The Eaton fire tore a music community apart. South Pasadena’s Sid the Cat Auditorium may help revive it

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As Kyle Wilkerson worked on stripping down the interiors of the newly acquired Sid the Cat Auditorium in South Pasadena, he stumbled upon traces of the woman who had originally adorned it with beauty a century past.

As a film enthusiast delving into the rich history of art, I discovered that Lucile Lloyd was a noteworthy muralist, whose works graced numerous schools in our locality, as revealed by concert promoter Wilkerson. Remnants of her presence can still be found, such as black-and-white images of her stylishly posed in menswear high up in the rafters, dating back to the 1930s. Tragically, Lloyd took her own life, leaving behind a profound legacy that was believed to have been lost forever – until we found her preserved panels right here.

Just as we were approaching Christmas, he went on to explain, a ceiling panel suddenly began to show signs of cracking. Upon noticing this, he exclaimed, “It seems they haven’t moved!” The light was still shining through.

Some beautiful floral designs, miniature statues, and a restored stained glass window are remnants from Lloyd’s work in the auditorium of an old South Pasadena elementary school that closed for students in 1979. However, she served as inspiration for the crew at Sid the Cat, an independent concert promoter who has hosted shows in LA for more than a decade. This fall, they will finally open their long-desired, expanded historic venue with intricate renovations.

Music

A collaborator of Ornette Coleman, known as a trailblazer in free jazz, expressed that although the Eaton fire stripped him of everything except his music and drive, one cannot reside in Los Angeles without embracing such a spirited attitude.

As a fervent film enthusiast and an admirer of the local arts, I am ecstatic to witness the resurgence of life in our cherished neighborhood, which was once home to a 500-capacity venue for musicians that was tragically destroyed by fire less than a year ago. Now, this venue serves as a beacon of hope for the revival of the arts scene in the area.

Upon the fires breaking out, our first instinct was to ponder how we might provide aid. The second thought was, if we were already operational, we could have organized food drives and performances to collect funds. Wilkerson added that this environment is particularly sensitive and delicate where we reside.

In pre-pandemic times, Sid the Cat – a team consisting of Wilkerson, Brandon Gonzalez, and Sean Newman – believed they had finally discovered their ideal venue at the Bootleg Theater, nestled on the southern edge of Echo Park and Historic Filipinotown. This nightclub was cherished by locals, but unfortunately had to shut down in 2021 as a consequence of the devastating impact COVID-19 had on independent venues. Now, the space is known as 2220 Arts + Archives.

Gonzalez stated that they truly enjoyed the DIY Bootleg, acknowledging that it was self-made right from the start. He further explained that despite the limited resources and tools available to them, they gave their all in making it as good as possible.

They consistently scheduled unique performances at various locations such as the Highland Park Ebell Club, Zebulon, and the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Artists like Khruangbin, Bright Eyes, Wet Leg, Jackson Browne, and Fiona Apple have graced these stages, yet the constant setup and reconfiguration each night was demanding. “At times, it felt as if I were running an ice cream shop,” Wilkerson commented. “I’d ask the artist, ‘What kind do you prefer? Do you want a seated venue? Which part of town?’ We enjoyed the variety, but we yearned for our very own stunning venue with exceptional acoustics.

Music

The place where Phoebe Bridgers first gained recognition struggled to endure, succumbing to a lethal mix of financial pressures brought on by the pandemic and disputes over ownership.

2022 saw them exploring approximately 150 locations spanning from the deep-west to the San Gabriel Valley. The South Pasadena Elementary School, earmarked for a revamp into a dining and entertainment hub in downtown South Pasadena, was one of their discoveries. (Neighboring establishments in this space will include Villa’s Tacos, District Brewing Co., and coffeeshop the Boy and the Bear).

Nestled mere strides away from the A Line, this distinctive location boasts a covered entrance featuring an independent bar, multiple restrooms, and a massive outdoor patio and parking area. The space is notable not only for its modern facilities but also its rich history, set squarely within a San Gabriel Valley neighborhood cherished by local artists, including Phoebe Bridgers who frequently performed her early shows at Sid the Cat’s venue, residing in close proximity.

It turns out, the repurposed school building has proven incredibly functional as an event space – artists and road crews will delight in the addition of a washer and dryer in the green room, and a loading dock connecting straight to the backstage area for easy truck access.

Wilkerson stated that it possesses an outstanding foundation, allowing us to take a step back and let it shine on its own. This venue showcases a unique level of craftsmanship by housing performances within a setting rich with charm and history. Over time, as performers like us travel extensively, such exceptional spaces become noticeable in our tours. This location boasts all the essential amenities found within a truly accessible community.

Instead of relying on external investors or partners for funding, the team chose to finance their venue independently. They covered the costs of the lease, construction, and other expenses through various sources, such as ticket sales contracts, earnings saved from shows, and a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe.

Wilkerson stated that we don’t have any financial supporters, we aren’t heirs to a trust fund, and we don’t own lucrative real estate properties. Instead, everything we’ve earned through our hard work is at stake here, which can be quite intimidating.

Music

Sadly, it was a tragic turn of events that both the Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed two distinctive L.A. neighborhoods deeply rooted in the city’s music scene.

Shannon Lay, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who has often performed at Sid the Cat venues, was admiring the boldness of someone deciding to put everything on the line for restoring an historically significant and family-friendly venue.

In simpler terms, Lay mentioned that promoters play a truly exceptional role in the world of music. They act as curators, providing reliable recommendations. He recently discovered that the venue where events take place is self-funded, which left him astounded. He initially assumed there must be some investor involved, but it’s actually these remarkable individuals and their supportive community who make it all possible.

She emphasized that shows often hold great significance, particularly in the U.S., given limited funding. They are more like a passionate endeavor, where we often rely on ourselves for support and make things function due to their importance.

The devastating fires in northeastern Los Angeles, specifically the Eaton and Palisades fires in January, underscored the urgency for a community safety net for musicians and locals alike. These disasters affected not one but two communities that have long been entrenched in the music industry, forcing them to flee their homes.

Though charitable events such as FireAid and organizations like MusiCares have distributed significant funds to impacted communities, the broader economic pressures eroding local artists continue to intensify. Furthermore, with ongoing ICE raids and a tumultuous political climate wearing down Los Angeles residents, musicians and their audiences who sustain the local cultural scene are questioning whether they can find a future in L.A.

Music

In simpler terms, the six-week-old Mojave Gold is generating significant excitement as a fresh addition to the desert’s musical landscape. The venue’s proprietors anticipate that this newcomer will foster a more sustainable, independent-spirited scene for local artists and contribute to a more vibrant, edgy nightlife experience.

Convincing individuals to leave their homes and purchase concert tickets is a challenge, according to Wilkerson. He explained that ticket prices have risen, just like many other goods, but they’ve established a community that people trust. However, there are some nights when the attendance is poor, leaving them questioning the reasons, though often it’s not related to the quality of the performance itself. External factors such as global events or economic downturns might be influencing ticket sales. It’s a complex issue to address.

Refurbishing a fresh, aesthetically pleasing space for both performances and gatherings could potentially tip the scales slightly in favor of both fans and artists when choosing where to showcase their talent.

we firmly believe that artists can spark change within our spaces. This power fuels us amidst adversity, pushing us forward in these challenging times.

As an ardent supporter, I’m eagerly anticipating the grand opening of Sid the Cat Auditorium, although the specific date is yet to be disclosed, and the show lineup remains a mystery. However, with the team reporting that construction is almost complete (approximately 85%), there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air.

The support from South Pasadena city government and local residents has been instrumental, helping to avoid potential last-minute permit issues or delays. Despite the challenges posed by escalating construction costs post-fires and post-tariffs, the team remains undeterred.

South Pasadena Mayor Janet Braun’s enthusiasm is infectious, describing the renovated venue as a “beautifully restored historic space” equipped with state-of-the-art 21st century sound systems and amenities. I can hardly wait to experience the magic of performances in this extraordinary setting!

Discovering the missing panels attributed to Lloyd served as compelling evidence that amidst calamity and long-term reconstruction, there’s undeniable charm to be found by delving through the embers.

After the fires, individuals attended our performances and expressed to us, “I’m so grateful to be here and momentarily forget about the recent events in our city,” Wilkerson mentioned. “We serve as an escape for many, providing them with a few hours of respite from their troubles. They can immerse themselves in the music, let loose, and forget their worries. It’s a great honor, and we never lose sight of that privilege.

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2025-09-03 13:33