31st Occasional Doo Dah

What happened last November, in the streets of Old Town? Where were the irreverent presidential impersonators? Not a peep from the reclinable armchair on wheels? Where was the popular Briefcase Drill Team? You thought you missed the Doo Dah Parade, right? It's actually taking place tomorrow, January 20 at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will start off on Raymond Avenue at the Pasadena Senior Center, which is just a couple of blocks north of Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena, and head west onto Colorado Boulevard.

It's a popular Pasadena treat for the entire family. If you haven't been to the parade, then bring your lawn chair and camcorder. It's a carnival-like showing of the quirky, weird and colorful, and I don't just mean the costumes. Be prepared to participate in the world's largest public wedding shower, which will be recorded for the Guinness Book of World Records, says Ellen Snortland (Pasadena Weekly, Jan. 17). In lieu of shower gifts, consider showering "a nonprofit documentary at www.beautybitesbeast.org and donate the cost of a spatula, blender or event a new car! Whatever's comfortable for you."

And, check out the pre-parade pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., held at the Pasadena Senior Center. It's all you can eat at $6.oo, which includes ham, sausage and scrambled eggs. Yum! For more information, contact the PSC Welcome Desk or call (626) 795-4331.

Rose Bowl Open House: 10/27

In case you haven't seen the blinking roadside displays, The Rose Bowl is having an Open House this Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

I read in cyberspace somewhere (I forget), that there will be a tour of the stadium and free hotdogs. I have not confirmed whether that is true, but it's worth dropping by, I'm sure. Then afterwards, you might enjoy a stroll or jog around the stadium perimeter, joining a number of exercising regulars.

ArtPerformance Review: Jessica Fichot

Among many other KCRW "Eclectic" artists who performed on stage at the One Colorado Courtyard last Sunday, October 14, I managed to catch French Singer Jessica Fichot and her band. Her smooth, creamy vocals conjures a sensuality that comes from an artist who breathes both innocence and French vixen in every note. At times, I closed my eyes and images of a French countryside and a finger running across a Mandolin string lingered in my mind, while listening under the canopied biergarten during the roughly too-short 45-minute set. In listening through the CD, Fichot's vocals conjure influences from French chanteuse Carla Bruni, but without the velvety rasp, and Kate Bush, when singing in Chinese. I found myself melting away and forgetting all the hustle and bustle of all the other Art Weekenders walking around the outer rim, perusing fine art for sale at booths satelliting the performance area.

Here's a video clip of Jessica's Fichot's Pasadena Art Weekend performance. Appologies for the fuzziness and ambient noise!



You can also sample music from her album at her MySpace page. By the way, I might have skipped Fichot's performance if not for the samples I heard on MySpace, which is a testament to the power of putting audio or video samples of your work on a Web page!

My favorite tracks at the moment are "Un Deux Trois 1 2 3" and "Si." Impressively, she sings in French, English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish in her album.

I never purchase music from live performances at festivals, but I knew I had become a new fan by the end of the set. I made a bee-line to the merchandise table where I purchased her CD for $12 ($13++, Amazon.com). The statuesque chanteuse was gracious enough to sign my CD, between breaking down her stage and trying to get out of the way for the next band up. If you can manage it, check out Jessica Fichot next Saturday, October 20 (12 noon) at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Thanks to Laurie Bernt for the referral!

Old Town Haunt

Anybody in the mood for a haunted house? There are several in Pasadena, either by legend or for commercial purposes. I'm just going to talk about this one because it seems very professionally (i.e. commercially) organized.

"old Town Haunt"

Thur 10-11 to Sun 10-14
Thur 10-18 to Sun 10-21
Thur 10-25 to Sat 11-3

Tickets cost $13.50 per person, or $18.50 VIP. The VIP tickets gets you to the front of the line and apparently, you get access to special areas that the rest of the public does not. The walk-through takes 15-20 minutes. I've never been personally, but it sounds like a fun, convenient event to get into the Halloween mood.

Get discounted VIP tickets for $9.25 at my favorite online event ticketing outlet for Pasadena events: Goldstar Events

Thursday, Oct. 11 @ 7pm-10pm
Friday, Oct. 12 @ 7pm-Midnight
Saturday, Oct. 13 @ 7pm-Midnight
Sunday, Oct. 14 @ 7pm-10pm

Starting October 13, "Old Town Haunt" will open up a toned-down, "matinee" version for kids 4-11. Tickets are $8.50 per child, or $4.25 at Goldstar Events. Weekends only: Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 from 12 to 4pm.

I look forward to finding out from others if this event is truly worth it.

13th Annual Kidspace Pumpkin Festival

Cool! Something to take my son to for his first Halloween as a toddler. There always seems to be some sort of carnival every weekend at Brookside Park near Kidspace Children's Museum... This event is basically a carnival "with rides, game booths, costume parades and live stage performances, the Pumpkin Festival takes place over two days in Brookside Park in front of Kidspace."

October 27 9:30am - 6pm
October 28 9:30am - 5pm

Free admission. Tickets must be purchased onsite for individual rides, games, crafts, and activities.

Click here for more information: Kidspace Children's Museum Pumpkin Festival Info.

Parking Information: Park at parking lot "I", which is the first parking lot across from the Soccer field at the Rose Bowl. If it overflows, you'll have to try your luck at scattered locations in and around the Bowl.

Click here for the map: Kidspace Children's Museum