Taylor Bolanos
Staff Writer
The weekly Friday Nights Live event brought the Claremont community closer with a night of live music Sept. 25 in the Claremont Village.
Three lives bands performed around the Claremont Village for the enjoyment of the community.
The performers were High Strung Band, a group of folk musicians; J.Grizz Band, a rock-influenced group; and Mike Wojniak, an indie singer.
“I really like to support our local bands,” said Sonja Stump, one of the event coordinators for the Claremont Village.
Stump is on the executive committee of business owners for the Claremont Village.
She helps plan events and selects the bands for Friday Nights Live.
Every March, Stump chooses family-friendly bands or singers that can perform in the public plaza, in front of City Hall and the Council Chamber building. Stump said she tries to have a variety of music for different audiences to enjoy.
According to Stump, the plaza is a highly coveted location for performers. Many visitors will stay and relax for the entire length of the set instead of stopping for a few minutes or just passing by as they would at City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce building.
“You really want someone that you can listen to for three hours,” Stump said.
The live music showcases the artists’ talent. According to Stump, it is common for bands to be recognized for their performance by other professionals and even get more gigs from it.
The business owners and employees of the local shops and restaurants enjoy the increased Friday night traffic. Stump said they wish music could be played on Saturdays as well.
“I feel like it brings together the community,” said Mckenna Hernandez, a Chaffey College freshman broadcast cinema major.
Hernandez works at I Like Pie Bakeshop, one of the small shops in the Claremont Plaza.
“For a solid hour, (there are) customers out the door,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said regulars stop by, purchase some of the shop’s miniature pies and step outside to enjoy the live music.
“When I bring out pies, I listen to the music,” Hernandez said. “It’s really nice and peaceful.”
Many families and couples take seats at the tables in the plaza to relax. Many children play on a large statue that includes a water feature and bronze creatures.
The center is very lively in the evenings. Some people even dance to the music in an open space in front of the musicians.
“It’s a nice community event,” said Upland resident Theresa Rees. “(We) get to hear some homegrown music with friendly people.”
Rees visits the Claremont Village several times a year, and she enjoys the family-oriented live music.
“It’s a nice getaway,” Rees said. “I don’t know any other city that has a downtown that is as lively on a Friday night.”
Rees has been visiting the Village for about four years now and said other communities’ events do not compare.
“This is way different,” Rees said. “I just like the cosmopolitan atmosphere.”
Taylor Bolanos can be reached at taylor.bolanos@laverne.edu.
