Pasadena Playhouse Centennial Celebration Block Party Announced for Today

Pasadena Playhouse - State Theatre of California is announcing more entertainment and participants for the Playhouse Block Party, the theatre's Centennial celebration in partnership with the Playhouse District Association. This all-day event, free to the public, is from 12-noon to 10:00pm on Saturday, June 9 on El Molino Ave. at Colorado Blvd. There will be more than twenty performances on two different stages - a Main Stage and a Kids' Stage -- during the course of the day, in addition to activity booths hosted by some of Pasadena's most celebrated arts organizations, theatre tours, a silent disco, and more.

Performances will include Culture Clash (presenting Bordertown Now at the Playhouse May 30 - June 24), Athletic Garage Dance Center, Ballet Folklorico Quetzal, Blue13 Dance Company, Bob Baker Marionettes, Creating Arts Company, Los Angeles College of Music, Makoto Taiko, Nine O'Clock Players, Pasadena City College Theatre & Opera, PCDA (Professional Child Development Associates) Youth Choir, Pasadena Civic Ballet & Musical Theatre, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Pasadena Master Chorale, and School of Rock Pasadena. The evening will end with headliner bands California Feetwarmers, Caught A Ghost, and Boogaloo Assassins. A full schedule of events can be found at www.playhouseblockparty.org.

Throughout the day, guests can experience interactive and immersive activity booths and games created by community partners and local art organizations. These include Kidspace Children's Museum, Armory for the Arts, Metaforyou, MUSE/IQUE, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena Public Library, Pasadena Symphony & POPS, Pasadena Walking Tours, Rogue Artists Ensemble, Shumel Arts Council, Side Street Projects, Sierra Madre Playhouse, Akabeko Project, Surrogate Gallery Projects, and USC Pacific Asia Museum. In addition, special guided tours of the Playhouse District and of the Playhouse itself will be available, including backstage access and production departments, rarely seen by the public.

Midway through the day, producing artistic director Danny Feldman will take the stage with Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek and other community leaders for a short presentation to honor the legacy of The Pasadena Playhouse, the second oldest regional theatre in the country.

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman said, "Our team has assembled all things Pasadena for our block party -- live music and performances on two outdoor stages, interactive exhibits, food, libations, guided tours, and much, much more. Beginning at noon, families can enjoy activities in the Kids' Zone centered around a stage erected in the Playhouse Courtyard. In late afternoon and early evening, the focus will shift to a "street party" feel with live music and bands, food, drink, and more fun."

He continued, "We wouldn't be here today without the support of our community. Since our founding in 1917 we have been fortunate to be supported by the people of Southern California, a community that truly values the power of theater. For our Centennial celebration we wanted to throw a free party for thousands of people to say thank you."

Playhouse District Association Executive Director Brian Wallace said, "Our partnership with Pasadena Playhouse reflects what is great about our community - the drive to promote the Playhouse District as Pasadena's home for arts and culture. We are excited to welcome everyone to enjoy what's great about this area and hope the event encourages many repeat visits to all of our great destinations here."

About the Centennial of Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse, one of the most prolific theaters in American history with a legacy of profound theatrical impact and courageous new work, is celebrating its Centennial with this Block Party in partnership with the Playhouse District Association.

Three significant anniversaries are observed concurrently. The Centennial; the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Playhouse College of Theatre Arts; and the 80th year of the Playhouse's designation as the official State Theatre of California. These milestones point to the importance of Pasadena Playhouse in the chronicles of American theatre, with very few, if any, professional theatres in this country able to claim similar distinctions of history, impact and longevity. Such a powerful pedigree is now considered against the context of producing live theatre with the modern, digital era as the backdrop for a second century.

Pasadena Playhouse is one of the most prolific drama-producing organizations in the history of American theater, having commissioned over 550 new works, produced upwards of 1,200 shows, spearheaded over 500 world premieres, developed several shows that went on to Broadway, and welcomed more than one million audience members.

As a community center, it has been the recipient of well over a million hours of service by more than 12,000 volunteers. The well known Friends of The Pasadena Playhouse has been instrumental in the running of the theatre both backstage, front of house, and administratively. For more than thirty years, Pasadena Playhouse ran a famed and fully accredited college -- more than 30,000 students received arts education and access programs.

In 2016, longtime artistic director Sheldon Epps ended his tenure. Today it continues that tradition of excellence under the helm of producing artistic director Danny Feldman. Dedicated to enriching lives through theater, community programs and learning initiatives, Pasadena Playhouse is a living force in the community.

About the Playhouse District Association

The Playhouse District Association (PDA) carries out a mission to promote the economic vitality of the Playhouse District as the center of culture, commerce and community in the heart of Pasadena. Formed as a non-profit corporation in 1995 dedicated to marketing Pasadena's Playhouse District, the PDA began managing a Property-Based Business Improvement District (PBID) in 2001. The PBID pools private dollars largely from property owner assessments in the 32-block Playhouse District area to fund enhanced activities and services. Governed by a quasi-public 11-member board of directors representing the district's property owners, businesses and institutions, the PDA organizes its work into five program categories, each with a standing committee to guide and carry out activities and tasks focusing on a clean and engaging public realm, economic development, organizational resources, parking, and promotions / marketing.

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