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The Cathedral cements Pomona’s place in the music world

BBG News

On this special evening, Ricardo Rico and his two daughters were off for a night out. One daughter enjoyed the pre-show tunes, while Ricardo cradled his youngest. The trio made a journey from Montebello to catch their beloved artist performing as the headliner at Pomona’s brand new venue for its debut show.

On March 7th, for the initial time, the Cathedral welcomed the community inside for a free concert. The final performance before closing was given by a local resident, Alejandro Aranda, better known by his stage name scarypoolparty. This beloved figure from our town gained nationwide recognition following his impressive guitar skills and finishing as the runner-up in “American Idol’s” 17th season.

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1. Audience participants engage during a performance.

2. Jesus Guerrero, a singer from Ramona, entertains amidst the audience.

3. The congregation responds during a concert inside the Cathedral.

Aranda’s vibrant show, featuring powerful chords, catchy tunes, and electrifying illumination, significantly strengthened Pomona’s standing within the musical landscape.

In addition to The Haven, The Glasshouse, and the Fox Theater, the Cathedral now makes four music venues available within a three-block area in downtown Pomona. This addition solidifies Pomona as a significant music location, boasting stages large enough to accommodate some of the world’s most renowned artists.

Ray Adamyk, as president and CEO of the Cathedral, skillfully embodied the artistic spirit of Pomona within the structure’s design. The venue features vibrant, colored-tinted windows, vintage chandeliers from the mid-century era, and a large LED screen, all working together to construct an environment where residents of the Inland Empire can collectively enjoy the spiritual experience of witnessing their favorite artists perform live.

Adamyk stated that Pomona is certainly a place worth visiting for its rich offerings in music, arts, and culture. He noted that it boasts one of the oldest artist communities in the area.

The Cathedral can be found within the recently renovated Union on Garey, a structure that once housed the YMCA in Pomona. This building, with Georgian Revival architecture, catered to residents of both genders and children from 1922 until its closure in 2012, as stated by SoCal Landmarks.

Adamyk stated, “That structure is one of the historical landmarks recognized nationally here in America. Upon seeing it, I could tell it was neglected, abandoned for a span of 13 years.

Adamyk’s company, Spectra Co., utilized its expertise in historic restoration and preservation to breathe new life into the Union on Garey building. This iconic structure now houses several local businesses such as Pawnshop Skate Co., Next Level Cuts Barbershop, Good to Go Cafe, and the Cathedral.

“The Union at Garey carries on the tradition of the YMCA, but with a fresh new appearance. Galo Galvan, the Cathedral’s administrator, emphasized its presence for the community by exclaiming, ‘This is your cathedral,’ just before Aranda took the stage.

Galvan mentioned that Pomona is very near to him, and he finds his heart resonates with The Glasshouse’s vibrant music scene.

Galvan doesn’t view the Cathedral as a rival to the other local performance spaces in Pomona, such as the Glasshouse and the Fox Theater. Instead, his aim is to foster a harmonious relationship with these venues. By doing so, he hopes to demonstrate that the Cathedral can accommodate any band that the other venues might be interested in hosting.

In her role as the booking manager at the venue, Galvan imagines the Cathedral as a nurturing ground for artists. “It serves as a stage for them,” Galvan stated. “For anyone who cherishes music and wishes to contribute, let’s help cultivate their artistic brands.

Galvan has paved the way for partnerships with other performance spaces; he used to work at the Fox Theater and maintains friendships with the Glasshouse owners. He envisions the Cathedral as a viable option for performers who might not attract enough audience for the Fox, or for those whose popularity exceeds smaller venues.

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1. Notable music venues in Pomona include the Fox Theater, the Glass House, and Haven (as captured by Etienne Laurent for The Times).

2. Some of the key music venues found in Pomona are the Fox Theater, the Glass House, and Haven (according to a photograph by Etienne Laurent for The Times).

3. In Pomona, three main concert locations are the Fox Theater, the Glass House, and Haven, as shown in this photo taken by Etienne Laurent for The Times.

4. Among Pomona’s primary music venues, we find the Fox Theater, the Glass House, and Haven (as depicted by a picture from Etienne Laurent of The Times).

5. Three significant concert spots in Pomona are the Fox Theater, the Glass House, and Haven, as per this image taken by Etienne Laurent for The Times.

According to Galvan, it was the Glasshouse owner who constructed the main stage at the Cathedral, as he gestured towards it. This act symbolizes our friendship and establishes an atmosphere – one where he assists me, and I am truly thankful.

According to Galvan, the cathedral will have a series of musical events running from Thursday to Sunday. He’s pondering over how to keep things lively when there aren’t any shows taking place.

Evening movie screening or potentially a gathering at The Cathedral. Possibly open mic sessions led by Pomona’s poet laureate. The Cathedral’s team, including Galvan, are always up for new ideas.

“Our staff is pretty creative that way,” Galvan said.

On a chilly, rain-soaked Friday evening, I braved the elements alongside fellow film enthusiasts from Pomona and nearby towns, eagerly supporting our local talent – a homegrown musician.

Aranda made Pomona notable through his achievements on “American Idol.” Now, the city is earning recognition due to its vibrant music scene.

For more information on upcoming shows, visit the Cathedral’s website.

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2025-03-26 13:31

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