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 and SanJazz Band takes the name, Mojazz.
  • 2009: Morning Nichols takes on position of Artistic Director for Pacifica Performances.
  • 2010: Pacifica Performances renews lease with City for another 10 years.
  • 2010: Pacifica Performances joins the newly organized Pacifica Center for the Arts
  • 2011: Rotary Club of Pacifica begins installation of outdoor Plaza as a gift to Pacifica, that now graces the entrance to our hall.

In recent years, we have updated our sound equipment, purchased a wonderful Baldwin concert grand piano, re-floored the entire hall and replaced our chairs with new, comfortable ones. Donations from members, friends and various small grants have made these things possible.
Rotary Club of Pacifica installed an outdoor Plaza as a gift to Pacifica, that now graces the entrance to our hall.
Today our focus is bringing live performance to our community.


Examples of featured artists (in no particular order):

  • Jazz & Blues:
    Maria Maldaur
    Lavay Smith
    Bud E. Luv
    Chris Cain
    Daniel Castro
    Taylor Eigsti
    Wayne Wallace
    John Worely
    Wesla Whitfield & Mike Greensill
    Jim & Morning Nichols
    Larry Dunlap & Bobbe Norris
    Hot Club of San Francisco
    Kenny Washington
    Larry Vuckovich
    Stompy Jones
    Brenda Boykin
  • World and Dance:
    Caminos Flamencos
    Viviana Guzman
    Celia Malheiros
    Ed Johnson & Novo Temp
    Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
    Los Boleros
    Asia & Arabesque Belly Dance Troupe
  • Classical:
    Matthew Laurence Edwards
    Robyn Carmichael
    Yuan Sheng
    Tien Hsieh
    Noah Stewart
    Russian Chamber Orchestra
    Joan Nagano
    Kay Stern
    Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along
    Chamber Music – Members of S.F. Opera Orchestra
  • Guitar Series:
    Richard Smith
    Adrian Legg
    Jim Nichols
    Preston Reed
    Peppino D’Agustino
    Michael Manring
    Edgar Cruz
    Pat Kirtley
  • Celtic:
    Golden Bough
    Tony McManas
    Molly’s Revenge
    Patrick Ball
    Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder
    Triskela
  • Bluegrass, Country & Folk:
    Windy Hill
    County Line Trio
    High Country
    Sidesaddle
    Curios
    Bill Evans
    Kathy Kallick
  •  Drama, Comedy & Word:
    S.F. Mime Troupe
    Will Durst
    Word for Word
    The Vagina Monologues
    SF Shakespeare Festival
    Poet Laureate Robert Haas
    Pacifica Poetry Festival