Meet the man behind Pasadena’s Fork in the Road

Bob Stane is the former owner and manager of the Ice House comedy club in Pasadena and is co-owner of the Coffee Gallery and the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, a live music venue. His friends Ken Marshall and Philip Coombes honored Stane’s 75th birthday in 2009 by creating the Fork in the Road, a piece of public art at 200 Bellefontaine St. in Pasadena. Removed in 2010, the Fork is back and recently has been the locale of charitable food and toy drives. Stane answered questions emailed to him from the Pasadena Sun.

Pasadena Sun: You and your colleagues have recently made the Fork in the Road a hub for charitable activities. What inspired you to do so?

Stane: Who hasn’t secretly wanted to jab an 18-foot-tall piece of dinnerware into an intersection of two major roads? It seemed a natural to fill a physical void and create a centerpiece for gathering to do decent things. The Coffee Gallery and the Coffee Gallery Backstage are the equivalent of a village meeting spot. This is what coffeehouses have done since their inception a couple of hundred years ago. This is where we come together to share what is in our baskets.

And, of course, we crave self-aggrandizement.

Q: What made you decide to revive the Fork earlier this year?

A: We were told that if we met certain [insurance and related] requirements we could put it up again. The city of Pasadena was, and is, very helpful and set attainable limits. Who could resist putting up an 18-foot-tall fork in the road again? Once is never enough.

Q: What’s the biggest thrill or reward of operating a music venue or a comedy club?

A: The thrill and reward is presenting music and wit that audiences love and appreciate. It is all about doing it right and getting the approval. Laughter and applause are addictive. And you are matching your judgment and taste with the desires of your audience. Will you win most of the time or be miserable in failure? Any sane person would be eager to put themselves through nightly torture.

Q: What is the biggest headache associated with running night clubs?

A: Paying the bills. Everything else is easy by comparison. The higher quality the music, the more we have to work to get new people through our doors. My one wish would be to have everyone in the San Gabriel Valley who loves good entertainment to visit our club just once. And I want a magic lamp and three wishes.

Q: What are the keys to a comedy or musical act generating a local fan base so people will come back next time the artist or artists are in town?

A: The answer to that is “extreme quality.” And what does that mean? Everyone has a definition of quality. Professionalism and a desire to entertain? Of course there is that “certain something” that just appeals to everyone. It is rare. That is why so few have the talent to succeed. Our job is to find that intrinsic spark and showcase it with skill and panache and get away with it every night.

Q: What do you like to do with your spare time?

A: I like all the museums in the Pasadena area. We are so lucky to have a variety of art, inside and out. Obviously, I like the Ice House and hanging around my own club. I feel extremely lucky to live in this area and experience the weather and the quality of living. We are all so fortunate to be here.

Q: What would you rank as among the best and worst shows you’ve witnessed?

A: I’m not going there. I don’t care to be assassinated just yet. Plenty of time for self-destructive behavior, but thanks for asking. Please don’t do it again. I already feel in danger.

Q: Have you ever had to serve on a jury?

A: I have been called to jury duty several times but never have been chosen to serve. It must be my face. Or the bright purple suit I always wear when asked onto the jury pool. Other passengers don’t sit with me on airplanes, either.