7 movies for Jewish American Heritage Month that’ll take you on an emotional rollercoaster

Share: In addition to being AAPI Heritage Month, May is also Jewish American Heritage Month! Here are seven films starring Jewish actors and actresses, and why they are so significant for you to watch! Life Is Beautiful (1997) This film tells the story of a Jewish-Italian man named Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigi) trying his best to keep his son protected from the inhumanity of the Holocaust when they are taken to a concentration camp. Even through the darkest of horrors, Guido kept up a facade …

Dylan’s deal with destiny: Legendary musician returns to Hollywood Bowl

Share: “It all goes back to the destiny thing,” Bob Dylan once told 60 Minutes in 2004, flashing a wry smile. “I made a bargain with it a long time ago, and I’m holding up my end.” When Dylan first took the stage at the Hollywood Bowl in 1965, a mere 40 days after his controversial electric debut at the Newport Folk Festival, the folk world was still reeling. Boos from alienated fans rained down upon the then-24-year-old — something that never rattled the young, …

‘Bringing Past and Present’ ties communities together through music

Share: Two grand pianos, new Steinway & Sons directly from New York and Hamburg, sit quietly at center stage as the audience prepares to be immersed into the next act. Alumni Edward Pan ’20, violin, and Emily Su ’17, piano, enter through stage left to a round of applause as they take their place. The artists glance at each other and take off with Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5. The instruments suddenly come alive, taking the audience through twists and turns, each note flooding …

Resource fair for foster students aims to help, but there’s a long way to go

Share: Students in the lounge moved from table to table, gathering pamphlets, free handouts and informational flyers to take along. With small sandwiches, soft drinks, snacks and music, the event offered an open space to let those interested to educate themselves on foster care resources.  May is Foster Care Awareness month in the U.S, and as a result, PCC hosted a Foster Resource Fair on Thursday, May 15. Hosted in the Creveling Lounge at noon for two hours, PCC and groups local to the Los …

The dolls are back in the Playhouse

Share: The Pasadena Playhouse’s 100 year anniversary celebration kicked off with a fun, festive party with a red carpet and an open bar full of spectators excited to watch Lucas Hnath 2017’s, “A Doll’s House Part 2.” This modern reenactment of Henrik’s Ibsen’s controversial play from 1879, “A Doll’s House,” starred famous actress Elizabeth Reaser who played the main character Nora, and Jason Butler Harner who was casted as Torvaldt, Nora’s kind, caring, and sympathetic husband. Adam J. Smith was Torvald’s understudy. Two more talented …

Mariachi and Ballet Folklórico bring Mexican culture to life at International Culture Week

Share: As part of International Culture Week, Mexican heritage was celebrated through live mariachi music, traditional dancing, all cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.  On Tuesday, April 29th, in the quad, the Foreign Language Department hosted a mariachi band that played live music that the folklore ballet dancers performed to.  As soon as the mariachi started playing their instruments, the festive tone was set and the dancing began. The violin, trumpet, and guitar, all complemented one another to offer an upbeat melody that the crowd …

International Culture Fair celebrates community, connection, and customs

Share: An International Culture Fair was hosted by the Foreign Languages Department, bringing students together to learn and embrace culture in the quad on Thursday, May 2nd.  With singing, dancing, and different items from each culture, there was a wonderful array of assortments during this celebration. Table to table, students would be able to inquire about the specific cultural meaning behind each item they held. “It’s extremely important [for students to feel a sense of community], especially post-pandemic,” said Professor Jennifer Garson, a Spanish teacher …

Chinese Tea Appreciation: Tea is more than hot leaf juice

Share: “This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!” exclaims Uncle Iroh in disgust. “Uncle, that’s what all tea is,” replies Zuko annoyedly. “How could a member of my own family say something so horrible,” laments Uncle Iroh.  This scene from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” has been a popular meme for years and has prompted debates about whether tea really is nothing more than hot leaf juice. In regards to this debate, Tea Master Michelle Louie sides with Uncle Iroh, a fellow tea aficionado. …

PCC students cook up culture and conversation with ragu alla bolognese

Share: Aprons were tied, pots were heating up, and bottles of olive oil and wine stood ready on countertops as PCC students transformed their home kitchens into lively Italian classrooms. Students got a flavorful taste of Italian culture the night of Wednesday, April 30, without ever leaving home. The event was part of International Culture Week, a campus-wide celebration that highlights global traditions through food, music, language and art. Hosted annually at PCC, the week invites students to explore cultures from around the world.  PCC …

Godzilla gathering considers deeper meaning behind the monster

Share: Films have been an outlet for cultures, such as The Color Purple, The West Side Story, and 12 Years a Slave. The Japanese Social Club used Godzilla to explain how Godzilla is no different, that there is a deeper meaning than just a giant monster, but symbolism for a war that caused generational damage.  On Thursday, May 1st, the Japanese Social Club held a cultural movie night. They played the first-ever Godzilla movie production from 1954. The event had food ranging from pizza to …