Raising the Curtain on Theater Upgrade

Rattled by several major earthquakes and worn by the comings and goings of thousands of students, the San Fernando Middle School auditorium has suffered but held its ground, a steadfast reminder of this city’s historic past.

Now city officials are making plans to restore and upgrade the 82-year-old classic revival-style theater with a goal of transforming it into a performing arts center and venue for local talent.

On Sunday, in what will be the first action toward that end, city and school officials will host “La Primera Cultural de San Fernando,” a music and dance performance to raise money for the building’s rehabilitation.

“Our objective is to establish the auditorium as a cultural center for the community,” said Leo Salazar, assistant principal of San Fernando Middle School, who also plays guitar for Grupo Musical Los Sencillos, which will perform at Sunday’s benefit.

“It’s a beautiful building and it can be a great place to showcase the talent that we have in this community,” Salazar said.

The 750-seat auditorium--one of two campus buildings on the state’s historic register--is to receive retrofitting and cosmetic work later this year through Proposition BB funds and a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

But local officials also want to raise money for amenities that the public money won’t cover.

“It needs some new things to raise the level of the venue, like new curtains and a new sound system,” said Virginia Diediker, a member of the city’s Cultural Arts Commission. “We want this to be a start-of-the-art venue someday.”

In addition to Los Sencillos, Sunday’s benefit will feature the dance troupe Ballet Folklorico Ollin.

A portion of the money raised at the event will go toward the school’s welfare fund for needy students, Salazar said.

Sunday’s performance will begin at 4 p.m. in the auditorium, 130 N. Brand Blvd.

Tickets are $5 general and $2 for seniors and children 12 and younger.