Dining

Langham pours ‘Downton Abbey’ into its afternoon

By Kamala Kirk Pasadena Weekly Staff Writer

Fans of “Downton Abbey” can step back in time to the 1920s as The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, presents a special afternoon tea inspired by the historical drama series.

Available on select weekends throughout May, it features a British-inspired menu and a special pop-up shop.

“We have so many guests and visitors who often comment how being at the hotel makes them feel like they’re at an old English estate or a castle in Europe,” said Leslie Marks, e-commerce manager at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.

“Some have even remarked they feel as if they’re in Downton Abbey. So, when the opportunity to do this came along, we knew it was a perfect fit.”

From scones and sandwiches to a selection of tea and champagne, guests will feast on savory and sweet items that differ from The Langham’s standard afternoon tea menu of macarons and French almond cakes.

“It fully leans into more British culinary traditions like Scottish smoked salmon, Victoria sponge cake and sticky toffee pudding,” Marks said.

“The tea sandwiches are so delicate and elegant, and what’s afternoon tea without warm scones and homemade lemon curd? But I would say our desserts are always the star. Not only are they delicious (the Palmier in particular is the perfect blend of buttery, flaky and crunchy) but they’re extra Instagrammable.”

Guests are encouraged to dress in period attire and snap photos in front of a “Downton Abbey” backdrop. The pop-up will offer a variety of custom-designed pieces, including fascinators, headbands, combs, and beautifully curated vintage hats and accessories.

“We’ll also have some fun additions to this tea series to make it feel even more like a ‘Downton Abbey’ experience, such as a floral backdrop with the films’ logo for taking photos and, of course, the amazing vintage accessories pop-up shop,” Marks said.

“The pop-up shop is by a local curator, Andie of The Feathered Head, inspired by past images of elegance when women of style dressed for dining, travel and parties. She offers amazing one-of-a-kind headpieces, including custom and authentic vintage items. She incorporates unexpected embellishments like feathers, vintage jewelry and millinery, textural flowers, quills and Swarovski crystals into all her items.

“I know she’s taken great care to curate a fabulous selection just for these events, to make the shoppable pieces as authentic to the ‘Downton Abbey’ era as possible.”

“Downton Abbey” Afternoon Tea

WHEN: Sunday, May 15; Saturday, May 21; Sunday, May 22; Saturday, May 28; and Sunday, May 29.

The first seating begins between 11 a.m. and noon, with a second seating between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. WHERE: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena COST: $68

INFO: 626-568-3900, reservations through OpenTable

• ARTS & CULTURE •

Blondie is set to perform at Cruel World on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15.

Blondie’s Clem Burke anticipating busy year

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Pasadena Weekly Executive Editor

Blondie drummer Clem Burke reveals he’s tired. He was out late the night before at a very special birthday party.

“Last night I was at Billie Joe Armstrong’s 50th birthday party,” Burke said. out. It’s always good to have something special for Record Store Day and the world opening up.” This year, Blondie is working on a new album that Burke hopes will be released in “He was playing and I got up and played all the songs from that (1980s and 1990s) era — the Go-Go’s, the Plimsouls. It was a good night. It was fun.”

Burke has spent the year performing with Blondie, as well as the Go-Go’s, filling in on drums for Gina Schock, who was recovering from hand surgery.

When he returns from that European jaunt, he will rejoin Blondie for Cruel World on Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15, at Brookside at the Rose Bowl.

Best known for its song “Heart of Glass,” Blondie, too, has had a busy year.

For Record Store Day on April 23, it released a limited-edition EP featuring the song “Sunday Girl.”

Taken from the band’s multimillion-selling album “Parallel Lines,” “Sunday Girl” was released in 1979 and was the follow-up single to Blondie’s No. 1 song, “Heart of Glass,” and was a U.K. No. 1 and a top 10 hit around Europe.

“We wanted to do something special for that,” he said. “We have a first-time archival box set with a book and everything comes out the end of August.

“The ‘Sunday Girl’ is a sampler from the forthcoming archival box, a live version from 1978. Debbie (Harry, singer) did a version in French that we do. That’s coming 2023. It’s the follow-up to 2017’s “Pollinator.” For Burke, he’s working on a memoir, and gigging around LA with the Long Shadows. The memoir will be anecdotal, instead of a straight autobiography, about the fledgling years of Blondie when he was 18. His high school band performed in a competition at Carnegie Hall when he was 14, and he wondered if his career would be “downhill from here.” “Fortunately, it wasn’t downhill,” he said. “It’s great when I look back on that. Everybody has a dark side, but I’m not getting into that kind of stuff. It’s not only about Blondie, but it’s because of Blondie. It’s about loads of different people.”

Cruel World WHEN: Noon Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Brookside at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena COST: Tickets start at $150; May 14 is sold out INFO: cruelworldfest.com