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.
Lunar New Year Celebration for South Pasadena Seniors
South Pasadena seniors were treated to a delightful celebration of the Lunar New Year, sponsored by the City and the South Pasadena Chinese American...
$10 Music Lesson Week | South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy to Benefit SPEF...
South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy is holding their bi-annual $10 Lesson Week in South Pasadena January 16 – January 21, 2023. Thirty-minute private...
Family Farm “Pomp” Provides Beautiful Roses at The Rose Bowl
With its prestige and history The Rose Bowl continues to hold notoriety all over the world and get fans buzzing when it comes to...
It’s the Holidays at Holy Family Giving Bank
With heartfelt wishes of “Merry Christmas”, hearty handshakes and mutual exchanges of “God Bless You”, the hardworking crew at South Pasadena’s Holy Family Giving...
Elijah Ahmad Lewis Stars in “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of...
You could say entertainment is in his blood. Born and raised in New Jersey and Harlem, singer/arranger/actor/dancer/model/entrepreneur Elijah Ahmad Lewis has been performing in...
Senior Center Hosts Festive Holiday Luncheon
The South Pasadena Senior Center held their festive annual Holiday Luncheon this past Tuesday with a full house of senior members of the community...
Local Ice Skater Henry Privett-Mendoza Gets Bronze Medal at British Championships
Local South Pasadenan, Jonathan Henry Privett-Mendoza has secured the bronze medal at the recent British Figure Skating Championships. Privett-Mendoza is a 2nd year student...
A Christmas Carol at South Pasadena Theatre Workshop
There’s a new Christmas Carol happening at South Pasadena Theatre Workshop that is a slick, inventive and fast-paced adaptation of the Dickens classic that...
WHOLE STEPS | New Children’s Music Program Comes To South Pasadena Arts and Music...
April Mendiola is a hometown girl. Having grown up and attended local schools, Mendiola is excited to be heading up the new music program,...
Festive Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony Kicks Off The Holiday Season
Excitement was in the air at Thursday’s Farmers Market as the gathering crowd anticipated the annual Tree Lighting ceremony and festivities. Sponsored by the...
South Pasadenans Dance in PDT’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” with Guest Artists From American Ballet...
It’s that magical time of year when Pasadena Dance Theatre takes over the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse for their annual production of “The Nutcracker...
“The Brothers Paranormal” Brings Chills, Thrills and Tears to East West Players
Prepare to be scared out of your wits at the Los Angeles premiere of the riveting, supernatural thriller “The Brothers Paranormal” at East West...
“After Roe” Offers A Balm of Hope
Like millions of women across the country, Lineage PAC artistic director Hilary Thomas was devastated and in shock on June 24, 2022, the day...
“Middletown” Examines The Human Condition Through the Lens of a Small Town and its...
A heartfelt, sweetly quirky meditation on the meaning of life as told by the inhabitants of a small, American town, Will Eno’s “Middletown” opened...
“2:22 A Ghost Story” Haunts the Ahmanson Theatre
A spine-tingling, goosebump inducing, rollercoaster of a time awaits you at the Ahmanson Theatre with the opening of Danny Robins’ “2:22 A Ghost Story”....
To Kill A Mockingbird at Hollywood Pantages
“All rise” for the stunning production of “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s groundbreaking novel now playing at the Hollywood...
SPHS Drama Ready To Premiere Will Eno’s “MIDDLETOWN”
The award-winning South Pasadena High School drama department, under the direction of Nick Hoffa, is in final preparations for the first fall play to...
Darby’s Legacy – A Fight For Families of Medically Fragile Children
“She is my husband's twin. My husband is a ginger. And my son, who is two years older than Darby was, he is more...
August Wilson’s “Radio Golf” at A Noise Within
A stirring production of “Radio Golf”, August Wilson’s final installment of his “American Century Cycle”, directed by Gregg T. Daniel, opened this weekend at...
SPHS Virtual Business Club Hosts Largest Virtual Enterprise Leadership Training Day in the Nation
The excitement in South Pasadena High School’s auditorium was palpable. On Thursday, October 13, 2022, after a two year hiatus, SPHS hosted over 400...
New Afterschool Program Offers a New Way | Insight Academy
It’s a Wednesday afternoon and children are arriving at Insight Academy after school has let out – hanging up their backpacks on hooks, greeting...
Cecily Strong Searches for Signs of Intelligent Life
The opening night audience at “The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in The Universe” was immediately and enthusiastically on their feet after Cecily...
“Sanctuary City” and The American Dreamer
B and G are two high school kids living in early 2000's, post 9/11 Newark, New Jersey in Martyna Majok’s new play “Sanctuary City”...
“Jagged Little Pill” Has Healing Power
Alanis Morisette’s “Jagged Little Pill” opened this week for a three week run at the Pantages Theatre. The opening night crowd was full of...
In Conversation with “OKLAHOMA!” Actor Christopher Bannow
Christopher Bannow has just arrived in Los Angeles from the last stop in San Francisco for a five week run at the Ahmanson Theatre...
Animal Farm at A Noise Within
A Noise Within premiered a chilling production of Peter Hall’s musical adaptation of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” this week. In our times of disinformation...
Parson’s Nose Theater Back with Live Performances of “Our American Cousin”
Parson’s Nose Theater will be back with live performances of music and comedy beginning in September at its historic Marston and Van Pelt designed...
“Hadestown” National Tour Brings The World Back Into Tune
In case you missed your chance to see the Tony Award winning Broadway show “Hadestown” during its run at the Ahmanson, you’re in luck....
New Director Rebecca Ward at South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy | Now Their...
It’s hard to believe that South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy is going into their 10th year here in South Pasadena. In some ways...
Belly Laughs and More Await You at “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and The...
Comedian and actor, Mike Birbiglia, premiered his new one-man show, “The Old Man and The Pool” with a star-studded opening night at the Mark...
