Concerts Brought Music, Healing, and Community to Washington Park

This September, Washington Park became the stage for Centering Sounds Concerts in in the Park, a new month-long outdoor concert series presented by Pasadena Village and coordinated by Villagers supported by Gina Baffo. Designed to bring people together in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, the series created a welcoming space nestled in the lush woods of the park, a place where music offered not only entertainment but also belonging, healing, and mindfulness.

The series launched on September 3, hosted by Pasadena Village member Patti LaMarr. The evening featured Art Deco Entertainment, which transported the audience on a nostalgic journey through the music of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The lively sounds of the jazz age and swing era drew smiles and sparked conversations across the lawn, setting the tone for the weeks to come. Sponsored by E-Central Credit Union, the kickoff embodied the spirit of community gathering and joy.

On September 10, host Kären Bagnard welcomed Earthseed, a band formed through the Soul Force Project in Altadena. Their performance blended African, Latin American, South Asian, and jazz rhythms inspiring the audience with music rooted in empowerment and cultural connection. Earthseed draws its name and vision from author Octavia Butler emphasizing unity in diversity. Reflecting afterward, Bagnard noted, “It brought me a great deal of hope for the future.” Sponsored by Lagerlof, LLP, the night proved to be an uplifting reminder of music’s ability to envision new possibilities.

The following week, September 17, Clazzical Notes presented A Solo Stroll Through the Blues with Preston Smith. Hosted by Jim Hendrick and sponsored by New Wave Home Care, the evening spotlighted Smith’s soulful voice and guitar work. Having performed on stages from Los Angeles to Nashville, Smith brought depth and authenticity to the blues, captivating the audience with both passion and craft.

The series closed on September 24, when host Dick Myers introduced Ann Louise Christensen in a spirited finale. Blending the Great American Songbook with classic rock favorites, Christensen’s performance had toes tapping across the lawn. Her repertoire offered a fitting conclusion to a month of twilight concerts that wove together memory, resilience, and celebration.

Each concert drew a large audience, a mix of Pasadena Village members and neighbors from across the San Gabriel Valley. With chair seating provided on the grass, pleasant weather throughout the month, and the joy of live music, Centering Sounds proved that gathering outdoors can be both restorative and transformative. In four remarkable evenings, Pasadena Village showed that music truly has the power to heal, connect, and build community.