Around & About
CLASSES
Western Square Dancing — Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sets in Step Dance Club offers this class at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive. Ron Durkee is the professional caller. Dress is casual and the price is $6 (cash) per lesson. Refreshments included. A partner is suggested, but singles are also welcome. For more information call Betty Woodhull at (818) 249-2651.
Introduction to Gardening, Part One — Saturday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m. Native plant horticulturist Rachel Young teaches this class at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada. This first session of the two-part class teaches basics about soil, planting, how to choose plants, differences between annuals and perennials, how to water and how to pick a container for planting. Part two of the class will be held March 5. The course fee covers both classes. Cost: $20 general; $10 Descanso members. No walk-ins. To register for the class, call (818) 949-7980. More details can be found at https://www.descansogardens.org.
Music Appreciation — Tuesdays beginning Feb. 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dr. Ted Stern, professor of music at Glendale Community College, conducts this off-campus music appreciation class for adults. This semester will cover “Film Composers and Other Related Stuff.” Classes are held at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave., Montrose. Cost for the 15-week course is $90. For more information call Dianne at (818) 248-8110 or (818) 445-2300.
EVENTS
Pasadena Showcase House of Design Party— Friday, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. This year’s Pasadena Showcase’s Empty House Party marks the 47th anniversary of the Pasadena Showcase House of Design and kicks off the organization’s music and arts program annual fundraising efforts. The event is being hosted at a house designed by famous architect Paul R. Williams, who is responsible for the Beverly Hills Hotel, Saks Beverly Hills and more than 2,000 private homes. Several high-end designers, including Barclay Butera, Garage Envy and David Dalton, Inc. have decorated the rooms. Parking will be available at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr. in La Cañada Flintridge. Invited guests will be admitted by security in the parking area and will be directed to the house.
City Council Candidates Forum — Wednesday, Feb. 9. The seven candidates in the upcoming La Cañada Flintridge City Council election will present their election platforms and answer questions during this forum at Flintridge Preparatory School, 4543 Crown Ave., La Cañada. Sponsors are the LCF Coordinating Council and both La Cañada Kiwanis Clubs. The candidates are incumbents Laura Olhasso and Don Voss plus Michael Davitt, Jacki Harris, James Hill, Charlie Kamar and Robert Richter. The forum will be moderated by the headmaster of Flintridge Prep, Peter Bachmann. For more information call Joyce Ruygrok at (818) 249-8680.
Clock and Watch Convention — Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Chapters 75 and 133 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors host the annual Greater Los Angeles Regional Clock and Watch Convention at the Pasadena Convention Center Exhibit Hall, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena 91101. Open to the public one day, Feb. 5. Thousands of antique and vintage clocks and watches will be for sale or viewing. Admission is $12.
Lunar New Year Free Family Festival — Saturday, Jan. 29, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Welcome the Year of the Rabbit at Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles, Pasadena, 91107. All galleries will be open to enjoy along with crafts, demonstrations, food and gift vendors, live music, dance, martial arts, acrobatics and magic. Free.
“Sex and the City Zoo 2” — Sunday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association in the L.A. Zoo’s Witherbee Auditorium. The event begins with a reception with desserts and wines followed by a presentation by Jason Jacobs with insights about the pros and cons of relationships vs. staying single in the animal kingdom. Proceeds from this fundraiser go to support the Zoo’s wildlife preservation and conservation efforts. Adults only. Tickets are $25 per person for GLAZA members and $35 per person for non-members. Seating is limited and reservations are required by Feb. 9. Call (323) 644-6042 or visit https://www.lazoo.org for online reservations.
EXHIBITS
Christina Song’s “Paper Idylls” — Jan. 28 through Feb. 19; opening reception is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 28. Modest Fly Art Studio Gallery, 7576 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga 91042, shows the work of Christina Song, a graduate of Art Center College of Design. Song’s work consists primarily of cut paper, mixed media, three-dimensional objects, drawing and paintings.
KIDS’ PICKS
Spanish Dance — Saturday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m. The La Cañada Flintridge branch of the county of Los Angeles Public Library hosts Spanish flamenco dancer Susana Elena and Spanish classical guitarist Almer Imamovic as part of an ongoing series of programs aimed at providing free arts and literary events for children and their families. Susana Elena introduces Spanish dance to children as young as 5. At the show’s end children are invited on-stage to join in a simple rumba flamenco danced with scarves. A castanet lesson is offered to those interested after the show. Almer Imamovic plays compositions created for the Spanish guitar. The library is located at 4545 N. Oakwood Ave.
Trip to Hollywood Recording Studio — Saturday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m. The WAW Talent Training Studios is taking a field trip to a music-recording studio in Hollywood. Kids ages 7 to 21 will be able to learn first-hand how music is made and songs are recorded. Everyone will meet at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, located at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive in La Cañada, at 10 a.m. on Jan. 22 before heading to Hollywood. Space is limited to 15 students but parents are welcome to join. The cost is $15 but admission is free for WAW students. Meet Saturday Jan 22 at 10am at the community Center of La Canada. Call Wendy Alane Smith (818) 203-6080 to reserve a spot.
LECTURE
“Art, Architecture and California Culture: The Works of Kenton Nelson” — Saturday, Jan. 29, 1 p.m. American scene painting, Regionalism and the work of WPA artists of the 1930s inspires the current work of Pasadena artist Kenton Nelson. The lecture will take place at the Ahmanson Auditorium, Art Center College of Design, 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena. Cost: $12 to the general public and free to members of Friends of the Gamble House. Immediately after the lecture, Nelson will open his Pasadena studio for viewing. Cost of this tour is $20 for general tickets and $15 for members of Friends of the Gamble House. Reservations are required. Call (626) 793-3334, ext. 52 or visit https://www.gamblehouse.org.
PERFORMANCE
Haydn’s “Drum Roll” Symphony — Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. Performed by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Ignat Solzhenitsyn. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale 91203. Ticket prices are $100, $85, $50 $18. Tickets available online at laco.org, or by calling (213) 622-7001, ext. 215. Tickets, if still available, will be sold at the Alex box office on the night of the concert.
Dueling Pianos — Sunday, Jan. 23, 4 p.m. Jack Lantz and Kemp Smeal of La Cañada Presbyterian Church will square off at the Steinways for “Three for Two — Duo Piano Concert.” The music is grouped by three, with three selections of each style of music, which will range from classical music to hymns to the Great American Songbook and show tunes, all featuring pieces arranged for two pianists working at separate pianos. The concert will be held in the church sanctuary, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at the church office or by calling Lori MacDonald at (626) 794-1522. They will also be sold at the door. For additional information, visit https://www.lacanadapc.org or call (818) 790-6708.
Brass & Jazz Bash — Friday, Feb. 11. The Crescenta Valley Arts Council presents its fourth annual music Bash at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta. Professional brass players will jam with student musicians from Crescenta Valley and other Southland schools for a concert that’s open to the public. To learn more go online to crescentavalleyartscouncil.org.
TO YOUR HEALTH
First-aid course — Thursdays, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17, 6 p.m. both dates. This Crescenta-Cañada YMCA Heartsaver First Aid Course covers first-aid basics; medical, injury and environmental emergencies. This class lasts approximately two hours and is held at the Y, 1930 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada. Class fees are CC-YMCA member, $10; program member, $15; non-member, $20. Pre-registration is required through the Y’s membership office. Call (818) 790-0123.
Parkinson’s Support Group — Fridays, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18. The Crescenta Cañada YMCA hosts monthly meetings for the La Cañada Parkinson’s Support Group. This group is free to join and will provide research and support for those with Parkinson’s or movement disorders. For more information contact Nancy Turney, Senior Services director, (818) 790-0123, ext. 225.
To submit calendar listings, send an e-mail with the pertinent details to lcnews@valleysun.net.