The Story Collider LIVE at The Crawford, Pasadena

Science usually arrives in textbooks and lectures. The Story Collider flips that around: people stand up and tell true, personal stories about the moments science collided with their lives. On Thursday, November 12, the show returns to The Crawford in Pasadena, and the promise is a night that is hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming in turns.

What to expect

The Story Collider is built on one simple idea. Science is not only for scientists, and the best way into it is often through a human story. Expect tellers describing a diagnosis that changed their plans, a lab experiment that went sideways, a family argument over a fact, or a long-held curiosity that finally paid off. The stories are true, told in the first person, and meant to be heard live rather than read.

That makes it a good pick if you like storytelling nights, podcasts or open-mic style evenings but want something with a little more curiosity built in. You do not need a science background. The format is closer to a theater night than a class, and the run time is short: the listing runs from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM, so it fits neatly into a weeknight.

If you are putting together a list of things to do in Los Angeles this month, this is the kind of low-key, thoughtful evening that stands out from the usual concert and club options. It also makes a decent date night or a way to bring a curious teenager along.

Event details

When: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM Where: The Crawford, 474 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 Tickets: Through the LAist event listing, linked below

LAist's listing shows ticket prices ranging from free to $25, so check the ticket page for the option that applies to you before you go.

Getting there

The Crawford sits on South Raymond Avenue in Pasadena, close to the Old Pasadena and Playhouse District areas, so dinner or a drink before the show is easy to arrange. Street and garage parking are available nearby, though weeknight evenings can fill up, so give yourself some extra time. If you would rather skip the parking hunt, the Metro A Line (Gold) stops in the Pasadena area and makes for a straightforward ride from much of the region.

Pasadena has plenty going on beyond this show. If you are browsing upcoming events in Los Angeles for the weeks around it, our Pasadena neighborhood page and the arts and culture category are good places to start.

Why it is worth a night out

Live storytelling works because nobody can fast-forward. You sit in a room with other people, hear a stranger's real experience, and laugh or tear up together. Pairing that with science, a subject that shapes health, work and everyday decisions, gives the evening a texture you will not get from a typical comedy show or lecture. Plan ahead, grab tickets from the listing, and bring a friend who likes a good story.

Event details come from the LAist listing: The Story Collider LIVE on LAist.