Arroyo December 2022

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Dancing to a New Tune

‘The Nutcracker’ presents a bolder, more mature Clara —By Jeff Favre

Holidays Aglow

Descanso Gardens presents Enchanted Forest of Light —By Luke Netzley

Celebrating 63 Years of Los Angeles Tradition

Pasadena’s Suzanna Guzmán hosts Emmy-winning Holiday Celebration —By Luke Netzley

These holiday tips will make Christmas trees sparkle —By Kamala Kirk 20 A ‘Smile’ for the Holidays Shanice, Gay Men’s Chorus put Motown spin on traditions —By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

‘A Huge Honor’ Rose Queen Bella Ballard is proud of her court —By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Mission-Driven Work Pasadena Humane seeks volunteers, fosters —By Leah Schwartz

The NOW Massage to open Pasadena location this winter —By Kamala Kirk

Nurture the Soul American-style food truck feeding the city of Pasadena —By Morgan Owen

Dancingto a New Tune

By Jeff Favre

The presents, pageantry and opulent atmosphere will fill the stage as it has for decades.

But if Pasadena Dance Theatre pulls it off, this revised ver sion of “The Nutcracker” will add dimension to the character Clara, whom choreographer and interim artistic director Jessamyn Vedro envisions as bolder and more mature.

Vedro is placing the task of presenting this “new” Clara in the hands — or, rather, the feet — of Liana Zangwill and Catalina Bilan dzija, who each will perform the key role in its four-performance run (Thursday, December 22, to Sunday, December 24) at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. The performance also will include two guest dancers from the famed American Ballet Theatre.

While there were open auditions, Vedro isn’t surprised the two

high school seniors landed the key role. She says she believes they can handle the added responsibilities to the annual PDT production, which should feel both familiar and fresh to audiences.

“Of course, we’re using the Tchai kovsky score that everyone knows very well, and we’re also utilizing our sets and costumes that we’ve had for many years and professionally painted backdrops,” says Vedro, a practicing attorney and veteran dancer who has been in various “Nutcrack er” productions for more than 30 years.

“For this version, I read the original E.T.A. Hoff mann story and realized it is much more psychological. I’m trying to draw on that to explore the tension that many young women feel. I think this is universal, having the freedom of being a child and being able to imagine a limitless future for oneself, and then being faced with everything that becoming an adult entails and feel ing conflicted about wanting to grow up.”

To find new steps for a classic, Vedro began by listening to the score “on an endless loop for months.” The music evoked images of movement, which were never committed to paper. Instead, she entered the studio and set her vision free by performing it for the dancers.

While the movements are new, Zangwill and Bilandzija are quick studies who know the story well. Both have appeared as Clara in previous seasons.

“I’ve known Liana since she was a young child, and she ex udes ballerina,” Vedro says. “She does an excellent job of thinking about her roles. It’s really special to see a dancer who clearly does her homework and comes back to every rehearsal having worked on something.”

Zangwill first danced the role in ninth grade. She says this version of Clara parallels her life as a 17-year-old. Her favorite moment is a new imagining of an iconic scene.

“Clara gets to basically kill the Rat King in this new Nutcracker, which I think is really fun and representative of Clara being empow

‘The Nutcracker’ presents a bolder, more mature Clara

Liana Zangwill and Jacob SchmiederHacker will star as Clara and Hans in Pasadena Dance Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” Christmas week.

ered to make her own choices,” Zangwill says.

Bilandzija, whom Vedro called an inquisitive dancer “who has a beautiful connection with her partners,” has only been Clara for a small Zoom performance because of COVID-19. She enjoys that the new choreography expands the role, in particular a dance with the prince at the party.

“She has this little crush on him and wants to dance with him. You know, nor mal teenage feelings,” Bilandzija explains.

“But there are also these moments where she has this internal battle to sepa rate herself from these more adolescent feelings, and she wants to become an inde pendent woman and explore the world. But she’s still angry when she sees the nephew dance with this other girl because that’s supposed to be her man, right?”

Both dancers are excited — and a bit nervous — to share the performance with ABT’s Katherine Williams and her longtime friend Eric Tamm. Vedro made the connection because she used to dance with the company. Ashleigh Doede, the PDT conservatory director for ballet, says the guest artists adds a layer to the show and to the company.

“I feel like it is actually the opposite of being daunt ing,” she says. “It’s inspiring. Like, ‘Wow, we get to share the stage with these professionals, and they get to come on in the same place we are.’ And it elevates the motivation, I think, of the dancers.”

Vedro went the extra step to add ABT members this season, because she hopes not only impress audiences but to prove this new version is worthy of being part of the PDT repertoire for many years.

“‘The Nutcracker’ is our most important production, because it is a ballet that tends to bring in audiences who are not necessarily ballet aficionados or year-round sup porters of ballet,” she says.

“It also offers so many opportunities for student roles, for children’s roles, but in a professional-level produc tion. So, it gives our students something to look forward to every year. And it gives the community an opportunity to come together and see a professional-level performance.”

“The Nutcracker”

WHEN: 2 p.m. Thursday, December 22; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, December 23; 1 p.m. Saturday, December. 24

WHERE: San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: 626-683-3459, pasadenadance.org

Catalina Bilandzija and company members rehearse the “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Holidays Aglow

Descanso Gardens presents Enchanted Forest of Light

By Luke Netzley

As a famed public botanical garden that has served the com munities of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond for nearly 70 years, Descanso Gardens is always changing. Each year the leadership team dreams of new ways to showcase the 150-acre space through a different lens, especially through its seasonal events.

Descanso Gardens’ annual “Enchanted Forest of Light,” which runs through Sunday, January 8, is a local favorite.

“This will be the sixth year of Enchanted,” says Jennifer Errico, marketing manager at Descanso Gardens. “Our executive director,

Descanso Gardens’ annual Enchanted Forest of Light runs until Sunday, January 8.

Descano Gardens installed over 3,000 tulips for its light show.

Jake Fabricius/Submitted

from page 10

Juliann Rooke, thought we should have our own light show. She trav eled all over the United States looking at everyone’s light shows, and one really stood out to her at the Morton Arboretum, which is near Chicago. … It highlights the beauty of the gardens and what’s special about the gardens, and it’s not necessarily holiday-ish, even though it is a really nice thing to do during the holidays.”

Rooke returned to La Cañada Flintridge inspired by what she had seen and decided to create a show specifically catered to Descanso Gardens that would highlight its oaks, tulips and ancient forest.

In the spring, the Descanso Gardens Guild plants between 30,000 to 40,000 tulip bulbs along their promenade. For Enchanted, the organization installed 3,000 to 4,000 electric tulips that put on a light show during the event called “Flower Power.” Errico describes it as a complete revamp from previous years.

“They’re going to be brighter than ever,” she says. “The cool thing about Flower Power is we put these 3,000 tulips out and then a computer person comes in and he or she generates the light show. It’s called pixel mapping. They listen to the music, and they decide wheth er things are going to flash and what colors are going to happen and the waves. … It’s a full 10-minute show with the tulips, and I think everyone who’s come before and loved them will love them even more this year.”

The garden’s ancient forest, home to redwoods and cycads, will also be illuminated blue and green with installations that look like fireflies twinkling in the undergrowth.

“It’s really beautiful,” Errico describes. “You just get an experi ence like no other. My favorite part is the Oak Grove. I love oak trees … and during Enchanted we have them lit upwards so you can look up at the blues and the greens. And then you are part of the experience, and you can change the light that’s shining up into the oak trees and see all the different colors in the canopy.

“I can say that my family, my whole extended family, we come every year. It’s a tradition for us. My nephews started coming when they were 9, and now they’re 14. We all come, and we have hot choco late, we wear our blinking jewelry and get our sweaters on and spend a couple hours walking around.”

Errico explains that one of the artist displays found in the garden is a collection of stained glass houses built by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin in the Rose Garden. They’re made of recycled plastic signs, primarily found around his home in Brooklyn. There is also a col lection of sparkling, swirling installations from HYBYCOZO on the Main Lawn.

“People can see the gardens in a different way,” Errico says. “Be ing here in the evening is always fun.”

On November 19, Descanso Gardens hosted its annual preview party fundraiser for Enchanted.

Along with live entertainment and an open bar, Descano Gardens hosted a food festival on its lawn with a variety of choices, from burg ers to tacos and a mashed potato bar.

“We always have DJs. … The School for the Performing Arts also comes out and they play music and do special performances through out the whole exhibition,” Errico says. “It really is a fundraiser, so it means it allows us to plant the real tulips and have our spring flowers, to make sure the gardens look beautiful all year, that our plants stay healthy and that we continue to grow. So we’re very grateful when people come join us.”

Descanso Gardens’ “Enchanted Forest of Light”

WHERE: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge

WHEN: The event runs through Sunday, January 8

COST: Ticket prices are $22 to $28 for members and $34 to $40 for nonmembers

INFO: descansogardens.org

Sculptor Tom Fruin built stained glass houses in the Rose Garden.

Celebrating 63 Years of Los Angeles Tradition

By Luke Netzley

For Emmy Award-winning TV host and mezzo soprano Suzanna Guzmán, the LA County Holiday Celebration is a moment of pride and joy. This year, the Pasadena resident will host the 63rd annual event for her ninth year at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion alongside her co-host, professional roller skater, skate choreographer and coach Candice Heiden.

“People have been watching the celebration since their parents took them, since their grandparents took them,” Guzmán says. “It’s a holiday tradition that is intact. And I don’t know if you’ve ever walked into your ancestral home or your elementary school and the flood of nostalgia and connection and the childlike wonder that we grew up with, that’s intact. That’s what they can expect. They can expect to see people lift their hearts. Performers who are children now, their grandparents came as children to the Holiday Celebration. And that legacy, that tradition, it’s tangible.”

This year’s Holiday Celebration, held on Saturday, December 24, will feature 21 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from across the county, including returning audience favorites like the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles; gospel singers Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum; all-women global soul ensemble ADAAWE; Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho with Hawaiian hula dancers Hālau Hula Keali’i o Nālani; Philippine folk arts dance company Kayamanan Ng Lahi; all-female mariachi ensemble Las

Colibrí; Mexican folkloric dance troupe Pacifico Dance Company; current student and alumni ensemble Palmdale High School Choral Union and Sunday Night Singers; world chamber music ensemble Quarteto Nuevo; Asian/country fusion musicians Sound of China Guzheng Ensemble; chil dren’s ensembles MUSYCA Children’s Choir and Our Lady of the Angels Children’s Chorus; and Urban Voices Project, a choir comprised of people impacted by homelessness on Skid Row.

New to the event this year are award-winning blues band Sista Jeans Blues Machine, hip-hop dance ensemble Temper Tantrum, all-kids a cap pella group Squad Harmonix, secular a cappella choir Voices of Reason, modern kathak ensemble Shivam Arts Dance Company joined by Clarita Corona of Arte Flamenco, tap dance ensemble Reverb Tap Company; keep ers of the Ballet Russe legacy Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre, and the Cali fornia School of the Arts San Gabriel Valley Vocal Arts Ensemble.

“There are groups this year that I cannot wait to hear,” Guzmán says. “I think what is most compelling is that we will have the audience back. Three years ago, we did the show from the Pavilion and the opening sequence … they pulled the camera back to reveal a completely empty theater. It makes my voice catch even now that we weren’t able to have an audience there. … It was just beyond heartbreaking to see an empty theater. … The whole beauty of live theater is that it infuses the live audience with

Pasadena’s Suzanna Guzmán hosts Emmy-winning Holiday Celebration

The 63rd Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration will be held at the The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, December 24, bringing together 21 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies to perform in front of a live audience.

a certain chemical. … It does something.”

This will be the first time that the Holiday Celebration will be held before a live audience since 2019. The program will also be broadcasted live on PBS SoCal, streamed online at kcet.org and pbssocial.org, or via the PBS app for at-home audiences to watch from 3 to 6 p.m.

“The audiences have been slow to return,” Guzmán says. “The feeling of live theater, live performance … they’ve forgotten. So I hope that they can remember what it’s like to be a physical part of it. There’s a whole wonderful wave of immersive theater happening that is having a resurrec tion. And I think people forget that all theater is immersive.

“Many people have never been to The Music Center because they think it’s out of their reach. Everything is free. You can sit with your entire family in the orchestra section and parking is free. Your seats are free. You can see the performers’ sweat. You can see them take breaths. There is nothing like the feeling of the holiday spirit infusing your body with joy. … That’s what I miss, and I can’t wait.”

For Guzman, the annual Holiday Celebration strikes an emotional chord. Her involvement with The Music Center dates back in the mid1980s, when she first partook in the Edwin Lester Musical Theater Work shop run by film and TV actor Paul Gleason, an intensive musical theater training program that ran from 6 to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

She would go on to perform in the first season of LA Opera, sing as a principal artist in her childhood artistic hero Franco Zeffirelli’s production of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera, host the Emmy-winning 60th Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, and create an interactive show called “Don’t Be Afraid!” that teaches children across the country how to sing opera.

“Live performance is my heart’s passion,” Guzmán says. “For me, Christmas is the Holiday Celebration. It is the LA County celebration. … It is a holiday celebration for everybody. And to be a part of it live, there is no greater holiday tradition.”

LA County Holiday Celebration

WHERE: The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

WHEN: Saturday, December 24, from 3 to 6 p.m.

COST: Free admission INFO: holidaycelebration.org

Emmy Award-winning TV host and mezzo soprano Suzanna Guzmán will present her ninth LA County Holiday Celebration this year.

Immersive Illuminations

Lightscape returns to LA Arboretum through January 8

By Kamala Kirk

Returning to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gar den, Lightscape is bigger, bolder and brighter.

“Lightscape celebrates and highlights the Arboretum’s ex tensive gardens and landscapes with dazzling displays of color, light and sound,” says Richard Schulof, Los Angeles Arboretum director.

Through January 8, Lightscape offers 18 experiences along a 1-mile trail through the 127-acre landscape.

“Except for the popular Winter Cathedral, all this year’s installations are new, with many making their U.S. premiere at our show. The Winter Cathedral is a tunnel of twinkling holiday lights, ideal for family photos. Thousands of glowing lights give the experience of moving through a cloud of stars. And last year, the Winter Cathedral hosted multiple wed ding proposals.”

Three installations that are making their U.S. debut this year are Will-o’-the-Wisps, Whole Hole and the Laser Garden. Will-o’-the-Wisps is a legion of mystifying, glowing entities that haunt the night with a soft flicker, glowing discreetly and never revealing their true form.

Whole Hole is a wild-growing and futuristic structure that transports those who enter a wormhole, moving them faster than the speed of light with hundreds of LED strips that help spectators travel through time and space, beginning and ending with a movement toward light.

The Laser Garden is an ever-evolving experience that basks the audi ence in a blanket of endless green laser beams. A seemingly impenetrable web of light is broken apart by illusive shapes in the dark, illuminating trees and the ground in ways never before seen.

“My personal favorite is the Venus Fountain. Simply spectacular, kaleidoscope colors and images are projected across towering, geyser-like streams of water shot from water cannons, creating a 100-foot-wide liquid screen of dancing lights above the 3-acre Baldwin Lake. In the Arbore tum’s tropical forest — one of my favorite places — the Laser Garden combines brilliantly colored laser lights and fog with botanical beauty of the forest, illuminating the diversity of plant forms and textures.”

According to Schulof, the walk through Lightscape takes around 90 minutes or longer to complete, depending on how many times one stops for photos or for hot chocolate, a drink or food.

“Just beyond the Winter Cathedral are fire pits where visitors can make their own s’mores,” Schulof says. “Kits, available for purchase, include a giant marshmallow, graham crackers, chocolate and a stick to create the gooey snack. Children and adults love the s’mores.”

The L.A. Arboretum produces Lightscape in association with Sony Music. Additionally, Lightscape is creatively produced by Culture Cre ative.

Schulof adds, “Lightscape is created by an international team of artists and designers who have created a show specific to the L.A. Arboretum, unlike any other. All proceeds from Lightscape go directly to improve the Arboretum, with past shows funding new gardens, repairs to the Queen Anne Cottage, and improvements for visitors.”

Lightscape

WHEN: Through January 8

WHERE: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia

COST: $15 adults, $11 students and seniors, $5 children 5 to 12, free for children 4 and under

INFO: arboretum.org/lightscape

Sony Music/Submitted

The internationally acclaimed Lightscape has returned to the Los Angeles Arboretum with more than a dozen displays of light, art and music that transform the venue into an illuminated nighttime adventure.

Festive Display

These holiday tips will make Christmas trees sparkle

By Kamala Kirk

With the holidays upon us, it’s time to set the mood by decorating one of the main attractions — the Christmas tree. Decorating the tree is a special tradition in many homes, as it’s the time of year where everyone comes to together around the centerpiece of holiday cel ebrations. From ornaments and lights to color themes, there are many ways to make a tree sparkle this holiday season.

Artificial vs. real

While nothing compares to the scent and feel of the real thing, artificial trees have become popular because they are convenient and cost-effective. John DeCosmo, president of Ulta-Lit Tree Company — an innovator of Christmas light set repair technology — says that it really boils down to personal preference and what individuals have grown up with over the years.

“In every household, there tends to be an ongoing debate on this,” DeCosmo says. “Sometimes families switch to artificial after being real tree users for 25-plus years, and it can sometimes cause an uproar because people like to stick with their traditions. It’s as personal as ‘What do you like for dinner?’ Everyone has their own preference. Some people see the low maintenance, ease and perfection of pre-lit artificial trees, and that’s enough for them to make the switch.”

Themes and trends

According to interior designer and arbiter of Southern California style Barclay Butera, where his clients live often inspires the tree’s design theme.

“In California, I am getting more requests for coastal trees with blue, white and silver colors; starfish, lots of shimmer — it’s a look I love!” he says. “For my clients in the mountains, they want natural warm tones that blend with their environment, and plenty of greenery, which is abundant there, of course. Also, finding incredible vintage pieces like a real sleigh from the ’50s or shiny bright icicles from the ’60s can really turn up the volume on your tree.”

Despite the endless themes, Butera is a big fan of the classics.

“I’m not a ‘theme’ or ‘trend’ kind of guy,” Butera says. “I love to layer shimmer and shine with natural materials, while ribbons and white lights really round out the mix.”

But when it comes to ornaments, Butera does like to stick to a color scheme.

“This year is warm golds and natural accents like pine cones and branches, but I’m also a fan of soft sea-glass greens and blues mixed with silver,” he says. “It really depends on my mood and the surroundings; I never like to duplicate.”

DeCosmo adds, “Red and white has been a popular combination for many years. For several seasons, micro-LEDs have been a hit — the trees look beautiful right out of the box and can fit thousands of lights on a single tree. Another trend in lighting is the capability of some lights to switch from colored lights to white. This allows users to switch up the look of their tree based on mood, preference or occasion. Tree collars are also popular, which are decorative covers designed to hide the base of a real or artificial tree.”

Decorating the Christmas tree is a special tradition in many homes and helps to set the mood during the holidays.

Christmas tree lights

To determine whether your lights and ornaments are evenly distributed on your tree, DeCosmo recommends using the squint test, or putting your pointer fingers and thumbs together, to create a small diamond. When you look through it, you’ll get a sense of whether or not you’ve balanced your lights and ornaments evenly. Then, you can adjust your ornaments and lights accordingly.

“Additionally, any time you see burned-out bulbs on your light sets, replace them immediately,” DeCosmo says. “If you can’t replace them right away, then unplug the light set until you can. Even if it is just one or two lights and the set still works, those two bulbs are now not taking in their fair share of voltage. That voltage is then forced upon all the other good bulbs, wearing them down at a higher rate. Four burned-out bulbs on a 50bulb incandescent light set increases the demise by 63%.”

He also adds the importance of having the right light set repair tools to keep the holidays bright. Two of his favorites are the LightKeeper Pro and LED Keeper, which repair failed incandescent and LED holiday light sets.

“The LightKeeper Pro, designed for incandescent light sets, sends a pulse through the set to identify the bad bulb and repairs the shunt,” DeCosmo says. “The LED Keeper, designed for LED light sets, uses insulation piercing to connect to the copper within the light let wires and illuminate small functional sections. Success will be achieved through the process of elimination.”

The general rule for incandescent light sets is to only connect three sets end to end, he points out.

“Additionally, we don’t recommend connecting additional lights to a light set on a pre-lit tree as it can overwhelm the circuit,” DeCosmo says. “Instead, we advise people who want to add more lights to a pre-lit tree to use a separate extension cord brought up through the center.”

Ornaments and accessories

When it comes to ornaments and décor, the two things that Butera ad vises against are velvet Santas and other kitsch. But he encourages getting creative and mixing it up with ornaments.

“I recommend buying multiples of ornaments in different textures and shapes,” Butera says. “Start by layering the larger ornaments first and work your way out and up to smaller accents. I like a nice full tree — I never did go for that sparse look. If you have a fabulous collection of vintage orna ments, purchase new ones in similar colorways for a uniform look. And always thread gorgeous ribbon or garland to add a final dimensional touch.”

While Butera isn’t big on traditional tree toppers, the last few years he has been simply crowning the top few branches of the tree with a cluster of ornaments.

“The nice thing is you never have to worry about it being crooked,” Butera points out. “That being said, a classic well-made spectacular star usually does the trick.”

Holiday scents

Another great way to set the mood for the holidays is to fill your home with the scent of Christmas, DeCosmo says.

“Whether you’re decorating with an artificial or real tree this Christ mas, filling your home with the festive and nostalgic scents of the holidays is crucial,” he says. “Thankfully, with the use of ScenTree, a new holiday fragrance home diffuser, you can enjoy the scent of Christmas. The treeshaped ScenTree lasts well over 30 days, and can be hung on the tree like an ornament, or stand freely on a flat surface. It is a unique diffuser that brings a genuine and immersive Christmas experience to any room in the home, office or the retail store.”

Final touches

When decorating for the holidays, Butera says it’s important to pay attention to the entrance.

“If all you do is an elegant doorway, a tree and a mantle, you have set the mood,” he says. “Fresh pine boughs, cedar branches, pinecones, real holly and boxwood are a must. I rarely use the faux wreaths and only in a pinch. Red berries and dogwood branches are beautiful, but don’t limit

yourself to that color scheme. I never extend décor to the kitchen or bed rooms; I think it takes away from the special magic we create in the living and family room areas.”

Butera admits that he also likes to coordinate his wrapping paper to go along with the overall decorative theme.

“If I have a color scheme going on, you can bet the paper and rib bon will match,” he says. “I prefer high-quality, thick paper in a shimmer or even flocked, with real velvet or satin ribbon. This is not the place to skimp.”

And while having a beautiful tree is the top of the list every year, Butera points out that it’s what’s under the tree — and the company you keep — that matters most.

“Having a sweet dog under your tree is the only way to go!” Butera says. “Christmas is so much better this year with Clayton, my King Charles Spaniel. He is a special little guy; we are so lucky to have him as part of the Butera clan. Of course, I love glamorous decorations, but for me Christmas is about surrounding yourself with your family and friends, quiet nights at home, soft traditional music, and a great cocktail or two. Pop on a classic holiday movie and count your blessings instead of sheep.”

Barclay Butera barclaybutera.com

Ulta-Lit Tree Company ultalit.com

Renowned interior designer and arbiter of Southern California style Barclay Butera says that a big trend among his California clients are coastal trees with blue, white and silver colors, starfish and lots of shimmer.

A ‘Smile’ for the Holidays

Shanice, Gay Men’s Chorus put Motown spin on traditions

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Christmas makes R&B/pop singer Shanice Wilson-Knox smile, and she says she’s definitely excited about her collaborative concert with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.

Kicking off the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles season, “A Mo town Holiday” hits the stage on Saturday, December 17, and Sunday, December 18, at Glendale’s Alex Theatre.

“This is my first time I’ve ever been to any of their events,” she says. “I’ve heard nothing but great things, that their music is beautiful. We’re going to have a great time.”

They will sing Christmas songs and Wilson-Knox will perform her 1993 Grammy-nominated hit “I Love Your Smile.” Ironically, at first, she didn’t think the song was right as a first single.

“I thought it was a great song,” she says. “I just didn’t think it was right for the first single. I was at Motown Records crying, saying, ‘It’s not the right song. It’s not the right single.’ Of course, they didn’t listen to me — and it went up the charts overnight.

Wilson-Knox wanted to release “Silent Prayer,” a duet with Johnny Gill.

“At the time, the Persian Gulf War was going on and I felt like we needed prayer right then,” she recalls.

She says she certainly doesn’t regret any of it. She’s incredibly proud of “I Love Your Smile,” which is sampled in Chris Brown’s song “Unde

cided.” That introduced the track to a “whole new generation.”

“My kids are listening to ‘I Love Your Smile,’” she says. “I didn’t expect any of this. I’m so grateful and so thankful that the label didn’t listen to me.”

“A Motown Holiday” is a massive choral tribute to Motown’s be loved hits and holiday music. The chorus will sing and dance the season’s greatest from the greats of Motown and beyond: The Temptations, The Supremes, The Ronettes, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, The Weather Girls, Martha and the Vandellas.

“A Motown Holiday” also features The Motown Quartet, including Thomas Hobson (Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay,” La Mirada’s Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Ob vation Award), Stu James (Kirk Douglas Theatre’s Recorded in Hollywood, Hulu’s “Good Trouble”), Frank Lawson (Las Vegas’ “Marilyn! The New Musical,” The Hollywood Bowl’s “Mamma Mia!”) and Dedrick Bonner (vocalist to artists such as Beyoncé, BTS, Dolly Parton and Kanye West, among others).

“Over the years, GMCLA’s holiday concerts have become a beloved tradition in the Los Angeles area because of this chorus’ signature blend of verve and first-rate talent,” says Lou Spisto, chorus executive director and producer.

“This year we’re bringing the original Motown arrangements to

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will sing Christmas songs at its holiday concert.

holiday classics, pop hits that were made famous, plus a host of special surprises with ‘A Motown Holiday.’ So far, the response has been fantastic — we’re selling so well, and we’re thrilled. Adding the incredible Shanice, whom we just adore, and our Motown Quartet will add even more music, variety and great singing to the production.”

This has been a busy year for Wilson-Knox. On November 12, she hit the stage with Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat, Jodeci and Teddy Riley for RnB Rewind at the Toyota Arena – Ontario.

She played Michelle Obama to TJ Wilkins’ Barack Obama in the mu sical “44: The Unofficial, Unsanctioned Obama Musical” at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood.

“TJ Wilkins is my cousin through marriage,” she says. “It was an honor to play Michelle Obama, though. When they called me, I was done. I was so excited. I couldn’t believe my name and Michelle Obama were within the same conversation.

“There was a lot of comedy in it. It makes you want to cry and laugh. It was really nice. The music was beautiful. I was telling her story through songs. I didn’t try to imitate her or anything.”

Now, the former Pasadena resident may release a Christmas single before the holiday. She’s been in the studio working on new music and she acted in the Hallmark film “To Her with Love.” Wilson-Knox calls her new music more mature.

“I’m married with two kids now,” she adds. “When I came out with ‘I Love Your Smile,’ I was a teenager. Now I’m a grown woman and I’ve experienced things in my life just growing up and having a family and children.

“I have more to talk about now — about being a wife and mother. I also like to write songs that will empower women. I love to speak to women and encourage them not to give up and believe in themselves. It’s so needed — especially with the world today. There’s so much hate and sadness going on in the world. I like to do music that would uplift people’s spirits.”

WHEN

WHERE: Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale

COST: Tickets start at $29

INFO: gmcla.org, alextheatre.org

“A Motown Holiday” with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and Shanice Wilson-Knox

: 8 p.m. Saturday, December 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 18

Shanice Wilson-Knox/Submitted

Known for her song, “I Love Your Smile,” Shanice Wilson-Knox is recording new music.

‘A Huge Honor’

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Bella Ballard sees her role as the 104th Rose Queen as a “huge hon or and responsibility,” one she never thought she would achieve. “Every day, I take it as an opportunity to not only be the best version of myself, but to be a role model in the community,” says Ballard, a 17-year-old senior at The Ogburn School, a distance learning school.

“I believe that we as a court all have a huge responsibility. It’s not just myself. We all can make changes and together we can make a bigger impact. I feel like I’ve gained six best friends.”

The Altadena resident volunteers with Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Chelsea Football Club. She plays soccer at with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat and West Coast football clubs. Ballard is a street soccer player at Venice Beach Football Club and a tennis player at The

Rose Queen Bella Ballard is proud of her court

Bella Ballard was crowned during an announcement and coronation ceremony presented by Citizens Business Bank on the front steps of Tournament House.

Arroyo Seco and Flint Canyon Tennis Clubs. Sports are important to the soccer midfielder’s family, which includes her parents, Joseph and Angela Ballard, and a sister, Samantha.

“My mom played soccer at LMU and my dad played sports his entire life,” she says. “I got into it just for fun. It’s a family tradition to do something in sports. I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportuni ties through soccer. It’s one of my biggest passions.”

Ballard enjoys reading, calligraphy, collecting vinyl records, playing chess and learning about astronomy and astrophysics. She will attend Yale in the fall and is interested in studying economics, law and astrophysics.

“I’ve committed for soccer at Yale and I’m going to continue on with that,” she says excitedly.

Ballard was crowned during an announcement and coronation ceremony presented by Citizens Business Bank on the front steps of Tournament House.

Hosted by KTLA5 anchor Lu Parker, the announcement was made by 2023 Tournament of Roses President Amy Wainscott and follows a month-long selection process with students from 30 Pasa dena area schools participating in interviews.

The Royal Court was selected based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, academic achievement, youth leadership, and community and school involvement.

The history of the Rose Queen dates back to 1905, when Hallie Woods was selected to ride in a horse-drawn carriage down Colo rado Boulevard. Since then, Rose Queens have had a wide range of success. From May Sutton, queen in 1908, the first American player to win the singles title at Wimbledon, to the 2000 queen, Sophia Bush, an actor nominated for a People’s Choice award for her role on “Chicago P.D.”

The 1940 Rose Queen, Margaret Huntley Main, is the lon gest living queen at 101 years old. From Northern California, she watched Ballard be crowned live on the Tournament of Roses You Tube channel.

During the coronation ceremony, Wainscott presented Rose Queen Bella Ballard with a Mikimoto crown featuring more than 600 cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds.

As the Rose Queen, Ballard, along with her Royal Court, will attend numerous community and media functions, serving as ambas sadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community and the greater Los Angeles area.

“We attend over 100 community events,” she says. “We just rode on the Goodyear blimp. That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportu nity.”

Each Royal Court member will receive a $7,500 educational scholarship from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

“To be honest, I never thought I would be here today,” she says. “You drive past the Tournament House every day and think, ‘Oh my God, that’s where the queen and princesses live.’ Now I still can’t believe that it’s real.”

134th Rose Parade presented by Honda

WHEN: 8 a.m. Monday, January 2

WHERE: Starts at Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena

COST: See website for tickets INFO: tournamentofroses.com

Bella Ballard is the 104th Rose Queen.

Mission-Driven Work

Pasadena Humane seeks volunteers, fosters

By Leah Schwartz

With the holiday season swiftly approaching, Pasadena Humane has one goal: empty the kennels.

This has been the 119-year-old nonprofit’s objective since its inception in 1903. During the past 12 months, more than 2,800 pets have been adopted into forever homes, but many remain. For the past 119 years, Pasadena Humane has provided shelter, adoption services and life-saving treatments to homeless animals, along with programs that support pet health and well-being after adoption.

The shelter offers low-cost spay and neuter procedures, a pet food bank, vaccinations and an animal support call center. But through it all, adopting and fostering animals out of the kennels remain their priority.

This year’s seasonal fostering initiative is aptly named “Home for the Holidays,” which encourages community members to open their homes to homeless animals. There’s a particular need for fosters for larger dogs, who make up a large portion of the dogs at the shelter.

Dia DuVernet, who has served as president and CEO of Pasadena Hu mane for the last three years, knows that adoption can be a big commit ment. When broached the topic, she explains that fostering could offer a low-commitment solution.

“Of course, adopting is a won derful way to give a homeless pet a home for the holidays, and we would love for folks to consider bringing a shelter pet into their family this holiday season,” she says.

“But we know that not everyone can make a permanent commitment. So, we’re also en couraging people to foster pets if they can. That gives the pets a much-needed break from the kennels and a little respite.”

Although fostering is usu ally short term, the effects on an animal’s well-being can last far longer.

“Research has shown that just a few days out of the shelter reduces the stress and anxiety in

Dia DuVernet is Pasadena Humane’s president and chief executive officer.

shelter pets, which ultimately helps them get adopted,” she says.

Fostering an animal can last as little as two weeks or indefinitely, as fostering can be a great way to see if a pet is a good fit without making a long-term commitment. Pasadena Humane provides all supplies to foster homes and access to a 24/7 foster emergency hotline.

But for those unable to commit to fostering or adoption, animal lovers can volunteer or make a donation in a loved one’s name for a meaning ful holiday gift. There is also an Amazon wishlist for patrons to purchase much-needed supplies directly to the shelter, like bedding and food.

Since COVID-19, Pasadena Humane has made a few needed changes to its operation.

“We’ve kept some of those changes because it turned out that they were positive,” DuVernet says.

Now, adoptions are made by appointment, available seven days a week, to meet with an adoption counselor who matches patrons with com patible pets.

This system allows prospective adopters and pets more individualized attention.

“We found that it’s a better customer experience for the adopter because they get that dedicated time and also having less traffic in the ken nels helps the animals to reduce anxiety to sleep more and to have a less stressful environment,” she says.

Community members interested in adopting a pet can schedule an appointment online. Still, for those looking to visit, the shelter is open for walk-in visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

With countless animals still living in kennels, Pasadena Humane has one holiday wish.

“We really are hoping that folks will help to give animals some com fort and joy this holiday season by providing them at home either through adopting or through fostering,” she says.

Pasadena Humane 361 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena 626-792-7151, pasadenahumane.org

Chirio Hamster

Wellness Sanctuary

The NOW Massage to open Pasadena location this winter

By Kamala Kirk

The NOW Massage recently unveiled plans to open its first Pasadena location later this month. This will be the eighth boutique in Los Angeles, which has locations in Santa Monica, Studio City, Silver Lake, West Hollywood and El Segundo. Additional boutiques will open in Long Beach and Westlake Village soon.

“We are excited to open our first Pasadena boutique and continue The NOW’s expansion in Los Angeles by bringing our singular aesthetic and elevated massage experience to the area,” says Gara Post, co-founder and chief creative offer of The NOW Massage, which is headquartered in LA. “The NOW was founded on the principle that in today’s fast-paced, digi tally driven society, self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. We designed the boutique to feel like an oasis or relaxation and recovery, and look forward to introducing Pasadena to our inspiring wellness brand.”

Designed as an oasis for guests to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect within, The NOW Massage offers high-quality customizable massage services by experienced therapists without the time commitment and higher costs of traditional spas. The clean and modern design aesthetic instantly transports visitors to a beautiful vacation locale such as Tulum.

“The Pasadena boutique will feature The NOW’s signature design ele ments that have been recognized by press and influencers internationally,” Post says.

“Inspired by exotic beachside destinations from around the world, natural wood surfaces and exposed beams are coupled with sheep skins, rawhides, cactus galleries and crystal grids to form the ultimate Zen en vironment. Each NOW boutique uses canvas draping to separate therapy spaces, creating an airy feeling that adds to the soothing atmosphere. The sound of ocean waves on loop makes you feel as if you are on vacation at an exotic destination.”

The treatment menu at The NOW’s Pasadena location will include the brand’s three Swedish-inspired signature massage styles: The NOW (a signature relaxation massage), The HEALER (an energy-balancing mas sage that reduces stress), and The STRETCH (a sports-inspired recovery massage). The massages can be paired with custom enhancements such as herbal heat therapy, deep tissue, an eye mask, gua sha, calm balm, hemp calm balm and, the newest enhancement, a glided cupping massage.

In addition to nine massage rooms, the Pasadena boutique will carry The NOW’s branded product and jewelry line designed by Post, which is available online as well.

“The Pasadena boutique will stock our Nourish, Scent and Room by The NOW collections for guests that want to extend the benefits of their massage and bring a piece of The NOW lifestyle home with them,” Post says. “Some of our bestselling products include our signature jasmine co conut candle, hemp calm balm and our collection of Gara Danielle Jewelry, among others.”

With multiple boutiques open across the country and continued expan sion on the horizon, The NOW Massage looks forward to bringing its menu, healing products and signature design to more U.S. cities.

“The NOW’s success in LA, including scaling from one to four bou tiques in 18 months and building a loyal base of guests and members, has laid the groundwork for continued expansion in the area,” Post says. “As more people are looking for ways to reset and recover from stress, anxiety and exercise, we look to be an oasis of rest and relaxation for the Pasadena community.”

The NOW Massage 75 W. Walnut Street, Suite 120, Pasadena thenowmassage.com

Popular wellness brand The NOW Massage is opening its first Pasadena location later this month.

Nurture the Soul

American-style food truck feeding the city of Pasadena

By Morgan Owen

For Michael Gray, owner of Fat Boys food truck, cooking is about connection.

The highlight of his day is watching his customers’ faces light up when he passes their food through the window.

“I grew up with food as a way to nurture the soul. … I love that connection. You get to (see) the look on their faces when they eat (it). Everyone in the truck loves that moment,” Gray says.

Fat Boys, a Pasadena-based food truck and catering service, spe cializes in comfort food of all kinds, from lumpia to burgers and latenight nachos. Gray says Fat Boys’ menu reflects the food he would want to curl up with and eat on a cozy night. But catering is where Gray says Fat Boys shines.

“I’m a trained chef. Burgers are not the only thing I can do. … For catering, we’ve done shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and buttermilk biscuits. … I have an event coming up where we are (making) mashed potatoes, green, green bean casserole, sauteed and roasted asparagus, and carrots, and we are going to make croissants,” Gray explains.

Gray’s love of the culinary arts began as a child cooking with his grandmother, whom he says is the person who made him the man he is today. Although Gray’s grandmother died before he opened Fat Boys, he says he believes she would be proud of what he’s done. Many of the recipes he uses at Fat Boys are from her.

“She was my world,” Gray says. “The kitchen, that was our bond ing place. We talked about everything in that kitchen what she wanted to do, what I wanted to do. That was where she told me, ‘Don’t lose sight of your dream. Always go for what you want.’”

Gray didn’t realize becoming a professional chef was his dream until he was in his 20s after he recovered from an addiction. The kitchen was a place for Gray to “touch base with those people that re ally had meaning in (his) life.”

That was when Gray started to pay more attention to the Food Network and even started catering some events on his own.

“We were going to Vegas one day for a friend’s birthday. On the way, we stopped by (the California Culinary Academy). I did my

Michael Gray/Fat Boys

Michael Gray, owner of Fat Boys, outside his food truck.

interview with them, and fell in love with it…” Gray remem bers. Then he found out how much the application cost. “Dream crushed.”

But as he celebrated with his friends, Gray says he had a revelation. “I’m going to get into culinary school. I’m going to that school. And that’s when I won the exact amount I (needed) to submit the application. It’s been history from there.”

Gray says there were several hurdles he had to overcome to find success, especially obstacles of identity. Unfortunately, he says, race played a part in the direction Gray was to take his new business.

“Whether we like to admit it, there are still hurdles for a Black, gay man to be the face of a business,” he says.

“I not only had to face the push back from my own LGBTQ community for not … looking a certain way, but I had to also push through my own demons of not feeling as if I desired this amazing opportunity. But with Black Lives Matter and so much love and support pouring out … I felt like I belonged here as a business owner.”

To give back to the community, Gray works with local alcohol rehabilitation centers, LGBTQ organizations and mental health nonprofits to help people realize their dreams. In Pasa dena, Gray brings the food truck to as many outreach events as possible. At each event, Gray donates a portion of his profits to the charity hosting the event.

Photo by Eric Pargac. Trisha Miller.

Michael Gray/Fat Boys

Michael Gray, owner of Fat Boys, with his loaded steak fries.

‘New American'

Charming Deluxe 1717 combines diverse culinary influences

By Kamala Kirk

Serving high-quality food is second nature for longtime chef and caterer Onil Chibás of Pasadena.

Formerly running Elements Kitchen in the renowned Pasa dena Playhouse, Chibás now offers Deluxe 1717, a warm and wel coming eatery with indoor and outdoor seating.

It’s next to an Armenian butcher and specialty store, ice cream shop and pizza joint on Washington Boulevard.

“We are very happy to open a new restaurant here in Northeast Pasadena,” says Chibás, who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. “It’s very exciting to see the changes that are happening in this neigh borhood, and it’s a joy to be a part of it.”

Deluxe 1717 began offering regular dinners in January 2021. He had been catering out of the space as Onil Chibás Events. When the pandemic eased, he experimented with limited dinner service on Fri day evenings for “Casual Fridays.”

“It was so well received by the local community that we decided to expand to Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Sat urday and Sunday brunch, which all came together in summer 2022,” Chibás says.

The restaurant’s name is inspired by the original moniker of De luxe Lounge & Café and its street address.

“I decided to look it up and see if numerologically 1717 had any significance and, sure enough, it did,” Chibás says. “The angel num ber 1717 is all about independence, fresh starts and manifest destiny. Seeing this angel number is a sign that a new phase of life is on the horizon, which the angels backing you and your new way of living. I thought this was perfect as a deeper meaning and significance for the restaurant’s new name, and felt it was the right choice to call it Deluxe 1717.”

The cozy and intimate interior features Chibás’ personal art col lection on the walls by local artists such as JT Burke, whose eyecatching framed works were created by layering detailed photographs of costume jewelry.

“I love JT’s work because there’s a whimsical quality to it. There’s serious art that’s behind the composition and the technique,” Chibás says. “I feel like that is similar to the way we approach our food. Everything we create is beautifully presented, there’s a serious ness and care we approach it with, but we’re also here to have a good time.”

Other pieces are a nod to Chibás’ native Cuba, his historic Pasa dena home and his love for cats.

“My artwork is a reflection of me and the restaurant’s sensibility,” Chibás says. “We wanted it to be a comfortable neighborhood restau rant, but at the same time we wanted it to be a beautiful space.”

Chibás describes the menu as “New American” because it weaves foods and ingredients from around the world with classical French training.

“My background is Cuban, and Alberto Morales, the chef de cuisine, is a Bolivian native,” Chibás says. “Our pastry chef, Cherry Aguilar, is Filipina. Those cultural influences certainly come through, enhancing our desire to explore many diverse cuisines. This is what drives our menu, so it is this mix of cultural aesthetics, flavors and ingredients that literally makes our menu New American.”

Chris Mortenson/Staff photographer

Onil Chibás describes the menu as “New American” because it weaves food from around the globe with classical French training. Highlights include the Cuban sandwich, Asian fish and chips, the Deluxe burger, and house-smoked St. Louis ribs.

Among the menu’s highlights are the Cuban sandwich, which is made with slow-roasted pork shoulder, house-smoked pork belly, jam bon, gruyere, mojo, pickles and plantain chips. Other standout dishes include the Asian fish and chips made with miso-marinated snapper, nam pla sauce and sambal tartar sauce served with a side of taro chips; the Deluxe burger with tomato-bacon jam, arugula, gruyere and crispy shallots; and house-smoked St. Louis ribs made with in-house barbe cue sauce that is available on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant also serves seasonal favorites like the house-cured duck pastrami with braised cabbage and violet mustard.

Another popular offering is the new Deluxe brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, which includes menu items like German chocolate pan cakes, huevos rancheros with house-smoked brisket, and vegetarian sopes with Beyond Beef picadillo filling, along with sparkling wine, rosé or craft beer specials.

Deluxe 1717 also hosts special tasting menu dinners and wine pairings for guests. Recently, it partnered with L’Objet vintner and ex-music business veteran Danny Glover for an exclusive wine dinner. Its five-course tasting menu featured a range of dishes from a burrata crostini with Indian-inspired pickled cauliflower and golden raisins with red pepper ham to a sweet plantain mousse Napoleon on cinna mon sugar puff pastry with fresh currants and gooseberries.

“It was a great evening that allowed us to feature new menu items that were thoughtfully paired with wines old and new from our wine list,” Chibás says.

“We had a great time creating this menu and wine pairings, and our guests made up of a full house of regulars and newcomers to De luxe 1717 clearly enjoyed what we served. We plan to do many more wine dinners. We love food and wine, and the idea of creating food that pairs well with a certain wine or choosing wines with our wine steward, Jeff Champion, that complement our dishes is very exciting and satisfying, especially when the perfect food and wine pairing is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Champion says he curated Deluxe 1717’s wine list, so it’s versa tile.

“There needs to be acidity and structure in the wines to balance the fruit,” Champion says. “We also don’t tend to pick wines that only go with one thing. Many of the dishes that Onil and Alberto create tend to do well with lighter reds. There’s a lot of pork, chicken, duck and fish — all work well with wines like pinot noir, chianti (sangiovese),

gamay (beaujolais) and rosé. You’ll always see a selection of these wines on the list. Our whites will be bright and energetic in the warmer months and round and pleasing in the cooler months.”

Champion added that the wine list will always focus on local regions with family-owned, small-production wines, though they will incorporate some international wines as the menu changes.

“With such an international group of chefs in the kitchen, the dishes are always expressive globally, and I think we’d be missing the mark if the wine list didn’t also represent that,” Champion says.

“The wine list started out small, as we wanted to get our feet wet and see what works. Our goal is to continue to grow the list; you can expect to see some higher-end wines start to dot the list soon. From the onset, the list was always going to mirror the theme of the menu. A few anchors surrounded by wines that change with the season, avail ability, or whatever sparked excitement in the three of us. My role for this list is to look ahead at what the chefs are planning and redirect the list accordingly. Both Onil and Casey are instrumental in choosing the wines. It’s not enough for one of us to like the wine; we all need to agree that it goes well with the menu and the sense of the restaurant. It’s a great feeling when we’re all excited about a wine — those tend to be the wines that make the list.”

Chibás says his customers love that Deluxe 1717 is an inviting, chef-driven neighborhood restaurant that serves reasonably priced, thoughtfully prepared food served by a warm staff.

“Pasadena has been my home for the past 22 years, and so it was and continues to be the obvious choice for both my ventures,” Chibás says.

“My love for Pasadena stems from its beauty, civic cohesiveness and inherent pride of city. I can’t think of a better place to open a res taurant like Deluxe 1717. Our restaurant and the city it is in have that small-town sense of comfort and community together with this incred ibly broad cultural mix that livens every corner.”

Deluxe 1717 1717 E Washington Boulevard, Pasadena 626-797-1717 chibasevents.com

Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday Brunch: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Chris Mortenson/Staff

photographer

Deluxe 1717 is a new restaurant in Pasadena from longtime local chef and caterer Onil Chibás, who previously owned Elements Kitchen at the Pasadena Playhouse.

I Like Pie

Pasadena shop bakes up the individual experience

By Kateri Wozny

Owner Annika Corbin of I Like Pie believes that pies should be an individual experience from the very first bite.

“We are committed to the individual pie,” Corbin says. “We’re a destination brand where you can come in with 10 friends and get what ever you want.”

Before becoming a pie shop owner, Corbin was working from home as an interior designer while her husband Rob worked as a residential home builder. They had once lived in Claremont as part of Rob’s job relocation. After moving multiple times around the country, Rob got laid off in 2010. At the time, the couple were living in Maryland and decided to relocate back to Claremont to try a different venture.

“I’m a serial entrepreneur in my head and I’m always coming up with ideas that are more challenging,” Corbin says. “I love the idea of taking something and making it extraordinary.”

Corbin’s first idea was to open a cupcake shop when the dessert was at its peak popularity in the early 2010s. When she realized another similar shop was near the space she wanted to rent, a friend convinced her to open a pie shop instead.

“There were no innovations with pies for thousands of years,” Corbin says. “The answer was to create individual experiences with different pies in a box to warm in the microwave.”

Corbin didn’t have the knowledge about making pie, so she enrolled

at the American Institute of Baking in Kansas for two years to perfect her craft. During this time, National Public Radio had proclaimed that 2011 was “The Year of the Pie” as the next big thing in dessert. In 2012, Corbin opened up her first I Like Pie location in Claremont and the Pasadena store followed this month.

“Claremont has a charming community and Pasadena is like a giant Claremont with walkability and a small business community feel to it,” Corbin says. “We have seen an outpouring of support.”

Corbin says that the I Like Pie name was inspired from a combination of the R&B band The Four Clefs’ “I Like Pie, I Like Cake” Lindy Hop song and the catch phrase “I like pie.”

“The phrase had come back into dialog where middle-aged kids were using it to diffuse a conversation with their parents,” Corbin says. “We liked a name that is a statement.”

To make the perfect pie, Corbin buys from vendors who purchase local and natural ingredients. One of the secrets to the pies is the crust formula.

“It’s magic,” Corbin says. “It makes the pies better all the way around because it remains tender and flavorful; it’s not overworked.”

I Like Pie carries 10-inch whole sweet pies ($49 to $52), savory pies ($12.75 to $13), mini pies ($3.50 to $4), “handpies” that are sweet ($8.99) and savory ($11.50), and jelly jar pies ($8.50 to $8.99), which are cupcake shaped pies with crust around all sides, a filling and whipped cream or a

Emily Birkeland with Dalia & Finch

Photography/Submitted

I Like Pie was fouded by Annika Corbin to bring quality, individual pies made with local ingredients to the Pasadena community.

garnish on top. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available depending on the flavor and size of the pie.

Corbin claims that her business was the first one to create the jelly jar pie concept.

“Each jelly jar pie is a work of art,” Corbin says. “We’ve taken the time to perfect it and are always changing it to perfect it even more.”

The pie shop has a rotating seasonal menu. Bestsellers for fall include the apple pie with tart apples mixed with cinnamon sugar and topped with a cinnamon shortbread crumble; lemon Danish with creamy lemon curd, a sweet cream cheese center and a shortbread crumble topping with drizzled glaze; salted caramel banana cream with bananas, creamy vanilla pastry cream and salted caramel topped with whipped cream and salted toffee bits; s’mores with a graham cracker crust, chocolate ganache and a chocolate pastry cream topped with a toasted homemade marshmallow and chocolate square; and traditional pumpkin with creamy spiced pumpkin in a traditional pie crust topped with whipped cream.

“We keep the apple, chocolate chip chess, cookie butter, mixed berry and chicken pot pies year-round,” Corbin says. “The savories (chicken pot pie, turkey gravy with harvest stuffing and the spicy potato veggie hand pie) in Pasadena have been selling at twice the rate.”

Customers can look forward to the winter selection of hot chocolate, lemon bar, lemon berry, mixed berry with cranberries and peppermint bark cream pies. In the spring, the banana split, pineapple upside down, strawberry rhubarb, strawberry shortcake and shepherd’s pies will be featured along with a strawberry handpie. Summer will include the lemon buttermilk, peach cobbler and peaches ‘n cream pies along with a peach handpie.

“We try to make each menu that signifies you’re in that season,” Corbin says.

I Like Pie also has a special offer where customers can get the 12th pie free when they buy 11 jelly jar pies. There is also a loyalty program where customers can sign up and accumulate points to receive a free jelly jar pie.

“We’re going to have a holiday assortment with our specialty flavors and it comes with a ribbon and gift tag,” Corbin says.

In the future, Corbin sees I Like Pie expanding throughout Southern California. A big space commissary in Upland is also in construction for future baking classes.

“We want to have Los Angeles as a centric location and are also look ing at Orange County (for future pie shops),” Corbin says.

I Like Pie

WHERE: 38 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena

HOURS: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Year’s Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

INFO: ilikepiebakeshop.com

Carrying on Tradition

By Kateri Wozny

In Spain, it is tradition to greet and say goodbye to one another with dos besos (two kisses) on either side of the cheek. At Spanish restau rant Dos Besos, owners and husband-and-wife team Alejandro and Kit Llobet open their hearts to every single person who walks through the door.

“We like to get to know everyone that comes in and feed as many people as we can with amazing, fresh ingredients,” Kit says.

Alejandro, who’s also the head chef, hails from Barcelona while Kit grew up in Pasadena. The Llobets previously owned a private catering business called Villa Paella before opening their brick-and-mortar loca tion earlier this year. The design has a contemporary look with a Spanish flare and has floor to ceiling windows, string lights, an open kitchen and an outdoor patio.

“We wanted to bring traditional Spanish cuisine to Pasadena,” Kit says. “Having a kitchen that isn’t mobile also allows you to be more

creative.”

The Llobets purchase their ingredients and wines from local vendors that import products from Spain. Starting with a glass of Spanish wine ($12 to $16), Dos Besos has a wide selection of cavas (sparkling), blancos (whites), rosados (rosé) and tintos (reds). The Rioja wine is the most requested amongst customers. There’s also a small selection of cervezas (beer, $8 to $9) and soda, tea, coffee, juice and sparkling water drinks ($5 to $10).

“The Rioja region has an ancient way of harvesting their wine,” Kit says. “It is smooth and has many flavors.”

Tapas (starters, $12 to $52) include the gazpacho Andaluz with Anda lusian vegetable soup served cold, tortilla Española with Spanish potato and onion in an omelet, albondigas a la Española with Spanish meatballs in tomato sauce, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota Marcos Salamanca with acornfed Iberian ham and the popular pan con tomate with bread rubbed in

Dos Besos delivers authentic Spanish cuisine experience

Pasadena’s Dos Besos specializes in traditional Spanish cuisine and is known for its paella.

homemade tomato paste seasoned with olive oil and salt.

“Everyone loves bread but this this one (pan cristal) is from the Cata lan region of Spain,” Kit says. “It’s a good combination of softness and slightly crispy on the outside.”

Dos Besos is known for serving their paella, a traditional Spanish dish from the Valencia region made with bomba rice infused with saffron, a protein or vegetable and an optional socarrat layer. Each paella takes about 35 minutes to cook.

“Paella is served in a shallow pan and socarrat adds an earthy flavor and crusty texture,” Kit says. “It’s not only a dish that you share but it’s also an experience.”

Paellas ($47 to $58) include the paella en su tinta with squid ink, Fideuá de Mariscos with seafood noodles, paella de vegetales with veg etables and the most popular dish, the paella del mar with seafood.

“Seafood goes well with rice,” Kit says. “It’s what everyone would want to order in Barcelona.”

For the platos principales (main courses, $28 to $49), there are the costillas de cordero with a New Zealand rack of lamb in rosemary sauce, solomillo a la pimienta verde with filet mignon in a peppercorn sauce, salmon al limon con alcaparras with salmon in lemon caper sauce and the lubina a la sal with Mediterranean sea bass baked in rock salt. All main courses are served with a side of roasted potatoes with herbs and sautéed string beans.

“The lubina a la sal is super fresh and light,” Kit says. “It has herbs and comes out in flames.”

Save room for dessert ($8 to $12). There are four choices: Sorbeto with lemon, pineapple and coconut sorbet, affogato with vanilla ice cream and a shot of espresso, helado de vanilla with vanilla ice cream and the tarta de Santiago, a Spanish almond cake with vanilla ice cream.

“The tarta de Santiago is flavorful and not very heavy,” Kit says. “It is full of almond flavor and has a light powdered sugar on top.”

The Llobets enjoy being a small boutique restaurant in town and have no plans on expanding.

“Seeing everyone’s milestones and being a part of their celebrations makes all the hard work worth it,” Kit says.

Dos Besos

99 Union Street, Pasadena instagram.com/dosbesospasadena

5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Dos Besos head chef Alejandro Llobet was born in Barcelona.

By Emily Chavez

With rich brioche, decadent chocolate and a boozy sweet glaze, what’s not to love in this month’s bake?

I’ll admit that the long proving time, where the yeast fer ments the dough and deepens flavors, has intimidated me before to the point that I quickly shied away from making brioche — until now.

My recommendation is to just take it one step at a time and plan ahead. The process is not very labor intensive or complicated. The dough simply needs time to rest and rise without my interference. A final touch of the bourbon glaze after it comes out of the oven means that the alcohol content remains intact. And if that’s not for you, just replace the bourbon with milk. This lovely chocolatey bread will dazzle everyone with its gor geous twist showing off each layer.

1/3 CUP WARM MILK, ABOUT 110 DEGREES

1/4 CUP AND 1 TEASPOON SUGAR

1 1/2 TEASPOONS ACTIVE DRY YEAST

3 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR 3/4 TEASPOON SALT 4 LARGE EGGS

3/4 CUP UNSALTED BUTTER, ROUGHLY CHOPPED

5 TABLESPOONS SEMISWEET DICED BAKING CHOCOLATE OR CHIPS

2 TABLESPOONS POWDERED SUGAR

2 TABLESPOONS UNSWEETENED COCOA OR CACAO POWDER

1 TSP WATER VEGETABLE OIL TO GREASE

INGREDIENTS - BOURBON GLAZE

2 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR 3 TEASPOONS BOURBON 1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT 3 TABLESPOONS MILK

INSTRUCTIONS

TO BEGIN YEAST ACTIVATION, COMBINE WARM MILK AND 1 TEASPOON OF SUGAR IN A BOWL. THEN SPRINKLE THE YEAST ON TOP OF THE LIQUID. LET SIT FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE YEAST TO BLOOM.

IN A STAND-MIXER BOWL, COMBINE FLOUR, REMAINING 1/4 CUP SUGAR, AND SALT. ADD 3 EGGS AND THE ACTIVATED YEAST. USING A DOUGH HOOK ATTACHMENT, MIX AT LOWEST SPEED UNTIL FULLY COMBINED.

WHILE THE MIXER IS RUNNING, SLOWLY ADD THE 1/2 CUP OF BUTTER. INCREASE THE SPEED TO THE NEXT SETTING AND MIX UNTIL THE DOUGH IS ELASTIC AND SMOOTH (8 TO 12 MINUTES). IF DOUGH IS TOO WET, ADD FLOUR IN 1 TABLESPOON INCREMENTS.

TRANSFER THE DOUGH BALL INTO A GREASED BOWL. COAT THE DOUGH WITH VEGETABLE OIL, COVER WITH A DAMP CLOTH, AND LET SIT FOR 1 HOUR IN A WARM AREA.

NEXT, DEFLATE THE DOUGH BY PUNCHING IT DOWN AND LET THE DOUGH REST AGAIN IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR 4 HOURS TO 12 HOURS.

TO MAKE CHOCOLATE SPREAD, MELT THE REMAINING 5 TABLESPOONS OF BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE PIECES USING THE DOUBLE BOILER METHOD, STIRRING UNTIL SMOOTH.

REMOVE FROM HEAT. STIR IN CACAO POWDER AND 2 TABLESPOONS POWDERED SUGAR UNTIL FULLY COMBINED.

TO ASSEMBLE, REMOVE DOUGH FROM THE FRIDGE AND PUNCH DOWN THE AIR.

ROLL DOUGH ON A LIGHTLY FLOURED SURFACE INTO A 20-INCH BY 15-INCH RECTANGLE.

SPREAD THE CHOCOLATE FILLING OVER THE DOUGH, LEAVING A 1/2-INCH BORDER AROUND THE EDGE. BRUSH THE LONG EDGE OF THE RECTANGLE OPPOSITE OF YOU WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WATER.

STARTING FROM THE LONG SIDE CLOSEST TO YOU, ROLL THE DOUGH INTO A LOG. PRESS SEAM CLOSED, GENTLY EVEN OUT THE ROLL, AND LET REST ON ITS SEAM.

TRIM ABOUT 3/4 INCH OFF EACH END OF THE ROLL, THEN CUT IN HALF LENGTHWISE.

GENTLY TRANSFER THE TWO HALVES OF THE LOG ONTO A PARCHMENT LINED BAKING SHEET.

USING GENTLE TENSION, TWIST THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER AND THEN SHAPE INTO A LARGE CIRCLE. PINCH THE DOUGH TOGETHER WHERE THE ENDS MEET.

COVER AND LET SIT FOR 1 1/2 HOURS IN A WARM AREA.

MAKE AN EGG WASH BY BEATING TOGETHER THE REMAINING ONE EGG AND 1 TEASPOON OF WATER.

BRUSH THE EGG WASH ONTO THE DOUGH AND THEN BAKE IN AN OVEN PREHEATED TO 350 DEGREES FOR 30 TO 35 MINUTES, UNTIL THE EDGES JUST BEGIN TURNING GOLDEN BROWN.

MAKE THE BOURBON GLAZE BY WHISKING TOGETHER 2 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR, 3 TEASPOONS BOURBON, 1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT, AND 3 TABLESPOONS MILK UNTIL SMOOTH.

BRUSH THE CHOCOLATE TWIST WITH THE GLAZE AS SOON AS IT COMES OUT OF THE OVEN.

Vroman’s Live

Bookstore boasts stellar lineup for December

By Arroyo Staff

The renowned bookstore Vroman’s is hosting more top-notch virtual and in-person programs throughout December.

All in-person events will all be held at Vroman’s located at 695 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, unless otherwise noted.

Register through vromansbookstore.com. Anyone with questions is asked to email email@vromansbookstore.com.

Z.R. Ellor and Alexandra Overy pres ent their latest, “Acting the Part” and “This Cursed Crown” 7 p.m. Monday, December 12

“Acting the Part”: Queer actor Lily Ashton has found fame playing lesbian warrior Morgantha on the hit TV show “Galaxy Spark.” Lily knows how little representation queer girls have, so when the showrunners reveal that Morgan tha’s on-screen love interest, Alietta, is going to be killed off, Lily orchestrates an elaborate fake-dating scheme with the standoffish actress who plays her, to generate press and ensure a

happy ending for the #Morganetta ship.

But while playing a doting girlfriend on- and off-screen, Lily struggles with whether a word like “girl” applies to them at all.

Lily’s always been good at playing a part. But are they ready to share their real self, even if it means throwing everything they’ve fought for away? (Harperteen)

“This Cursed Crown”: In the sequel to “These Feathered Flames,” twin sisters Izaveta and Asya find themselves separated once again, but discovering a way back to each other may be their most perilous challenge yet.

Awakening to find herself trapped in a strange tower, Izaveta knows she must find her way back to the Tóurensi palace and claim the throne. But even with an unexpected ally’s help, she worries she might not be able to get news of her survival to her sister and escape this frozen land. Back at home, Asya enlists Nikov’s help to prove Izaveta is still alive, even as she finds herself forced to navigate the political world, she always sought to avoid to save her queendom, her loved ones, and herself. But as the sisters work independently to reunite, a dangerous force lies in wait, trying to regain power to overthrow the monarchy. (Inkyard Press)

7 p.m. Tuesday, December 13

DeBellis’ “The Music We Make”: Surviving an accident that takes his mother’s life, 22-year-old songwriter Santiago DeAngelo is consumed by grief, guilt, and the opiates he is pre scribed for his injuries. Nearing rock bottom, he receives inspiration for a song from his late mother. As he struggles to write it, he falls in love with Kitty Holladay, a music producer who offers a rare shot at fame with a hidden agenda. Kitty seduces him into the fast-paced world of pop music where he records a hit album while fighting his opiate addiction to write the one song that will help him make peace with his mother’s death. But when their relationship ends over the betrayal of that song, Santiago must decide the real value of his life in a moment that nearly ends it.

DeMonte’s “Beep Beep Get Out of My Way: Seven Tools for Powerful Creation and Living Your Unstoppable Life” is based on the seven transformative tools from the Abundance Circle groups created by psychotherapist Catherine DeMonte.

This is the process which shifted her clients into manifesting mavens. It is a practical self-help book grounded in the author’s more than 25 years of clinical psychotherapy practice and shows the reader how to do the real work that creates lasting change.

“Beep Beep” shares some of the stories of participants who were able to manifest what their heart deeply desired that had been elusive for years, even when the odds seemed impossible.

Cuneo’s “Little Morwenna’s Horror Alphabet Primer” features

illustrator Juno Abreu. Together, they present the alphabet as taught by a new, gothic heroine for the age. She’s dead, but that won’t stop her from trying to make friends by sharing a few of her favorite things-like her axe, your burial, a good lament, and her dog Shivers, who seems to have picked up an odor under the floorboards. No matter-sit back, relax, ignore the screams from the marsh, and allow Little Morwenna to unburden you of that annoying obligation you’ve been feeling to look on the bright side.

Kate Baer, in conversation with Eliza beth Holmes, discusses “And Yet: Poems”

7 p.m. Thursday, December 15

The author of “What Kind of Woman,” Kate Baer recently penned a second full-length book of poetry, “And Yet.” It dives deeper into the themes that are the hallmarks of her writing: moth erhood, friendship, love and loss. Taken together, these poems demonstrate the remarkable evolution of a writer and an artist working at the height of her craft, pushing herself and her poetry in a beauti ful and impressive way.

Holiday entertainment

Vroman’s is hosting music this holiday season, outside on the Vro man’s Paseo

Holiday Brass Quintet from Pasadena Conservatory of Music

1 p.m. Saturday, December 10

Vocielesti Choir

1 p.m. Saturday, December 17

Vroman’s Local Author Night featur ing Michelle Rene DeBellis, Catherine DeMonte and Paul Cuneo