Back in March, multi-institutional ArtNight, a popular twice-yearly event in which buses spent an evening shuttling hundreds of passengers to and from the city’s numerous art venues, was just days away from its springtime opening.
Then it happened.
At the City Council’s Monday meeting a few days beforehand, Pasadena Public Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh introduced those in attendance and watching at home to the novel coronavirus, which by then was ravaging parts of China and Europe, particularly Italy.
At the time, there were no plans to cancel ArtNight. But it soon became clear that having people squeezing into buses and milling around art galleries simply was not possible.
“While the City Health Officer has not directed us to cancel this event, the city is concerned that ongoing community perception of current health issues will reduce attendance as well as limit the number of volunteers available to provide staffing,” Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian said in a statement issued by City Hall.
“A number of participating venues have also expressed concerns over health issues as well as over reduced attendance,” Derderian said.
By the end of the week, it was clear: The show could not go on.
Much has happened since then, mostly bad, but some good, one being the use of virtual means to interact and enjoy the things that COVID-19 could not kill — in this case Pasadena’s love for the arts.
Today, city officials are putting on ArtNight’s fall show, which will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Only now, the event is virtually all virtual, which has actually allowed more organizations to participate and has increased the number of exhibitions that can be enjoyed by adults and children.
For the Kids
The artWORKS Teen Center will be showcasing the evolving artistry of Carlos Villegas. For more information, visit http://artworkspasadena.com/
Pasadena Central Library’s Interactive offering features Theatre Americana presenting Guardians of the Literary Galaxy, Defenders of the Dewey Decimal System, as well as Library staff presenting stories, music, crafts, Pasadena historical photos, and more. For more information, visit https://www.cityofpasadena.
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will present “No Boundaries,” featuring the works of the student artists involved in “Bridging Boundaries,” a projected exhibition of artwork selected by Pasadena Arts & Culture Commissioners from “No Boundaries 15.” Visit their website for more information at https://www.pusd.us/Page/8311
For Adults
A Room to Create is a 20-year-old company showing a mixture of five shows with companies they have worked with over those years. The Pennington Dance Group presents a kinetic evening of recorded dance works, music, and dialogues with local dance and performing artists. Visit their website for more information at https://www.arcpasadena.org/
ArtCenter College of Design’s Virtual ArtNight offerings include “Up All Night,” documentation of the summer’s street-facing window videos at ArtCenter DTLA and Mullin Gallery — art focused on staying awake and active through the nights of COVID-19 isolation. Take a video walkthrough SKY, the Williamson Gallery’s haiku-like immersive art-and-astronomy exhibition that expands awareness of what’s above and below, blurring boundaries along the way.
At HMCT Gallery, glimpse Great Writers/Orators/Artists videos by ArtCenter graduate graphic design students under Professor Ty Drake, also viewable outside through the gallery windows.
Experience Upgrade Available, artist Julia Christensen’s meditation at the Mullin Gallery on the cultural and personal impacts of upgrade culture — the need to constantly upgrade our electronics to remain relevant. Visit their website for more information at http://www.artcenter.edu/
At Boston Court Pasadena, join artist Rebecca Bruno and Art Upfront curator Jamie Costa for a virtual conversation about Bruno’s practice and new site-specific work in her forthcoming exhibition at Boston Court Pasadena. Accompanying this conversation is the virtual debut of the artist’s new video work “When it Happens,” featured in the exhibition. Visit their website for more information at http://www.
At the California Art Club site, view the short film by Cheryl Nathan in which celebrated California Art Club members Andrea Mosley, Bill Stout, and Michael Obermayer discuss their creative processes and their choice to do traditional fine art today. Visit their website for more information at https://www.californiaartclub.
Lineage Performing Arts Center presents a selection of dance, music, and virtual tours of the newly completed Lineage Performing Arts Center on Lake Avenue in Northwest Pasadena. Visit their website for more information at https://www.lineagepac.org/
MUSE/IQUE presents a virtual look at Latin Jazz and salsa dancing to energize the spirit virtually. They will bring world-class artists; you bring your dancing shoes! Visit their website for more information at http://www.muse-ique.com/
At Pasadena City College, join a virtual exhibition of organic sculptures Blood and Bones by Jacci Den Hartog, 2020 Artist-in-Residence at PCC. Enjoy the companion exhibition “Yo Am; I Soy: The Art of Abel Alejandre & Eloy Torrez.” Visit their website for more information at https://pasadena.edu/
Lineage Dance Company explores the intersection of architecture and movement through a special dance performance recorded in and around the spaces of the Gamble House. Visit their website for more information at https://gamblehouse.org/
For Kids and Adults
Enjoy a mesmerizing live weaving performance at the Armory Center by Tanya Aguiñiga, art workshops with Armory teaching artists, Boom online exhibitions by Armory teens, and music by Los Jornaleros del Norte. Visit their website for more information at https://www.armoryarts.org/
Light Bringer Project presents “Art of These Extraordinary Times: A Photo Retrospective of Chalk Murals from Pasadena Chalk’s Virtual Festival,” featuring hundreds of artists from SoCal and around the globe and a variety of masterful murals, with memorials to Kobe, Taylor, Floyd, and Arbery, accompanied by original music performed by Lucas aka Heaven. Visit their website for more information at https://www.
Parson’s Nose Theater features Parson’s Nose Radio Theater! “A Taste of Shakespeare,” “Wind in the Willows,” Mark Twain and many more. Visit their website for more information at https://www.parsonsnose.org/
Pasadena Conservatory Of Music has classical, jazz, and multicultural content performed by talented students and faculty. Also featuring the ever-enchanting accordion and violin duo, Café Luar. Visit their website for more information at https://pasadenaconservatory.
Pasadena Playhouse’s PlayhouseLive is the new digital hub of theater experiences, live-captured performances, original series, educational programming, and other industry-related content. Visit their website for more information at https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.
At the Shumei Arts Council enjoy Japanese taiko drumming featuring Makoto Taiko, Ikebana flower arranging demonstrations, and An Autumn Tea Ceremony in Shumei Hollywood Garden. Visit their website for more information at http://www.shumeiarts.org/
USC Pacific Asia Museum learn how to make Indonesian-inspired paper shadow puppets and hear the book “The Cat from Hunger Mountain” by Ed Young. Visit their website for more information at https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.
For more on Virtual ArtNight, visit https://www.cityofpasadena.
