The South Pasadena Arts Crawl, the quarterly “Neighborhood Night-on-the-Town” event, takes place on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (DOWNLOAD MAP HERE) The event takes advantage of the Valentine holiday using the theme, “All You Need is Love,” hoping to spread a feeling of community. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and produced by SPACE, the Crawl welcomes people of all ages to a free night of art activities, live music, gallery exhibitions, open houses, and sales throughout the business district.
Businesses and organizations express the neighborly love theme in a variety of ways. SPARC, which has galleries at two venues, will be ”Igniting Creativity and Illuminating the Arts” in the City Hall courtyard with artist Aaron Therol creating a unique, love-themed interactive light sculpture and other surprises. At the De Milo Design Studio event-goers can print a Valentine poem on their vintage 1870 Franklin Gordon press. SPACE offers a heart-themed family art activity on the patio of the new Jones Coffee which opens this spring. Jones will also have a pop-up “shop window” art show. Mosaic screens the romantic film “The Notebook” at the historic Rialto Theatre at 7 p.m. Childcare is provided, and there will be special concessions, a couples’ photo booth and more, with a suggested donation of $3. Hotbox Vintage hosts an event by Crafted Living, “Sip, Shop & Make,” where you can craft your heart out with a tag & favor workshop.
Many venues offer live music and other activities. The South Pasadena Public Library features the documentary “Chasing Trane” at 7 p.m. about the legendary John Coltrane followed by a Q & A with its filmmaker John Scheinfeld. Doors open at 6 p.m. with jazz paintings by Sam Pace on display and a performance by Mark Hatch and Group 5. Kidd’s Jewelry Heist and the Dinosaur Farm also offer live music featuring the pop/soul singer songwriter Caitlin Eadie at 8 p.m. The Dinosaur Farm also presents face painting and a 15 percent-off sale. Handle Gift and Homewares provides live music by Winter River, a cellist and guitar duo, while Moji’s, formerly Duncan Taylor, offers a live performance by jazz pianist Luke Sterling, and a raffle to win cask furniture. Picky Jane Vintage presents a variety of activities including a market with Mexican handicrafts and vintage clothing, live music by jazz singer Bryte Darden, and a fashion show. Retreat offers a jewelry trunk show with Amanda K. Lochrow and a performance by singer-songwriter Jackson Mankowski.
There are many art exhibits and arts and crafts sales during the event. At the South Pasadenan/Nexusplex headquarters, there will be an exclusive pop up show of the photographic exhibition “CELEBRATE HOPE: The Obama White House Collection by Anna Wilding.” SPARC Gallery @ the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce shows the work of Merwin Belin’s “What’s News – The Front Pages of Merwin Belin,” while at the South Pasadena City Hall, event-goers can view Jose Ramirez’s paintings “Art for the People,” as well as “Into the Unknown – A Portrait of South Pasadena,” photographs by Cyndi Bemel.
Sugarmynt Gallery presents “Villains,” a group art show with Jimi Martinez, Stacy Bates, Mar Stracciatell, Suzanna Nalbandian, Wooly Gardner, Sherri Rogers, Kaijukat, Crude Inc., Lori Herbst, Doug Alvarez, Vanessa Seixas, and Elaine Waterman. Bissell House Bed & Breakfast features an open House from 2 – 7 p.m. in the 1887 historic home with refreshments and a sale of Victorian antiques and handcrafted jewelry. The Artisans’ Alley, by the Walking Man sculpture at Meridian Ave. and Mission Street, showcases a variety of art, crafts, and gifts including Carissa Weber Art, Bellagazoo, One Dae Handmade, Polyfaction, Precious Few on Earth, SYL Design Studios, Beyond Blue Ceramics, Spirit Jewelry, SOPA Studios, Sonali Kolhatkar, and Artspetite.
Dual Crossroads presents a book signing and reading by CE Clayton, author of “The Monster of Selkirk” fantasy series. Old Focals features artist Will Batts, plus a 20-percent discount off eyeglass frames. Peltier Interiors exhibits “Visions of California”, new paintings by Laurie Hendricks, and offers a “For the Love of Home” sample sale.
Rosebuds and Rosestuds’ new owners, will be exhibiting classic car paintings by Harold Voelker and offering a sale. Sincerely, Vave hosts an evening of “Flowers, Magic and Meditation,” celebrating their new meditation space with Ollo Collective and Good Witch L.A.
Camille DePedrini offers a 15-percent discount sale and hosts Tassel, based at South Pas High, with a craft activity to fundraise for Cambodian children.
Videotheque plays Valentine-themed films including the Peanuts’ “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” television special.
Patrons can park in the Mission/Meridian Parking lot (north of Mission Street, on Meridian), and walk to the more than 30 participating shops and boutiques. The Metro Gold Line South Pasadena Station will put you right in the heart of the event.
The quarterly Arts Crawls are presented by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and produced by SPACE, to provide a showcase for artists and musicians and to highlight the city’s unique business district.
More information can be found online at www.SouthPasadena.net, or visit the Facebook page “Arts Crawl South Pasadena”.
