By RLn Staff
Any time 2,000 San Pedrans get together for Music by the Sea, a good time is had by all. There is not a better stage, not a better crowd, and, for many of the bands that have graced the half-shell stage, not a better place to play. It’s free, focuses on local bands, and is a more comfortable event than any club. And Mike Caccavalla, a decades-long San Pedro local, is the reason for it.
Originally, he helped promote the concerts when the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks presented them. When budget cuts threatened the event, Caccavalla decided he had to carry it on.
Twenty-four bands are on the roster through six Sundays, which started June 25.
Caccavalla’s biggest struggle with Music by the Sea is securing funding, as it costs about $42,000 (as of 2022) to produce.
Caccavalla, annually, would host fundraisers to finance Music by the Sea at El Principe nightclub and Harley-Davidson in Lomita.
In addition, Caccavalla has set up a GoFundMe page to which supporters can donate. The GoFundMe page has raised $6,000, which is more than halfway to the goal of $10,000.
The money goes towards paying for security, paying the bands, and the overhead.
Caccavalla explained in years past, he and his compatriots who help put on Music by the Sea don’t pay themselves for putting on the event.
Caccavalla owns a t-shirt business and makes shirts for Music by the Sea. When he is not able to raise enough funds in time, he takes money out of his company.
Music by the Sea is not a nonprofit itself, but it umbrellas under a nonprofit named Unite to Fight Blood Cancers. Any money raised from the event that is left over after expenses go to the nonprofit. Over the last few years, they have had about $3,000 left over.
On the lineup for July 9 is Tiki McPherson, a Christian folk rock artist who has been producing original music and shares her faith with songs such as Love… Ya Gotta Give it Away, Baby Jesus, Dancin’ With My Jesus, Pray and I Am.
Caccavalla generally aims for a 50-50 ratio of new bands to old. His goal is to give everyone a shot. In the past, Caccavalla has explained that there are a lot of bands in town that have not had the experience of playing at Point Fermin or the stage at the Warner Grand Theatre, where he staged some events. He used to produce the Battle of the Bands for Taste of San Pedro and All-Star Jam on New Year’s Day.
There is also a connection with cooking beyond Taste of San Pedro for Caccavalla. He is the chef for the local chapter of Meals on Wheels.
Caccavalla owned a restaurant called Downtown Subs and More and a T-shirt shop called Boca Active Wear, both in downtown San Pedro. Cooking his whole life, Caccavalla says he felt Meals on Wheels was a perfect fit for him.
“Music by the Sea fans typically start marinating the meats two days prior to aid and literally bring their kitchen sink with them,” he said, talking about food. “The food is unbelievable. People schedule their summer vacations around Music by the Sea. It’s a day in the park with family and friends, just like a family reunion.”
It’s not a lot of money but Caccavalla does pay the musicians. He notes that this year more of them will be giving the money back. A few bands have done that throughout the years but this year, more will contribute because Music by the Sea is strapped with some unexpected extra costs.
Caccavalla told bands throughout the years that he wished he had more money to pay them but they say they do it for the love of getting up there in front of 3,000 people at Point Fermin Park. There, they experience the view of Catalina and the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Music by the Sea is heavily supported by people in San Pedro and all over the South Bay. Caccavalla would like for people to come out, have a great time and be happy. For Caccavalla, a born and raised in New York, Music by the Sea is a labor of love for this community that has accepted him into its fold.
Music By the Sea 2023 line-up:
July 9 — Tiki McPherson, The Harbor Groove Band, Code 4, Azure
July 16 — One Flight Up, Amerigumbo, Rise Like the Sun, Bluezilla
July 23 —Michael Forbes Explosion Band, Under the Sun, Down the Hatch, The Floaters
July 30 — The Hooks, Hardball, In Contempt Revue, The Topics
Cost: Free
Details: http://www.musicbythesea.rocks/
Venue: Point Fermin Park, 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro