The Pasadena Museum of History will transform into a cinematic time capsule on Friday, Oct. 18, featuring a film history exhibition accompanied by live jazz performances. The event, part of ArtNight Pasadena Fall 2024, aims to immerse visitors in the city’s rich film heritage while offering a contemporary musical experience.
The exhibition, called “Lights, Camera, Action!”, showcases Pasadena’s significant role in the film industry, from technological innovations to iconic filming locations. Julia Long, Curator of History and Exhibitions at Pasadena Museum of History, emphasized the city’s historical importance in filmmaking.
“This exhibition shines a light on some of Pasadena’s people, places, and productions associated with film history,” Long said. “Since the beginnings of film production in the Los Angeles area, Pasadena’s residents and locations have played prominent roles in this new and exciting industry.”
The exhibit is organized into two galleries, one presenting a chronological journey through Pasadena’s film history and another highlighting specific filming locations. Long explained the comprehensive nature of the exhibition’s approach to the city’s cinematic legacy.
“The exhibition aims to show Pasadena’s participation in every step of the filmmaking journey,” she said. “From the invention of certain cameras and editing equipment by Pasadena residents, to filming on location at various sites throughout the area, to sitting in a movie theater alongside friends and neighbors while a film is screened.”
Visitors can explore sections dedicated to the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game, Pasadena Playhouse, and local movie theaters. The exhibition features famous productions filmed in Pasadena, including the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Gone with the Wind,” “Father of the Bride,” “The Sting,” “Mad Men,” “Dynasty,” and “Beverly Hills Cop II.”
Complementing the visual history, local jazz group Phi-Psonics will provide live musical performances. Seth Ford-Young, the band’s leader, described their approach to creating a unique auditory experience for the event.
“We will play a few of my compositions and then we’ll play some music that will be inspired by the actual surroundings of the night,” Ford-Young said. The trio, featuring double bass, drums/percussion, and saxophones/flute, will blend composed pieces with improvisation.
Ford-Young also emphasized the band’s goal of fostering community connections through their performance.
“I always want my music, especially when we’re performing live, to connect people,” he said. “So I hope that the experience of hearing us creating something in the moment will inspire people to sit with the music and hear it, and be present and be present with each other, and maybe inspire some conversation later.”
The event organizers hope to instill pride in the Pasadena community and attract visitors from beyond the city limits. By combining visual history with live, responsive music, ArtNight Pasadena aims to offer a multisensory exploration of Pasadena’s enduring cultural impact.
The Pasadena Museum of History, known for its extensive collections and dedication to preserving local heritage, provides the perfect backdrop for this unique convergence of past and present.
For more information, visit https://pasadenahistory.org/.
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