Our History

For many years, the organization staged concerts in a variety of Pacifica locations–a community center, a neighborhood firehouse, an Episcopal church. Here is how we evolved over the years:

- 1976: Pacifica Performances is founded as the Pacifica Arts and Heritage Council, which assists with art shows, sponsors art, dance, poetry, and calligraphy classes, and provides a meeting place for various community arts groups. Over time, many of these activities are absorbed by the Pacifica Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department.
- 1996: A group of visual artists renovates a former school building scheduled for demolition. This becomes the Sanchez Art Center. Pacifica Performances subsequently secures the rights to develop the former school’s multi-purpose room into a 175-seat concert hall with adjoining large kitchen and office space.
- 1997: Pacifica Performances operations moves into the Center.
- 1998: Packard Foundation provides a grant to build a new stage and install professional lighting equipment in our Concert Hall.
- 2001: Pacifica Arts and Heritage Council is officially renamed Pacifica Performances and negotiates a ten-year lease with the City.
- 2001-2002: Pacifica Performances decides to sponsor a cappella vocal ensemble Pacifica Seaside Singers and local jazz band SanJazz.
- 2009: Sanchez Concert Hall is renamed Mildred Owen Concert Hall, in honor of our founding Artistic Director.