ThaWilsonBlock Magazine

WALKING TOUR South Marengo Historic District Saturday, June 3 | 9:00 - 11:00am Tickets: Member $15 | Non-Member $18 South Marengo was once the address of Victorian Mansions and modest hotels, praised by President Teddy Roosevelt as a beautiful example of city planning. Pasadena Heritage nominated the Historic District to the National Register in 1982, then purchased and rehabilitated its first hands-on Prservation Fund project here. We also heped form the special business overlay zone, which allows some commercial uses in the restored homes. This tour will explore the people and stories associated with this turn-of-the-century Craftsman neighborhood.

Our Friday Community Nights begin with our First Friday Open Mic Poetry Slam! Join us to listen to original poetry - uncensored, raw, and hearfelt - and share some of your own! Great experience for sharing the beauty and power of words. Seating is limited, doors open at 7:30. Our poetry slams are hosted by Luis Antonio Pichardo, the founder and executive director of DSTL Arts, a nonprofit arts mentorship organization that inspires, teaches, and hires creative at-risk youth, ages 16–21 years old. His work with youth, and adults, encourages them to pursue the arts as the sustainable career it can be. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing from CalArts, and having been featured in various poetry anthologies, Luis strives to create an inclusive community for all artists by sharing his knowledge in poetics and publishing. As an artist himself, Luis pushes for artistic excellence and a high standard of care through all of his teaching endeavors. To learn more about Luis and DSTL Arts, visit DSTL...

Roxanne Shanté (born Lolita Shanté Gooden; November 9, 1969) is an American hip hop musician. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects of Queens, New York City , Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and was part of the Juice Crew . Roxanne Shanté was brought up in Queens, New York. She started rapping at the age of thirteen. In 1984 the young rapper ran into Tyrone Williams, DJ Mr. Magic , and record producer Marley Marl outside the Queensbridge housing project. The three of them were discussing U.T.F.O. since the rap trio had failed to make an appearance at a concert. U.T.F.O. had recently released a single called "Hanging out". The single did not get a lot of critical acclaim, however the B-Side featured the song "Roxanne, Roxanne", a song about a woman who would not respond to their advances, became a hit. Shanté, who was a member of the Juice Crew, walked right up to them and offered to write a track to get back at U.T.F.O., posing as t...