Saturday, September 26, 2026

Eaton Fire Recovery Nonprofit Stages Free Ashes to Anthems Concert at Pasadena City College Sunday

In Pasadena, the Legacy Land Project closes its Ashes to Anthems weekend with a concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, in Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena City College.

The nonprofit, a Black-led organization formed in response to the Eaton Fire, says it works to help families return to and rebuild in Altadena and Pasadena.

Admission is free, but guests must reserve tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ashes-to-anthems-rb-concert-tickets-2000539739213. Sexson Auditorium is in Building C of the Pasadena City College campus at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

Performers named by the organizers include BJ the Chicago Kid and Ogi.

“This is our second year doing Ashes to Anthems, and what we saw was collectively a need for us to continue to create joy,” William Syms said in a May interview with Pasadena Now, speaking as the Legacy Land Project’s executive director and board chair. “When you lose your home and your community is devastated, it can’t be forgotten,” he said.

In the same May interview, Syms said the resources offered through the festival are open to every fire-affected resident, regardless of background. The organization operates a resource hub it calls HOLD Dena, which it says connects Altadena and Pasadena residents to support during Eaton Fire recovery.

The concert follows a free Sunday morning service from 10 a.m. to noon, which organizers list as part of the same weekend program.

Organizers are also taking vendor applications for a Greenwood Market that they say supports Black-owned businesses, and they list a resource village meant to connect people with support.

Ashes to Anthems is executive produced by the Legacy Land Project and Pastor Jon DeCuir, whom the organizers describe as a Pasadena faith leader.

Ashes to Anthems was first held on April 26, 2025, as a free concert and resource fair at Memorial Park in Pasadena. That event ran from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and was presented by the Hold Dena Coalition, the SoLa Foundation, the Shared Harvest Foundation and the Legacy Land Project. Grammy Award winners Andra Day, Lecrae and Erica Campbell headlined the 2025 concert.

The 2025 resource fair offered housing support, financial assistance, health screenings, legal aid and mental health services for families rebuilding after the fire.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m. Sexson Auditorium, Pasadena City College, Building C, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more call (626) 585-7123 or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ashes-to-anthems-rb-concert-tickets-2000539739213. Tickets: Free; advance reservation required.