At the height of the pandemic, Grand Vision Foundation released to the public a song and accompanying music video entitled San Pedro Strong, in homage to L.A.’s port town.
Amidst the town’s beauty despite the challenges wrought by the pandemic, the foundation is bringing together 14 vocalists, both amateur and professional, from diverse age groups to perform this song at the First Thursday art walk.
The song premiered at a combined Zoom event with the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and Grand Vision Foundation March 5, 2021 and has received over 2,500 views on YouTube.
“This is a song by San Pedro, for San Pedro,” says Liz Schindler Johnson, Executive Director of Grand Vision Foundation. “When the pandemic struck, Schindler Johnson wanted to do something musical to uplift the community’s spirit. “It is a unique artistic effort that comes from the heart.”
She was inspired by an earlier version of this song, written by local singer songwriter Ken Creighton. She invited Creighton to collaborate with Grand Vision to help create a new version.
“The original version of San Pedro Strong was written as a love song to my wife and to our life here,” says Ken Creighton. “The new version is more of a public testament to how we’ve inspired each other to weather this last year.”
Then, with the help of professional vocalist Windy Barnes Farrell on arrangement, and the talented voices of local singers, a new song for San Pedro came to life. “I am proud to be a part of the “San Pedro Strong” project, commented Farrell. “The creative process with the singers and the song itself really show how our community cares for each other and the place where we live.”
Participating singers at First Thursday’s live performance (who also appeared on the music video) include: Windy Barnes Farrell, Chad Bishop, Dustin Case, Ken Creighton, Patti Orbeck, Sue Schmidt, Susan Tucker, and Mae Weston, and two new singers Jamie Mahoney and Lisa Nygren.
Grand Vision Foundation’s “San Pedro Strong” Live Performance
Time: 6:45 p.m. Aug. 5
Cost: Free
Details: 310-833-4813; taran@grandvision.org
Location: Corner plaza at 6th St. and Mesa St., San Pedro