Melodia Mariposa October 2026 Newsletter
Carnival of the Animals
October 4
Wow! We enjoyed the most amazing concert at the LA Arboretum on Sunday afternoon. Several hundred kids and their parents were transfixed by a multimedia experience of Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Saens – a piece that takes the listener from the majesty of the lion, to the colors of the aquarium, to the lumbering dance of the elephant. Our all star orchestra, conducted by David Cubek, was joined by pianists, Bernadene Blaha and Kevin Fitz-Gerald, and actor, Dorian Harewood.
We were delighted to welcome 50 audience members from the Downtown Value School – many of whom experienced their first classical concert along with many other young members of the audience!
This concert is dedicated to the California Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary — 50 Years of Creative Impact
Melodia Mariposa has no time to rest after our great event at the Arboretum. In just three weeks we are back with the Halloween special at the Pasadena Mausoleum in the Mountain View Cemetery! Music by candlelight…
Music in the Shadows
Sunday November 1st – 7pm
Wine reception at 6:15pm – Sponsored by Final Girl Wines
The stunning Zelter Quartet will return this year for an evocative performance of Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor, alongside mezzo soprano, Maegan Martin in dramatic works by Schubert and Handel. The program also includes classic selections from Halloween movies.
Tickets will go very fast for this event. We are offering our members early bird access to tickets from October 15-17th and they will be available to everyone else on October 18th. Become a member to get early access! 
We can only seat 120, and as empty seats make us sad, we have decided to test a $5 booking fee for this event in the hope it will encourage full attendance.
Members Party in Altadena
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with an evening of Bluegrass & Americana
September 20th
LA River Rats in Altadena
We had such a fun afternoon in the Altadena sunshine on September 20th when we held our annual thank you concert for our Members. One of the best perks of becoming a member of Melodia Mariposa, is an invite to this warm, informal and entertaining event. The LA River Rats, one of LA’s leading Blue Grass bands, played a lively and toe tapping set and following our Americana theme, we enjoyed hotdogs and beer and tasty desserts.
Many thanks to our sponsors, the Altadena Rotary Club and Nothing Bundt Cakes; our wonderful volunteer team led by Susan Hubert; our chef, Board member Brady Steel; our bartender, Board member Ken Friedman and thanks to Board member Dawn Digrius Smith for bringing her western store, Sunrise Meadow Farm, to our event.
