Comedian Margaret Cho Headlines A Night Out in Playhouse Village at Ice House

Posted December 5, 2024, under PVF News

A Night Out in Playhouse Village on February 12, 2025, will jump-start Playhouse Village Foundation’s annual fund drive to enhance Playhouse Village Park and public spaces within the 34-square block Village in the heart of Pasadena. The nation’s oldest comedy club, the Ice House, is the venue; and famed comedian, podcast host, musician and TV and film star Margaret Cho is the headliner for this joyful annual celebration and community-building event, along with Ice House impresario and Lakers co-owner Johnny Buss. The evening includes local food and drinks, curated silent and live auctions – plus lots of laughter. A Night Out in Playhouse Village 2025 is made possible by Village Hero Sponsor, Lagerlof Cares, the charitable arm of Lagerlof LLC, Pasadena’s largest law firm that calls Playhouse Village home.

The 2024 event generated funds to underwrite free public programming throughout the year in Playhouse Village Park – including giant games for kids and families, Jazz in the Park concerts, outdoor movie screenings, group exercise classes, and Bark in the Park, a Halloween extravaganza for dogs and their owners. With support from local donors and businesses, proceeds from the live and silent auctions at the February 12th encore program will expand free public programming and investments such as public art, pedestrian and streetscape improvements to enhance Playhouse Village’s beloved mix of walkable residential and retail streets, heritage businesses like Vroman’s, theaters and cinemas, and historic architecture.

Foundation Chair Phil Hawkey invites all who enjoy Playhouse Village to multiply their impact by donating to A Night Out in Playhouse Village 2025, purchasing a ticket, and bidding on live and silent auction lots generously provided by local and regional fans of Playhouse Village. “We have game-changing improvements and activities queued up for the next few years, and you can bring them to reality. Join our community of Playhouse Village supporters!”

Playhouse Village Foundation’s approach to community-building remains cutting-edge. A smattering of 501 (c) 3 charitable foundations have formed nationwide to support a business improvement district. In 2001, property owners in the heart of Downtown Pasadena voted to form the Playhouse Village district to provide public programming and services that go above and beyond city services. The Foundation builds on that effort by attracting additional funding and grants to accelerate improvements or tackle additional needs.

Foundation Chair Phil Hawkey, himself the former City Manager of Pasadena, gives a thumbnail sketch of the Board members that give the Board its clout: Vice Chair Marjorie Lindbeck, Playhouse Village resident and former General Manager of the Los Angeles Master Chorale; Treasurer Arash Danialifar, committed developer of projects within the Village; Secretary Carla Walecka, urban planner and Village property owner; Patty Barajas Tavera, marketing consultant and Pasadena Playhouse Theater Trustee; Johnny Buss, Ice House Comedy Club impresario; Joshua Driskell, managing partner of Lagerloff LLC; Rodolfo Ruiz, managing partner at Vanderford and Ruiz law firm located in Playhouse Village; Jordan Segall, attorney at Munger Tolles & Olson; and Brian Wallace, CEO of Playhouse Village Association.

Capacity at A Night Out in Playhouse Village is limited! To purchase tickets or donate to the 2025 community-building drive go to www.playhousevillagefoundation.org/nightout

About Playhouse Village Foundation

The Playhouse Village Foundation (PVF) is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to support a thriving urban community in Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena. The Foundation raises funds and attracts sponsorships to revitalize public spaces and streetscapes within Playhouse Village, helping to accomplish top priorities identified by its partner organization, the Playhouse Village Association. Initial projects focus on exciting events to activate the new Playhouse Village Park, along with enhancing Colorado Boulevard’s al fresco dining and pedestrian experience.

About Playhouse Village

With direct access to the 210 freeway and Metro A/Gold Line at Lake Avenue, Playhouse Village is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Pasadena and includes much of the city’s financial district and premier office space, numerous regional institutions and cultural amenities, and thousands of residential units and mixed-use environments for a truly urban, walkable experience. Playhouse Village is distinguished by three added advantages: its own business improvement district, non-profit Playhouse Village Association, and charitable non-profit Playhouse Village Foundation which builds a thriving community by activating and enhancing the area’s open spaces, streets, sidewalks, alleys and paseos for greater public benefit.