ARTS CRAWL | Fall Celebration of the Arts in South Pasadena

Arts Crawl is Saturday, October 20, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm

PHOTO: South Pasadena Arts Crawl 2018

Artists and businesses team up to celebrate fall with another fun and family friendly “Neighborhood Night-on-the-Town” on Saturday, October 20, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and produced by SPACE, the South Pasadena Arts Crawl welcomes people of all ages to this free event which offers gallery exhibitions, art activities, live music, open houses, food and drink specials, and sales throughout the business district. As darkness falls, Mission Street, and adjacent blocks, will come to life with festive fun.

Event highlights include:

The South Pasadena Library presents “Frankenstein Meets Little Women – A Monster Mash,” a celebration of two literary classics with a one-of-a-kind exhibition in the Community Room. Curated by Valerie Weich, the exhibition features the work of 11 artists inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, which are celebrating their 200th and 150th anniversaries, respectively.

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The South Pasadena Preservation Foundation & the D.U.D.E.S present their second “Family Oktoberfest,” fundraiser, with beers, food, music, and children’s activities at the South Pasadena Historical Museum Historical Museum’s grounds. There is no admission charge to enter and take part in the music, kids crafts & activities, and fun.  Tickets are available for purchase for Beer, food, sodas, and concessions.  Only $2 per ticket available online for pre-sales value deal: SPpreservation.org or at the gate.  Proceeds are split between the DUDES & SPPF to help run their activities throughout the year.

Click for Pre-Sales Tickets Deal! Beers, Brats, Pretzels, Sodas, Concessions, & All the Fixins.

Near the Walking Man sculpture at the Metro Gold Line station, the Artisans’ Alley offers a range of art, gifts and jewelry from Anita Finnegan, Bellagazoo, Kiser Originals, Thunderbachs, Precious Few on Earth, SOPA Artists, Arigo Mama, Roving Mushroom, Earthy Jewelry, Beyond Blue Ceramics, Spirit Jewelry, and Riel Books.

MOSAIC screens the classic film “Ghostbusters” at the Rialto Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Admission at the door. At the South Pasadena City Hall Courtyard, the South Pasadena High School Art Club and SPACE lead families in creating handmade puppets with a Halloween theme.

Venues feature live music and entertainment

Dinosaur Farm and Kidd’s Jewelry Heist hosts the popular Mission Street Music Club with performances starting at 8:30 p.m. in the back parking lot behind Dinosaur Farm.  In front, the founder of Peek Beauty, Cristina Bartolucci, will be doing custom Halloween-themed face painting.

The local music schools host a variety of performances by youth and adult bands at the South Pasadena Music School and Conservatory, and students and instructors from Green Brooms Academy. Pascale Institute presents members of Los Angeles’ Children’s Orchestra at its location on Fremont Ave. where interested kids can try out an instrument. The group, which has performed on “America’s Got Talent” and at Carnegie Hall, also plays in front of Moo on Mission’s café.

Good Citizen Media Group presents Bungalow Bill’s Jumpin’ Jam in their courtyard from 6 – 9 p.m., and at Griffin’s of Kinsale the alternative rock band, The Drive, plays at 8:30 p.m., where the pub will also offer Oktoberfest drink specials. The artisan craft shop, Retreat, offers music by Jackson Mankowski and presents a trunk show by jewelry designer Amanda K. Lockrow.

The vintage retailer, Picky Jane, features singer/harp player Aliza Schloesser and jazz singer Bryte Darden. Owner Simona Sabo also hosts other vintage sellers inside and outside her shop.

Galleries and businesses celebrate the visual arts with a variety of exhibitions and activities, some with a Halloween theme

SPARC Gallery at the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce exhibits “Sarah, Mary, Kori, Tom, Emma,” a series of large-scale photographic portraits by Ken Fandell. Sugarmynt Gallery hosts a “Hocus Pocus” event, with fall sets, cosplayers, and lots of spooky fun. There’s an admission fee to enter.

At Two Kids Coffee, artists Cole and Sara Montgomery present a “spooky photo booth” in which event goers can have their pictures taken. Camille DePedrini offers a 15% discount on its merchandise and hosts Tassel, a South Pasadena High School organization which will be doing a craft activity to fundraise for Cambodian children. Rue de Mimo features the artwork of Jamie Chapman while Marz features the yummy treats of Cake Girl, a vegan and gluten free baker.

Hot Box Vintage offers free pumpkin decorating, a Tattoo Tearoom by InkSpa, plus drinks and live music. The Munch Company features Astali jewelry, clothing, face painting, and an interactive art installation, plus Halloween treats including “KomBOOcha” ice cream floats. The Maya Salon hosts “Modern Mystic: an evening of Wellness & Magic,” from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., featuring yoga, tarot, wine tasting and more. Videotheque features the artwork of Martina Moreno including posters, stickers, buttons, tee shirts, and wood block prints.

At DeMilo Design Studio, you can print a haunted house poem on the antique 120 year-old Chandler and Price letterpress, and take advantage of a $1 sale on selected handmade papers and cards. Old Focals presents the artwork of Randy Eriksen plus a UV lens special on the purchase of eyeglass frames. Dual Crossroads features handmade goods made by local artists.

Many businesses offer open houses and discounts during the event. Handle, a new store that offers a curated assortment of gifts and home wares, offers 10% off all merchandise. Rosebuds and Rosestuds celebrates their 5th anniversary with an open house, and Duncan Taylor will offer 20% off furniture and 20% off art in their store.

Foodies are welcome at the Arts Crawl as Mission Wines kicks off the event with a 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. pre-party with a special fall beer tasting. La Fiesta Grande offers a drink and food special and Aro Latin features an Arts Crawl drink created just for the event. Simplee Boba offers a drink discount and Teamorrow presents a food special for the evening. Twohey’s food truck delivers tasty on-the-go eating options, highlighting the menu from their South Pasadena restaurant. After the event, visit Gus’s Barbeque for a late night happy hour from 9 p.m. until closing.

Students from the local schools are involved in the Arts Crawl this time. SPMS teacher Denise Tanaka’s 7th grade art class designed special event posters that will be seen on Mission Street. South Pasadena High School photographers from Rouzanna Berberian’s class will photograph people and activities at the event that capture the students’ imagination.

Patrons can park in the Mission/Meridian Parking lot (north of Mission Street, on Meridian), and walk to the more than 30 participating shops and boutiques. The Metro Gold Line South Pasadena Station will put you right in the heart of the event.

The quarterly Arts Crawls are presented by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and produced by SPACE, to provide a showcase for artists and musicians and to highlight the city’s unique business district.

More information can be found online at www.SouthPasadena.net, or visit the Facebook page “Arts Crawl South Pasadena”.