Shakespeare Villa

11/21/2024

Miranda Johnson-Haddad gave a talk during Tuesday’s luncheon at the Club. She is the resident dramaturg at A Noise Within Theater based in Pasadena which produces world-class performances of classic theatre. The organization also runs robust education programs committed to inspiring diverse audiences of all ages.

Miranda is theatrical consultant with decades of experience working in theatre. A lifelong theatre lover, she brings not only exceptional academic training and research skills but also deep joy and enthusiasm to her dramaturgical practice.

11/14/2024

The Rose Players will perform The Seagull next Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7pm at the Villa!

The play delves into the tangled lives of
artists, exploring unfulfilled desires, creative pursuits, love, jealousy, and the elusive quest for happiness.

Admission and parking are free. Food and beverages will be available.

11/13/2024

Member EJ Egghart is performing at The Ice House once again! See the hilarious “Tiger mom” on Sunday, Dec. 8th at 5pm 😆

11/12/2024

Thank you to our veterans 🇺🇸🙏🕊️

11/10/2024

Reminder to members: next Sunday’s Book Club selection is THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah.

From BookoftheMonth.com: The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

11/09/2024

11/09/2024

Danny Parker, Chair of City of Pasadena’s RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES 710 ADVISORY GROUP, gave a presentation at Wednesday’s general meeting. The advisory group is a Blue Ribbon committee appointed by the Pasadena City Council to assist with the development of a comprehensive vision and plan for the 710 Stub area.

Calrltrans’ relinquishment of the stub represents a unique opportunity to begin the process to reconnect the fabric of our community and establish a new vision for its future.

Thank you, Danny, for a very informative discussion!

11/07/2024

Mona Morales Recalde, an enrolled member of the Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, presented at the Club on Tuesday. She emphasized the importance of maintaining her tribe’s traditions by living on ancestral lands and preserving their rich history. Elected to the Native American Indian Commission of LA County in January 2023, Recalde advocates for continuity through connection to the land.

Thank you, Mona, for a very educational and inspiring talk!

11/05/2024

How cool is this memento! Drama Chairperson Bonnie Eagle had handcrafted a small pillow of the program cover of “Irene,” which was performed by the Shakespeare Club juniors in 1977.

💕

11/02/2024

🌲 Membership volunteer opportunity! In partnership with the Friends of Foster Children, the Westfield Santa Anita Mall is hosting Sugar Plum Trees, where shoppers can pick up a wish tag handwritten from a foster child, purchase the gift at the center, and bring it back as a donation to the organization.

You can volunteer for a shift during one of the dates below.

⏰ Dates: November 30 - December 8

🗺️ Location: JCPenney Court, Level 2

If interested, please contact Janis or Lou Ann for the signup link!

Thank you for your participation!

10/31/2024

Have a safe and scary Halloween! 🎃👻🧟

10/29/2024

The LA Phil presents “Strauss’ Heroic Journey” Friday, Nov 8 - Sunday, Nov 10 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall!

Many consider Richard Strauss to be one of classical music’s greatest orchestrators (and were he alive today, he’d surely agree). Self-assured in his melodic expertise, Strauss channeled that confident energy into his one of his most ambitious tone poems, Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life). Embark on Strauss’ semi-autobiographical journey of love, conflict, and retirement with British conductor Daniel Harding on the podium.

Andrew Staples opens the concert, lending his sonorous tenor to Benjamin Britten’s tender love letter to longtime companion Peter Pears. Overflowing with hauntingly beautiful melodies, Nocturne pairs strings, timpani, and winds with nighttime verses by Shakespeare, Shelley, Wordsworth, and more. The eighth section of Nocturne, Op. 60 features Shakespeare’s Sonnet XLIII.

Inquire for more details about the club membership discount!

10/25/2024

Let’s go, DODGERS!!! 💙💙💙

⚾️💙

10/23/2024

From our Philanthropy Chairperson, Janis Takemura:

October signals the end of summer and the beginning of the holiday season. While we all welcome the milder temperatures and the clear crisp air, many of our unhoused neighbors may not be adequately prepared for the colder weather.

Friends In Deed is once again accepting donations of gently used cold weather items for members of their various programs. They are interested in the following items:

- Warm coats, jackets & sweatshirts
- Jeans (both men and women)
- TShirts, warm tops, etc.
- Hand warmers
- Beanies, gloves & scarves

They are also seeking men’s and women’s underwear (in all sizes) if you are interested in purchasing something new. Although it has not been updated for 2024, the link below is for the existing Friends In Deed Bad Weather Shelter Wish List. This list will be updated in the upcoming months.

https://a.co/8PRWrNp

We will be accepting donations until Friday, December 13, 2024. Please drop off your items anytime at your earliest convenience.

Thank you so much for your continuing generosity!

10/19/2024

A Shakespeare version of Monopoly?! Perhaps another option for game night!

10/18/2024

Artist in Residence Richard Kenyon writes a monthly column for the Club’s newsletter The Bard.

Below is an excerpt from October’s publication of The Qwill by Richard Kenyon. (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow will be performed this Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7pm!)

FEAR. In 1982 at the age of 14 years I somehow convinced the sales clerk at our local video store that I was renting FRIDAY THE 13TH on VHS video for my older brother who was waiting for me in the car. Reluctantly the clerk rented me the video and off I went. I don’t have an older brother.

My hands were shaking as I gripped the plastic video case. I hopped onto my bike and tucked the tape into the back of my pants as I pedaled home. I remember feeling very nervous and excited at the same time. My friends had warned me about this film. It was terrifying and the most gory film I would ever see. I snuck the tape into the house and went down directly to the basement of our bungalow. The basement was dark, almost pitch black, there were no windows and it was very quiet. I mean incredibly quiet. I was ready for the thrill.

[…]

Blending reality and superstition Irving shows how our minds can conjure up terrifying realities that feel much scarier than anything actually out there — much like my belief that an axe murderer was lurking in my basement.

Come join us if you dare to experience the thrill of being scared and, remember, always keep your head about you.