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Alisa Hayashida
Alisa Hayashida is an arts and culture columnist and critic for South Pasadenan News, covering the greater Pasadena Metro area and Los Angeles Metro area. She is a valuable arts advocate in South Pasadena, with an extensive background in theatre arts. She has been a proud South Pasadenan for over 27 years.
Lissa Layng Reynolds in Concert Reading of A Woman of Independent Means
South Pasadena, we are in for a very special treat! A special 30 minute concert reading of A Woman of Indepenent Means will be performed by actress Lissa Layng Reynolds during our South Pasadena Arts...
Green Brooms Celebrates Ten Years
Green Brooms Music Academy, the innovative music school located in the darling, light green Craftsman house on the corner of Fremont and Hope, is celebrating their 10th anniversary since opening their doors in Santa...
Annie Jr. Knockout Performances Thrill South Pas Audiences
Four outstanding performances of SPEF’s 5th grade musical, Annie Jr., brought a smile to South Pasadenan families this weekend as close to 180 5th graders sang their hearts out on stage at South Pasadena...
South Pasadena High School Academic Decathlon Wins 4th Consecutive Year!
Congratulations to South Pasadena High School’s Academic Decathlon team for not only winning the 2018 Los Angeles County competition for the fourth consecutive year but for winning an absolutely jaw-dropping 94 medals!
The Varsity team...
Chocolate Party with a Side of Doo-Wop!
Saturday saw a terrific fundraising event at the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, complete with the doo-wop song stylings of The MoonRays along with dinner, silent auction, raffle prizes and an incredible array of...
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Wildly Entertaining!
In a word? GO! As in, get thee to the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena to see I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change as soon as you can. Just in time for...
Pinewood Derby! Cub Pack 139 Celebrates 50th Year
If you have ever been involved in Cub or Boy Scouts, or even know a scout, then you know the anticipation and excitement that surrounds the Pinewood Derby each year. Sunday saw a very...
Annie Jr. Flashmob!
The Annie Jr. cast of the 5th grade musical was out in force at Thursday's Farmers Market for a spontaneous Flash Mob!
Surrounded by parents along with unsuspecting Farmers Market patrons, the 5th graders launched...
Congratulations South Pasadena United
Congratulations to South Pasadena United on their division championship win on Sunday. The South Pasadena United Football Club is part of the Pasadena Adult Soccer League and their win came in an intense game...
Cellist Emily Davidson Brings Her Talents to South Pasadena
Emily Davidson is a cellist and music historian who plays both cello and the baroque cello. Originally from New York, she freelanced in Boston from 2010-2017, and has recently relocated to Los Angeles.
She released...
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Hilarious Valentine Treat in February
The dynamic, resident theatre company at Fremont Centre Theatre, YST, is finally bringing back their blockbuster hit, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, just in time for a romantic and hilarious night out...
Pirates of Penzance is a Kick in the Pants!
Fasten your seatbelts for the beach blanket bingo extravaganza that is Pirates of Penzance at Pasadena Playhouse! Completely unrecognizable when you walk in, the inside of the Playhouse has been virtually transformed into a...
Henry Privett-Mendoza Top Ten Finish at Nationals
Following our story on Henry Privett-Mendoza, the local skater finished strong at the US Figure Skating Championship finishing 9th in Novice Men.
Says Privett-Mendoza, “top 10 in the nation is always exciting, especially as this...
Snow? Snow! Snow at Calvary Preschool
Who knew we could get so much snow in South Pasadena? Well, it seems that is snowed once again in town at Calvary Preschool! So many local families have not only had their children...
SPHS Virtual Enterprise Teams Headed to Nationals in NYC
On January 17-18, the SPHS Virtual Enterprise Teams traveled to Bakersfield for the state Virtual Enterprise Trade Show and Business Plan competitions. This year, all three companies’ business teams made it to the top...
Let it Snow! Winter Wonderland in South Pasadena!
Garfield Park became a winter wonderland on Saturday as the City hosted its annual "Snow Day" event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 20th.
Families gathered at the north end of the park...
Alive and Well Women Founder Cissy Brady-Rogers Invites Us on a Path
When I meet Cissy Brady-Rogers, she has just returned from a hike and, I’m not exaggerating, radiates health and well-being. I literally ask her if she’s just had a facial. The answer is no,...
Internship Program at SPHS Heads into Spring Session
Deadline reminder from Andrea Fox at SPUSD -
Just a reminder that the deadline to apply for spring internships will be Monday, February 5, 2018 at 5 p.m. Please note that juniors and seniors who...
The Dinosaur Farm Named 25 Best Independent Toy Stores in America
South Pasadena’s beloved toy store, The Dinosaur Farm, has just been named by Fatherly.com among the “25 Best Independent Toy Stores in America”. That’s no surprise to locals who know our town’s toy store...
Float Judging Today
Crunch Time continues as South Pasadenans put the final flowers and flourishes on our beautiful and spirited self-built float today! The Tournament of Roses judges are scheduled to arrive at 4pm but they could...
SPARC Throws Another Cool Party for The Holidays
What with board members and volunteers from the worlds of music, art, theatre, film, photography and dance, it’s no wonder SPARC parties tend to have that spark of je ne sais quoi. Such was...
Lloyd & Lane Found Objects Closing its Doors
Despite being an award winning home décor boutique that was recently featured on HGTV and “shop local” campaigns notwithstanding, Lloyd & Lane will be closing the doors to their cozy, little shop on Fair...
SPARC Launches Monthly Giving To Ring in the New Year!
Since its launch in 2009, The South Pasadena Arts Council has most certainly become a growing cultural hub in the community that we all have benefitted from. For 2018 SPARC has launched a monthly...
Christmas Comes Early To Crete Academy
Each child was called up individually, by name, and given a shiny, red and green Christmas present as they walked up to meet Santa Claus with their eyes as big as saucers. The gathered...
Beauty and The Beast – A Christmas Rose
The holiday tradition of Lythgoe Family Panto, in association with Pasadena Playhouse, opens Beauty and The Beast – A Christmas Rose on Wednesday December 13. For the past several years, the show has been...
Alfred Molina Stars in Nostalgic Radio Play of Miracle on 34th Street
What a treat it is to see Alfred Molina on stage as the feisty bearded guy with a twinkle in his eye, Kris Kringle, in this delightful radio play of Miracle on 34th Street....
Neurosport Celebrates Ribbon Cutting with Big Party
If you happened to walk by Neurosport the other evening, you may have been surprised to see their large, airy space filled to capacity with well wishers as they threw a big, holiday party...
It’s A Wonderful Life, South Pasadena
Wow! How fun was that, South Pasadena? Twenty years ago, my husband and I used to walk to the Rialto to see a movie and have dinner. At some point there was a darling...
A True Christmas Story at Dinosaur Farm
David Plenn, owner of our beloved toy store, The Dinosaur Farm, along with his intrepid “Dino Dames and Dino Dudes” experienced a very real story of Christmas spirit this week. Out of the blue,...
SPARC Utility Box Art Party Wildly Successful
You couldn’t ask for a more perfect Southern California fall day for an outdoor celebration; a crisp 70 degrees and blue skies as far as the eye could see. But all eyes were focused...
