What’s Happening Highlights: June 16-20

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Pops, Twists And Kabooms

The Pasadena POPS kicks off its summer concert series in a grand way on Saturday night. The symphony will be performing at its new home, the lawn next to the Rose Bowl. The POPS’s program will include selections from Carmen, the “Firebird Suite,” the Nutcracker and Swan Lake. The night will also feature a performance by the acclaimed acrobatic troupe Cirque de la Symphonie as well as a fireworks display, plus the Kidspace Children’s Museum will be doing some family fun activities before the show. Tickets range from $25-$90.
When: 7:30 p.m. (concert starts) Sat., June 19
Where: Lawn adjacent to the Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Contact: 626-793-7172, www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org

Is Your Dad a Chaplin or a Bond?

Sunday is Father’s Day (hopefully, this isn’t coming as a surprise). The June issue of L.A. Parent listed a number of things to do to salute Dad. One old-school Hollywood way to celebrate would be by heading to the Aero Theatre. The American Cinematheque is offering an afternoon show and a nighttime program that should cover the day whether your dad is a Charlie Chaplin or a James Bond. It’s comedy in the afternoon with Charlie Chaplin’s classic The Kid, along with 1918 film A Dog’s Life. The evening offers more action with James Bond double-bill Goldfinger and Thunderball. Tickets cost $11 for adults and $9 for students.
When: 3 p.m. (Chaplin) and 7:30 p.m. (Bond), Sun. June 20
Where: Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
Contact: 323-466-FILM,  www.americancinematheque.com

A World of Music In Pasadena

The streets of Pasadena will be filled with music June 19 as the Make Music Pasadena returns to celebrate World Music Day. Over 300 cities around the globe will be participating in this “Fête de la Musique” event. This local daylong free festival features musical sounds that cover an international range of styles. Stages set up around Pasadena including spots in Old Pasadena, the Playhouse District and at the Levitt Pavilion (whose own summer series kicks of June 23). Besides music, Pasadena streets (at the Paseo Colorado) will be filled with chalk as the annual Chalk Festival happens this weekend too.
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat. June 19
Where: Various places, Pasadena
Contact: www.makemusicpasadena.org

What’s Happening Highlights: April 28-May 2

Viva Los Niños

This weekend, the Día del Niños Festival returns to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This Children’s Day celebration is so big that it needs two days. The fifth annual festival features an array of performances from local youths that reflect a globe-spanning selection of cultures. There will be West African drum and dance, hula and Tahitian dance, Mexican folkloric dance and a youth mariachi, traditional Japanese dance, an international children’s choir and more. Kids also can participate in painting an ocean mural and do other arts & crafts. Aquarium admission is $23.95 for adults and $11.95 children 3-11; however, for this special children’s event, a free kid’s admission coupon (valid with a regular adult admission) can be found on the aquarium’s site.
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., May 1 and 2
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Contact: 562-590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org

Game On

Popular board games will “come to life” at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios on Sunday.  The second annual Game Day will feature giant versions of your favorite board games. It’s a chance to meet Dora or SpongeBob, dance to music, create arts and crafts, decorate cupcakes, mingle with celebrities and more. It’s all to benefit the Lollipop Theater Network, a nonprofit organization that brings movie magic to hospitalized kids across the country through special group and bedside screenings. Adult tickets cost $200 and $75 for children 3-13.
When: noon-4 p.m. Sun., May 2
Where: Nickelodeon Animation Studios, 231 W. Olive Ave., Burbank
Contact: http://lollipopgameday2010.eventbrite.com/

From Pasadena To Pakistan

The Pacific Asia Museum hosts a special afternoon saluting the people and culture of Pakistan. This free family festival features live music, hands-on crafts, dance, demonstrations and more. You can color you own miniature artwork, taste Pakistani cuisine and listen to bhangra music. It’s a terrific, and fun opportunity to learn about Pakistani culture as well as the museum. If you come early enough, you can hear Sunny Stevenson tell tales from Pakistan during the Silk Road Storytime from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
When: noon-4 p.m., Sun. May 2
Where: Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena
Contact: 626-449-2742, pacificasiamuseum.org

Cheap Sweet Treat

This Wednesday night, Baskin-Robbins around the Southland will be serving up ice cream for a charitable cause. The fourth annual 31 Cent Scoop Night raises money and awareness for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, an organization that honors fallen fire fighters and helps their families. The iconic ice cream stores are offering 2.5 oz. scoops of ice creams for only 31 cents (with a three scoop limit), and Baskin-Robbins will donate $100,000 to the charity. You might even meet one of your local firefighters scooping ice cream for you.
When: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 28
Where: All Baskin-Robbins locations
Contact: www.baskinrobbins.com/31cent

What’s Happening?

“Mom, what are we going to do today?” How often do you hear that question? Or wonder yourself? With a city – and a world, for that matter – ready to reveal its shiny, scenic and artsy corners, this blog will hopefully help guide you on your way.

Have a suggestion? A hot tip? A cool outing or destination to tell people about? Let me know!

– Carolyn Graham, Editor