The best of what’s new to do: Sept. 7-9

SL07-TAKERUBES1

THE BEST OF WHAT’S NEW TO DO THIS WEEKEND RUBIN ON ‘RUBES’ Nobody finds more fun and inspiration in dogs, cows, cats, kids, religion, weird and quirky people and just plain life in general like cartoonist Leigh Rubin. His daily comic panel, “Rubes,” which appears in the Pasadena Star News seven days a week, features animals taking on humanlike attitudes and people behaving oddly. “A Twisted Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste” is Rubin’s one-hour plus comic presentation that … [Read more...]

What’s new to do: right now, Sept. 6

STAGE CARRIE HAMILTON THEATRE 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. 626-356-7529. “Bend in the Road,” a new musical version of “Anne of Green Gables,” opens Sept. 15-Oct. 7. Previews are $10, 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 1 p.m. Sept. 15. Regular price tickets are $20-$25 and may be ordered at bendintheroadtickets. eventbrite.com/. Most shows are 7 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. pasadenaplayhouse.org. Nearby ALEX THEATRE 216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale. 818-243-2539. Musical Theatre Guild … [Read more...]

Brewing up your own read at Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse

Jenny Wannier holds books published in the Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse. Photo by Walt Mancini

ESPRESSO BOOK MACHINE Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge 818-790-0717; www.flintridgebooks.com.   By Michelle J. Mills In 2009, a runaway truck destroyed Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse in La Cañada Flintridge, but the rebirth from the rubble has produced a stronger and more unique store. Open for more than a year at its new location, just two doors down from the original site, the venue has expanded its services to become … [Read more...]

Celebrating Marilyn Monroe 50 years after her death

Photographer George Barris, 90, recalls his time with Marilyn Monroe. Photo by Gabriel Luis Acosta

MARILYN MONROE George Barris signs copies of his book “Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words: Marilyn Monroe’s Revealing Last Words and Photographs” 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday Aug. 4. ‘Marilyn: The Exhibit’ features iconic photos by George Barris. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Sept. 2 Both events take place at the Hollywood Museum, 1660 Highland Ave., Hollywood. $15 museum admission 323-464-7776.  www.thehollywood.museum.com   By Michel … [Read more...]

From the Starship Enterprise to Shakespeare

Tessa Thompson and Michael Dorn star as daughter and father in “As You Like It” at the Veterans Administration West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Campus July 10-29. Photo by Ed Krieger.

AS YOU LIKE IT 8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday July 10- July 29 Japanese Garden, Veterans Administration West Los Angeles Healthcare Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles $25-$50; free for active military, veterans and their guests, with reservations 213-481-2273 www.shakespearecenter.org By Michelle J. Mills,SGVN twitter.com/mickieszoo You probably know him as Lieutenant Commander J.G. Worf of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek Deep Space Nine,” but Michael Dorn … [Read more...]

Irish tradition is played with strings and stories

Legends of the Celtic Harp will appear at Caltech July 7

  LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC HARP Caltech’s Beckman Institute Auditorium, 400 S. Wilson Ave., Pasadena 8 p.m. Saturday, July 7 $20 626-395-4652; www.folkmusic.caltech.edu By Jim McConnell There’s a little bit of heaven known as Irish music. And what would heaven be without harps? Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter will bring their strings to Caltech on July 7 as part of the Caltech Folk Music Society’s ongoing series of concerts. The show is “Legends of the … [Read more...]

Double your pleasure: Shakespeare and Joe the Ventriloquist

SL29-TAKE5VENTRIL

First: Little Candle Productions debuts with “The Winter’s Tale” — Shakespeare’s work of drama, comedy and romance featuring local young actors — plays for a single night, at 8 p.m. Friday June 29  at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale. $20-$35. 818-243-2359; www.littlecandleproductions.com. Second: Think how much wackier a Shakespeare farce would be if it included a ventriloquist, someone like Joe Gandelman, a former newspaper man, who is bringing his friends — … [Read more...]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Cal Phil to open in its new digs

Vanessa

The USC Marching Band brings the brass — and the winds and the drums — to the opening of the 2012 California Philharmonic’s Festival of the Green season Saturday June 30 in the orchestra’s new summer home: The Santa Anita Racetrack. Pop singer Vanessa Carlton will be part of the musical lineup, and the orchestra will play works by Shostakovich, Respighi and Smetana. The concert starts at 8 p.m. but gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnics, pony rides, a playground, a musical instrument … [Read more...]

WHAT’S NEW TO DO: LIVE MUSIC AND FIREWORKS, STARTING JUNE 29

MUSIC Shows may be subject to last-minute changes. Call before you go. ARCADIA Lawn between City Hall and the Police Department, 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. Free summer concert series: 1st Marine Division Band; 6:30 p.m. Thursday July 5. AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. 323-667-2000. Sizzling Summer Nights: Chino Espinosa y Los Dueños del Son; 6-9 p.m. July 5. $7. AutryNationalCenter.org. CALTECH Beckman Institute Auditorium 400 S. Wilson Ave., … [Read more...]

Music: What’s new to do, starting June 22

Music: Where to hear live music in the San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, and Whittier areas for the week beginning June 22. BALDWIN PARK Morgan Park, Cesar E. Chavez Amphitheater, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd. No Duh; 7 p.m. Thursday June 28. CALTECH Beckman Institute Auditorium 400 S. Wilson Ave., Pasadena. 626-395-4652. Celtic musicians Claire Mann and Aaron Jones; 8 p.m. June 22. $15; $5 for those under 12 and Caltech students. Purchase tickets in advance or at the door. CLAREMONT … [Read more...]