Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, May 5-12.
Raise a glass to the 1862 Mexican victory over French troops and celebrate Mexican culture at the many Cinco de Mayo parties in the San Gabriel Valley.
Have fun at the Cinco de Mayo Festival in South El Monte with live performances, a boxing show and food vendors, 6-9 p.m. May 5. Free admission. South El Monte Community Center, 1530 Central Ave. 626-579-2043.
Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl, the second-annual event, 1-7 p.m. May 6. The family-friendly event includes family fitness activities, live music, a youth soccer tournament, a marketplace and screenings of “Coco” (2017) and “Encanto” (2021). Free but reservations are requested on the website. Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. Details on the website: bit.ly/41ZzXwp
Los Angeles County Fair: The fair’s theme this year is “Spring into Fair,” May 5-29. Admission is available online now for discount. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission online $15/$18/$21 (depending on date); ages 60 and older and ages 6-12 admission online $10/$12 (depending on date). Admission at the gate $30; $15 ages 60 and older and ages 6-12. Parking in advance online $17; $22 at the gate. Also, Fairplex is a cashless venue. Some concessionaires and vendors may accept cash, but credit or debit card is preferred. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. www.lacountyfair.com
West Covina Farmers Market: Shop for in-season fruits and vegetables, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 6 (and also on most Saturdays). The market also offers prepared foods and artisan crafts. EBT is accepted. Location, 195 Glendora Ave., West Covina. For more information, email: Fmlcevendor@gmail.com. Check here for updates: www.facebook.com/westcovinafarmersmarket
Family art workshop at the Huntington: Get inspired at a collage art workshop, 9:30 a.m.-noon May 6. Start at the gallery with a talk about Los Angeles-based artist Njideka Crosby’s collage-based paintings and end with a workshop where children can create their own self-portrait collage. All materials provided. This program is for children ages 7-11. Fee $45, for one child plus an accompanying adult, as well as admission to The Huntington. The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, email mahverdyan@huntington.org. huntington.org. Reservations: huntington.org/event/family-workshop-collage-creation
Renaissance Pleasure Faire: Immerse yourself in the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and have some fun with cosplay of the time period, speaking the lingo, shopping in the marketplace, listening to music and laughing at performances, Saturday-Sunday, to May 21. Fun dress code: period “faire” costume (optional). Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $42; $21 ages 5-12; $225 season pass. There is a mandatory entry fee $12 to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation area. Parking is free, first-come, first served; VIP parking $25 (must be purchased in advance online). Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale. 626-969-4750. renfair.com/socal
Vroman’s Bookstore: Stephen Buoro discusses “The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa,” 1 p.m. May 6 (on Crowdcast; register for the link: bit.ly/41Xl51g). Mona Gable discusses “Searching for Savanna — The Murder of One Native American Woman and the violence Against the Many,” 7 p.m. May 9. Vanessa Wilkie discusses “A Woman of Influence: The Spectacular Rise of Alice Spencer in Tudor England,” 7 p.m. May 11. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com
The Pasadena Chorale: “Brahms and Beyond,” at 7:30 p.m. May 6. Enjoy some of Brahms’ most beloved choral works and explore the music of living composers influenced and inspired by the German composer. Admission is free but ticket reservations are required. First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. pasadenachorale.org
Pasadena City College Flea Market: Find antiques, vintage collectibles, new treasures or vinyl records, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 7. Free admission. Upcoming dates: June 4; July 2. Use the parking structure #5 on Bonnie Avenue ($2). The market is in outdoor parking lots 1, 3 (on Hill Avenue) and also in parking lot structure #4 (levels 2 and 3; Del Mar Boulevard). The college is located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-585-7906. Email: fleamarket@pasadena.edu. pasadena.edu/community/flea-market. Updates, www.facebook.com/pccfleamarket
Home Sweet Monrovia: Save the date for the 39th annual tour of vintage homes curated by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group. Explore Monrovia’s rich architectural heritage, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. Houses include: an 1887 Queen Anne; 1900s Craftsman homes; a 1931 Spanish Colonial Revival; an 1885 Eastlake Victorian. The Monrovia Historical Museum and Anderson House Museum will also be open for viewing. Tickets are $25 advance; $30 on event day (purchase on the website or at Charlie’s House, 430 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia). mohpg.org
For little gardeners: Get an inspiring view seated in front of Diego Rivera’s “The Flower Vendor” as you listen to “The Little Gardener” by Emily Hughes, during “Stories in the Afternoon,” 3 p.m. May 7. Ideal for ages 4-8. Storytime is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up at the Information Desk when the museum opens. Free with museum admission. Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org
Octavia’s Bookshelf: Denise Crittendon discusses “Where It Rains in Color,” 6 p.m. May 9. Location, 1361 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. 626-421-6222. octaviasbookshelf.com
Duarte Farmers Market: is open from 4 to 7:30 p.m. May 10 (and most other Wednesdays). Southeast corner of the Santa Teresita Assisted Living parking lot, 819 Buena Vista St., Duarte. duartechamber.com/duarte-farmers-market. Updates on Facebook: bit.ly/41OI0wJ
Music on Main: The city of El Monte brings music to its farmers market, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Mariachi Divas celebrates Mother’s Day on May 11 and 4 The People takes the stage on May 25. Main Street between Santa Anita and Tyler avenues, El Monte. For more information, 626-580-2200. ci.el-monte.ca.us
Just Like Heaven Fest: The lineup includes Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT, Azealia Banks, Future Islands, Empire of the Sun, M83, Hot Chip, Caribou and the Walkmen, noon-11 p.m. May 13. Tickets $369 or $389 VIP (plus fees); $649 Clubhouse (all general admission tickets are sold out). No refunds. Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. justlikeheavenfest.com
Whittier’s Founders Day Community Picnic: The Whittier Historical Society and city of Whittier present the picnic, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 13. The event includes living history performers, live music, vintage car display, crafts, lawn games, a slam poetry contest and vendors. There will also be a beard and mustache competition. The city of Whittier was incorporated in 1898 and was named in honor of the Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Fun dress code: 1890s period attire. Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave. 562-945-3871. Details: bit.ly/42daz6Z
San Gabriel Fire Department’s Fire Service Day: Event includes tours, mock firefighting demonstrations, paramedics demonstrations and fire safety information, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 13. Station 51, 1303 S. Del Mar Ave., San Gabriel. SanGabrielCity.com
Mount Wilson Observatory’s Concerts in the Dome: The Lounge Art Ensemble of Peter Erskine on drums, Bob Sheppard on saxophone and Darek Oles on bass takes the stage, so to speak, within the 100-inch dome at 3 and 5 p.m. May 14. Tickets $55. Notes on attending the concerts: Access to the dome performance level is by a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is a mile high in elevation so the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access. No children ages 12 and younger are permitted. Angeles Crest Highway (CA Highway 2) from the 210 Freeway at La Cañada Flintridge (use the map here: www.mtwilson.edu/1map). For more information, mtwilson.edu. Details and purchase tickets: www.mtwilson.edu/events/sunday-afternoon-concert-in-the-dome-may-14-tbd/
Ongoing
Pasadena Showcase House of Design: The 58th showcase highlights the talents of 32 interior and exterior designers who have transformed the Stewart House, a 1933 Pasadena colonial estate designed by Marston & Maybury. The estate is open for tours through May 21. Explore more than 30 design spaces and check out 20 boutique shops vendors, two restaurants, a wine bar and more than two-acres of gardens. Tour hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tour tickets are by a timed entry: $40 (1:30-4 p.m.); $50 (9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); $35 (“Happy Hour,” 4 p.m. to closing). Parking and shuttles depart from Santa Anita Race Track, Gate 6 Lot on Colorado Place. Proceeds from the tours of the house go to fund three music programs. For more information, pasadenashowcase.org
Pasadena Tournament of Roses House: The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association offers free guided tours, 2 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 31. The Tournament House tours reveals little-known facts and trivia and also includes the Wrigley Gardens. Explore the house that has served as headquarters for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Reservations are required for the hour-long tours. For groups of 10 or more, call 626-449-4100 or email membership@tournamentofroses.com. Book a tour here: tournamentofroses.com/house-tours
Book a castle visit: Rubel Castle is an elaborate folk-art medieval castle in the foothills of Glendora, with five-story tall towers solidly built out of junk and river rocks by the late Michael Rubel and his friends. The castle offers eight scheduled tours each month. Tours are two hours long. Admission is $20 for adults; $10 ages 8-18. The property is not Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible; see website for details. Rubel Castle, 844 N. Live Oak Ave., Glendora. Glendora Historical Society voicemail, 626-963-0419. rubeltours.org
Descanso Gardens: Ongoing special art exhibit: “Shiki: The Four Seasons in Japanese Art,” in the Sturt Haaga Gallery and runs through May 21. Gardens hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The gallery is open, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $15; $11 ages 65 and older and student with valid ID; $5 ages 5-12. Location, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintidge. 818-949-4200. descansogardens.org
Kidspace Children’s Museum: The 27th annual “Butterfly Season” at the museum is open with children’s activities including going on a big safari, playing dress-up, viewing live caterpillars, moths and honeybees, through May 14. Also, learn from “Los Trompos,” an interactive art installation that honors the monarch butterfly’s cultural and ecological ties to Mexico. Tickets are by time and date: $14.95 ages 1-61; $12.95 ages 62 and older (purchase here: bit.ly/3mJOFoh). Location, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144. kidspacemuseum.org
Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden: Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets online and in advance. Admission $15; $11 ages 62 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Due to construction of a new visitor entrance, entrance is temporarily at the south parking lot and north of Ayres Hall. The arboretum is at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-821-3222. arboretum.org
Monrovia Historical Museum: Explore the museum, 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. Docent-led tours are available. Free admission/donation. The museum is at 742 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia. 626-357-9537. monroviahistoricalmuseum.org
Norton Simon Museum: New exhibit: “All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food,” through Aug. 14. Ongoing special exhibit: “Saint Sebastian: Anatomy of a Sculpture,” learn about the 15th-century Italian painted sculpture from the Norton Simon collections, through July 3. An online exhibit: “Representing Women: Gender and Portraiture in 17th Century Europe” (view here bit.ly/3zLRR9p). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday and Thursday-Sunday. Admission $15; $12 ages 62 and older; free for ages 18 and younger and students with a valid ID. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org
USC Pacific Asia Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Global Asias: Contemporary Asian and Asian American Art — From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation,” through June 25. Also, explore the Sunkal Ceramics Gallery and the specific galleries for art of South and Southeast Asia, China, Himalaya, Pacific Island, Japan, Korea and Silk Road. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is by advance timed purchase, $10; $7 ages 65 and older and students with valid ID; free for ages 17 and under. Also, free admission from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays and on the second Sunday of the month. 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2680. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu
Whittier Museum: Exhibits on aspects of Whittier history including agriculture and Quaker settlers. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission/donations. Location, 6755 Newlin Ave., Whittier. 562-945-3871. Email: info@whittiermuseum.org. whittiermuseum.org/visit
Send calendar items to Anissa V. Rivera at sgvncalendar@gmail.com. Please send items at least three weeks before the event. Please list phone, email and/or website for additional information.
