Here is a sampling of things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas.
Summer is officially on at Raging Waters Los Angeles, with its lazy river, an all-new dual drop thrill ride, Bombs Away and one of California’s only hydromagnetic water coasters, Aqua Rocket. Until July 9, tickets are $39.99 during the July 4th sale. The water park is at 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas. For more information, 909-802-2200. ragingwaters.com
Norton Simon Museum: Join a tour to see some of the most celebrated works of art in the museum’s collection, 5 p.m. July 7 starting off from the Entrance Gallery (the tour is free with museum admission, but is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis; sign up at the Information Desk). Ongoing special exhibit: “All Consuming: Art and the Essence of Food,” through Aug. 14. 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
Vroman’s Bookstore: Jeri Westerson discusses “The Isolated Séance,” 7 p.m. July 7. Kemi Ashing-Giwa discusses “The Splinter in the Sky,” 7 p.m. July 11. Elizabeth L. Silver discusses “The Majority,” 7 p.m. July 12. Sujata Massey discusses “The Mistress of Bhatia House,” 7 p.m. July 14. Location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-5320. vromans.com
Laugh out loud: Comedian and actor Jamie Kennedy (“Scream”) takes to the stage, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. July 7-8; 7:30 p.m. July 9. Tickets $25 and up. Laugh Factory Covina, 104 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. 626-339-0093. Details and to purchase tickets: tinyurl.com/3p8b8sra
Community bike ride: Join members of the South El Monte City Council in community bike rides Saturdays starting July 8 through Aug. 5. Meet at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. departure on July 8 from the South El Monte Community Center, 1530 Central Ave. Remember to wear a helmet. Rides are recommended for ages 10 and older. For more information, 626-579-2043.
Whittier Museum: A reception for William Ohanesian’s curated exhibit of artworks inspired by the local hills, including Turnbull Canyon, 1 p.m. July 8. Explore the paintings, drawings and assemblages, through Aug. 4. Artists include Jeff Kurvink, Mary Church, Donna Larson, Akil Tircuit and Tom Leppold. Details on the art exhibit (tinyurl.com/y5jvr8ku). Ongoing exhibits: Whittier history including agriculture and Quaker settlers. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission/donations welcomed. Location, 6755 Newlin Ave., Whittier. 562-945-3871. Email: info@whittiermuseum.org. whittiermuseum.org/visit
Vroman’s Summer Music Series: Vroman’s and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music present Danny Janklow and the Elevation Band, 6 p.m. July 8. Free. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. dannyjanklow.com. www.vromansbookstore.com
Movies Under the Stars at One Colorado: Watch ’90s movies under the stars this summer, starting with “Sister Act” (1993), at 8:30 p.m. July 8. Free public seating is first come, first served. Make a reservation her, however: tinyurl.com/nhtefwhm. Also, VIP seating is available with a $50 per person receipt from any One Colorado shop or restaurant (comes with an IPIC Theaters promotion, popcorn, access to the candy cart and a soft drink). Guests can also pre-order a picnic basket from Sage Bistro and Brewery for $99. Upcoming: “Groundhog Day” (1993), July 15; “Hook” (1991), July 22. Location, One Colorado, courtyard, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena. onecolorado.com
Roots of Los Angeles’ Car Culture: Authors Darryl Holter and Stephen Gee discuss “Driving Force: Automobiles and the New American City, 1900-1930,” 2 p.m. July 9. The talk is free but reservations are required in advance, tinyurl.com/yc7map3t. Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum, 15415 E. Don Julian Road, City of Industry. 626-968-8492. homesteadmuseum.org
Jazz in the Park: Jasmine Tommaso performs music from her latest album “Nelle Mie Corde,” 5-7 p.m. July 9. Free admission. Ice House Comedy Club presents the concert series Sundays in July. Upcoming: Little Brazil, July 16; Marcelo Bucatar Quartet, July 23; Javier Vergara Quartet, July 30. Van Halen Stage at Playhouse Village Park, 701 E. Union St., Pasadena. For more information, playhousevillage.org/calendar-of-events/jazz-in-the-park
Music in the air in Glendora: Creedence Relived, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, performs 6 p.m. July 9. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket. Free to attend. Concerts are held 6-8 p.m. on Sundays through August. Upcoming: Kelly Boyz country, rock and pop, July 16; an Elvis tribute, July 23; the Glendora High School Pipe Band playing Scottish music, July 30; 80z All Stars, Aug. 6. Larry R. Glenn Bandshell at Finkbiner Park, 160 N. Wabash Ave., Glendora. 626-914-8228. See the Glendora Activity Guide, bit.ly/3zukcRQ
Stew: A play by Zora Howard about three generations of Black women discussing their lives and worries, a 2021 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, opens 8 p.m. July 12. Show runs 8 p.m. July 13-14; 2 and 8 p.m. July 15; 8 p.m. July 19-21; 2 and 8 p.m. July 22; 2 and 7 p.m. July 23; dates through Aug. 6. Tickets $40 and up. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. 626-356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/stew/
Whittier’s Music in the Parks: Two dates and venues: Country Nation performscountry hits, 7 p.m. July 10 at Central Park (13212 Park St.) and Los Colibri Mariachi, 7 p.m. July 13 at Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Road). Both dates will have food trucks, so give yourself the night off from cooking. Free admission. 562-567-9450. whittierprcs.org/recreation/summer-in-the-park
West Covina’s Summer Concert Series: Southland Band, 6 p.m. July 12 (southlandband.com/home). In addition to the music, there are food and vendors. All of the summer concerts are from 6-9 p.m. and free to attend. The schedule: Stone Soul, July 19; Corazon de Mana, July 26. West Covina City Hall Civic Center, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue South. 626-919-6966. Details: bit.ly/3hBQ3rL
Music on Main: The city of El Monte brings music to its farmers market, No Duh, a No Doubt/Gwen Stefani tribute, 6:30 p.m. July 13 (www.instagram.com/noduhband/?hl=en). Location, 10808 Main St. (between Santa Anita and Tyler avenues, El Monte. 626-580-2200. ci.el-monte.ca.us
Azusa’s Summer Concerts in the Park: Deca Dames, 7 p.m. July 13. The free park concerts are held at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 10. The lineup, which is subject to change, continues with Popgun Rerun, July 20; Beach Street A Go Go, July 27; 4 Lads from Liverpool, Aug. 3; Como La Flor, Aug. 10. Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Place. 626-812-5280. Click on Summer Concert Series, secure.rec1.com/CA/azusa-ca/catalog
Midsummer Shakespeare Festival: Ophelia’s Jump Productions and Pomona College present performances of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” (8 p.m. July 13, 15, 21 and 23) and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” (8 p.m. July 14, 16, 20 and 22). Bring a blanket for seating and a picnic dinner (check when gates open). Tickets $35 for “Measure for Measure” and $42 for “The Pirates of Penzance.” A $75 festival pass is also available. Pomona College, Sontag Greek Theater, East Bonita Avenue and East 4th Street, Claremont. Details and to purchase tickets: opheliasjump.org/midsummer-shakespeare-festival/
Blossom Market Hall: Sign up for a rug tufting workshop, from 2 to 8 p.m. July 7 or Saturday, July 8. Cost $125 per person (see the website for how to sign up). Also, last weeks to view “Humans of San Gabriel Valley” that closes on July 15. The art gallery at the food hall displays artworks of local artists. Sign up for a rug tufting workshop from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8. The cost is $125 per person. Location, 264 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. blossommarkethall.com
The Shops at Santa Anita: Afternoon of fun while shopping with Bubblemania, a balloon artist, music, glitter tattoos, face painting, a strolling hula hoop dancer and arts and crafts, 4-7 p.m. July 15. Promenade, outdoors on Level 2, 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-445-3116. shopsatsantaanita.com
San Dimas Sheriff Booster Club Car Show: Admire stock, modified and specialty cars at the 28th annual show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 16. The San Dimas Sheriff Mountain Rescue Team will be making pancakes and hot dogs for purchase. Mike’s Ice Cream Truck will be there, too. Meet the Mounted Posse and help raise funds for the San Dimas Sheriff Booster Club. Free admission. San Dimas Civic Center, 245 E. Bonita Ave., San Dimas. sdmsheriffsboosters.org
Ongoing
Car show: Ruby’s Cruise car show starring American Streetrodders happens at 5 p.m. Fridays, through October. Come for food, family fun, trophies and prizes. Location, 10109 Whittwood Drive, Whittier. For more information, SoCalCarCulture.com. Flyer: bit.ly/44MQ9D8
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
Rubel Castle: The 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
Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens: Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesday). Weekend reservations required. Admission $25/$29; $21/$24 ages 65 and older and students with ID; $13 ages 4-11. Location. 1151 Oxfrod Road, San Marino. huntington.org
Kidspace Children’s Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Kidspace Campout” theme with summer activities, such as road trips, water play, and summer camp. There’s also a new exhibit to check out, “Arroyo Pequeño,” where getting wet is only part of the fun. Admission is by timed-entry only. Admission $15.50 ages one-61; $13.50 ages 62 and older. Location, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. 626-788-8795. kidspacemuseum.org
Los Angeles County 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
USC Pacific Asia Museum: 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 (call or check the website to confirm admission details). Location, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2680. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu
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.
