 (2).png)
It was a night for friends and neighbors, old and new, to gather at a nostalgic spot in town to raise funds for the upcoming Eclectic Music Festival on April 29, 2023. Musicians invited to play the Eclectic are all paid, so the fundraising helps us “keep the music free” as organizers say. The preview party was held at the now closed beloved Carrow’s restaurant. The Hungtington Catering Company is using the space as a headquarters (they provided the amazing food of course) and it ended up being a perfect venue for the party, community awards ceremony and unveiling of the Val Trimarchi designed Eclectic poster.
Revelers were greeted by framed posters of past Eclectics featuring acts like the Gin Blossoms, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Dustbowl Revival, Incendio and so many hometown favorites like David Plenn, Sophie Reynolds, Chauncey Bowers, Dave Tull and so many more. Chamber President Laurie Wheeler welcomed the jovial crowd and introduced former Chamber President and founder, Scott Feldman, as our Master of Ceremonies and Live Auctioneer! It was fun to be reminded of the Eclectic’s humble beginnings as Feldman told the crowd how in 2008, he enlisted Brad Colerick to recruit music acts for the first festival which was called Downtown SouthPas Live! It was held in the parking lot next to the former Citizens Business Bank, next to what was then South Pasadena Music Center. It was held on May 17, 2008. The following year it was renamed the Eclectic Music Festival and has now grown into a citywide event including dozens of venues and stages, featuring dozens of live music acts, attracting music lovers from all over the LA metro area to our sweet, little town.
Colerick let everyone know that once again this year, Mission Street will be closed to traffic on the day of the event from Fair Oaks to Meridian and Meridian south to El Centro, which makes for a true festival, walkable vibe. The Eclectic has become one of the most anticipated events of the year and has been going strong since 2008, having only been cancelled the two years of the pandemic.
But this year, we are back, baby, in a big way! More venues, more musicians, more art than ever before. So mark your calendars, South Pasadenans! April 29, the Eclectic is back!
Funds were raised at the party through ticket prices as well as raffles, a silent and live auction. Organizers offered huge thanks to all the local businesses who gave generously to the auctions.
It was also an evening to recognize two individuals who have made significant contributions to art, music and culture in South Pasadena. The Creative Community awards were awarded to Tisa Adamson and SaraRose Orlandini. Orlandini’s mother, Rose, introduced her daughter by applauding her efforts of transforming her small art gallery business into her passion project of creating a destination for all things Halloween and horror. Orlandini’s SugarMynt Gallery sits adjacent to the famous Michael Myers house made famous by the “Halloween” films and she has been obsessed with South Pasadena’s “Halloween” connections since childhood. Her thriving business now attracts fans and the horror community from around the world, with her mother telling the crowd, “she even got a tweet from Jamie Lee Curtis!” Said Orlandini upon accepting her award, “this is such an honor – I love South Pasadena so much! The gallery has been such a privilege – to have a gallery that has this horror element and being a part of the horror community.” She went on to talk about how much it’s meant getting to know the Richards family who owned Family Fair. She named the gallery SugarMynt as an homage to the beloved candy store and she gave a shout out to Bianca Richards who owns the other famous “Halloween” location in town, the Laurie Strode house, that also attracts fans from around the world.
Tisa Adamson was given the Creative Community award in music (the awards themselves were created this year by local artist Rebecca Tager) for her continued efforts to make art and music available to the community. Adamson has been a part of every arts crawl since its inception and has opened up Mission Tile West as a music venue for the festivals as well as concerts throughout the year. She was also one of the performers at the preview party along with Ed Tree.
Also performing were Jessica Gerhardt and Arend Lee Jessurun who will be performing at the Canoe House stage during the Eclectic. We also were entertained by the Dave Tull Trio.
The live auction was lively with the always hot ticket item being the dinner with our South Pasadena firefighters. Joe Davis and Rose Orlandini ended up in a heated bidding war with Orlandini ultimately winning the coveted prize.
The vibrant Eclectic poster for 2023 was created by Val Trimarchi which you’ll soon be seeing all over town. So get ready South Pasadenans and we’ll see you April 29!
About The Eclectic Music & Arts Festival
Now in its 13th year, the Eclectic is organized and produced by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce in partnership with DeepMix Entertainment and the City of South Pasadena. Started in a parking lot with a couple of local bands and a few dozen attendees, the Eclectic has grown into a signature event for the city, featuring dozens of diverse, local and regional musical acts, one-of-a-kind artisans and makers, interactive activities, open galleries, beer and wine gardens, and family-friendly fun.
