Pasadena Weekly October 2019

10.03.19 10 0.0 .033..19 19 | PASADENAWEEKLY.COM PAS ASAD ADEN ADEN ENAW W EE EEKL K LLY. YY..CO C M | GREATER GRE REAT ATTER A R PASADENA’S PAS SAD ADEEN NA A’’S FR FFREE REE EE N NEWS EWS AND EN EENTERTAINMENT NTE TER ER RTTA AIINM NMEEN NT W WE WEEKLY EEKLY EK LY EK LY

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Love & Life FORMER PASADENA MAYOR BILL PAPARIAN RECEIVES A LIFESAVING KIDNEY FROM HIS WIFE, SONA, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DIFFERENT BLOOD TYPES

BY JUSTIN CHAPMAN

NEWS

JOE FIGHTS BACK

Biden goes after President Trump in latest visit to Pasadena

p. 7

LIFE

FAST AND CASUAL Cava and U Pick Cafe offer a variety of Mediterranean fare

FROM TRAGIC TO MAGIC

p. 11

p. 16

ARTS

Theaters feature Wilson, Lewis and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

SERVING PASADENA, ALHAMBRA, ALTADENA, ARCADIA, EAGLE ROCK, GLENDALE, LA CAÑADA, MONTROSE, SAN MARINO, SIERRA MADRE AND SO. PASADENA

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10.03.19 | VOLUME 37| NUMBER 40

Opinion....................................................................3 Letters ........................................................5

Guest Opinion ..............................................6

News ........................................................................7 Joe Fights Back Biden attacks Trump in latest visit to Pasadena as impeachment inquiry heats up.

— André Coleman

Of Love and Life Former Pasadena Mayor Bill Paparian receives a lifesaving kidney from his wife, Sona, even though they have different blood types.

— Justin Chapman

Feature ....................................................................9

Just Yesterday The Huntington’s ‘Nineteen Nineteen’ exhibit illuminates history’s impact on the present.

— Bliss Bowen

Dining.................................................................... 11 Restaurant Review ...................................... 11

Bulletin ..................................................... 14

Into the Night .............................................18 Trax..........................................................18

Calendar....................................................19 Film..........................................................20

Arts & Culture ........................................................ 16

Classifieds .............................................................22 8 days ....................................................................30 ABOUT THE COVER: Photo of Bill and Sona Paparian by Catherine Bauknight

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PW OPINION

PW NEWS

•LETTERS•

PW DINING

PW ARTS FROM THE WEB:

THE CONSTITUTION AND IMMIGRANTS

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 ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING

Lisa Chase, Rick Federman, Javier Sanchez CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ann Turrietta (Legals) BUSINESS

John Jay’s letter regarding the Constitution and immigrants [Letters, Sept. 12] contains many troubling statements.

His assertion that the Constitution does not grant any rights to noncitizens is at odds with constitutional scholarship, as well as several Supreme Court rulings.

He is correct that the term “immigrant” is not used in the Constitution. However, the terms “citizens” and “persons” are used and grant certain rights and privileges accordingly. Are we to believe that the Founders did not know the difference between a citizen and a person in the US? If not, we must accept that they intended to grant certain rights to noncitizens present in this country, just as many Supreme Court rulings have. Note that the Constitution does not say “persons here legally,” “persons who are citizens,” or “persons we like,” just “persons.”

Mr. Jay does not want anyone to “leap to the conclusion that I am against immigrants or a racist.” I do not know him and can’t comment on his inner thoughts and feelings. However, his assertion that he can’t be racist or anti-immigrant because he has black and Mexican family and friends and “only two white friends” is flawed. It demonstrates a fundamental lack of clarity regarding how racism/ bigotry work on both a societal and individual level. One does not have to hold active, conscious racist attitudes to participate in and benefit from structural racism.

To deny that the Constitution grants rights to noncitizens may or may not come from a racist foundation. It certainly does not come from a factual one.

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

~ MATTHEW BIGELOW VIA EMAIL

Labor Day has passed and that is usually the launch date for candidates to announce their intention to run in the next election. Where are they? What are they waiting for?

Mayor Terry Tornek announced his re-election run in January and only Major Williams has announced his run against Tornek. That’s it?

With respect due to Mr. Williams, who I don’t know, Tornek needs a bona fide contender to compete against for the future of Pasadena. Steve Madison? Victor Gordo? Someone from the business community?

Pasadena deserves a mayor that will be pressed hard in the debates about crime, homelessness, pension funding and the survival of local small businesses. It’s time to step up.

Tyron Hampton is very well liked in District 1 but should have a competitor in the race to highlight the issues in his district with solutions.

Felecia Williams is a well-seasoned city commissioner running in the open District 2 seat. Is she running unopposed? Is this what is best for Bungalow Heaven?

Where are the other contenders?

It’s time to step up.

Gene Masuda is running against a well-financed small businessman in Joe Baghdadlian and account executive Charlotte Bland. The small business owners seemed to be very upset with the mayor and most of the council over last year’s minimum wage issue and Joe might make this his issue. There has to be others willing to run in District 4? Phlunte Riddle? It’s time to step up.

Everyone seems to be waiting on what Steve Madison will do.

Will he run for mayor or for one last term on the council? Steve is a smart guy and Pasadena will be better served if he stays engaged in either office.

Only one candidate, Tamerlin Godley, has announced a run in the city’s largest district? If Steve doesn’t run then others need to step up. Vince Farhat, a past WPRA president? He is smart, well-seasoned and multicommissioned. Ken Chawkins, a neighborhood activist, a wellconnected insider? Where is Robin Salzer who just retired from his rib restaurant after 37 years? We tried to visit his place on the last day but the three- hour wait was unbearable. This guy, by all media accounts, seems like one of the most well-liked and respected residents in Pasadena, and he’s an influencer? Where are Robin, Vince and Ken? Godley who never has been involved on any city commissions, needs to have a strong candidate to run against if Mr. Madison doesn’t run for reelection.

Pasadena deserves better and it’s most qualified candidates and future leaders need to step up. We need to identify, draft and support those candidates that will steer Pasadena forward. ~ DAVE D. (Please see related story in Bulletin Board, page ??.)

LETTERS WANTED:

AUDITED CIRCULATION of 26,275 Serving Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Eagle Rock, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena

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.

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 5

PW OPINION

PW NEWS

PW DINING

PW ARTS

•CONSIDER THIS•

BY ELLEN SNORTLAND

PUTTING THE ‘REAL’ IN REALITY TV WHAT IF ‘AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR’ MORPHED INTO ESCAPIST PROGRAMMING FOR OUR TIMES? In turbulent times, many people seek solace and escape via television. For my husband Ken and me it wasn’t “Game of Thrones” or “Breaking Bad” … it was, and still is “American Ninja Warrior.” ANW is the perfect antidote to what happens every morning: I wake up thinking, “Did our Orange Foolius of a president make anything worse than the day before?” Tragically, the answer is almost always yes. “ANW” to the rescue!

The “cast” of ANW is a collection of dynamic athletes who epitomize both grit and camaraderie while running ever-more difficult obstacle courses. They are a balm for the divisiveness we are bombarded with daily. We love to cheer at their victories and groan at their defeats. As for the obstacles themselves, they are a scintilla short of sadistic; e.g., running across five diving boards on springs. Mere mortals cannot do these things.

As much as we love the show, we wonder what it would be like if they had a Senior Division: the “American Geezer Warriors,” performing amazing acrobatic feats with walkers and canes. You get the drift.

“Geezer Warriors” then morphed into a practical version: “American Underground Warriors.” What if all the derring-do, superb intelligence, Olympiclevel athleticism and heart got applied to a “reality” television format for some of our real-life circumstances? The Norwegian Underground during World War II used their superb winter sports skills to liberate their country from Nazi occupation. Hmm. We could do this!

American Ninja Warriors asks audience members to design and submit obstacles that are selected and used the next season. Thus, I submit the following obstacles for our potential American Underground Warriors: Obstacle No. 1: Mount that Wall! — At our Southern Border, Underground Warriors scale the wall then assist as many others as they can in get over within 30 minutes. The Underground Warrior (more aptly, the “Overground Warrior”) has a clock ticking and points are tallied for the highest number of people and pounds they heft over the wall. For example, contestants who lift 10 kids at 400 pounds will get a high score; extra if they lift the parents, too. Grappling hooks, pole vault poles and carabiners are allowed. Extra points for the athlete who moons Trump from the top of the wall.

Obstacle No. 2: “Friendly” Disruption — For the more theatrically inclined the Underground Warriors in this obstacle specialize in a year-long masquerade, pretending to be cis “church-goers.” This is easy, since humans look the same regardless of their belief systems or whom they love. The fi rst difficulty is infi ltrating right-wing megachurches that, despite IRS rules to the contrary, are campaign amplifiers for candidates who believe in the marriage of church and state. These patronizing pastors also preach against feminists and LGBTQ folks.

As soon as the minister begins promoting candidates, referenda or requests to vote a certain way, our AUW plant begins her or his disruption: speaking in tongues, slapping their ears while yelling “Heavens Yes!” “Preach it!” or any other CREATIVE way that is not offensive in practice to a majority of the congregants but disruptive nonetheless. If they do it convincingly enough, they can return to the services again. However, if their cover is blown, they need to crawl under pews on their bellies like reptiles, dodge kicks from hostile congregants and get the hell out! This is a big scoring event, and points are accumulated by the number of times the disrupter interrupts hate speech.

Obstacle No. 3: The Harvey Weinstein & Kevin Spacey Challenge — Big, nasty men stand in a line and our contestants must run the Harassment Gauntlet.

The Harassers in the line wear protective jockstraps that, when kicked, register 10 points for the harassees. Similarly, the harassees are “wired” to register gropes and pokes and for each contact, their scores are diminished by 5. #dodgethis! The challenge is an era-appropriate version of Dodge-ball but in this case, Dodge-dicks.

I have all sorts of ideas for “real reality” programming: “Dancing With The Republican Cowards” for ABC; “Cooking with Petfood” for the Food Channel that would provide tips for those in poverty; and “Shooting Poachers With Sedative Darts” for Animal Planet. Although none of this is a game, if we get people excited and competitive they might wake up. That’s something we could all cheer for. ■

Ellen Snortland is a longtime columnist with the Pasadena Weekly. She is nearly finished with her third book, “Biting the Hands That Squeeze Us.” Contact her at beautybitesbeast.com.

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ARCADIA

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EAGLE ROCK

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GLENDALE

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LA CAÑADA

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MONTROSE

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SAN MARINO

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SOUTH PASADENA

OF LOVE & LIFE FORMER PASADENA MAYOR BILL PAPARIAN RECEIVES A LIFESAVING KIDNEY FROM HIS WIFE, SONA, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DIFFERENT BLOOD TYPES

BY JUSTIN CHAPMAN

PHOTO: Courtesy of Cedars-Sinai

F

ormer Pasadena Mayor Bill Paparian is successfully recovering from a lifesaving kidney transplant from his wife of 37 years, Sona, even though they have different blood types.

The rare and relatively new procedure is known as an ABO incompatible transplant, which only a small number of hospitals in the United States are able to perform. It enabled Paparian, 70, who has had kidney disease for 12 years, to receive the healthy organ just 10 months after starting dialysis rather than the many years it usually takes, if at all.

“I’m getting stronger every day,” Paparian told the Pasadena Weekly. “I have to confess it was a real struggle in the beginning. It wasn’t easy post-surgery. I basically was confi ned at home for weeks, which was pretty difficult for me because I’m normally a very active person. Two of my three sons, my oldest and my youngest, were there to take care of us. We basically had to have someone help us each day. My oldest son returned from Armenia, where he lives and works, for five weeks so he could be with me and my wife and help out.”

The surgery took place on Aug. 6 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. A criminal defense attorney, Paparian is already back to work and back in the gym.

“I went to court for the fi rst time last week,” he said. “I was in court yesterday morning. I’m in my office right now waiting to meet with clients. I’m slowly getting back to where I was physically. I’m not there yet, but I’m slowly getting there.”

Paparian said his wife researched their options after he signed up on the National Kidney Registry and discovered the ABO incompatible transplant procedure. He said in a blog post on Cedars-Sinai’s website that Sona “stepping up like this is a real testament to our very strong relationship.”

He added that when he fi rst went to Cedars-Sinai in 2016 he wasn’t told about the possibility of an ABO incompatible transplant.

“My understanding was that you had to fi nd a donor with the same blood type as

your own,” he said. “I’m A positive and Sona is B. So when we found out that that was an option, we went back to Cedars and we both had to go through an intensive screening process. There was a lot to it. It took a long time, about 10 months before we were fi nally cleared for the procedure.”

Now the Paparians are spreading the word about the procedure, which Cedars-Sinai began performing in 2005, according to a hospital blog. Only about 200 have taken place since then, and success rates are “in line with lower-risk compatible kidney transplants,” according to Dr. Stanley Jordan, medical director of Cedars-Sinai’s Kidney Transplant Program. Jordan “led the development of a process that greatly reduces the risk of the body rejecting a new kidney,” a process that “has been instrumental in the success of ABO incompatible transplants,” according to the blog.

Paparian told Cedars-Sinai that he initially resisted going on dialysis, and instead went on a “strict renal diet and even sought stem cell therapy in Florida. In October, however, he nearly collapsed while attending an event, and his doctor at Huntington Hospital told him he needed to begin dialysis.

Paparian served on the Pasadena City Council from 1987 (when it was known as the Board of City Directors) to 1999, including a term as mayor from 1995 to 1997. While serving as mayor, he visited Cuba and called for an end to the US. trade embargo against the communist-led island nation. In 2006, he ran for Congress on the Green Party ticket against Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, receiving 5.5 percent of the votes cast, or about 6,800 votes.

Bill and Sona met in 1981. Sona’s brother introduced them while she was visiting the United States from her hometown of Aleppo, Syria. According to the Cedars-Sinai blog, Bill and Sona “stayed up all night talking, causing Sona to miss her fl ight the next day back to Syria. Within two weeks, before Sona got on another fl ight home, Bill proposed to her, and they were married the next year on Valentine’s Day.” ■ 10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 7

PW OPINION

PW NEWS

PW DINING

PW ARTS

JOE FIGHTS BACK BIDEN GOES AFTER TRUMP IN LATEST VISIT TO PASADENA AS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY HEATS UP

BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN

M

uch has been made of Vice President Joe Biden’s well-known gaffes and low energy levels exhibited in his presidential run.

But during a Sept. 25 community meeting at Pasadena City College, as House Democrats continued moving toward impeaching President Donald Trump, the 76-year-old Biden was witty, animated, engaged and quick on his feet.

“It’s probably the president,” Biden said to applause after an audience member’s phone started ringing.

“Tell him I’m talking about him,” Biden quipped.

As Biden spoke to area residents, Trump was facing increased scrutiny amidst an impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives prompted by a phone call that he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last July, just one day after former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified about his report, which found Trump had obstructed justice but did not collude with Russian operatives to rig the 2016 election, as alleged.

According to a five-page summary of that 30-minute call, Trump asked Zelenskiy for a “favor” before repeatedly urging him to look into an energy company for which Biden’s son Hunter previously worked.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, Trump tweeted Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) should be arrested for treason after Schiff delivered a parody of the call as a classic mob shakedown during his opening statement before the House Intelligence Committee, which Schiff chairs.

“If the Democrats are successful in removing the President from office (which they will never be), it will cause a Civil War like fracture in this Nation from which our Country will never heal,” Trump tweeted.

In the 2016 presidential election, Trump was accused of asking the Russians to dig up dirt on Hillary Clinton, his opponent, but a nearly two-year investigation turned up no evidence of collusion.

“This ain’t your father’s Republican Party,” Biden said before the crowd of roughly 200 people at PCC. “There are still a lot of decent men there, and women. But they’re being intimidated by a guy who will go after them like he tried to go after me.”

The Sept. 25 fundraiser at the college was hosted by Lena L. Kennedy, founder of Women in Leadership — Vital Voices, a women’s empowerment group.

Biden was introduced by Kennedy’s brother, Pasadena City Councilman John Kennedy.

Biden is locked in a tough battle with US Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for the lead in the Democratic primary race. The former vice president was a frontrunner even before getting into the race, with polls consistently showing that not only do most Democrats consider him their top choice to go head to head with Trump but also believe that he can beat the president in November 2020.

8 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

“We need more of the exciting message that we are hearing from Vice President Biden,” said John Kennedy. “It would appear that Democrats, Republicans and Independents are coalescing around Biden. I am encouraging the campaign to go full throttle after 17 to 35 year olds. This age group is critically important because they are opinion leaders and can convince other demographics to vote.”

The District 3 councilman hosted Biden at his home for a fundraiser on July 19. Hunter Biden attended that event with his father but was not present for the fundraiser at PCC. Along with Biden, Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand have all made stops in Pasadena. Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee have also visited the Crown City.

The trips to California by the candidates have been prompted by an earlier election in California. The primary date has been moved up from June to March 3, 2020. The earlier date — after only Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — will ensure that California voters and the state’s nearly 500 delegates play a decisive role in determining the eventual nominee, who will be chosen at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July.

President Barack Obama, Biden’s former boss and a Pasadena resident while attending Occidental College in the early 1980s, and Clinton both held fundraisers in Pasadena during the 2008 presidential race.

Biden, a native of Pennsylvania who later represented Delaware in the Senate, won his Senate seat when he was just 29 and refers to himself as “Middle Class Joe.” Biden had no problem mocking Trump’s efforts to connect him to corruption, something which has been already been investigated and dismissed, according to multiple national news outlets.

“Turns out not a syllable or scintilla of what was said was true,” Biden said of Trump’s claims. “Every major publication pointed it out, et cetera. And he’s not going to let foreigners interfere with our election? As we say in my church, ‘Bless me father for I have sinned.’” A staunch Roman Catholic, Biden made the sign of the cross as the crowd laughed.

Biden spoke for an hour, looking relaxed as he paced with a microphone in hand while in front of the friendly crowd.

While addressing economic inequality, Biden said of rolling back Trump’s tax cut: “I get in trouble with Bernie [Sanders] when I say this, but I believe wealthy people are as patriotic as poor people. They know they don’t deserve this additional tax cut. But here’s the deal; when someone says ‘we’ll give you a tax break,’ ‘[you don’t say] no don’t give it, I don’t want it.’ Well, we can get this changed. If you make $250 million you’re not getting a tax cut from me. You’re not getting it if you make $250,000 a year either.” ■

PHOTOS: Courtesy of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

George R. Watson, Portrait of Henry E. Huntington

Just Yesterday THE HUNTINGTON’S ‘NINETEEN NINETEEN’ EXHIBIT ILLUMINATES HISTORY’S IMPACT ON THE PRESENT

BY BLISS BOWEN

“E

very person is more than just a person, but someone who also represents the unique, the very special, and always signifi cant and remarkable point at which the world’s phenomena intersect, only once in this way, and never again.”

—Herman Hesse, “Demian,” 1919 That perspicacious observation by Nobel Prize-winning novelist Herman Hesse greets visitors to the Huntington’s “Nineteen Nineteen” exhibit, which runs through Jan. 20 in the museum’s Mary Lou and George Boone Gallery.

Perusing its collection of approximately 275 items from the Huntington’s prodigious art and library collections, including rare books and manuscripts, photographs, oil paintings, World War I German propaganda posters and US recruiting flyers, sheet music and sculptures, it’s striking to see how much history resonates in the present. And vice versa.

An absorbing experience, “Nineteen Nineteen” strives to illuminate the human reality of a year of enduring consequence. The Paris Peace Conference formalized the end of the fi rst world war and, in its zeal to prevent any similar conflagrations in the future, tragically charted the course to World War II. White supremacists traumatized America during the Red Summer with dozens CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 9

JUST YESTERDAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 09

Portrait of an unidentified woman in Pasadena, Calif., during the 1918–19 influenza epidemic, 1919.

Charles H. Sykes (1882-1942), At Last, in The Suffragist, June 21, 1919. National Woman’s Party, Washington.

Nineteen Nineteen (2019) by James Glisson and Jennifer Watts. Book to complement the exhibition.

of race riots. The fi rst transatlantic fl ight landed in Ireland. Ex-President Teddy Roosevelt died. The Bauhaus art school and LA Philharmonic both came into being.

Virginia Woolf published “Kew Gardens”; T.S. Eliot, his “Poems.” Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith founded United Artists fi lm studio, giving artists groundbreaking control over their work. Eight Chicago White Sox players intentionally lost the World Series game in the Black Sox Scandal. And Henry and Arabella Huntington formalized their decision to turn their magnificent estate into a public institution. “Nineteen Nineteen” is the official launch of the Huntington’s Centennial Celebration.

The year 1919 was also distinguished by nationwide labor unrest. Per the exhibit, which includes cleanly printed accounting ledgers from Henry Huntington’s operations, the railroad tycoon was worth more than $69 million in 1919. In contrast, seasonal citrus workers or field laborers in his orchards earned 33 cents an hour, nine hours a day, six days a week. There’s a quiet balance to the way such information is presented. In one corner, Huntington’s business records; in another corner, Industrial Workers of the World fundraising leaflets, which list labor sacrifices and grievances that outline roads of progress made in the 20th century and how many of their calls still remain unanswered.

On a wall by the entrance, newspaper headline reproductions blare announcements of violent protests and lynchings. Delilah L. Beasley’s book “The Negro Trail Blazers of California” and volumes honoring African-American World War I infantry soldiers are given pride of place in a nearby display case. A few steps away, yellowed commitment cards and war prisoner records provide evidence of how non-naturalized Germans were arrested in LA County for the crime of not registering as “alien enemies” during wartime. They remained on parole until spring 1919.

Co-curators James Glisson, interim chief curator of American art, and Jennifer Watts, curator of photography and visual culture, only selected items created, altered, purchased or exhibited in 1919. Five organizing themes are spelled out in bold letters on the gallery walls: “Fight,” “Return,” “Map,” “Move,” and “Build.” “Map,” which includes a 39-foot linen Pacific Electric Co. map of routes and real estate parcels between downtown LA and Pasadena, charts the region’s burgeoning development and interest in the stars.

The “Move” sector chronicles how planes, trains and automobiles helped transform America into a “society increasingly on the go.”

“Build” recounts the meticulous creation and architectural foundation of the Huntington itself via photographs, plans and drawing.

World War I and the lingering “sense of helplessness” it instilled in soldiers and other survivors struggling to adapt to peacetime society are remembered in “Fight” and “Return.” “Fight” also pays significant attention to civil rights struggles.

Pasadena suffragist and Red Cross activist Clara Burdette is remembered with a handsome photo showing her writing at a desk laden with stacks of papers. Numerous illustrated covers of The Suffragist: Official Weekly Organ of the National Woman’s Party magazine are encased close by. (The 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was fi nally passed in 1920.)

Some items jar expectations, albeit for different reasons. Since Huntington “sought unique items fundamental to American history and the nation’s founding,” the exhibit is given context by life-size oil paintings of George Washington and Revolutionary War-era documents and maps sketched in exquisite calligraphy. Surprisingly, an original manuscript of Benjamin Franklin’s “Autobiography” is marred by an enormous blot of brown ink.

Elsewhere, an autograph book belonging to T.E. Lawrence (popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia) displays signatures not of celebrities but participants in the Paris Peace Conference. Photographer Edward Weston’s deeply sepia-toned Palladium print of fellow artistic innovator Ruth St. Denis is one of only two known to exist.

Then there is Percy John Smith’s “Death Intoxicated” etching, which depicts a skeleton ghost seeming to dance giddily in air behind a bayonet-wielding soldier wearing a gas mask. Ink seems to slash across the brown background and suggested clouds; the effect is chilling, a dark reminder of the war that sent the world reeling even beyond its official end.

Rather than write an autobiography, Henry Huntington pointed anyone interested toward his library, insisting that it “represents the reward of all the work that I have ever done and the realization of much happiness.” Described as “120,000 volumes, 30 tons of knowledge” loaded into boxcars in New York and transported to California, that library does say much about Huntington’s personal story, at least the public-facing one. More importantly, 100 years later it also illuminates the narrative of one volatile year in history. ■ “Nineteen Nineteen” runs through Jan. 20 at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino; $25-$29. Call (626) 405-2100 or visit huntington.org.

“Nineteen Nineteen” installation view.

10 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

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DINING

RESTAURANT REVIEW

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Green Grain Bowl

dining &nitelife directory Pasadena Weekly’s Dining Directory is a paid advertisement and is provided as a service to our readers.

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Fast and Casual CAVA AND U PICK CAFE OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF MEDITERRANEAN FARE

BY EVELYN GARCIA | PHOTOS BY DANNY LIAO

n the past few months I have continued my quest to try every Mediterranean restaurant that comes my way — whether or not it’s for the sake of the Pasadena Weekly. I cannot and will not stop enjoying perfectly creamy hummus, warm pita (if I’m lucky) and all the falafel there is to consume.

Recently, I decided to go with a quick service spot Cava, and a more authentic alternative, U Pick Cafe, the two just a mile apart from each other on opposite ends of Lake Avenue.

Cava is a chain with only a few locations in Southern California. Think of it this way: What Chipotle is to Mexican food, Cava is to Mediterranean — a quick service, make your own, with unlimited toppings (albeit for an upcharge) kind of place, only more hip and flavorful.

Cava is bright and earthy. Immediately one can also see there is a whole lot more variety than the average Meditaerranean restaurant, which is the reason I enjoyed it.

I

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.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 11

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Pita Sandwich

dining & nitelife

directory

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.

FAST AND CASUAL

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.

12 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

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.

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The first step was to start with a base of a salad, grain bowl (saffron basmati rice, brown basmati rice, or black lentils), greens and grains mixture, a large pita, mini pita, or mini pita and soup. I went with the saffron basmati rice without hesitation.

Next, I chose sides and spreads which can range from hummus and tzatziki to jalapeño infused feta and eggplant and red pepper dip. I did both the hummus and tzatziki, although I could have added a third.

Then came the protein, where Cava offers falafel, grilled chicken, spicy lamb meatballs, grilled meatballs, braised beef, braised lamb and roasted vegetables. Of course, I went with the chicken.

The next step was to add any unlimited toppings of which there is plenty to choose from — tomato and onion salad, cauliflower quinoa tabbouleh, pita crisps and crumbled feta, to name a few. All I opted for was lettuce since the last step was to throw over a dressing which consisted of sriracha Greek yogurt, Greek vinaigrette, lemon herb tahini, yogurt dill, green harissa, or spicy like tahini. The hummus and tzatziki in my bowl was plenty for me, so I moved down the line and got ready to pay at the register with my side of pita that came with the meal.

My bowl without any extras totaled $10.27 before tax, which seemed like an arbitrary number, and more than I expected. Granted, the food is higher quality, cleaner, and genuinely tasted great.

The chicken to rice ratio was not so great. I could probably have fit the protein portion in the palm of my hand, which might have been OK if I didn’t have half a bowl of rice leftovers with only hummus to accompany it. I wasn’t sure if it was even worth taking home. More chicken or less rice would easily solve the confusing ratio. Despite this, the concept is great, the amount of freedom to choose is refreshing, and quality ingredients for the fast service setup it has going is great.

A few days after trying Cava, I made my way to a local authentic Mediterranean restaurant, U Pick

Cafe. I went alone midweek and it was pretty empty except for one person waiting for his to-go order. I quickly noticed this was the trend — all of the six to eight patrons who entered that night while I was there all took their orders to go, or were there to pick up food delivery app orders.

While U Pick is also fast casual dining, it was easy to see protein choices are made to order, and because I ate there, my food was brought out by one of the two gentlemen working. I went for something similar to compare to Cava, although I don’t know that you can do that.

A grilled chicken kabob plate with rice and hummus as my sides was $9.99. This can also be ordered as a wrap, and other meat options include chicken lule, beef and beef lule, chicken or beef sultani, veggie, falafel, and combinations of both chicken and beef. There are plenty of sides or add ons to choose from, but two are served with the entree, and additional sides can be ordered for a small upcharge.

There was a soda fountain but I opted for water and waited for a good 20 minutes before I saw any sign of my food making its way to me. I didn’t mind the wait and knew it meant my chicken would be fresh. No surprise, I was right and it was delicious.

The hummus is some of the best I’ve ever had, the serving of bread was generous, and the chicken to rice and hummus ratio was perfect. I ate the plate in its entirety, foolishly thinking earlier I could take some home. My singular worry is that on a slow day it took some time for my food to be ready, so I couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like on a busy day.

Nonetheless, while I enjoyed Cava and understand the demand for restaurants like it, the importance of authenticity like U Pick Cafe makes me partial to it.

Still, they serve different audiences and occasions, so depending on your mood, both are certainly worth a visit.

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 13

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Bulletin Board

By PW Staff

MADISON SEEKS RE-ELECTION District 6 councilman wants four more years

It’s official.

After giving the idea much thought, longtime Pasadena City Councilman Steve Madison has decided to seek another four-year term in local elected office.

“You and I have truly done some great work together. Yet there are still important challenges ahead. That’s why I’ve spoken to many of you, and many others, about whether I should seek another term on the council,” Madison wrote recently to supporters in his West Pasadena district.

Madison was fi rst elected in 1999. District 6 includes the Rose Bowl. Brookside Park, the Colorado Street Bridge, the Vista Del Arroyo federal courthouse, ArtCenter College of Design, portions of Old Pasadena and some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city.

Madison’s only declared opponent is Tamerlin Godley, a litigation partner with Munger, Tolles & Olson. Godley’s specialty, according to her bio, “is handling complex business litigation disputes and specializes in entertainment litigation and advising.”

A 1996 graduate of the USC Gould of Law, Godley presently serves as counsel to the major studios, networks, recording companies and music publishers, the bio states.

“I have been humbled,” Madison wrote of the response he’s received to his queries about running again. Although the memo was to constituents — not the press — Madison advised “please feel free to share the news with your friends and neighbors! And please let them know they can expect to hear from me soon as our campaign gets underway.”

(Please see a related letter on p. 5)

SERVING UP SOLUTIONS Local grocery store to host food truck event in support of School on Wheels Skid Row program

Starting tomorrow, Oct. 4, there will be a weekly food truck event at the Altadena Grocery Outlet, with a percentage of proceeds going to School On Wheels, according to community activist and School on Wheels volunteer Rene Amy. “Funds raised will be used to purchase a shiny new refrigerator for SoW’s Skid Row Learning Center to keep kids’ snacks cold,” Amy wrote to PW with news of the truck stop idea. The store is located at 2270 Lake Ave, Altadena.

“In addition to donating the location for the event, Mario and Michell Guajardo, owners of the Grocery Outlet, have personally offered to stock the new fridge,” Amy wrote.

Events will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at the store and feature rotating cuisine from different trucks each week, Amy said.

In addition to donating the location for the event, Amy said Mario and Michell Guajardo, owners of the grocery outlet, have offered to stock the new fridge.

“Credit Mario with the idea and Altadena local Lauren Fitzpatrick of thetropictruck.com with making it happen,” he said.

For more on the School on Wheels program on Skid Row, read a coumn Amy wrote for the Pasadena Weekly in May at pasadenaweekly.com/author/rene-amy/. ■

14 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 15

• ARTS & CULTURE • FILM | THE ATER | BOOKS | MUSIC | COMMUNIT Y | LISTINGS

LOCAL THEATERS PRESENT ‘HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN,’ ‘GEM OF THE OCEAN’ AND ‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’

BY JANA J. MONJI

16 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz

FROM TRAGIC TO MAGIC

L

ast week, three Pasadena theaters — A Noise Within, Boston Court and the Pasadena Playhouse — opened new productions, and all three plays deal with some terrifying incidents, factual and fictional. But don’t be scared. The frights are minimal and all of the productions have their merits.

The most accessible play of the three is A Noise Within’s revival of August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean.” If you’re an ANW fan, you’ll want to see this because they intend to produce all 10 of Wilson’s American Century Cycle in chronological order and this is the fi rst, taking place in 1904 — 40 years after slavery was technically abolished.

In the Pittsburgh Hill District (Pennsylvania started phasing out slavery in 1780), slavery exists in a different form through the employment practices of a mill, the main source of employment. A mill employee, Citizen Barlow (Evan Lewis Smith) desperately wants to speak with 85-year-old Aunt Ester (Veralyn Jones), spiritual adviser of the African-American community. All the action takes place in her home and will pit sister (Black Mary, played by Carolyn Ratteray) against brother (Caesar, played by Chuma Gault). The title refers to the name of the paper boat which will take Citizen on a journey to the City of Bones.

Director Gregg T. Daniels beautifully conjures up this magical yet tragic trip against Stephane Kerley Schwartz’s lovely scenic design. Martin Carrillo’s sound design and original music suggest the ocean that we never actually see.

Going down the stairwell to the theater, Altadena-based photographer Ibarionex Perello’s exhibit “The Three-Fifths Project” tells us of the compromise that was written into the US Constitution, setting the stage and reminding us that the legacy of slavery continues. This exhibit continues throughout the play’s run.

Did you know there is a Japanese garden in Pasadena? Not the one at

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PHOTO: Jenny Graham

George Salazar

San Marino’s Huntington Library, Art Museums and Botanical Gardens, but Storrier Stearns a Japanese Garden on Arlington Drive. For a short time, there has been another such garden, only mostly in the abstract, on the main stage at Boston Court for E.M. Lewis’ “How the Light Gets In.” In a telephone conversation, the Oregon-based Lewis related that she began writing the play when she was in the midst of a health crisis, and during that time she was inspired by a Japanese garden in Portland, Oregon. The main character, Grace (Amy Sloan), is diagnosed with cancer and fi nds solace in her local Japanese garden. There she meets a homeless teenager, Kat (Chelsea Kurtz), and a Japanese architect, Haruki (Ryun Yu), who is commissioned to build a tea house. Kat sleeps in the garden on the sly and was saved by a tattoo artist, Tommy Z (Dieterich Gray). These four lonely people will make connections, but only when they allow the cracks in their perfect world to let the light in. The title comes from a Leonard Cohen song, “Anthem.”

Emilie Pascale Beck directs at a leisurely pace and Tesshi Nakagawa’s scenic design provides a mood-setting abstraction of a garden. At the end, you’ll want to either make or visit a Japanese garden and maybe even approach likeminded strangers.

The Pasadena Playhouse’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” about a plant

that makes money for its skid row floral shop, but also needs human blood to stay healthy, has the wonderful Olivier Awardwinning and former “Glee” star Amber Riley voicing the floral fiend, Audrey II. Yet, the production suffers from a less than spook-tabular realization of the carnivorous plant via puppetry.

Director Mike Donahue’s staging is, at times, static, even as the vocals soar (Mj Rodriguez of FX’s “Pose” and George Salazar portray Audrey and Seymour, respectively).

There are laughs when the initial plant puppet (designed by Sean Cawelti) is displayed. It is almost cute, but the later transition to the human-eatingsized creature lacks impact. On the other hand, your kiddies won’t be frightened off and this production is unlikely to inspire nightmares. ■ “How the Light Gets In” runs through Oct. 27 at Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena.

Tickets are $5 to $39. Call (626) 683-6801 or visit BostonCourtPasadena.org.

“Gem of the Ocean” runs through Nov. 16 at the A Noise Within, 3342 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena.

Tickets are $20 to $50. Call (626) 356-3121 or visit anoisewithin.org.

“Little Shop of Horrors” runs through Oct. 20 at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Tickets are $25 to $159. Call (626) 356-7529 or visit PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

10.03.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 17

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•INTO THE NIGHT•

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BY BLISS BOWEN

TRAX

BY BLISS

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER, Terms of Surrender (Merge): ★★★★

“I’m a lonely swimmer a long, long way from shore,” M.C. Taylor confides during addictive single “Happy Birthday, Baby,” establishing contradictions that inform this wise, handsomely produced set.

The quest for meaning and resolution eludes direct answers, yet the journey proves its own reward during standout tracks like “I Need a Teacher,” the gradually swelling “Cat’s Eye Blue” and the watery “Old Enough to Wonder Why (East Side-West Side).” Taylor’s vulnerable warmth is so immediate it often feels like we’ve joined him mid-conversation as National guitarist Aaron Dessner (among others) comments alongside banjo, lap steel, Omnichord, percussion and synths. At Teragram Ballroom in Downtown LA Saturday, Oct. 5.

Hissgoldenmessenger.com

NOOKY JONES, Like Candy (self-released): ★★½

‘An Instrument of Deliverance’

SALASTINA MUSIC SOCIETY MEMBERS PERFORM A FREE PRELUDE OF MUSIC INSPIRED BY STEVEN GALLOWAY’S NOVEL ‘THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO’ AT VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE WEDNESDAY

C

anadian author Steven Galloway’s wise 2008 novel “The Cellist of Sarajevo” uses the circumstances of musician Vedran Smailovic as a literary jumping-off point. Next Wednesday, Salastina Music Society members will similarly use Galloway’s book as a springboard when they give a performance at Vroman’s Bookstore and discuss how the book and its historical setting informed their choices of material..

In real life, Sarajevo Opera cellist Smailovic donned tux and tails to perform Tomaso Albinoni’s Adagio outside the remains of a bakery for 22 days during the 1,425-day Siege of Sarajevo, in honor of 22 people slaughtered by mortar shells while standing in a bread line. He continued to play in blasted-out buildings and at cemetery funerals surrounded by fresh graves, despite the constant threat of snipers. At a time when crossing the street demanded profound bravery, performing in the open could not have seemed more reckless or insane — and inspiring. Smailovic gave hope to fellow Sarajevans,

18 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

who nicknamed him “the cellist of Sarajevo.” English composer David Wilde used that for the title of the solo cello piece (subsequently recorded by Yo Yo Ma) he wrote after learning of Smailovic, who escaped Sarajevo in 1993 and eventually settled in Northern Ireland. (His 1999 album with Tommy Sands, “Sarajevo to Belfast,” that features Albinoni’s “Memento Mori.”)

The cello’s mournful voice and the melodic sweep of Albinoni’s Adagio cut across genres, time, and geography. Such musical offerings are perhaps the most meaningful gift when civilization is shredding, in an environment where even friendly conversation and what Galloway described as “the destruction of the living” are too weighty to bear.

“When the mortars destroyed the Sarajevo Opera Hall, the cellist felt as if he were inside the building, as if the bricks and glass that once bound the structure together had become projectiles that sliced and pounded into him, shredding him beyond recognition. He was the principal cellist of the Saraje-

vo Symphony Orchestra. That was what he knew how to be. He made the idea of music an actuality.

When he stepped onstage in his tuxedo he was transformed into an instrument of deliverance.”

Wednesday’s performance is a Prelude or companion event to the Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s upcoming Mansions & Music concert, part of its 20192020 season, which will be given in a private residence on Oct. 13.

Tickets for that concert, whose full program will include Wilde’s solo piece as well as Albinoni’s Adagio for Strings and works by Benjamin Britten and Peteris Vasks, will cost $100. Think of Wednesday as a free teaser. ■ Hope Tschopik Schneider will facilitate a discussion of “The Cellist of Sarajevo” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, followed by KUSC DJ Brian Lauritzen and Salastina Music Society’s performance of the Prelude at 7:30 p.m. at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Admission’s free, but RSVP to (626) 683-3355. salastina.org, pasadenaconservatory.org, vromansbookstore.com

The Minneapolis soul sextet reaches back to Motown and ’70s groove masters for inspiration, with robust horn charts, keyboardist Kevin Gastonguay and drummer Reid Kennedy imbuing it with contemporary flair. In contrast, frontman Cameron Kinghorn’s smooth, nimble tenor resembles ’90s R&B crooners, which sometimes blunts the music’s force; the title track’s so sweet it’s cloying. More of the loose, hooky funk of “After Two,” a move-busting redo of “After One” from the band’s 2017 debut album featuring Vulfpeck guitarist Cory Wong, would be welcome.

Nookyjones.com

JOAN SHELLEY, Like the River Loves the Sea (No Quarter): ★★★½

Restraint’s been this Kentucky artist’s artistic weapon throughout five critically lauded albums, perhaps most movingly here. She roots her melodic constructs in natural, earthy details of home and everyday quiet while reaching across the ocean, recording in Reykjavik with co-producer James Elkington and Icelandic musicians whose feel and instrumentation (classical and resonator guitars, cello, harmonium, mandolin, piano, violin, Wurlitzer) ruggedly suggest the traditional music that is Shelley’s heritage. Highlights: “Haven,” the healing “Teal,” dreamy “High on the Mountain.” At Moroccan Lounge in Downtown LA Thursday, Oct. 3. joanshelley.net

JASON JAMES, Seems Like Tears Ago (Melodyville/Smith): ★★★

The baby-faced Austin crooner studied honky-tonk heroes like George Jones and Hank Williams well, absorbing their lessons of melodic resilience and lyrical simplicity for this solid trad country set. His limber vocal fillips on pedal steel-weeping ballads like “Achin’ Takin’ Place” and the catchy title track emulate Jones too closely, but his sincerity’s refreshing and stirs interest in his next effort.

RIYL midcentury-style country waltzes, shuffles, and arrangements. Highlights: “I Miss You After All,” “Coldest Day of the Year,” “Ole Used to Be.” Jasonjamesband.com k Saturday, Sept. 28. shanealexandermusic.com

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•CALENDAR• Thursday Oct. 03 through Wednesday Oct. 09 PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for Calendar submissions is noon Wednesday of the week before the issue publishes. Send to johns@ pasadenaweekly.com

THURSDAY Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 243-2539 • alextheatre.org Legendary composer and multi-instrumentalist Yanni will take the stage for an intimate evening at his piano. The concert starts at 8. Call for ticket prices or visit alextheatre.org.

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.

One Colorado 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena (626) 564-1066 • onecolorado.com Take the kids to the Buster Balloon Halloween Spooktacular from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 info@themixxpasadena.com Catch a performance by Novak “Melodius:” Kneeland at 8 p.m. the The Mixx. For ticket prices, call the club or visit their website.

Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 • vromansbookstore.com Fatima Bhutto discusses and signs “New Kings of the World: Dispatches from Bollywood, Dizi, and K-Pop” at 7 p.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. Visit the website for times and 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 Oct. 12.

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. Call or visit the website for ticket prices.

The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com L.A. GUNS, considered one of the great American hard rock bands of the last 30 years, performs. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. Opening sets by Wikkid Starr and Six Gun Sal. Tickets are $24/$28/$34, plus applicable fees.

Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 • vromansbookstore.com Don Bogen discusses and signs Immediate

Song: Poems” at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 243-2539 • alextheatre.org After sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall, the Barbican in London and the Sydney Opera House, Havasi comes to Los Angeles for the first time with an exclusive solo piano performance. The concert starts at 8 p.m. For ticket prices, call or visit the website.

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.

The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 info@themixxpasadena.com Treat yourself to show by Angela O’Neil and the Outrageous 8 at the Mixx from 8 to 11 p.m. For ticket prices, call the club or visit their website.

Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-7529 “Little Shop of Horrors” with some new twists continues through Oct. 17 with some new twists. Tickets start at $25 Pop Katoons Festival Pasadena Convention Center 300 E. Green St., Pasadena popkatoons.com.

The Pop Katoons Festival features fun for kids in a two-day event at the Pasadena Convention Center. It runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 per day for adults, $34 for children 3 to 10, or $40 for adults, $68 for children for the full weekend.

The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com\ See Greece’s most sought-after artist Nikos Oikonomopoulos performing live for the first time at The Rose. Call or visit the website for table reservations, tickets and other information.

Say NO to Bullying Festival Griffith Park 4730 Springs Drive, Los Angeles (800) 451-6434 • saynotobullying.org The Human Growth Foundation presents the fourth annual Say NO to Bullying Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Griffith Park. The event is an extravaganza meant to educate and empower victims of bullying of all ages. The festival features messages from bullying prevention advocates, plus hot musical performances, exhibits and resource booths, food and celebrities. Admission is free.

Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 • vromansbookstore.com Don Bogen discusses and signs “Immediate Song: Poems” at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY Concerts Under the Dome Mt. Wilson Observatory 100 Mount Wilson Red Box Road, Mt. Wilson mtwilson.edu/concerts The Mt. Wilson Observatory’s Concerts Under the Dome final 2019 concerts start at 3 and 5 p.m. The performance highlights Mozart and Brahms Quintets for clarinet and strings.

Performers are clarinetist Pierre Génisson, violinists Ambroise Auburn and Henry Gronnier, violist Virginie d’Avez’c and cellist Cécilia Tsan.

Tickets are $50 for each performance.

Huntington Library, Art Collections 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.

Jazz ‘n Paz The Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena (626) 296-9843 • jazznpaz.com The Jazz ‘n Paz series of jazz concerts opens at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena. This month’s performer is Gary Fukushima on keyboards, Miles Senzaki on drums and J.P. Maramba on bass. Tickets are $65 for the series of three concerts, or individual tickets for $28 in advance, $30 at the door.

The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com Half of Loggins & Messina, co-founder of the country-rock band Poco, and member and key contributor to Buffalo Springfield, Jim Messina comes to The Rose. Opening sets by Tisa Adamson and Lauren Waller. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and headliners perform at 9 p.m. Tickets are $28/$38/$48 plus applicable fees.

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.

Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 • vromansbookstore.com James Glisson an Jennifer A. Watts discuss and sign “Nineteen Nineteen,” published to accompany a centennial exhibition of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. The presentation begins at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY The Mixx Restaurant & Bar 443 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 500-0021 info@themixxpasadena.com Check out the Burton Zimmer Band featuring April Henry. The show is from 8 to 9 p.m., with an open mic from 9 p.m. to midnight. For ticket prices, call the club or visit their website.

WEDNESDAY 1881 1881 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 314-2077 • 1881pasadena.com Reggae Music Night, featuring the sounds of Calvin Banks & The Tellers, starts at 8 p.m.

Call the club or visit their website for more information.

Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale (818) 243-2539 • alextheatre.org Marking the release of her highly anticipated work, “Year of the Monkey,” singer, artist and author Patti Smith will sit down for an evening in conversation with the Los Angeles Times.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Call or visit the website for ticket prices.

The Blue Guitar Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena (323) 769-3500 • blueguitar.club Enjoy the special FAR-West Folk Alliance show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17/$12.

The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com Ride a mechanical bull at Borderline Country Night beginning at 6 p.m. Must show a valid ID. Dance Lessons at 6:30, 7:30 & 10pm. Tickets are $20 and $15. ■

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PW OPINION PW NEWS

PW LIFE

PW ARTS

•FILM•

BY JANA J. MONJI

Space Cadet ‘LUCY IN THE SKY’ IS A CASE IN WHICH AN EMBELLISHED STORY RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES IS LESS INTERESTING THAN THE STORY IT’S BASED ON

R

emember Lisa Marie Nowak, the astronaut who in 2007 drove from Texas to Florida, reportedly wearing diapers to save time on her way to kidnap and murder her romantic rival, US Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman?

Nowak was an astronaut on the Space Shuttle Discovery during its July 2006 mission. The object of the affections of both women was William Oefelein, who would later admit to a twoyear affair with the then-married Nowak, who had three children. The Nowaks divorced while Oefelein married Shipman in 2010.

In “Lucy in the Sky,” very loosely based on the famous astronaut love triangle, writers Brian C. Brown, Elliott DiGuiseppi and Noah Hawley, who also directs, change the names of characters involved in the real-life scandal and concoct a bewildering tale of infidelity, with Hawley's direction doing little to portray Nowak, with Natalie Portman playing spurned lover Lucy, as sympathetic.

The movie begins with Portman literally swallowed up by her giant spacewalk suit, floating while tethered to the space shuttle. Back in the vessel, Portman’s Lucy seems moody and a little spaced out while the rest of her crewmates are engaged with one another and their mission. Lucy returns to Earth after this transcendent experience and begins to lose touch with reality in a world that now seems too small. She works hard to ace all her post-journey tests so she can get back into space in three years.

Her husband Drew Cola (Dan Stevens) is a NASA PR person who smiles too much and too brightly, which is supposed to help us understand why Lucy falls out of love with him and goes for fellow astronaut Mark Goodwin (Jon Hamm). Soon enough, Goodwin fi nds Lucy is the one who is not good enough and goes for another woman who is not encumbered with a spouse.

None of this really works and people in the know about NASA will wonder why San Diego 20 PASADENA WEEKLY | 10.03.19

was substituted for Orlando. In fact, Portman doesn’t don a diaper throughout the fi lm. But these are really minor quibbles compared to the overall negative representation of female astronauts.

While the movie was still under development, Marsha Ivins, an astronaut who flew five space shuttle missions, wrote an article for Time magazine in March 2017 titled “What Hollywood Gets Wrong About Female Astronauts.”

Ivins responded to the “longstanding idea that says astronauts begin to lose their grip on reality after being in space for an extended period of time” and the suggestions that women returning from spacefl ight are “supposed to be different in some way from men returning from similar” experiences.

Ivins ended her piece writing, “All I can conclude is that perhaps an astronaut who loses his or her grip on reality after spending time in space wasn’t holding on too tightly to begin with.”

As A. A. Dowd of AV Club wrote recently, “Movies ripped from the headlines often play fast and loose with the real-life events they’re reenacting. But it’s rare to encounter one whose dramatic liberties actually result in a story less sensational, and less interesting, than the one presented by said headlines. That’s the perplexing case with ‘Lucy In The Sky,’” Dowd wrote.

The fact that the writers did not even use diapers in the story indicates that the goal was “to shine a sympathetic new light on a public figure who the culture treated like a punch line.

It’s why the diaper stuff had to go: Seeing her slip one of those on might risk more live-studioaudience laughter, when ‘Lucy In The Sky’ wants us to see her not as a joke but as a victim of impossible pressure, stifl ing domesticity, and institutional sexism,” Dowd wrote.

“Lucy in the Sky” opens nationwide Friday. ■

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8DAYS THURSDAY 10.03.19

Legendary composer and multi-instrumentalist Yanni will take the stage at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, for an intimate evening at his piano. The concert starts at 8 p.m.. Call (818) 243-2539 for ticket prices or visit alextheatre.org.

FRIDAY 10.04.19 Considered one of the great American hard rock bands of the last 30 years, L.A. GUNS performs at The Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. Opening sets by Wikkid Starr and Six Gun Sal. Tickets are $24/$28/$34, plus applicable fees. Call (888) 645-5006 or wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com for more information.

SATURDAY 10.05.19 The sci-fi musical favorite “Little Shop of Horrors” comes to 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 10.06.19 “Concerts In the Dome’s’” final 2019 concerts start at 3 and 5 p.m. at the Mt. Wilson Observatory, 100 Mount Wilson Red Box Road, Mt. Wilson. The performance highlights Mozart and Brahms Quintets for clarinet and strings.

Performers are clarinetist Pierre Génisson, violinists Ambroise Auburn and Henry Gronnier, violist Virginie d’Avez’c and cellist Cécilia Tsan. Tickets are $50 for each performance. Visit mtwilson.edu/concerts for more information.

MONDAY 10.07.19 James Glisson and Jennifer A. Watts discuss and sign “Nineteen Nineteen,” about the special centennial exhibit at Huntington Library, at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. Call (626) 449-5320 or visit vromansbookstore.com for more information.

TUESDAY 10.08.19 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 10.09.19 Singer, artist and author Patti Smith will sit down for an evening in conversation with the Los Angeles Times about the release the release of her highly anticipated work, “Year of the Monkey” at Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. The program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Call (818) 243-2539 or visit alextheatre.org for ticket prices.

THURSDAY 10.10.19 Former New York Times labor reporter Steve Greenhouse will be speaking at Occidental Colleges’s Choi Auditorium in Johnson Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. about his new book, “Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor.” Occidental College is at 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock. The event is free and open to the public. For more on Oxy, visit oxy.edu.

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CHOICE EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF 10.03–10.10

BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN

Pierre Génisson,

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