Today we’d like to introduce you to Taran Schindler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Grand Vision Foundation is an arts non-profit in San Pedro, CA, part of the City of Los Angeles. We began as the Friends Group to the historic Warner Grand Theatre (which is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles) and have evolved to produce live music events at the Grand Annex, a 150-seat cabaret-style listening room, centrally located in San Pedro’s pedestrian-friendly Arts District and we bring our Meet the Music education curriculum into Los Angeles elementary schools.
At our core, we are committed to bringing people together under a banner of the creative arts, and since 1996, Grand Vision has played a vital role in transforming the Harbor Area community into an active arts district and destination.
It started when members of San Pedro’s business community recognized the potential of reviving a run-down historic movie palace, the Warner Grand Theatre, which originally opened in 1931. The group incorporated as Grand Vision Foundation (GVF) and became the Friends Group to the Theatre with the initial goal of convincing the City of LA to purchase the building from a private owner. Once this happened, GVF set to work spearheading and fundraising for large and small restoration projects and advocating for the continued use of the Theatre as a performing arts venue. We’ve been doing this work ever since.
When the recession hit in 2008, without losing the connection to the Warner Grand, we realized we had to grow in new ways to extend our mission of creative cultural engagement in the Harbor Area. Our executive director, Liz Johnson is quite a visionary – she has a background in fine arts and urban planning. With her lead, we started Meet the Music, an in-school music education program. Our first music teachers started in a few schools in San Pedro and Wilmington, bringing foundational music concepts to fourth and fifth-graders classrooms.
Now Meet the Music serves over 3,000 elementary school students annually throughout the City of LA. Students from kindergarten – 5th grade are introduced to basic music theory and music from various cultures. They learn to sing together and how to read music and play a musical instrument. We started with teaching the recorder and have added percussion and violin.
At the same time we were developing our youth program, one of the founders of Grand Vision Foundation offered us an open storefront space. This generous act provided us with a place where we could start bringing live music to central San Pedro in a listening room setting.
On a shoestring budget, we converted the storefront into a performance space. I have a master’s degree in history and was attracted to the community’s story of the Warner Grand – but I’ve also been a lifelong music lover. I became GVF’s first Artistic Director and curated the first series in 2009, featuring Americana, jazz, Latin, and folk music artists. Audiences grew quickly, with music lovers hungry for live music in a music hall setting. In a few years, we caught on – going from audiences of 12 to full houses of 150.
Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with artists, agents, regional festival producers, and other small venue operators. The Annex audiences have become a mix of “regulars” and newcomers and people came early to gather with friends. It’s personally exhilarating to see how experiencing live music together generates joy, creates friendships, and deepens community connections.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We are arts presenters, but like most non-profits, we spend a lot of time fundraising. Making connections with supporters, especially locally, feels like we are strengthening our GVF family. Grant writing is a different story. It is challenging and often mercurial, causing plans to change. For example, this school year, Meet the Music started almost two months late.
Recently, post-Covid, we have had to coax audiences back, and at the same time, performing artists still need to make a living. It’s all part of being a presenter, but sometimes it feels like you’re on a roller-coaster!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We remain the Friends Group to the Warner Grand. The building is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, but for more than a decade, Grand Vision has actively promoted the regular presenters’ events. We are also constantly fund-raising for improvements. At first, we were known locally for the 2004-07 Save Your Seat fundraiser to replace the dilapidated seating. Over the years, we extended the stage, installed steel rigging, replaced the screen and projector, repaired the upper lobby ceiling, and added technical gear. Smaller ongoing projects include painting, clean-ups, carpet care, and chandelier repairs. The list of ongoing projects isn’t that sexy, but these are the realities that have kept the Theatre open as a viable public space.
Right now, we have an ongoing campaign called Love the Lobby. When you walk into the Theatre, the main lobby ceiling is a sea of beige (blame the 1980s!). However, under that bland paint are exquisite art-deco design details. You can see them in the historic photos of Opening Day. We’ve had professionals open a few “windows” in the paint to see the designs. We hope to reveal the spectacular elements of the whole ceiling – bringing it back to its original luster, increasing the wow factor for all who enter – and deepening community pride in this historic building.
It’s important to note here (and this is a whole other story) that, in part due to GVF’s advocacy, a few years ago, the City allotted $15 million for crucial Warner Grand upgrades, including an elevator and improved electrical and plumbing systems. The Theatre officially closed on January 2, 2024, to start this process. It will take a few years, but we can look forward to enjoying the mesmerizingly beautiful Theatre well into the 21st century.
An important component of our education program Meet the Music is that it’s for all the students in the classroom – we don’t single out high achievers or those getting lost in the shuffle. We are not out to find prodigies; we don’t take kids out of a class so they can do music. Our teaching artists engage full classrooms, uniting students and offering a potentially lifelong skill. The program also involves classroom teachers who lead practice sessions between weekly lessons. Some of the teachers have been participating for so long that they are getting good at the recorder!
The Grand Annex turns 15 this year! It’s a milestone. We are finally doing a “ribbon-cutting” party on April 18, 2024!
Here’s a quote from an audience member that helps explain the unique Grand Annex Music Hall experience: “I drove less than five miles, parked less than a block away, sat five feet from the stage, and saw a world-class musician, a Spanish guitar player that is now part of my regular playlist. We go to the Grand Annex for excellent music and to be surprised.” Al Borgo & Yvonne Dover, San Pedro residents.
The Grand Annex is an energetic scene. People come in groups or feel comfortable coming solo. You can get up and dance or sit and lose yourself in the music. We have seasoned performers, young musicians, new indie music, old-timey blues, rock, Latin-inspired bands, jazz, open mics, a cappella, singer-songwriters, local bands, and an interesting relationship with taiko drumming – each season is a mixed bag. The place has a touch of stylish sleekness, but I feel like each audience member begins to feel “at home.” We also have an amazing crew of about 30 volunteers who take turns staffing the concerts. Volunteers are from different walks of life but share a love of music. Friendships between volunteers (and at least one romance) have grown outside of the Annex. I love that.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Music and Community come first! We want to continue to provide live music and youth music education that, for the participant, is transformative for the mind and heart.
Pricing:
- Grand Annex Concerts $20-$50
- Wine tastings at select concerts $16 or free to Grand Vision Members
- We have a Membership Program (starting at $60) that offers fun benefits – including concert tickets and wine tastings
- Open Mic Night $5 (includes one concessions ticket)
- Team Taiko drum classes, pay what you can, suggested $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grandvision.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandannex/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrandAnnexMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXQdOaHj7-RbDNqYWWUuv-Q
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/grand-annex-san-pedro
Image Credits
Taso Papadakis, Cheryl Ogden, Grand Vision Staff
