Alien hunters set sights on Pasadena
As a number of UFO sightings continue to be reported around the world — including several recently in the United States — thousands of people will soon gather to discuss the myriad theories surrounding extraterrestrial beings during an out-of-this-world event taking over Pasadena.
Aliencon, a convention that takes a serious and scientific look at the possibility of alien life, will return to the Pasadena Convention Center on March 4-5.
“People who come range from the inquisitive to being enthusiasts,” said Jill Tully, vice president of A+E Networks Consumer Enterprises, co-organizer of the event with Prometheus Entertainment. “We cover everything from the long history of UFO incidents around the world to close encounters of the first, second and third kind, abductions and other unexplainable mysteries.”
The convention is inspired by History Channel series “Ancient Aliens” as well as “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,” “The Unxplained” and “The Proof Is Out There,” which all look at the tantalizing possibility of life beyond Earth.
With an emphasis on scientific research, Aliencon will cover the scope of unexplained alien phenomena, from ancient mentions in Egypt and by the Mayans to the present day, with the help of some big names within the field. Some of the guests include Jay Stratton, a former defense intelligence officer with the Office of Naval Intelligence and director of a Defense Department task force on UFOS; investigative journalist George Knapp; Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, co-executive producer of “Ancient Aliens”; and Nick Pope, who worked for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense investigating UFOS and other mysteries.
“It's a mixture of really good information from researchers and investigators who do a really deep
ALIENCON
When: 4-5 8 a.m.-6 p.m. March
Where:
Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena
Starting at $65at thealiencon.com
Tickets:
dive,” Pope said. “But also, it's fun.”
According to Tully, Aliencon is a more academically focused gathering featuring about 50 panel discussions, though it also offers an outer space-themed marketplace with nearly 100 vendors and plenty of guests who show up in costumes. “People come in and they want to hear from experts and contributors,” she said. “These are people who are very curious and want to sit and listen and really learn about the subject, so it's a little different than a comic con.”
Among the panel topics will be the possible alien connection to human origins, unexplained sightings of mysterious creatures, and how forensic tools and technology can help determine the legitimacy of videos, audio recordings and photos.
The convention also comes at a time when the topic of UFOS is hotter than ever. Following the U.S. military's downing off what is thought to be a Chinese surveillance balloon off South Carolina this month, three other objects have been shot down over North America. Things got even more intriguing for alien enthusiasts when Gen. Glen Vanherck, the commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, recently told reporters he hasn't ruled anything out when asked if aliens could be involved.
“I think that was hugely impactful,” Pope said. “Because for years I think some people, not everyone, but some people felt a little embarrassed about this interest they had. Is this interest that I have fringe? And the answer to that question now is no, your interest has just gone mainstream.”
Turn off your engines and hop on a bike or lace up the walking shoes, because Ciclavia is taking over a few streets in the Los Angeles area as it returns with its biggest series of events to date.
“Imagine streets without cars and full of people using not only bikes but walking, running, skateboarding, skating, and folks in wheelchairs rediscovering communities and reconnecting with their communities and neighbors,” said Romel Pascual, executive director of Ciclavia.
“What Ciclavia offers is a safe space for us to be able to gather,” he added.
Ciclavia launches its 2023 season Sunday in the San Fernando Valley with a 5-mile route that will traverse parts of Reseda and Canoga Park along Sherman Way between Lindley and Shoup avenues.
Since 2010, L.A. has closed certain stretches of streets to motorized traffic for Ciclavia and given them over alternative forms of transportation. This is the second time Ciclavia has used this route in the Valley since 2019.
Though there are typically five events per year, this Ciclavia season has eight through December, including two Ciclamini events. These happenings feature shorter routes meant to encourage people to walk the streets. Additional events are April 16 at Mid-city and Pico Union, May 21 in Watts (a Ciclamini), June 18 in South Los Angeles at Vermont Avenue, Aug. 20 in Koreatown and Hollywood, Sept. 17 in North Hollywood (Ciclamini), Oct. 15 in downtown Los Angeles and Dec. 3 in Leimert Park and South Central. More information and exact routes will be available at ciclavia.org closer to the event dates.
Along the Ciclavia paths are several hub zones that include games for kids, giveaways and food trucks for snacks and drinks. Participants in Sunday's event can start from either end of the route.
Since one of the primary goals of Ciclavia is to encourage Southern Californians to explore new neighborhoods, we've come up with five places worth stopping to check out.
Local artwork
The first comes near Reseda Boulevard. Along the side of the shuttered, 1940s-era Reseda Theater is an impressive and massive mural recently painted as part of the Reseda Rising project. The mural comprises eight sections painted by several artists, and all depict facets of the San Fernando Valley, from its ecology to indigenous history.
It's a sign
One of the best-known photo and selfie spots in Las Vegas is its welcome sign. Reseda also has a sign that makes for great social media content. Between Crebs Avenue and Wilbur Avenue in the middle of the street, there's a colorful, vintage sign with the city name printed in vertical blue and yellow block letters. Since it's on a median in a busy street, Ciclavia's shutdown of traffic makes Sunday the safest time for a selfie.
The Victorian
There's a can't-miss-it, green, 75-foot-tall Queen Anne-style house next to a car dealership and an old mechanic shop near Corbin Avenue. However, it isn't a vintage Victorian home at all because, according to
Ciclavia, it was constructed out of salvaged pieces of a retirement home in Boyle Heights and opened as an office building in 1981. It's private property and it will likely be closed during the event, but it's worth a look close up.
Classic theater
Near the Ciclavia hub on Winnetka Avenue, keep your eyes peeled for the Madrid Theater on Owensmouth Avenue. It's closed for renovation, but it has a long history with the city. The original theater opened in 1926 as a silent movie house and was one of the first buildings erected in Canoga Park. It was destroyed by the Northridge earthquake in 1994 and reopened again in 1998. It's slated to undergo a complete renovation that will take about two years, so check out the old building now before it's updated.
Comfort food
If you skipped the food trucks along the path or wanted to kick off your adventure with other grub, there's a delicious spot near one of the starting/stopping points of Ciclavia. Cavaretta's Italian Deli in Canoga Park is a Valley gem that's been open since 1959. The place is pretty much a time capsule, with pictures and old posters on the walls and shelves stocked with imported olive oil and cans of tomato sauces. The place makes big sandwiches, including a signature Italian sub, as well as lasagna sold by the slice and cannoli made fresh every morning.