Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier, April 14-21.

The 2023 Pasadena Showcase House of Design opens on April 23. Be among the first to see the transformation of Stewart House, a 1933 grand colonial estate designed by Marston & Maybury, with more than 11,000 square feet of living space situated on two acres of carefully landscaped and exquisitely manicured grounds. 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.

The 58th showcase highlights the talents of 32 interior and exterior designers. 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 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. The official unveiling happens at “Premiere Night,” 5 p.m. April 21 ($300; reservations required). Proceeds from the event go to fund three music programs. For more information, pasadenashowcase.org

Vroman’s Bookstore: Debra Thomas discusses “Josie and Vic” and Gayle Brandeis discusses “Drawing Breath,” 6 p.m. April 14. Local Author Day: Howard Kaplan (“The Syrian Sunset”), Gay Paris Pratt (“K.C. of a Thousand Trails: The Cat Who Saved My Life”) and M.M. Shelley (“Broken Saints – Of Vice and Vindication,” book three of three) discuss their books, 4 p.m. April 16. Tananarive Due discusses “The Wishing Pool and Other Stories,” 7 p.m. April 18. Jeff Benedict discusses “LeBron,” 7 p.m. April 24. Dan Jones discusses “Essex Dogs,” 7 p.m. April 25. Victoria Ying discusses her young adult book “Hungry Ghost,” 6 p.m. April 26. Maggie Smith discusses her memoir “You Could Make This Place Beautiful,” 7 p.m. April 28 (ticketed event; $28 plus fees, includes hardcover book and admission; register here: bit.ly/3KM2n78). Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com

Kiss of the Spider Woman: A two-person drama by Manuel Puig, with English translation by Allan Baker, about danger and love in a prison cell. Minimum age: 16. Show runs 8 p.m. April 14; 2 and 8 p.m. April 15; 2 p.m. April 16; 7:30 p.m. April 20; 8 p.m. April 21; 2 and 8 p.m. April 22; 2 p.m. April 23. Tickets $25 and up. Location, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 626-356-3100. www.anoisewithin.org/play/kiss-of-the-spider-woman/

West Covina Farmers Market: Shop for in-season fruits and vegetables, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 15 (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

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, April 15 to May 21. Fun dress code: period “faire” costume (optional). Check the website for details on theme weekends (Pirate and Marketplace Weekend, April 15-16, and “Renncon, with a “Time Traveler Costume Contest,” April 29-30). Also, get tickets in advance, $65, for one of the “Pub Crawl” dates (must be age 21 to attend; this is an additional charge). 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

Art class for children at the Huntington: Peifang Liang leads a hands-on Chinese brush painting workshop inspired by the Dragon Boat Festival, 10 a.m.-noon April 15. Learn about the holiday while using traditional Chinese brush painting materials to create an artwork to take home. This class is ideal for children ages 6-12. Tickets $55 and includes admission and supplies for one child and one accompanying adult. The Huntington’s Roger’s Classroom, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, email Maria Ahverdyan at mahverdyan@huntington.org or call 626-405-3457. Details and reservations here: bit.ly/3m0kYmF

Norton Simon Museum: The art museum celebrates the opening of the exhibition “All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food” with “A Night in Focus” event, 4-6:30 p.m. April 15. Explore the representation of food and drink in artworks in the exhibit and in the museum’s permanent collection. The event includes live music in the galleries, a still-life drawing demonstration by Melissa Manfull and art-making activities. Activities are included with museum admission $15 for adults and $12 ages 62 and older; free for students with ID and age 18 and younger. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, email educate@nortonsimon.org. nortonsimon.org. Details about the event: bit.ly/3KQ5smB

Third@First Concert Series: Free concerts on the third Saturday of the month. April’s offering is “4 Hands on 1 Piano” with Vicky Ray and Junko Ueno Garrett, 4 p.m. April 15. Learn how American composers utilized piano duets for concert hall performances. Free, but an offering is accepted. First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd. 626-796-0157. Details: bit.ly/3zxpHPK.  thirdatfirst.org

Earthquake relief: Enjoy an evening of Middle Eastern music benefiting earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria. Azam Ali, Loga Ramin Torkian, Naser Musa, Misaq Eshaghi and the AKM Turkish Music Chorus, conducted by Ali Tolga Demirtas, perform at 5 p.m.  April 15. Tickets $50; $25 for students; free for ages 12 and younger. Ticketed reception, 4 p.m. ($100). Proceeds go to the Turkish Philanthropy Fund and World Central Kitchen. Throop Unitarian Universalist Church, 300 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. For more information, email chigmaproductions@gmail.com. Details and to purchase tickets on Eventbrite: bit.ly/43lQooe

Old Town Monrovia Wine Walk: Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board presents the sixth event, 6-9 p.m. April 15. Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $50 on event day and include tickets for 12 wine tastings. Participants must check-in at the park (between 5:30-8 p.m.) and pick up a tasting glass and a map where the tasting will be offered. Library Park, 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. For more information, 626-256-8426. Details and to purchase tickets: bit.ly/3o5Amid

Unrivaled: A world premiere of a play by Rosie Narasaki about friendship, rivalry and being a female artist. Show runs 8 p.m. April 15; 2 p.m. April 16; 8 p.m. April 17; 8 p.m. April 20; 2 and 8 p.m. April 22; 2 p.m. April 23. Tickets $47; $42 ages 65 and older; $37 students. Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. 626-683-6801. bostoncourt2.wpengine.com/upcoming-events/

Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum: Paul R. Spitzzeri, museum director, discusses “Twists and Turns in the Twenties: The Workman and Temple Families in 1920s Los Angeles,” 2 p.m. April 16. During the boom in greater Los Angeles, members of the Workman and Temple families were involved in important developments in the region. Boyle and Mary Julia Workman and their cousin Walter P. Temple were prominent figures in their fields, including politics, social welfare, oil and real estate. The lecture is free but reservations are required: bit.ly/3nIhKof. Location, 15415 E. Don Julian Road, City of Industry. 626-968-8492. homesteadmuseum.org

For Baby Boomers – an online author talk: Pasadena Senior Center presents British author Tim Albert discussing “Mostly We Had It Good: A Baby Boomer’s Journey,” 10:30 a.m. April 17, on Zoom. Fee $5. Register here: bit.ly/40UamEQ. 626-795-4331. www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org

Gardening the Earth – Plants and People for the Future: Stephen Blackmore, chairman of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International Board and His Majesty’’ Botanist in Scotland, discusses the topic with an emphasis of worldwide botanic gardens, 7 p.m. April 17. Admission is free with a reservation here: bit.ly/3KOl6iw. The Huntington, Rothenberg Hall, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. For more information, 626-405-3457. huntington.org

Camerata Pacifica: A concert that includes the world premiers of a new work for French horn, cello and piano by the Grammy Award-winning composer Libby Larsen, 7:30 p.m. April 18. See the website for the program. Tickets $68. The Huntington, Rothenberg Hall. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Tickets are $68. For more information, 626-405-3457 or email Maria Ahverdyan at mahverdyan@huntington.org. huntington.org. huntington.org/event/camerata-pacifica-virtuosic-passionate-lyrical

Duarte Farmers Market: is open from 4 to 7:30 p.m. April 19 (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

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

Take no quarters: The California State Numismatic Association presents its convention and coin show, 1-6 p.m. April 21; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 22-23. Admission $3 on April 21; $4 on April 22-23. Free parking. Arcadia Masonic Hall, 50 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. For more information, Phil Iversen, 818-439-9097.

Cherry Blossom Time: The East San Gabriel Valley Cherry Blossom Festival is held from noon-6 p.m. April 22 at Plaza West Covina. Free admission but registration is required. The East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center and Plaza West Covina presents this annual festival celebrating the start of spring. The newly-emerging blooms represent hope, beauty, and new life. Learn about Japanese culture, explore Japanese and Japanese American flavors, listen to traditional music and dance, shop, watch Japanese taiko drums and martial arts. Take pictures with beloved Japanese characters, too. Plaza West Covina, 112 Plaza Drive, West Covina. Register here: plazawestcovina.com

Heart of the Foothills: Get ready for 626 Golden Streets, the San Gabriel Valley open streets initiative, with a foothills-focused route, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate roads car-free over a 5-mile course through San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 23. Hubs will feature entertainment, food and special activities. Free event. Join at any point on the route. Free event. 626GoldenStreets.com

 

Ongoing

 

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

Duarte Historical Museum: Closed for remodeling. Scheduled re-opening May 6. Hours: 1-3 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free/donation. Encanto Park, 777 Encanto Parkway. 626-357-9419. www.ranchodeduarte.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

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: 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.