Pasadena Museum of History
Calendar of Events: February 2010
470 W. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103; Free Parking.
Information/Reservations: 626.577.1660, ext. 10, or at www.pasadenahistory.org.
Thursday, February 16, 7:30 pm at Pasadena Museum of History
Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre
Lecture & Book Signing with author/historian Michele Zack -- Who knew land scout Daniel Berry first investigated Sierra Madre's turf in seeking a site for the Indiana Colony (which grew into Pasadena) — but rejected it as too expensive? Or that the San Gabriel Valley Orange Grove Association sold the "wasteland" of Altadena for a song at $5 an acre the same year Lucky Baldwin fetched $40 an acre for the more remote site of the same size that became Sierra Madre? Or that the quest to reach the top of Mt. Wilson with a transportation system was the space race of its day?
Explore the rivalries, hierarchies, and inter-relatedness of San Gabriel Valley communities — and their part the greater Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre, with author Michele Zack. Reception and book signing immediately following lecture. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
TICKETS: $5 general public; Free for Museum members. Reservations: (626) 577-1660, ext. 10.
Thursday, February 25, 4:30 & 7:30 pm at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 Theater, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Special benefit screenings of The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a 64-minute feature documentary about the extraordinary life of Florence "Pancho" Barnes (1901-1975): adventurer, stunt pilot, bar owner, and one of the top female aviators of the 20th century. Born into one of Pasadena’s most prominent families, Pancho was the granddaughter of Thaddeus Lowe, a famed Civil War balloonist, co-founder of CalTech and builder of the famed Mount Lowe Railway. Yet Florence refused to conform to Victorian high society and its rules. Her gender-bending antics broke all stereotypes. This Pasadena minister's wife was once quoted as saying “Flying makes me feel like a sex maniac in a whorehouse with a stack of hundred dollar bills.” Her feats in aviation were no less exhilarating, from becoming Hollywood’s first woman stunt pilot, to breaking Amelia Earhart’s speed record in 1930, to hosting the best pilots in the world at her “Happy Bottom Riding Club” guest ranch in the 40’s and 50’s. A stunning force of nature, Pancho lived wildly, fully, and without an ounce of fear.
The film features interviews with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, test pilots Bob Cardenas, Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager, and biographers Lauren Kessler and Barbara Schultz. Narrated by Tom Skerritt, with Kathy Bates as the voice of Pancho. Directed by Amanda Pope, and written and produced by Nick Spark. Produced in affiliation with KOCE-TV, PBS of Orange County California.
Reception: In conjunction with these screenings, there will be a reception beginning at 5:00 pm in Vroman's Bookstore, adjacent to the theater, featuring an appearance by the filmmakers at 6:00 pm.
TICKETS: $15 - 4:30 pm Screening; $20 - 7:30 pm Evening Screening.
Purchase tickets online at www.legendofpanchobarnes.com (click on the "Screenings" link and then click on the Pasadena Screening button to be directed to Paypal). Please note that a $1.00 surcharge per ticket will be added for online purchases.
For telephone reservations and information, please call Heritage Square Museum, at 323.225.2700, ext. 221, or Pasadena Museum of History at 626.577.1660, ext. 15. Proceeds from these special screenings of The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club benefit Heritage Square Museum, the KOCE-TV Foundation, and Pasadena Museum of History. Ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Currently on Exhibition
In an era when well-to-do families took a special interest in creating significant and valuable collections Pasadena’s Eva Scott Fenyes devoted her discriminating tastes, vast knowledge, and ample funds to surround herself with fine furniture, textiles, china, silver, jewels and art. The Fenyes Mansion is filled with art and furnishings assembled by Eva and her second husband, Dr. Adalbert Fenyes, from their travels worldwide.
A Pasadena Patron, now on display in the History Center Galleries, offers an in-depth examination of the life and legacy of one of early Pasadena’s most prominent and influential women. Themes covered in this special exhibition include Fenyes family history, Eva as an art patron and watercolorist, the influence ofEurope, the East Coast, and travel itself on her thinking, and the social milieu she created here in Pasadena. Exhibition highlights include items from the Fenyes collection never before on public display.
Hours: open 12:00-5:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays through August 2010
Tickets: $5 general; $4 students & seniors; free for children under 12.
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