Share: The sun sets at Pasadena City College on a Thursday evening. At the R building, in room R122, a special screening of the film “Monica” was shown to students. The film’s theme sets on a sensitive topic that students on campus, along with America as a whole, are wrestling with the transgender experience. “It really explores the experience that many people of trans experience go through,” Bryce Simon, resource advocate for Pride Center said about the event. “This is a film that really speaks …
Octavia’s Bookshelf saves space for new stories
Share: A few months after her move to Los Angeles, writer Hannah V. Sawyerr stopped by Octavia’s Bookshelf to ask owner Nikki High if she would consider hosting the release of her debut novel, “All The Fighting Parts”. Nikki warned her she had a lot of events lined up, but asked for the date anyway. The day of Hannah’s book release was Nikki’s one free day and it all happened to be her birthday. “The reason why I opened this bookstore is because it’s so …
Help Wanted: PCC’s search for Lance O’ Lot’s entourage
Share: Lance O’ Lot is here to stay! In March 2023, PCC introduced its new mascot, Lance O’ Lot, bidding farewell to the retired Larry the Lancer. While Lance O’ Lot remained somewhat elusive, a recent job posting indicates that we’ll be seeing a lot more of him. PCC posted on their Instagram, last week advertising tryouts to be Lance O’ Lot, a paid position. While only one person will fill the role of Lance O’ Lot, PCC is looking for extra help with all …
Local movement sprouts up to protect endangered black walnut tree
Share: Up the tidy dirt path lined with laurel sumac and bush sunflowers that still bore a few yellow blossoms, two human-sized Mexican free-tailed bats in purple satin capes held aloft a painted paper whale skeleton and led a small parade. Accompanied by cetacean song amplified from a portable speaker, the procession of Eastside neighbors, city nature fans, land use activists, and children in paper bat masks marched up the path to the Ascot Hills Park Amphitheater in observation of the second annual Black Walnut …
Poetry fans eat up Poe at Prose Bowl
Share: Poet Olivia Gatwood got her start at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque. She had just started doing spoken word, but found herself competing with pony rides and pig races for audience attention. “I was in this like little place with chairs, and it was just my parents and a drunk guy, and a ton of empty chairs and it smelled like funnel cake and horse manure,” she said. “And I did my little poem and I left. They gave me 25 bucks, …
No lights, no camera, all action
Share: The Mousetrap takes place in 1950’s England. The play begins with a subtle lullaby. The lights go out and a whistle comes about. Mollie Ralston, played by Aylah Robinson, is the first to appear on stage followed by her husband Giles Ralston, played by Daniel Grimaldi. PCC fills with laughter and screams with the theater department’s play “The Mousetrap” on the evening of Apr. 25. “I like murder” says Christopher Wren, the first guest to arrive at the Monkswell Manor guesthouse. Wren, played by …
Drag Herrrrrrrr: Queens still reign at West Hollywood bar
Share: The interior design of West Hollywood bar and grill Hamburger Mary’s appears as if the performers there designed it themselves. Pictures of drag queens cover the walls, a “free condoms here” box awaits at the entrance, and pride flags, glitter and diamonds are everywhere. On this night, Dani Kay dances and lip syncs to “God is a Woman” by Ariana Grande and Trinna Modele dresses as a bunny and dances to “Love Again” by Dua Lipa. Sparkle Stone dances and sings “California Gurls” by …
Eclectic artists bring originality to intimate songwriter showcase
Share: “Songwriter showcase” evokes an image of a one-man band in a quiet, Dylanesque acoustic set, but PCC’s Songwriter Showcase was far from a quiet and predictable event. Hosted by the Music Entrepreneurship class, the PCC Songwriter Showcase featured original music from PCC students whose influences range from The Grateful Dead to Radiohead to Pantera and every genre and style in between on Wednesday, April 12 in Westerbeck Recital Hall. Nine acts, both solo and group, performed at the showcase: The Friendly Strangers, Rafael Hutajulu, …
Directors of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ verse jump to PCC
Share: It was one message. In fall 2021, Haein Shim checked Canvas to find an announcement from her film history professor, Marcel Giwargis. He shared information about the Ruth Batchelor Scholarship. Presented by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and supported by Rotten Tomatoes, the award honors underrepresented voices and aspiring film critics. Born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea, Shim came to the United States in 2016 and began studying sociology and women’s studies at PCC in 2021. She is a renowned artist, published …