I think I'm entering some sort of mid-life crisis stage and want to start "living my life" and doing things I enjoy, I don't think most would include going to the symphony on their list, but I enjoy it and haven't been in ages. I decided to purchase a pair of tickets to a Vivaldi performance, since I used to replay "Winter" again and again in my youth. I was a nerd, yes. Actually, I still am. The friend I took fell asleep in the first five minutes, so this definitely isn't for everyone. However, he woke up later and said he had a good time, so who knows. The musicians did an amazing job, and I'm glad that I dipped my toes back in the symphony scene. The crowd was much, much older, and I think they should install some handrails for the stairs to the seats. It was a challenge for many. I also didn't see a ramp for walkers, etc., but there had to have been one, right? Anyway, it's a good time. Bring your partner, bring your friend (after he/she has been caffeinated), bring your grandma...but careful with your kids, because the lady next to us got real onerous when a kid behind us was rustling some plastic bag. Good on the mom for exposing her kids to the finer things, and shame on the lady for being so sensitive and judgmental, ugh. If she got agro again I was ready to step in. Luckily, that wasn't necessary. See! There was some excitement and drama after all. read more

How come last night's "Music of the Night: Andrew Lloyd Webber & Friends" program featured just 6 Webber songs out of 21 performed? Just a couple from Evita & Phantom and one from Cats & Jesus Christ Superstar. And the Jesus Christ song was "Gethsemane," not the fan favorite "I Don't Know How to Love Him?" Instead we got a bunch of Wicked songs and multiple selections from Webber rival Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman. Incredibly nothing from Sunset Blvd or Joseph. But we got a song from the musical "Mack & Mable????!!!" What's worse was the snarky conductor Larry Blank who seemed to have only disdain for Sir Andrew - taking jabs at him and Phantom star Michael Crawford. Guest performer Scarlett Strallen got it right when she told the audience that Larry always brings the focus back to him. We also had to sit through Larry being given an award that the audience clearly had no interest in. And him dressing up in some dime store Phantom of the Opera costume. What a missed opportunity to honor the true Music of the Night. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

I came for a free event in front of the Pasadena city hall. The orchestra played classic broadway songs and even sang. The music was beautiful and transitions were great. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Pasadena city hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The best night reliving the Beatles! So much fun and a great venue The people there were so nice and friendly, parking was easy and the sound was amazing read more

What could be better than a wonderful Saturday summer night listening to the Beatles tribute band. The green space was packed and we felt like the youngest couple here but what a great event. I'm glad we have these open green spaces to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles 2021 - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

Quite by accident, I happened upon a Pasadena Symphony Pops outdoor Saturday night concert. Such a lucky surprise, and such a fantastic event! The concert took place on the first Saturday evening of June at Pasadena City Hall. Music was from the Big Band era. Lots of golden oldies like Pennies From Heaven, I've Got the World on a String, Bing Crosby tunes, and Frank Sinatra hits. I was transported. The talent was superb, and the energy was joyful, upbeat, and relaxed and classy at the same time. The conductor and musicians were outstanding. I was utterly riveted. The energy of the crowd was joyful too. People danced, lay on blankets together, enjoyed the music while eating and drinking, and sampled the fare from food trucks. Ages ranged from teens to families to the elderly. We were all drawn together by the terrific music and mood of the night. I'll definitely keep my eye on this venue. They play at the LA County Arboretum this summer. Looks fantastic to me. If you want a night of live music under the stars, this is one of the best. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Beautiful night for a concert -- Pasadena City Hall - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

I went here for the first time on Saturday evening and am just sad it was the final performance of the season! It was such an awesome experience. Transit was pretty easy - you can park at the Santa Anita mall and either take a provided shuttle or what we did, which is just cross the street from the mall and walk through the arboretum to the event. The line for shuttles was super long so I am glad we chose to walk. The event itself was lovely - music was fabulous, venue is great, they provide pretty nice (though still portable/mobile) bathrooms and it was really nice to bring food and wine. We saw people at tables around us being served food and didn't try that but it all looked very good. I have lived in Pasadena for 3 years and cannot believe I haven't been here before but I definitely will be back! Can't wait to bring another picnic here! read more

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Fabulous! Friend and I came for a beautiful warm Saturday evening under the stars on the Rose Bowl lawn. I wanted to see this show particularly because they were playing renown Broadway musicals. Two singers with amazing vocals accompanied the orchestra all night to the tunes of My Fair Lady, Blue Skies, and more. We brought our own picnic of wine, cheese, crackers and fruit. I think no matter where you sit, you get a great view of the stage and singers, but there are two more than sufficient screens on both sides of the stage for closer viewing. I recommend getting tickets for a table because 1) you have a place to set your food, drinks, utensils, etc. 2) seats are provided 3) you get to know your neighbors and share stories and 4) the space is reserved. Parking is a bit of a trek if you come later, but it's free. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This organization and these events are excellent especially when held outdoors under the stars and moon at the LA Arboretum. Thanks to #PamperedByPaul-- worlds finest gentleman and date-planner-- I was able to accompany him to two events this season at the Arboretum. One was a tribute to Sinatra. The other was a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. The people at our tables at both events were lovely. The music was grand, moving, beautifully done and impressive. Michael Feinstein is an amazing conductor and singer. He teaches while he performs and engages the audience. He's funny and entertaining. The parking is a real pain unless you plan ahead and buy the paid parking. You have an option to buy a catered meal that you can pick up before the concert starts. They have some (limited) food trucks with things like sandwiches, salads, hamburgers etc. They have a bar available but it's a little pricey. And you're welcome to also pack a picnic and bring your own libations. You can get tickets where you bring your own lawn chairs and sit on the lawn all the way up to front row rounds where people wait on you. Paul and I decided we would pack a picnic for this second event last Saturday and bring our own food to our table. People at our table were generous and shared as well. We discussed food and cooking, wine and travel all before the show started. It was such a beautiful day and evening. It brings tears to my eyes to reminisce. I'll never forget my experiences here this summer. Thank you, Pasadena pops, Michael Feinstein, and of course, #pamperedByPaul. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Bring healthy snacks! - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Bad ticket policy for the 2021 season. You are going to have a lot of people upset at the gate. We were told that everyone in attendance must show proof of a COVID vaccination. Not an issue for most adults but what about for children under the age of 12 that aren't currently eligible for the vaccine? Staff made it very clear to me that even with a mask on at the outdoor venue with assigned lawn spaces six feet apart they are not welcome. Good luck with that when you have families showing up to the event and you won't let them enter. read more

This was my first and last time. We stood in line for 25 minutes to catch the bus from Santa Anita in the heat. Consequently, you began wondering when you could duck out early so you wouldn't have to wait again. More importantly, the star performers came on first. Marilyn Mc Coo and Billy Davis were the warm up acts! Thelma Houston was great too. After intermission we got a mediocre Las Vegas act that imitated every group from the Motown era. I felt sorry for them because many people, including ourselves left before the evening was over. The acts should have been reversed. It was a disappointing evening to say the least. read more

The setting is lovely and we enjoyed the music. Good speakers and 2 large video screens. However it was run very poorly. We had to park at an adjunct lot. They didn't have enough shuttles so we had to stand in a long line in the hot sun. We are seniors. There were no lights after intermission and that was dangerous. Afterwards we stood in line for two hours with no staff to help us. When we finally got back to the lot it was pitch dark no lights and no staff with a flashlight. We are not going back. read more

Ok, I'm going to get to the point quickly as I just lost my work. Classical Mystery Tour Beatles Cover Band event wonderful! We went Saturday 8/4 for my birthday. No complaints. Great VIP Andy Gumps by the way. Here's my issue. No Parking!!! We were told we could park across the street at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall. Right. Folks, this isn't MAYBERRY! There were about five thousand attendees last night and I think I drove around in circles at the mall for an HOUR trying to find parking. Based upon how much traffic there was coming into the mall parking, it looked to me like the mall lost $$$$$ in business because of this. You can be sure there is going to be major fallout for somebody for this one. And why in the bloody hell didn't the Arboretum and the mall subcontract a deal with a tour bus company to park people at the racetrack across the street! Endless stretches of available parking, oh, but not for US!!??? This was STUPID!!!!! You couldn't park in there. No point of entry that we could see and if we could have, we could never have walked the distance in the few bare minutes we had left to spare! FAIL. What the hell were they thinking??? Oh, wait........ So what's the takeaway here? If we ever go back there for a concert, we are going to park in an offsite parking lot somewhere across town and get ubered over to the event. Do NOT even think about parking at the mall. If it's "Free", I don't care what it is, you will definitely get what you paid for!!! That is what you call a TRAINWRECK!! Oh, unless you are a masochist, then you'll be quite happy! As I am quite fond of quoting, cheap people pay twice, sometimes, THREE times!! read more

Amazing evening at the MGM Classics night! Great entertainment, amazing location! Brilliant conductor! Already got tickets for the Gershwins! read more

We have been attending concerts at the Arboretum for over a decade. Now and then you get a night of great music, but most of the time it is elevator music from the 1930s, 40s, 50s or 60s. Michael Feinstein sticks to Gershwin music. We miss the days when the California Philharmonic played at the Arboretum. Michael Feinstein jokes are getting old, ok if you like Jewish jokes. We just attended the Latin night concert. As a Latin myself, my hips barely moved. Most Latin music was in English. The one good song of the evening was Besame Mucho by Mauricio Martinez. So why do we still go? The lawn seats are cheap and nothing beats an evening out in the beautiful Arboretum, the music is passable, but the surroundings are very nice. A good evening with friends. Now and then we get a good song. We do skip the Gershwin night Michael Feinstein does every year, that's just too boring for us. read more

We always attend the summer concerts is the LA Arboretum. $20 for a lawn seat on a Saturday night cannot be beat! The music is lovely, the setting is beautiful, Michael Feinstein is a hoot!! This is a must do! Splurge and do the design pass! read more

My family and I went to the 2018 Christmas show, excited with high hopes. It was the worst experience that I have ever had at a live performance. To begin with the seats had a COMPLETELY obstructed view. Given our seats were off to the side, the sound was very weak, it was like a middle school recital. When the choir went down the isle, they faced away from us with their backs to us. This made it even worse. To sell people these seats, at full price, without letting them know what they are getting is flat out wrong, greedy and immoral. I will never support this group again! Absolutely shameful behavior... read more

Love the venue, love the orchestra, but why won't Michael Feinstein play music we all know? Makes for a very boring evening. Sadly, the Beatles cover band was the best this season. read more

Great venue, fabulous concerts and a super staff (thank you Trevor) lead by Drew Flaherty who came through for me with super 'Lost and Found' service! Michael Feinstein's narratives and stories would be worth hearing even without the fabulous music and orchestra. Always a wonderful evening. read more

I love going to the pops, have been attending for several years. I was rather upset to have one of the guest this week introduce politics. This night should be void of such things, please do not invite Julian Ovenden again! Paul. read more

Evidently I've been posting my comments about the Pasadena Pops on the wrong site. Sort of like whistling in the wind. So let me bring you all up to date: When I first became a fan, there were two entities: the Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena Pops. Jorge Mester -- a Mexican Maestro of Hungarian descent, was the conductor of the Symphony for 25 years. He was quite a talent. The Pops at that time was run by Rachel Worby, former First Lady of West Virginia. She was great at outreach to children, and her programs were a breath of fresh air. After the downturn in 2008, the organization was in a world of hurt. The first cost-saving measure was to merge the two orchestras. They, when they couldn't meet Mester's salary demands, he walked. Not long after, Worby walked. It seemed that things were touch and go for a while. Then, out of the blue, they got Marvin Hamlisch to be the conductor of the Pops. Huh?? How did that happen? That couldn't have been inexpensive. Somebody must have raided a "hands off" trust fund. That's all that I could figure out! As for the Orchestra, they didn't really seem to replace Mester -- there were just a series of guest conductors for a few years. Hamlisch used his amazing connections to get a great line-up for the Pops, and that lasted about 3 years -- until he suddenly died. Quite shocking! (If this reads like a soap opera, don't blame me.) Hamlisch was replaced by Michael Feinstein, who had no experience as a conductor -- but was a very talented cabaret pianist and interpreter of the American Songbook. Many people were dubious about his conducting skills (before even giving him a chance), but his first season turned out OK! And he got Bernadette Peters to come to the Arboretum to sing to us. You can't beat that. read more

Wow. Attended last night's performance at the Pasadena Civic http://www.yelp.com/biz/pasadena-civic-auditorium-pasadena#hrid:2-fyC6nNFAmwuzNz3gSAKg, the last of conductor Jorge Mester. It was an emotion-packed evening. The maestro has led the symphony for the last 25 years! It was an all-Beethoven night. Mester was energetic, spry and in command. It was treat to see him conduct. Coriolan was played flawlessly. As was the Violin Concerto in D. On this night the soloist, Jennifer Frautschi, was unmatched. The 5th Symphony (yes, THAT one) surprisingly had a number of missed notes. I suspect the orchestra had become emotional at that point, the realization that this was the final concert of Mester and the final concert in the Pasadena Civic. One annoying observation: one of the basses had a bum string that was noticeably (for me anyway) buzzing. 3 standing ovations, 2 extended, 2 encores: all deserved. Had the good fortune to be invited to the "Gold Room" post concert. I assume this is for well-heeled donors. Snacks, dessert, hosted bar, jazz ensemble. What a way to end the night! The symphony provides high quality classical concerts discounted from what you would pay for the LA Phil. And the programming is more enjoyable. They offer specials throughout the year. You can usually pickup heavily discounted tickets at ArtNight http://artnightpasadena.org. read more

Pasadena Symphony and Pops - Performing Arts Near Me - Pasadena, California

I have gone to numerous performances of both the Pasadena Symphony and the Pops. All of them have been outstanding. They always bring in amazing guest conductors and soloists. I also enjoy the venues, the beautiful Ambassador Auditorium for the symphony and the lush LA Arboretum for the Pops. I am looking forward to seeing Michael Feinstein conduct the Pops this summer after the tragic passing of Marvin Hamlisch last year. Thanks to everyone at the Pasadena Symphony for working so hard to bring Pasadena such amazing classical and Broadway music! read more

My husband and I attended the last concert of the summer series of Pasadena Pops last night. It was, as always, a wonderful night of music and storytelling headed by the always entertaining Michael Feinstein. Michael does so much so well including conducting, singing and telling his entertaining stories about his connection with so many famous entertainers. We have been attending these concerts for several years now and are never disappointed! The setting is like a miniature Hollywood Bowl where, just like the real Bowl, guests come to dine before each concert, share tables (or to sit on the grass behind the tables) and sometimes make new friends. However, these concerts take place at the Los Angeles Arboretum where a flock of peacocks have taken up residence and often contribute their voices to the scheduled entertainment. The Pasadena Pops summer series is an evening to enjoy and remember! read more

WOW! Today was our first time at Pasadena Pops and my husband already ordered tickets for the next event! Great atmosphere, and with his dry humor, Marvin Hamlisch made this event fun... Great orchestra as well. A must see!!!! read more

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. They play show tunes, without words. So instead of Rogers and Hammerstein, you just get Rogers. It's what you would hear as a prologue or during intermission. They played a tribute to Satchmo, with violins. Would a jazz band play classical, of course not. Why don't they play classical instrumentals? Instead they turn great music into elevator music. read more

This is my fourth season at the PoPs and we just enjoy it thoroughly. There are four of us that go and we bought the season (5 shows). The venue is beautiful. Yes the parking can be a challenge but we got smart this season and bought the parking pass so we simply drive up to the drop off entrance, all of our picnic gear is removed from the car and taken to our table then the car is parked with a short walk back to the entrance. The entire experience is really lovely. read more

We went to the Ladies of Broadway concert at the LA County Arboretum. I have stopped going to the Hollywood Bowl because it is such a hassle, and I was worried that the Arboretum would be a pain too, especially since Arcadia is kind of a schlep. But it was fantastic! What a wonderful experience. It took about an hour to get here from the Westside, which isn't too bad considering it can take an hour and a half to get to the bowl, especially if you get stuck on Highland or La Brea. The Arboretum is right off the freeway, and there's free parking right across the street at the mall with free shuttle service. And the seating is great! The table seats look really spaced out and far away from the stage on the seating chart, but the tables are actually really close to the stage. Again, what a difference from the Bowl, where performers look like ants. Music-wise, the concert was stellar. They manage to get top Broadway names here, and each number is a showstopper. Really tempted to get season tickets next year, we had such a good time. read more

Great concept and Hamlisch is great, but 2012 opener was totally inappropriate. After courting elementary school kids and having the PYSO (6th to 9th grades) perform, and with high school kids attending the aisles and entries, they brought out some ancient comedian to make jokes for 70 year olds - and offensive in content for the 70 year olds as well as the 7 year olds in attendance. This was really poor planning on the part of whomever is running the show. I was pretty excited about the summer prospects at the Arboretum but now have no inclination to buy another ticket. Keep the low brow stuff out please and just stick to the music. read more

We had high hopes, which were dashed. The show started out just fine, with a wonderful performance by the Pasadena Youth Orchestra. Marvin Hamlisch was very charming and funny, and when the Pasadena Pops played, it was just great. Beautiful show tunes from My Fair Lady and other shows. And then, disaster struck. So-called comedian Robert Klein did an endless comedy routine which was so unfunny and inappropriate for the crowd. There were children there -- do they really need to hear jokes about colonoscopies and Viagra? He went on and on and on with old people jokes -- NOT FUNNY. Just boring as hell, and we just wanted him to get off the stage. We came to hear music, not listen to this crap. So finally, intermission came and we thought OK, Mr. Entertainment is done now, so the second half will be better. NOT!!! I hate to make fun of Lucie Arnaz because we are such fans of her parents, and I'm sure she's a very nice person, but she comes off like a female lounge lizard. And then Robert Klein came back out and joined her on stage -- groan! Not a fun night at all. People were leaving early, as we did. On the shuttle to the parking lot, one old guy loudly announced that he thought the show was awful and he was going to demand a refund. Here, here! I know this was the first show at the Arboretum and maybe they're working out the kinks. I would like to go back if they have it music only, but this comedy business is ridiculous. I don't think we'll be back. We'll stick with the Cal Phil at Santa Anita Racetrack. read more

The Pops are good. The venue and the parking and the audience leave much to be desired. I hadn't been before, but I do love the Arboretum, so I went for the tribute to Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. However, because I didn't buy tickets in advance, I had to park at the Nordstrom in the Santa Anita mall, and walk further than I do even for the Hollywood Bowl. When I got there, the "lawn seating" advertised at $10-$25 was $25 unless you were a member of the Arboretum (which I'm not any longer because they don't allow dogs, even on leash). OK, pay the $25 and see what happens. The show started late. The orchestra did most of the work. The first guest singer, Denzal Sinclair, was wonderful, but did only 4 songs before intermission (which was 25 minutes at least). Many in the audience were singing or at least humming along, ruining my ability to listen to the performers, and during intermission they were making up their own lyrics and singing truly offensive and loud songs with political messages that had no place at such an event. After waiting until after 9 pm for the second act to start (which was an orchestral medley that went on for nearly 10 minutes) I really couldn't stand it anymore, and left at 9:30 (2 hours into the concert) without having heard Ann Hampton Callaway do any Ella Fitzgerald songs. I'm sure it was probably great if you were willing to wait all night, and put up with the inconsiderate crowd, but I won't be wasting my time and money again at the POPS until I hear that they ask the audience to be considerate and not make noise during the performance, and be considerate themselves of people's time. Summer concerts can be lovely, but this one left a sour taste for me.... read more