) 639-6818 truefoodkitchen.com/pasadena
BEST CENTRAL AMERICAN FOOD LA CARAVANA
1306 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 791-7378 READER RECOMMENDED AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE 55 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-1765 amarachocolate.com
BEST CHINESE FOOD PANDA INN
3488 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-7300 pandainn.com READER RECOMMENDED LUNASIA DIM SUM HOUSE 239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-8822 lunasiadimsumhouse.com GRANDVIEW PALACE 60 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-2888 grandview-palace.com
BEST CUPCAKES DOTS CUPCAKES
400 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 568-3687 21 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-7719 dotscupcakes.com READER RECOMMENDED VANILLA BAKE SHOP 88 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (323) 204-4075 vanillabakeshop.com
BEST DELI SANDWICHES
PASADENA SANDWICH COMPANY 259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave., No 102, Pasadena (626) 578-1616 pasadenasandwichcompany.com READER RECOMMENDED PERRY’S JOINT 2051 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena (626) 798-4700 perrysjoint.com ROMA MARKET 918 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 797-7748 romamarkets.com
READER RECOMMENDED DIN TAI FUNG The Americana at Brand 177 Caruso Ave., Glendale (818) 551-5561 1108 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (626) 446-8555 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (626) 446-8555 dintaifungusa.com
BEST DUMPLINGS DIN TAI FUNG
The Americana at Brand 177 Caruso Ave., Glendale (818) 551-5561 1108 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (626) 446-8555 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (626) 446-8555 | dintaifungusa.com READER RECOMMENDED LUNASIA DIM SUM HOUSE 239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-8822 lunasiadimsumhouse.com
BEST FRENCH FOOD BISTRO 45
45 S. Mentor Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-2478 | bistro45.com READER RECOMMENDED
BEST DESSERT
ENTRE NOUS 119 W. Green St., Pasadena (626) 844-4500 entrenousfrenchbistro.com
55 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-1765 amarachocolate.com
BEST LOCAL FRIED CHICKEN
READER RECOMMENDED
30 W. Green St., Pasadena (424) 901-0077 | crackshack.com
AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE
DOTS CUPCAKES 400 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 568-3687 21 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-7719 dotscupcakes.com VANILLA BAKE SHOP 88 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (323) 204-4075 vanillabakeshop.com
BEST DIM SUM
LUNASIA DIM SUM HOUSE 239 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-8822 lunasiadimsumhouse.com
CRACK SHACK
READER RECOMMENDED ROSCOE’S HOUSE OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES 830 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 791-4890 roscoeschickenandwaffles.com HONEYBIRD 714 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge (818) 415-0489 honeybirdla.com
BEST FROZEN YOGURT 21 CHOICES
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READER RECOMMENDED YOGURTLAND 30 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-0808 415 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-4868 5045 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock (323) 550-1490 1 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra (626) 289-3420 633 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia (626) 821-8723 yogurt-land.com
BEST GELATO
BULGARINI GELATO 749 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena (626) 791-6174 bulgarinigelato.com
BEST GRILLED CHEESE MELT IT!
105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 793-7002 agrilledcheeseco.com READER RECOMMENDED PASADENA SANDWICH COMPANY 259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave., No.102, Pasadena (626) 578-1616 pasadenasandwichcompany.com
BEST HEALTH/ ORGANIC FOOD
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN 168 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 639-6818 truefoodkitchen.com/pasadena READER RECOMMENDED REAL FOOD DAILY 899 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-8900 realfooddailyla.com
BEST HOT DOG DOG HAUS
105 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-4287 93 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0808 410 E. Main St., Alhambra (626) 282-4287 | doghaus.com READER RECOMMENDED PERRY’S JOINT 2051 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena (626) 798-4700 perrysjoint.com
BEST ICE CREAM
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
2495 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 797-1405 carmelaicecream.com
2411 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 797-6459 originaldomenicos.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
FOSSELMAN’S ICE CREAM CO. 1824 W. Main St., Alhambra (626) 282-6533 fosselmans.com
CELESTINO RISTORANTE & BAR 141 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-4006 celestinopasadena.com
AFTER’S ICE CREAM 1265 E. Green St., Pasadena 36 W. Main St., Alhambra aftersicecream.com
IL FORNAIO 24 W. Union St., Pasadena (626) 683-9797 ilfornaio.com
CARMELA ICE CREAM
BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEE HOUSE
JONES COFFEE ROASTERS 693 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 564-9291 thebestcoffee.com READER RECOMMENDED COFFEE GALLERY 2020 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 398-7917 coffeegallery.com AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE 55 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-1765 amarachocolate.com
BEST INDIAN FOOD
MINT LEAF INDIAN CUISINE 2535 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 460-8776 mintleafpasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED
DOMENICO’S
BEST JAPANESE FOOD/ SUSHI KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
88 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (626) 568-9310 3539 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-8963 kabukirestaurants.com READER RECOMMENDED SUGARFISH BY SUSHI NOZAWA 146 S. Lake Ave., No. 108, Pasadena (626) 298-8386 sugarfishsushi.com OSAWA SUSHI 77 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 683-1150t heosawas.com
BEST KOREAN FOOD CHRIS’ KOREAN BBQ 2063 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 796-9604 koreanbbqpasadena.com
ALL INDIA CAFÉ 39 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 440-0309 allindiacafe.ca.com 316 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 937-9966
READER RECOMMENDED
NEW DELHI PALACE 950 E. Colorado Blvd., No. 250, Pasadena (626) 405-0666 newdelhipalacepasadena.com
CONGREGATION ALE HOUSE
KANG HO DONG BAEKJEOGN 5700 Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 285-9678
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
300 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 403-2337 congregationalehouse.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 67
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READER RECOMMENDED CRAFTSMAN BREWING CO. 1260 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena (626) 296-2537 craftsmanbrewing.com STONE BREWING TAP ROOM 220 S. Raymond Ave., No. 103 (626) 440-7243 stonebrewing.com
BEST LOCAL JUICE BAR
NEKTER JUICE BAR 345 S. Lake Ave., No. 110, Pasadena (818) 928-3300 nekterjuicebar.com READER RECOMMENDED MOVITA JUICE BAR (TIE) 2335 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 130, Pasadena (626) 460-8926 movitajuicebar.com JAMBA JUICE 204 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-5200 jamba.com
BEST LOCAL PIZZA BLAZE PIZZA
667 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 440-7358 990 Town Center Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (818) 790-8900 Glendale Galleria 100 W. Broadway, Glendale (818) 662-8777 blazepizza.com READER RECOMMENDED THE LUGGAGE ROOM PIZZERIA 260 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-4440 theluggageroom.com DOMENICO’S 2411 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 797-6459 originaldomenicos.com
BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ
273 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena (626) 793-8844 kokosmediterraneancafé.com READER RECOMMENDED CAFÉ SANTORINI 64 W. Union St., Pasadena (626) 564-4200 afesantorini.com
(626) 405-1502 1415 E. Colorado St., Glendale (818) 244-2237 zankouchicken.com
BEST POKE BAY POKE
2345 E. Colorado Blvd., No 195, Pasadena (626) 219-6380 baypoke.com READER RECOMMENDED
CAVA 345 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 389-8775
POKE SALAD BAR 12 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-3100 pokesaladpasadena.com
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
BEST RAMEN
MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT
145 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena (626) 792-2763 1806 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-6674 mijaresrestaurant.com READER RECOMMENDED EL PORTAL 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 795-8553 elportalrestaurant.com EL PATRON 2555 Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 296-2818 elpatrononline.com
BEST MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD
SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT 2226 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-6900 saharapasadena.com READER RECOMMENDED HEIDAR BABA 1511 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-7970 heidarbaba.com ZANKOU CHICKEN 1296 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
RAMEN TATSUNOYA 16 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 432-1768 tatsunoyausa.net READER RECOMMENDED MODAN ARTISANAL RAMEN 700 Fair Oaks Ave., Suite G, South Pasadena (626) 799-2878 modanramen.com
BEST SALAD GREEN STREET RESTAURANT
146 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena (626) 577-7170 greenstreetrestaurant.com READER RECOMMENDED TENDER GREENS 621 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 405-1511 145 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 459-4850 tendergreens.com
BEST SEAFOOD
CAMERON’S SEAFOOD 1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-3474 camerons4fish.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 68
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READER RECOMMENDED FISHWIVES 88 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 219-6199 fishwives.com
ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena (626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com
BEST SOUL FOOD
BEST TACO
1280 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 794-0132 bonniebssmokin.com
45 N. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 792-0405 115-117 E. Broadway Ave., Glendale (818) 409-0172 kingtaco.com
BONNIE B’S SMOKIN’ BBQ HEAVEN
READER RECOMMENDED BIG MAMA’S RIB SHACK 1453 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 797-1792 bigmamaspasadena.com ROSCOE’S HOUSE OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES 830 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 791-4890 roscoeschickenandwaffles.com
BEST SOUTH AMERICAN FOOD
AMARA CHOCOLATE & COFFEE 55 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 744-1765 amarachocolate.com
READER RECOMMENDED MALBEC ARGENTINIAN CUISINE 1001 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 683-0550 malbeccuisine.com
BEST SPANISH FOOD BAR CELONA
38 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 405-1000 barcelonapasadena.com
BEST STEAKHOUSE ARROYO CHOP HOUSE 536 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 577-7463 arroyochophouse.com
READER RECOMMENDED RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 369 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 583-8122 | ruthschris.com 68 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19 | BEST OF PASADENA
KING TACO
READER RECOMMENDED MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT 145 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena (626) 792-2763 1806 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-6674 mijaresrestaurant.com
LOS TACOS 1 W. California Blvd., Suite 211, Pasadena (626) 795-9291 lostacospasadena.com
BEST TEA ROOM CHADO TEA ROOM 79 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 431-2832 chadotea.com
READER RECOMMENDED THE HUNTINGTON ROSE GARDEN TEA ROOM 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2236 huntington.org/dining
BEST THAI FOOD DAISY MINT
1218 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 792-2999 daisymint.com READER RECOMMENDED SALADANG 363 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 793-8123 saladang-thai.com PRESIDENT THAI 498 S. Rosemead Blvd. Pasadena
(626) 578-9814 president-thai.com
BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD REAL FOOD DAILY
899 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-8900 realfooddailyla.com READERS RECOMMENDED SAGE BISTRO 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena (626) 564-8111 sageveganbistro.com
VEGGIE GRILL 200 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 535-9561 veggiegrill.com
BEST VIETNAMESE FOOD SAIGON NOODLE RESTAURANT
28 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-9378 READER RECOMMENDED GOLDEN DELI 815 W. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel (626) 308-0803 goldendelirestaurant.com
BEST WINGS
BUFFALO WILD WINGS 1000 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 993-6400 buffalowildwings.com
READER RECOMMENDED HOT WINGS CAFÉ 89 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-9055 314 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 247-4455 hotwingscafe.net WINGSTOP 1279 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 798-2800 wingstop.com 1709 E. Colorado Blvd., ■
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Swinging Into Town NEW NAMES JOIN PASADENA’S LIST OF GOOD TIME FAVORITES BY BLISS BOWEN
T
he world and the political sphere are burning up, and Pasadenans are doing what they can to improve that situation, but in the meantime they seem intent on dancing as long as the band keeps playing. Based on this year’s Best Of winners, they’re spinning to reliable old feel-good favorites while trying out challenging new steps too. This year’s Best Of poll results yielded some interesting change-ups. The Mixx outshined Kings Row Gastropub and The Rose, both past winners, and emerged as PW readers’ pick for Best Live Music Bar/Club. Known for its long bar (which contributed to its Best Happy Hour runner-up status) and dance floor, the sleekly designed venue earned the approval of local music lovers with its nightly mix of blues, jazz and swing artists (many of them veteran sidemen), not to mention Tuesday night blues jams. If you haven’t yet been, make plans to check out the Halloween Salsa & Bachata Bash with consummate showman Ricardo Lemvo y Makina Loca and DJ Alex Love. No surprise, jazz remains a go-to soundtrack of choice for many Pasadenans, and jazz tenor saxophonist Chuck Manning was selected as this year’s Best Local Musician, likely thanks to his classy appearances at local venues like the 1881 Bar, Boston Court Pasadena, and Studio City’s Baked Potato. Meanwhile, White Horse Lounge bested the competition to claim the Best Bar and Best Cocktails titles, thanks in no small part to its luxe, century-old ambiance and Louisiana-flavored libations. Just around the corner geographically but an alternate universe vibe-wise, Freddie’s 35er upheld tradition as PW readers’ pick for Best Dive Bar, while across town T. Boyle’s Tavern elbowed Rocco’s aside to earn Best Sports Bar ribbons and Mijares retained its years-long rep for serving the Best Margaritas. Best Beer Selection and Best Pub Grub honors went to the venerable Lucky Baldwin’s in Old Pasadena, along with its friendly satellites, Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste on East Colorado Boulevard and the cozy Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café in Sierra Madre. Kabuki Japanese Restaurant once again earned readers’ votes for Best Happy Hour, thanks to its surprisingly hearty, budget-friendly offerings. In recent years the Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has conscientiously sought to expand and connect with the community via its programming choices and special events. That obviously resonated with theater lovers, who once again selected it as the Crown City’s Best Live Theatre Venue and gave it additional props for presenting the Best Theatre Production. (Speaking for ourselves, we have to say the Playhouse’s fantastic staging of “Ragtime: The Musical” and Nia Vardalos’ heartrending adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” were two of the most memorable theatrical experiences we’ve had in a long time.) The Ice House, another beloved Pasadena institution if ever there was one, retained its more or less perennial mantle as Best Comedy Club; in a year of record need to have funny bones tickled, it responded by booking audience favorites like Fritz Coleman, Joey Coco Diaz, Joe Rogan, and Sherri Shepherd. And cleverly named Best Bowling Alley winner Bowlero continues to get thumbs up from PW readers for spiffing up the joint with some nightlife pizzazz while still maintaining its safe, multigenerational appeal. KPCC’s repeat Best Radio Station win was well and smartly earned, thanks to its diverse, consistently interesting programming and focus on community, not to mention its In Person series and other gatherings at the Crawford Family Forum. Seriously, if ever you’re feeling funky about the state of the world and wondering if the grass really is greener over some other city or state fence, tune in to 89.3 FM. We’re damn lucky to have them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 74
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BEST BAR
WHITE HORSE LOUNGE 41 S. Delacey Ave., Pasadena (626) 583-9013 whitehorsepasadena.com READER RECOMMENED R B BLIND DONKEY 553 E. Union St., Pasadena ((626) 486-2379 ttheblinddonkey.com/pasadena LLUCKY BALDWIN’S 117 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena ((626) 795-0652 | luckybaldwins.com LLUCKY BALDWIN’S TRAPPISTE 11770 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena ((626) 844-0447 LLUCKY BALDWIN’S D DELIRIUM CAFÉ 221 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre ((626) 355-1440
BEST BARTENDER B
STEPHANIE DELGADO Noor 260 E. Colorado Blvd. A209, Pasadena (626) 793-4518 | noorevents.com
READER RECOMMENDED MEGAN VARNEY The Rancho Bar, Altadena
BEST BEER SELECTION
LUCKY BALDWIN’S 17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-0652 | luckybaldwins.com
LUCKY BALDWIN’S TRAPPISTE
(626) 577-9273 yardhouse.com/locations/ca/ pasadena/pasadena-paseo-colorado/8307
BEST BOWLING ALLEY BOWLERO
3545 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-8858 | bowlero.com READER RECOMMENDATION BOWLMOR PASADENA 3545 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-8858 | bowlmor.com/ location/bowlmor-pasadena
BEST CASINO
SAN MANUEL CASINO 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland (909) 864-5050 | sanmanuel.com
READER RECOMMENDED THE MIXX 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 themixxpasadena.com WE OLIVE AND WINE BAR 32 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 787-1000 weolive.com/pasadena/
41 S. Delacey Ave., Pasadena (626) 583-9013 whitehorsepasadena.com
443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 themixxpasadena.com
WHITE HORSE LOUNGE
READER RECOMMENDED ROY’S RESTAURANT 641 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-4066 roysrestaurant.com ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE 111 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 626) 486-1111 alexanderssteakhouse.com
BEST COMEDY CLUB THE ICE HOUSE
24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-1894 icehousecomedy.com
LUCKY BALDWIN’S DELIRIUM CAFÉ
12 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-9315 | 35erbar.com
21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre (626) 355-1440
READER RECOMMENDED
YARD HOUSE 330 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
88 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 568-9310 3539 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 351-8963 kabukirestaurants.com
BEST COCKTAILS
BEST DIVE BAR
CONGREGATION ALE HOUSE 300 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 403-2337 congregationalehouse.com
KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
BEST LIVE MUSIC BAR/CLUB
1770 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-0447
READER RECOMMENDED
BEST HAPPY HOUR
THE MIXX
READER RECOMMENDED KINGS ROW GASTROPUB 20 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-3010 kingsrowpub.com THE ROSE 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/ rose-pasadena/
BEST LIVE THEATRE VENUE
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-7529 pasadenaplayhouse.org
FREDDIE’S 35ER
THE COLORADO 2640 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-3485 facebook.com/TheColoradoBar THE RANCHO BAR 2485 N. Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 798-7634 ranchobaraltadena.com
READER RECOMMENDED A NOISE WITHIN 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-3100 anoisewithin.org PARSON’S NOSE 95 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 403-7667 parsonsnose.com
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BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN
BEST PRIVATE EVENT VENUE
BEST THEATER PRODUCTION
READER RECOMMENDED
260 E. Colorado Blvd. A209, Pasadena (626) 793-4518 | noorevents.com
39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena (626) 359-7529 pasadenaplayhouse.org
KRYS MACH PAST ACTION HEROES
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
CHUCK MANNING JAZZ SAXOPHONIST
NOOR
MIJARES MEXICAN RESTAURANT
ELEMENTS DANCE SPACE 1222 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena Suite 110 (626) 817-9988 elementsdancespace.com
145 Palmetto Drive, Pasadena (626) 792-2763 mijaresrestaurant.com
BEST PUB GRUB
BEST MARGARITAS
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
A NOISE WITHIN 3352 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-3100 | anoisewithin.org PARSON’S NOSE THEATER 95 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena (626) 403-7667 parsonsnose.org
LUCKY BALDWIN’S READER RECOMMENDED EL PORTAL YUCATAN/MEXICAN CUISINE 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 795-8553 elportalrestaurant.com EL CHOLO Paseo Colorado, 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 795-5800 | elcholo.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER ARCLIGHT
300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 568-9651 | arclightcinemas.com READER RECOMMENDED LAEMMLE PLAYHOUSE 7 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (310) 478-3836 | laemmle.com/ theaters/6 IPIC 42 Miller Alley, Pasadena (626) 639-2260 | ipictheaters.com
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
ELEMENTS DANCE SPACE 1222 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena Suite 110 (626) 817-9988 elementsdancespace.com READER RECOMMENDED
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17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-0652 Lucky Baldwin’s Trappiste 1770 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-0447 Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Café 21 Kersting Court, Sierra Madre (626) 355-1440 luckybaldwins.com READER RECOMMENDED KINGS ROW GASTROPUB 20 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-3010 kingsrowpub.com
BEST WEDDING/ BANQUET HALL NOOR
300 E. Colorado Blvd., No. 200, Pasadena (626) 793-4518 | noorevents.com READER RECOMMENDED CASTLE GREEN 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena Castlegreen.com | (626) 793-0359
BEST RADIO STATION
BEST WINE SELECTION
474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (866) 893-5722 scpr.org
721 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 463-1444 totalwine.com
READER RECOMMENDED
READER RECOMMENDED
KPCC 89.3 FM
KUSC 91.5 FM 1149 S. Hill St., Suite H100, downtown Los Angeles (213) 225-7400 kusc.org
TOTAL WINE & MORE
MISSION WINE & SPIRITS 1785 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 794-7026 missionliquor.com
BEST SPORTS BAR
WE OLIVE & WINE BAR 32 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 787-1000 | weolive.com
37 N. Catalina Ave., Pasadena (626) 578-0957 tboylestavern.com
BEST WINERY
T. BOYLE’S TAVERN
READER RECOMMENDED
DANCE STREET 780 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena (626) 791-7746 | Dancestreetca.com
ROCCO’S TAVERN 44 W. Green St., Pasadena (626) 765-6810 roccostavern.com
IXTAPA 119 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 304-1000 | cantinaixtapa. com/the-lounge.htm
BARNEY’S BEANERY 99 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 405-9777 | Barneysbeanery.com
SAN ANTONIO WINERY 737 Lamar St., Los Angeles (323) 223-1401 sanantoniowinery.com READER RECOMMENDED VILLA LAURAL FINE WINES/OLD OAK CELLARS 2620 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 827-9800 villalauralfinewines.com. ■
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DINING
RESTAURANT REVIEW
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Seafood Pasta
dining &nitelife directory Pasadena Weekly’s Dining Directory is a paid advertisement and is provided as a service to our readers. To advertise in the Dining Directory, call (626) 584-1500.
$ $$
Divina Cucina 3730 N. Verdugo Road, Montrose (818) 248-3077 divinacucinarestaurant.com Alcohol Served/Major Credit Cards Accepted
must confess, I have never been one for Italian food. Much to the dismay of my pasta-loving girlfriend, who enjoys any combination of carbohydrate and red sauce, I’ve never been a pasta guy. Perhaps I am haunted by all the minimum wage paychecks I blew taking dates to Macaroni Grill throughout my teen years, because for a 16-year-old, Romano’s Macaroni Grill as the height of luxury. I have been through the floors of Eataly in LA. I have purchased canoli in Little Italy in New York. I have had good pasta, expensive pasta, ragu pasta and tourist trap pasta (it’s like ragu pasta, but you just add “That’s Amore” playing on loop as you eat it). Despite my world pasta travels, I never wavered, until a recent expedition through Montrose. I was converted by Divina Cucina. The family-run Italian restaurant in the shell of a former fast-food restaurant was exactly what I needed to bring me into the pasta fold.
Montrose’s I Italian Gem DIVINA CUCINA STANDS ABOVE THE COMPETITION WITH A TERRIFIC MENU, GREAT SERVICE AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE BY MICHAEL SPRAGUE
Average price per entree $10 $$$ $16-25 $11–15 $$$$ $25+
U P TO
BONNIE B’S SMOKIN BBQ 1280 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 794-0132 bonniebssmokin.com $$ From Tulsa Oklahoma to Southern Cal. with a touch of New Orleans soul comes Bonnie B’s Bar B Que Heaven. Our 45-year-old traditional recipes are made with love. Try our new sweet pea’s double Fried burger made with our own sauces, soul bowl and homemade peach cobbler. Voted best BBQ & Soul food in Pasadena for our ribs, collard greens and Slim's Mac & Cheese. We are thankful and appreciate Pasadena.
CAMERON’S SEAFOOD 1978 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-3474 Camerons4fish.com $$ Since 1984, Cameron’s Seafood has been serving its freshest seafood, and has become a landmark in Pasadena. Cameron’s brings the ocean home with their fresh catch being cooked over mesquite wood grills that burn all day long.Enjoy the very best Seafood, Steaks, Salad & Pasta! Voted Best Seafood in Pasadena Weekly for 27 years! Now you can order on-line: camerons4fish.com.
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Average price per entree $ U P TO $10 $$$ $16-25 $$ $11–15 $$$$ $25+
EL PORTAL 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626)795-8553 Elportalrestaurant.com $$ Pasadena Weekly readers have been rewarding El Portal with the title of Best Mexican Food in the city for years. This charming little hacienda with brick walls, festive colors, fine art and a California elegant courtyard brings the authentic cuisine of Mexico and the Yucatan region to your table.
MARGARITA’S 155 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-4193 margaritaspasadena.com $$ At Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, our family has been sharing our authentic Mexican dishes with the wonderful people of Pasadena since 1977. Guests enter our warm, inviting space and leave as family -- with plenty of burritos, tortas, tostadas, fajitas, and more to be had in between! Our dishes incorporate and pay homage to the rich flavors of bustling mercados, corner taquerias, and seaside palapas. So visit us, eat to your heart's content at our mouthwatering lunch buffet, sip on a refreshing margarita, and feel at home.
MONTROSE’S ITALIAN GEM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 79
HILL STREET CAFÉ 1004 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge 818-952-1019 hillstreetcafelacanada.com $$ Hill Street Café is celebrating over 25 years of serving the community quality meals made of quality ingridients. we want to thank all of you who stuck with us during the remodeling process and we want to welcome back everyone else. in our recent remodel, we have added an outdoor patio, a bar and more dining area, we have created a relaxed ambience with a touch of modern but still retaining our extensive menu, our friendly service and most important a family atmosphere.
KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANTS 88 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 568-9310 3539 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 351-8963 kabukirestaurants.com $$ When you walk into a Kabuki you won’t be overwhelmed with Asian decor and music. What you will encounter is a casual atmosphere with today’s hottest music playing, people smiling and our friendly staff welcoming you through the doors. Look for the Red Mask. Come eat, drink and have fun! TOPS WALNUT 1792 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 584-0244 topsburger.com $ At TOPS on Walnut & Allen, we maintain the original taste from 60 years ago. My father wanted to create food as close to homemade as possible. Our primary goal and focus is on taste, quality, freshness, cleanliness in our service and experienced staff. Most of our staff have been with us for more than twenty years. We invite you to come to TOPS on the corner of Walnut & Allen and taste the difference! Meet our staff and experience what quality service should be. The same quality service that has made us #1.
NEW DELHI PALACE 950 E. Colorado Blvd # 205 Pasadena 626-405-0666 newdelhipalacepasadena.com $ Pasadena's premier restaurant featuring delectable and affordable cuisine embodying the spirit and essence of India. "A complete dining experience, a feast for the mouth and heart". Join us for our incredible lunch buffet Monday through Friday for only $10.99. Monday-Sun 11:30-2:30 & 5:30-10pm Always in the Winner's Circle for Best of Pasadena!
TOM'S FAMOUS FAMILY RESTAURANT 1130 E. Walnut St. Pasadena 626-577-7717 tomsfamous.com $ Please come and enjoy homemade breakfast lunch and dinner all made from scratch and FRESH. Nothing is ever served or made from a can. We pride ourselves as being the cleanest store with the best quality food and BEST service in town. Thank you PASADENA!!!!! ZELO GOURMET PIZZAS 328 E. Foothill Blvd.Arcadia 626-358-8298 myzelopizza.info $$ It’s the cornmeal crust that makes this pizzeria stand out from the rest. This locally owned establishment’s signature dish is the fresh, corn, balsamic-marinated, oven-roasted red onion pie. Zelo Pizzeria has expanded the dining room to better serve you, so come in and give Zelo Pizzeria a try.
From the outside, Divina is an unassuming storefront, with an arrowed path that once acted as a drive through still running the perimeter. Inside, the muted exterior is quickly forgotten as the bustling and clanking of wine glasses and amber glow eases you into the dinner adventure upon which you are about to embark. Every staff member I interacted with was warm and kind, not in a Chick-fi l-A, politebut-rehearsed manner, but more like the uber-hospitable relative who wants you to be as comfortable (and full) as possible. On the particular Friday I was there, the dining room was slammed with patrons. I was blinded by hunger and a need to take in as much information about the restaurant as possible for this article. I hit my waiter with a barrage of questions and laid out my next three courses to him before he could even take our drink orders. My waiter was nothing but kind, fi nding humor in my temporary insanity. Despite the packed house, our drinks never had the chance to be empty, the housemade bread served before our meal was replaced nearly as quickly as we fi nished it. I ordered two entrees which both landed in rapid succession. Of the five or so team members that checked in on our table, each one was more enthused and happy to serve than the last. From the two plain clothes managers, or husband and wife duo who complimented me on my two entrees, to the waitress who brought over my crème brulee at the end of the meal and reveled with me in its beauty, I cannot say enough about how kind and welcoming the team was. To the naysayers who may think that I exploit my title as dining columnist to get special treatment, no, I cannot just tear away my glasses like Clark Kent and slam down a copy of the Pasadena Weekly and be met with splendor and riches. I pay for my food. I do not mention that I am writing about the establishment until I have paid my bill.
After warming up my palate on their homemade bread and olive oil — harkening back to my macaroni grill dates — I started my five-course expedition with the bruschetta con pomodori ($8.95) toasted peasant bread topped with tomato, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Good bruschetta is a delicate dance of fi nding the balance between crisp bread that does not get too soft and rounding out the acidity of the tomatoes; this one Divina nails. For our entrees, my partner got the gnocchi a piacere ($17.25), handmade potato dumplings with your choice of sauce: marinara, four cheese, alfredo, pesto or pink sauce. In their humble quest to be one of the friendliest staff they allowed us to split the plate and have two sauces. We went with classic marinara and pesto which was the best decision for the dish. Pesto gnocchi with no protein or vegetables of any kind can become overwhelmingly rich after just a few bites, but not at Divina. The combination of both sauces (albeit, eaten in separate bites) was the perfect taste test of both, and showed off the quality of the perfectly chewy pillows of potato pasta. As I was not converted to loving pasta just yet, I went with the ravioli tre colore ($21.45), handmade chicken ravioli in ricotta cheese and tomato sauces. The tender, pillowy pasta was not only enough to create a pasta convert, but I’ve been thinking about it (and talking about it) for days since like some sort of proselytizing ravioli enthusiast. The handmade pasta sheets had the perfect substance and delicate flavor to envelop the creamy fi lling. The blanket of rich, flavorful sauce was the ideal balance to the filling, creating a well-balanced and supremely satisfying dish. My significant other will be glad to know I’d be happy to revisit Divina Cucina. I enjoyed the ambiance, hospitality, and, as if I’m a visitor from a pasta-free planet, I’ve been raving that “ravioli is so good!” 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 81
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Bulletin Board By PW Staff
FOR ART’S SAKE Pasadena to host ArtNight and ArtWalk this weekend ArtNight returns to Pasadena from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday with events scheduled at 22 locations, followed by 14th annual ArtWalk from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, beginning at Green Street and Madison Avenue, in the city Playhouse District. ArtNight is an ongoing partnership among many cultural institutions and the Cultural Affairs Division of the city of Pasadena. The event is sponsored by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission with support from the following: the Pasadena Department of Transportation Transit Division; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority; the and Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC). Included in Friday’s events, Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena will host an open house dance party. City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena will welcome visitors with a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” theme that will include live performances, a photo booth and food trucks. Other events will include art, automobiles, tours of local landmarks and an exhibit of Pasadena baseball legend Jackie Robinson that includes live jazz at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. For more information, including local shuttles, visit cityofpasadena.net/artnight. For information of ArtWalk, visit playhousedistrict.org/calendar-of-events/artwalk.
BOGAARD ENDORSES GORDO Former mayor to serve as co-chair of councilman’s campaign Former Mayor Bill Bogaard on Tuesday announced his support for Victor Gordo in the March 2020 mayoral race. “I’m delighted to endorse Victor Gordo for Mayor because he’s a leader that brings people together,” Bogaard said in a prepared statement. Bogaard served as Pasadena’s mayor from 1999 to 2015. He was the city’s first elected mayor since the 1920s. Gordo, Major Williams and Jason Harden have announced intentions to challenge sitting Mayor Terry Tornek. Tornek’s 2016 opponent, former Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, has opened an exploratory committee. “Time and time again on the Pasadena City Council, he has succeeded in building a consensus on a wide-range of complicated issues,” Bogaard wrote of Gordo. “As someone who worked closely with Victor over the years, I appreciate his ability to hear differing viewpoints, then build a coalition that has strong support. Victor is energetic, deeply in touch with the community, and has developed a high level of faith and confidence from his constituents. I enthusiastically support his campaign for mayor and look forward to helping him get elected,” the former mayor wrote. Bogaard will also serve as Gordo’s campaign co-chair and treasurer.
SNUFFED OUT Council seeks to keep control of cannabis in Pasadena The City Council voted on a pair of cannabis-related matters on Monday. First, the council voted 6-1 to uphold a Board of Zoning Appeals decision to deny a cannabis operator’s appeal on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application. Meanwhile, the council instructed staff to prepare a counter initiative to one that could allow 18 cannabis companies that were forced to close because they operated without CUPs to reopen and operate in the city without going through the city’s screening process or obtaining a CUP. The city is hoping to defeat the People’s Initiative to Preserve the Existing Operation of Non-Offending Commercial Cannabis Businesses, which, if approved by voters, would grandfather in the businesses that were forced to close. New cannabis-related businesses would still be required to go through the city’s screening process. The non-offending cannabis businesses initiative has already qualified for the March 3 election. In June, SweetFlower Pasadena, The Atrium Group, Harvest of Pasadena, Integral Associates Dena, Tony Fong and MME Pasadena Retail were picked from among 122 applicants vying for permission to sell marijuana in the city. According to Planning Director David Reyes, officials with SweetFlower Pasadena failed to include a map prepared by a licensed surveyor in its application. SweetFlower’s CUP was denied and instead Harvest Pasadena was awarded the vaunted spot in Old Pasadena.. ■
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• ARTS & CULTURE • FILM | THE ATER | BOOKS | MUSIC | COMMUNIT Y | LISTINGS
Luisina Quarleri and Denise Blasor
PHOTO: Jenny Graham
THE ‘DIRTY WAR’ ‘THE ABUELAS’ EXPLORES ARGENTINA’S ‘LIVING DISAPPEARED’ — BABIES KIDNAPPED FROM MURDERED POLITICAL PRISONERS AFTER 1976 MILITARY JUNTA BY BLISS BOWEN
“A
ccountability” is a word that tumbles like ash from the lips of politicians, especially during election cycles, corruption trials and impeachment inquiries. These days, it’s almost trendy. But accountability is no abstract precept for playwright Stephanie Alison Walker or Argentinean-born actress Luisina Quarleri, who stars in Walker’s “The Abuelas.” The play, developed in the Antaeus Playwrights Lab and designed as a stand-alone companion to Walker’s acclaimed “The Madres,” raises questions concerning accountability, identity and forgiveness as it explores lingering consequences of Argentina’s “Dirty War.” Previews begin Thursday at the 80-seat Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. Built into the play, Walker says, is the principle of “not falling asleep on our own human rights” — because when we do, we risk losing them. While “The Madres” depicted mothers demanding the government’s return of their “disappeared” children, “The Abuelas” presents grandmothers refusing to abandon their search for the living — their grandchildren — and reconciliation. (“My dream would be to have them run in rep somewhere and be bilingual,” Walker says.) Resonance with current situations along the US-Mexico border was accidental but unavoidable. As she typically does when writing a play, Walker started “The Abuelas” by asking herself a question: “When something like this happens, how are you able to forgive? Is it possible? On a personal level, what’s the capacity? More globally, how can you forgive your own country for turning against you?” The junta formed by Gen. Jorge Rafael Videla after the 1976 coup d’état that unseated Eva Peron was notoriously brutal. An estimated 30,000 Argentine citizens were targeted CONTINUED ON PAGE 86
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Irene De Bari and Luisina Quarleri
as “subversive” and “disappeared” — political dissidents, left-wing guerrillas, pacifist college students, clergy members, artists, journalists, psychologists, intellectuals, union leaders — until Raúl Alfonsín’s civilian-led government reinstituted democracy in December 1983. After being kidnapped, tortured and often raped, most victims were killed by death squads, their bodies never recovered. Within that doomed population were many pregnant women. 1985’s historic Trial of the Juntas brought Videla and other junta officers to justice for Dirty War crimes, but due to right-wing violence and Argentina’s byzantine politics, not until 2006 did more war crimes trials proceed. Buenos Aires police commissioner Miguel Osvaldo Etchecolatz was sentenced to life in prison, charged by federal judge Carlos Rozanski with “crimes against humanity committed in the context of the genocide that took place in the Republic of Argentina between 1976 and 1983.” Among Etchecolatz’s crimes: kidnapping babies from “disappeared” parents and transferring them for adoption by upscale families politically acceptable to Videla’s regime. “They estimate about 500 babies were stolen during that period, 1976-1983, so now they’re in their early 40s. There are still a lot to find and recover the identities of,” Walker says. “Many of the grandmothers, the abuelas, have passed; some are still alive. But every time they find one, it’s a national celebration in Argentina.” To this day, “especially in Buenos Aires,” billboards are posted, often by Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo: “If you have doubts about who you are, contact the abuelas.” “But there’s not a lot of accountability at the government level,” Walker adds, likening the reductive attitudes of some citizens to Holocaust deniers. It isn’t like the “culture of silence” that existed at the time, when it was dangerous to even talk about how people were disappearing, but sharing Dirty War survivor stories is vital to avoid history repeating itself. Walker often grapples with complex themes through her plays. “American Home,” which received its world premiere at South Pasadena’s Fremont Centre Theatre in 2017, tracked people who lost their homes following the 2008 crash. “The Art of Disappearing” dealt with dementia. “The Abuelas” turns on a stunning discovery made about self and family by a concert cellist in Chicago named Gabriela, portrayed by Quarleri. (She’s being musically tutored for the role by her own father, a professional cellist.) “We had friends that were disappeared and never seen again, and we also know somebody who was taken for months and was recovered thanks to some family friends,” says Quarleri, whose family moved from Argentina to Italy when she was 3 and then, several years later, to New York. “During [the Dirty War] my mom was an art student, and at college sometimes half of her class missing. My dad didn’t want to be drafted into the military or be disappeared himself, as an artist who spoke out against the government, so he actually went to Paris to escape the climate.” Quarleri, who’s pondering “nature vs. nurture” questions while preparing her role, considers it a privilege to participate in a work shedding light on this topic. “It’s scary the parallels going on right now,” she says. “That versions of something that happened in Argentina in the 1970s are starting to pop up in today’s news space is insane.” Walker also has Argentinean relatives, and spent considerable time in Argentina as a child, but says her family “never talked, ever, about the Dirty War.” She learned about it through independent research, discussions with friends, and walking with the madres. When a slightly different version of “The Abuelas” ran in Chicago in February, she was surprised at how strongly people connected it to children at the US border “being taken from their parents and not being reunited when their parents are deported, and in some cases being adopted to American families, and being placed in cages and demonized and victimized.” More than anything, what she wants people to understand is that “this is a living history that is unfolding; that people’s lives are still, today, greatly impacted by the repercussions of Argentina’s Dirty War and the dictatorship. I want to honor that journey, that process, and how hard it is for so many people. It isn’t just the babies stolen, or the grandparents looking; there are so many family members ... [and adults] having another tearing away of their identity. Even though it’s a restoration, it’s very difficult.” ■ “The Abuelas” begins previews at Antaeus Theatre Company, Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, and the play runs through Nov. 25; $35 ($15 for preview tickets). Reservations and info: (818) 506-1983. Antaeus.org
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•INTO THE NIGHT•
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BY BLISS BOWEN
TRAX
BY BLISS
BLEACHED, Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough? (Dead Oceans): ★★★
Frontwoman Jennifer Clavin and guitarist Jessie Clavin’s sibling bond is palpable, and part of the Go-Go’s-reminiscent fun. Produced by Vampire Weekend engineer Shane Stoneback, it’s the punky pop-rockers’ first album created in sobriety; their thumping beats, thrumming guitars and bright harmonies celebrate living with self-aware clarity and no regrets about their personal reckonings. Catchy standouts include “Silly Girl” (“Time for growing up, don’t you think you’ve had enough”), “Valley to LA” and the infectious “Heartbeat Away” (“Let the ocean fight for the waves/ It’s stay alive or suicide”). At Lodge Room Highland Park Saturday, Oct. 12. Facebook.com/HelloBleached
TINARIWEN, Amadjar (Epitaph): ★★★★½
Pearl
MARY BRIDGET DAVIES STARS IN ‘A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN’ AT THE ROSE; MUSIC JOURNALIST HOLLY GEORGE-WARREN DISCUSSES NEW BIOGRAPHY ABOUT THE ROCK ICON AT GRAMMY MUSEUM
C
ome-and-go lovers. Wisecracking bravado. Southern Comfort. Fluctuating weight issues. Feather boas and love beads. That gut-wrenching, bottomless howl. Janis Joplin embodied the blues in music and in life, and remains as iconic for her personal struggles and freewheeling style as she is for singing with the titanic force of a revival tent preacher. The career of the Port Arthur, Texas misfit went supernova after her incandescent performance with Big Brother and the Holding Company at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and the release of 1968’s “Cheap Thrills,” despite grumbling from some quarters about chick singers. Melissa Etheridge described her as “the only goddess in a sea of rock gods” at Joplin’s 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and her nonconformist battles against hypocrisy, sexism and double standards have made her an enduring touchstone of inspiration for generations of female singers, including Florence Welch and Pink. Joplin’s own influences included Beat poets and, most profoundly, blues singers like Bessie Smith
— a creative debt Joplin acknowledged by paying for a headstone on Smith’s unmarked grave. Those inspirations appear as characters in “A Night With Janis Joplin,” coming to the Rose next Thursday. Star Mary Bridget Davies, who portrayed Joplin in a previous incarnation of writer/director Randy Johnson’s show at the Pasadena Playhouse, earned a 2014 Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance on Broadway. Some of Joplin’s hits are placed in the mouths of the Joplinaires — i.e., influential blues forebears to whom Joplin frequently paid tribute, chief among them Smith, Etta James and Nina Simone. Veteran music journalist Holly George-Warren digs into those influences and Joplin’s childhood in her new biography, “Janis: Her Life and Music,” to trace the arc of Joplin’s artistic development. Her discussion of the book at the Grammy Museum Monday will be augmented by a brief performance of Joplin songs by rock belter Pearl. In one of Joplin’s famous interviews with Dick Cavett — living in perpetuity online — she plunks
down in a seat alongside her suave host, breathing hard after performing “Move Over.” Decked out in velvet bellbottoms and beads, she’s a paragon of hippiedom and not at all concerned with revealing how much singing physically demanded from her. When Cavett asks her about the song, she flashes the sass and vulnerability that imbued her four albums (particularly “Pearl,” released three months after she died of a heroin overdose in October 1970). The song, she explains, is about men dangling their affections in front of women like carrots before a mule, “always hold[in’] up somethin’ more than they’re prepared to give.” Joplin, in contrast, gave more than expected. ■ Mary Bridget Davies stars in “A Night With Janis Joplin” at the Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena, 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17; $38-$98. Doors open 6 p.m. Info: (888) 645-5006. Holly George-Warren discusses “Janis: Her Life and Music” at the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Downtown LA, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14; $20. Info: (213) 765-6800. janisjoplin.com, anightwithjanisjoplin.com, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com, hollygeorgewarren.com, thepearlband.com, grammymuseum.org
Recorded in Mauritania’s desert bordering their native Mali with Noura Mint Seymali and husband/ guitarist Jeiche Ould Chigaly, this inviting set presents the Tuareg rockers in the kind of open, natural environment that forged their trailblazing sound. Added acoustic tracks from Bad Seeds violinist Warren Ellis, mandolinist/charango player Micah Nelson and Cass McCombs, among others, brighten the communal vibe. But the music’s undeniable soul smolders in bandleader Ibrahim Ag Alhabib’s mournful gravitas and hypnotic guitar grooves, the collective’s call-and-response vocals, handclap percussion, and weighty themes of exile. Highlights: “Madjam Mahilkamen,” “Takount,” the playful “Taqkal Tarha” and haunting “Iklam Dglour.” At the Mayan in Downtown LA with Lonnie Holley Sunday, Oct. 13. tinariwen.com
LEEROY STAGGER, Strange Path (True North): ★★★
The prolific Canadian songwriter’s latest outing benefits from engaging melodies and the warm immediacy of a friend whose stories leave listeners curious for more. Joyful opener “Mother” and wry folk-rocker “Deeper Well” (“Some of my friends have disappeared/ Knowing some of my friends it’s just as well”) launch a statement-making set that mines hope and gratitude from loss. Highlights: “Hey Hey!” (honoring late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie), “Nobody Alive,” the Lanois-esque “Leonard Cohen (Is Dead).” At the Mint in LA Sunday, Oct. 13. leeroystagger.com
ANGEL OLSEN, All Mirrors (Jagjaguwar): ★★★★
The stylistic chameleon’s rock plaints remain dramatic as ever throughout her fourth album, but Olsen and co-producer John Congleton’s decision to introduce orchestral strings was inspired; they expand the synth-heavy music’s atmospheric beauty. “Twin Peaks” is an evident sonic influence; so are Brian Eno, ’60s soundtracks and girl-group pop. Songs toggle between romance’s emotional urgency (“Gonna be your breath when you’re out of life,” Olsen vows during the octave-spanning “New Love Cassette”) and a fascination with surfaces and the bass-thudding reality behind illusions in a reverberant, cathartically alluring otherworld. Highlights: “Lark,” the magnetic title track. angelolsen.com
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•CALENDAR• Thursday Oct. 10 through Wednesday Oct. 16 PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for Calendar submissions is noon Wednesday of the week before the issue publishes. Send to johns@ pasadenaweekly.com
THURSDAY The Blue Guitar Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena (323) 769-3500 • blueguitar.club The Todd Hunter Quartet performs at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17/$12. Holiday Look In Tour pasadenaholidaylookin.org Tickets are on sale now for the 52nd Annual Holiday Look In Home Tour set for Dec. 7-8, featuring the heritage and timelessness of Pasadena’s architecture, complemented by some of the most talented and innovative florists and musicians in the area. Sponsored by the Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony Association, these self-guided tours include four elegant homes decorated for the holidays and a free holiday boutique from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 150 N. Madison Ave., Pasadena. Proceeds help support the Pasadena Symphony and POPS concert series. Tickets are $40, available at pasadenaholidaylookin.org. Pasadena Convention Center 300 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 795-9311 pasadenacenter.visitpasadena.com Join the Live Audience of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” as top former contestants will return to the stage and compete in the hopes of taking home the first-ever title of America’s Got Talent Champion. The time is not listed. For information, call the Convention Center or visit their website. Pasadena Senior Center 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena (626) 795-4331• pasadenaseniorcenter.org Join pianist Bob Lipson and commentator/ performer Saul H. Jacobs for “They Reinvented the Broadway Musical: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II” at 2 p.m. Rose Bowl rosebowlstadium.com 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena Pasadena’s favorite restaurants showcase their food and drinks from 6 to 9 p.m. The four cocktail finalist in the SIP-tember contest bracket challenge will be available as voters choose their favorite. Pasadena’s favorite cocktail 2019 will be crowned at 8:45 p.m. Victory Park 2575 Paloma St., Pasadena cityofpasadena/net GirlTrek is a national health movement that activates thousands of black women to be change-makers in their lives and communities through walking. Join GirlTrek Trailblazers on this weekend’s walk near Victory Park at 7:45 a.m.
FRIDAY A Noise Within 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-3100 • anoisewithin.org Join a post-show talkback with the actors in August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean,” described as a soaring, mystical tale of a man desperate for redemption in 1904 Pittsburgh. Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old “soul cleanser,” sends him on a spiritual journey that dissects the nature of freedom amidst oppression and spurs him to take up the mantle of justice. Continues through Nov. 16. Tickets range from $25 to $80. Visit the website for times and group ticket information. Boston Court Performing Arts Center 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena (626) 683-6801• Bostoncourtpasadena.org Four lonely people, their stories written on paper, earth and skin, find each other when one of them falls apart in “How the Light Gets In.” General admission ticket is $30, seniors $25 and students $20. Continues through Oct. 27. Gallery at the End of the World 869 E. Mariposa St., Altadena facebook.com/mcgintysgallery The gallery presents the “Casa de la Mariposa” art show, a group exhibition of more than 60 artists centering on butterflies and the idea of metamorphosis. The exhibition continues through Saturday. The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 • themixxpasadena.com
88 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19
Tate Simms is in concert with Novak Melodius at 8:30 p.m. No cover. Two-drink or dinner minimum. Norton Simon Museum 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena Call (626) 449-5320 • nortonsimon.org. The museum presents “By Day & by Night: Paris in the Belle Époque,” on view Friday through March 2. The exhibition surveys the range of artistic responses to life in the French capital during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Free with admission of $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and free for children under 18, students with valid ID, active military members with valid ID and museum members. The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com Wild Child faithfully re-creates a live Doors Concert on stage at 9 p.m. Doors and opening act at 6 p.m. Tickets are $24 / $28 / $34. Dinner is not included and must be purchased. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 • vromansbookstore.com Robert Atwan discusses and signs “Best American Essays 2019” at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY Brand Library and Art Center 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale (818) 548-2051 • brandlibrary.org The Art Center presents the Brand47 National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, opening with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition continues through Oct. 25. Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (818) 949-4200 • descansogardens.org Get hands-on gardening experience and help care at Community Service Day for the Gardens from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Instruction will be provided and work will be supervised by Descanso horticulture staff. This is a great opportunity for individuals, friends, and organizations. All experience levels welcome. Recommended for people 16 or older. Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2100 • huntington.org Stop by the Huntington’s urban agriculture site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the Ranch Open House and pick up some fresh ideas for sustainable gardening. Volunteers from the LA Master Gardener program will be on hand to answer questions and offer seasonal tips. The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 • themixxpasadena.com Mama SpanX headlines an evening of R&B 8 p.m. to midnight. Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-7529 • Pasadenaplayhouse.org “Little Shop of Horrors” with some new twists continues through The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 • wheremusicmeetsthesoul. com Grammy nominated and former John Muir student Jon B performs at 9 p.m. Opening set by H’Atina at 7 p.m. $38 / $44 / $48 / $58 + applicable fees If you purchase a ticket at a table you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend is $25.00 per person. You must arrive by 7pm. Oct. 17 with some new twists. Tickets start at $25.
SUNDAY Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (818) 949-4200 • Descansogardens.org Taiko drummers perform at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Admission is free. Fremont Centre Theatre 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena (626) 441-5977 • fremontcentretheatre.com The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage at 2 p.m. in Annie Jr. one of the world’s best-loved, award-winning musicals. Tickets are $25. Huntington Library, Art Museum and
Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2100 • huntington.org. The Huntington Library continues its 100th anniversary with the exhibition “Nineteen Nineteen,” which explores the facility’s founding through the lens of a single, tumultuous year. In 1919, Henry and Arabella Huntington signed the trust document that transformed their property into a public institution, just as the US was recovering in the aftermath of World War I. LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden 301 N Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (626) 821-3222 • arboretum.org Nickelodeon named “A Faery Hunt” Best Children’s Theater in Los Angeles. You can see why from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. The shows are interactive performances designed for young audiences and their families to inspire creativity and imagination. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Price includes admission and visitors must purchase a ticket for each adult and child attending. Rose Bowl Aquatic Center 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena (626) 564-0330 • rosebowlaquatics.com Take a musical journey beneath the bridges of the middle Arroyo with Pasadena composer Cary Belling from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. At this unique event, you will walk and listen to his orchestral composition, “Bridges: An Ecological Tone Poem.” Cary will also discuss his musical inspiration.
MONDAY Colombo’s Restaurant 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock (323) 254-9138 • colombosrestaurant.com The Eric Ekstrand Trio plays jazz at 7 p.m. No cover. Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino (626) 405-2100 • huntington.org Learn about the history of the Japanese Garden’s ceremonial teahouse in the Japanese Teahouse Tour from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free with admission.
TUESDAY Ice House 24 N Mentor Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-1894 • icehousecomedy.com Pauly Shore sits down for an intimate conversation about his life, career, ups and downs, growing up at The Comedy Store, his MTV days and visits to the Playboy Mansion at 8 p.m. This is not a traditional stand-up comedy show. It’s “Inside the Wiezel’s Studio.” Tickets are $15. The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 • themixxpasadena.com Check out Tuesday Blues Jam with the Detonators and Fireball Mike. The show is from 8 to midnight. Call for admission prices.
WEDNESDAY Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 243-2539 • alextheatre.org The Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange Presents “Looking for Alaska,” at 7:30 p.m. ‘Looking for Alaska’ by internationally renowned YA author John Green is soon to be an eight-episode Hulu series, and you’re invited to a sneak preview of the first episode followed by a talk with the creators. Tickets are $40. The Blue Guitar Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena (323) 769-3500 • blueguitar.club Nashville singer-songwriters Ashley Norton and Edward Williams returned to simple writing and good music when they formed Witherward — an acoustic duo with meaningful music. The duo performs at the Blue Guitar, 1055 Lohman Lane South Pasadena at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12/$17. Pasadena Presbyterian Church 585 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 793-2191 • Ppc.net Music at noon with saxophonist and magician Andrew Harrison. Admission is free. ■
PW OPINION PW NEWS
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•FILM• BY JANA J. MONJI
Rhythm, Rhyme and Rap EDDIE MURPHY SCORES A COMEBACK HIT AS RUDY RAY MOORE IN THE HILARIOUS ‘DOLEMITE IS MY NAME’
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xpletive-laden “Dolemite Is My Name” is a hilariously entertaining Netfl ix biopic starring Eddie Murphy that opens a window into Los Angeles history while exploring the life of the creator of the title character, Rudy Ray Moore. The fi lm opens on Moore, who in the early 1970s is middle-aged man with a potbelly and unfulfi lled dreams of hitting the big time. Working as the assistant manager of the Dolphin’s of Hollywood record store, he begs the store deejay (Snoop Dogg in one of two key deejay cameo roles, the other provided by Chris Rock) to play his old 45s (a vinyl disc with a song on each side). Originally from Arkansas, Moore left behind a sharecropper father who told him he’d never amount to anything, a claim that Moore refuses to accept. A homeless man who regularly hits him up for money inspires Moore to pay for the stories that the homeless men tell, recording their colorful language and working it into an act with rhythm and rhyme, explaining why Moore is often called The Godfather of Rap. Trying out his new material at the California Club, where he's been the unappreciated emcee, Moore fi nds his audience. But radio can’t play his routines due to their sexual content and his liberal use of four-lettered words, meaning Moore must tour. When he gets enough money, and even attracts a protegée in Lady Reed (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), he puts together material for a record in while hosting a performance party in his apartment. Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the same team that wrote the Tim Burton-directed 1994 biopic “Ed Wood,” and 2014’s “Big Eyes,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” is about a different type of unlikely Hollywood success story. Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow”) directs with love and admiration, and the fi lm never becomes muddled because of it. Remember, this isn’t Eddie Murphy as the brash Axel Foley from the “Beverly Hills Cop” series or the wise yet humble “Mr. Church” (2016). Frustrated and sometimes unsure, Murphy's Moore still has a generous heart when he’s doing well, and he always bets on himself. Another delight of “Dolemite” is the casting. Keegan-Michael Key plays Jerry Jones, a serious playwright concerned with social issues and the lack of them in the Dolemite fi lm. Craig Robinson (“The Office,” “Sausage Party”), Mike Epps (“The Hangover”), and Titus Burgess (“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and the original Sebastian the Crab in the stage musical version of “The Little Mermaid”) are Moore’s friends. Wesley Snipes clearly has fun playing D'urville Martin, a real actor whose main claim to fame in 1968 was his role as Diego, the elevator operator in “Rosemary’s Baby.” Ruth E. Carter does an outstanding job of meshing the 1970s fashions against Art Deco décor of the times. Other changes include the Dunbar Hotel, which was used for the fi lming of Moore’s “Dolemite.” Such jazz legends as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Lena Horne performed there when Central Avenue was the heart of the LA jazz scene in the 1930s and ’40s. People like W.E.B. Du Bois, Joe Louis and Ray Charles stayed at the Dunbar, which was listed in the Green Book guide for AfricanAmerican travelers. But as portrayed in the movie, the Dunbar was shuttered and a haven for the homeless by the 1970s, even though it was designated a Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1974 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The brick facade, grand entry and lobby have been preserved, but the hotel is now a residential community development called Dunbar Village. If you don’t mind F-bombs dropping fast and furious, “Dolemite Is My Name” easily ranks as one of funniest movies of the year. ■ 10.10.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 89
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8DAYS THURSDAY 10.10.19
Check out the SIP-tember finalists in the Pasadena Favorite Cocktail 2019 competition from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. The winner will be crowned at 8:45 p.m. Admission is $75. Call (626) 7953355 or visit pasadena-chamber.org for more information
FRIDAY 10.11.19 Wild Child re-creates a live Doors concert on stage at The Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena, at 9 p.m. Doors and opening act at 6 p.m. Tickets are $24 / $28 / $34. Dinner is not included and must be purchases. For more information, call (888) 645-5006 or visit wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com
SATURDAY 10.12.19 The sci-fi musical favorite “Little Shop of Horrors” continues at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, with some deliciously devious new twists. The play continues through Oct. 17. Tickets start at $25. Call (626) 356-7529 or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.
SUNDAY 10.13.19 The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage at 2 p.m. in “Annie Jr.,” one of the world’s best-loved, award-winning musicals, at the Fremont Centre Theater, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. Tickets are $25. For ticket information, call (626) 441-5977 or visit fremontcentertheater.com
MONDAY 10.14.19 The Eric Ekstrand Trio plays jazz at Colombo’s Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock at 7 p.m. No cover. For more information, call (323) 254-9138 or visit colombosrestaurant.com
TUESDAY 10.15.19 Check out the Burton Zimmer Band featuring April Henry at The Mixx Restaurant & Bar, 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The show is from 8 to 9 p.m., with an open mic from 9 p.m. to midnight. For ticket prices, call (626) 500-0021or visit themixxpasadena.com.
WEDNESDAY 10.16.19 Nashville singer-songwriters Ashley Norton and Edward Williams returned to simple writing and good music when they formed Witherward — an acoustic duo with meaningful music performing at 7 p.m. at the Blue Guitar, 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena. Tickets are $12/$17. Call (323) 769-3500 or visit blueguitar.club for more information
THURSDAY 10.17.19 Mari Nobre’s Latin Band plays from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Mixx Restaurant & Bar, 449 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 500-0021 or visit themixx.com for more information.
98 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.10.19
CHOICE EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF 10.10–10.17 BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN
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