SUMO WRESTLERS AND COCKTAILS
Tae Kwon Do, sumo wrestlers and martial artists help the Pacific Asia Museum kick off its third season of Fusion Fridays, where you can get your art and a drink on all in one night. The evenings break from the museum norm with DJ Yuki spinning music in the courtyard, a cash bar and food trucks. Karaoke, live performances and even a fashion show will complement featured exhibits each night. Cocktail or Asian attire is encouraged for this indoor and outdoor event.
7:30-10:30 p.m., May 18, June 15, July 20 and August 17. $15. 46 N. Los Robles Ave. 626-449-2742, pacificasiamuseum.org
THE READING ROUNDTABLES
A good story doesn’t always come out of thin air. The Children’s Services Division of the South Pasadena Public Library will offer a series of three, hour-long reading roundtables in the library’s community room. Aspiring writers, ages 10-15 will work with mentors to discuss writings and how to become better writers and readers. Contact librarian Maida Wong for registration.
April 13, 20 and 27. Free. 1115 El Centro St., South Pasadena. 626-403-7358, cityofsouthpasadena.us/library
EARTH 2.0
If you’ve got your bags packed and are ready to land on Mars, don’t miss the update by Thomas Gautier on the latest discoveries from the Kepler mission. The mission is to survey the Milky Way to discover Earth-size and smaller planets that might be habitable. So far there are a few dozen discovered, so get on the boarding list.
May 10, 7 p.m. The von Kármán Auditorium at JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive. May 11, 7 p.m. The Vosloh Forum at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. jpl.nasa.gov
AN AMERICAN HEIRESS
Catherine Sloper will inherit a fortune from her ailing physician father. But the plain-looking young woman must live under his malevolent scrutiny, as well as his cold-hearted demeanor. The good doctor also disapproves of her passionate suitor, certain the penniless young man is after Catherine’s inheritance. When circumstances lead her to misinterpret the boyfriend’s intentions, “The Heiress” reaches an unforgettable conclusion. Richard Chamberlain, Heather Tom and Julia Duffy star. The director is Dámaso Rodriguez.
April 24 — May 20. $25-$100. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Ave. 626-356-7529, pasadenaplayhouse.org
A RUSSIAN SPRING
In Anton Chekov’s “The Boor,” a Russian widow passionately mourns her husband as only a Russian widow can. Her lamentations are interrupted by a no-nonsense landlord who matches her step for step. “A Marriage Proposal” gives us Russian courtship at a fever pitch. Barry Gordon, Mary Chalon, James Calvert Marisa Chandler and Lance Davis star in this pair of one-acts at Lineage Performing Arts Center.
April 21, 22, 28, 29 and May 5,6. $20. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks. 626-403-7667, www.parsonsnose.com
MOCKING DEMOCRACY
Capitol Steps, a troupe of former Congressional staffers, returns to Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium for the 18th year. Putting the “mock” in democracy, the Steps leave no issue untouched with A special brand of satirical humor and scathing parody. They monitor events and personalities on Capitol Hill, in the Oval Office, and in other centers of power and prestige around the world and then present a humorous look at American politics.
May 5, 6. $28-$38. 332 S. Michigan Ave. 626-395-4652; caltech.edu
