Comedy Star Maz Jobrani Wows the Ice House at A Night Out in Playhouse Village
“I had no idea how much I needed to laugh. I feel so light!” That was the sentiment overheard outside the Legendary Room, the inner sanctum where the nation’s top comedians rock the Ice House, the oldest comedy club in the U.S. Headliner Maz Jobrani was the maestro behind the laughter at A Night Out in Playhouse Village, the annual celebration of community spirit and neighborhood support for Playhouse Village organized by Playhouse Village Foundation. Both a friendraiser and a fundraiser, every penny of the proceeds from A Night Out will fund free public programs and activities, including jazz concerts and movies in Playhouse Village Park, games and activities for kids and families, public art, al fresco dining and pedestrian improvements that make Playhouse Village a unique and welcoming place to live, work and visit.
Pasadena’s movers and shakers joined the locals to laugh and build community in Playhouse Village. Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, Councilmember Jason Lyon, and former Assemblyman Chris Holden mingled with Julia Cowlishaw, CEO of Vroman’s; Brian Alan Baker, President of Playhouse Village Association; Jeannine Bogaard of the Pasadena Community Foundation; and residents Deborah Dentler, Donna Gale, Jennifer Hafner and Scott Newkirk. Johnny Buss, owner of the Ice House, and Arash Danialifar of GD Realty, with an assist from comedian Maz Jobrani, emceed the live auction for sold out Oasis tickets, UCLA game tickets, an exclusive stay at the brand new AC Hotel Pasadena, and more. Danny Feldman, Producing Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Playhouse Theater, the namesake of Playhouse Village, took the stage to help auction the red-carpet experience at Opening Night for A Doll’s House, Part 2.
“It truly takes a village to support free public programs and activities in Playhouse Village each year. We can’t thank our 2025 sponsors enough for making possible the vital programs that flow from this evening“ notes Playhouse Village Foundation Chair Phil Hawkey. Village Hero Sponsor Lagerlof Cares, the charitable arm of Pasadena’s largest law firm Lagerlof LLP, spearheaded an unusually strong and varied list of sponsors that included Arash Danialifar, GD Realty; Block by Block; Rodolfo F. Ruiz; AC Hotel Pasadena, City National Bank; Colleen Carey, Lee & Associates; Tyler + Kelly Architecture; and Swig Company. And 40 generous businesses in Playhouse Village and greater Pasadena contributed to the live and silent auctions, a new record of community support.
Want to make sure you don’t miss next year’s event? Want to attend free public programs in Playhouse Village? Or want to make a donation to support Summer 2025 free public events in Playhouse Village Park? Visit our donation page for more information.