The sound of Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” emanated from the DJ booth at Pasadena Towers on Saturday night just as the sun began to set. Over 1,000 people came out to the towers in Pasadena for food, face painting, music and a movie.
Rooftop Cinema attendees settle themselves before Avatar, the movie begins, at the Pasadena Towers, on Saturday, September 12, 2015. The South Lake Business Association had its third annual Rooftop Cinema, where it is open and free to the public, and alongside restaurants set up business to sell to the attendees.
It was the beginning of the Third Annual Rooftop Cinema Night hosted by the South Lake Business Association. The event is a wonderful way to cap off the summer with a picnic under the stars.
Families from all over came out for the event, some from as far away as Orange County, Santa Clarita and San Bernadino. The movie for the evening was James Cameron’s “Avatar,” which was shown on a 40-foot screen on top of the parking structure.
Alex Silva came from Irvine with his 7 year-old daughter Valerie for a daddy-daughter night.
“She’s real excited to see ‘Avatar’ on the ‘big TV,’ is what she calls it,” he said. “She’s never seen a movie on a screen this big.”
Restaurants from South Lake Ave were the chosen food vendors for the evening. Executive Chef Angel Flores from Del Frisco’s Grille was on hand to serve a delicious Ahi Tuna Tartare Taco with avocado crème sauce and citrus mayo.
“We did an event at the mayor’s mansion recently and now we’re here,” he said. “It’s mostly to get our name out to the community since we just opened up about eight months ago.”
The Kogi BBQ truck was popular, drawing the longest lines throughout the evening. The mouth-watering short rib tacos were a popular item, as well as their signature favorite, the Pac-Man burger.
Pasadena resident Jessica Summers’ motivation for coming out had nothing to do with the movie.
“I’m just here for the Kogi truck. Anytime Kogi is near I have to check them out,” she said. “Their short rib tacos are my favorite.”
The face painting station was a huge hit with the children for the evening with kids as young as two years old sitting in the chair to have flowers and other colorful designs painted on their cheeks.
Janice Martinez came out with her husband and their new baby.
“The South Lake association is really great. I really like their events, they’re family friendly and there’s always something for the kids,” she said. “I try to make it to every event if I can.”
Executive Director Gina Tleel was thrilled to note the large amount of families that attend their events
“We notice a lot of families are excited to come out and spend time together as a traditional way of bonding,” she said. “This is a promotional opportunity to get you to think about us when you’re ready to shop, when you’re ready to eat or do your banking.”
Tleel’s goals for the organization are to welcome the residents so that they learn about the community and then venture out and dine afterward.
“It’s just a way to thank our community for spending their money and spending their time with us in the district,” she said. “All of your needs can be met in the 12 blocks of South Lake Avenue.”
The next Rooftop Cinema event will be on Sept. 26 where they’ll be showing “Tron: Legacy” at the Corporate Center in Pasadena. Information and RSVP can be found online at www.southlakeavenue.org
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