The industry in Chula Vista is a venue where both musicians and non musicians perform. Photo by Maria Joaquin
While Donald Trump and his ilk have been calling on Christians to support racism, sexual assault and xenophobia, Reverend Francisco Garcia-Velazquez said he wants to go back to the basics.
Love thy neighbor as thy self.
Garcia said his vision to create an inclusive environment for this diverse community is based on his passion for music and the arts. His venue, The Industry, located on Harold Place in Chula Vista, is a place for it to come together.
Garcia said his goal was to make a place in which people from different backgrounds and points of view could come together and enjoy a common passion.
“I was thinking about how we could create a place that can inspire people with hope and faith, but specifically through music and the arts,” he said. “I’m not talking about just Christian music or Christian art, but the arts in general. So that is how this was born, out of that vision that we could do something very special with and for the community.”
Part concert venue, part gallery, The Industry strives to celebrate the diverse talents of the South Bay community.
“Apart from showcasing many local bands, primarily punk and hardcore genres,” said Garcia. “We also have people come in here to show off their art pieces, as well as creative writing elements and things such as community forums including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 101 trainings.”
The Industry’s diverse audience is something that Garcia said he is very proud of.
“We have a lot of different ranges of people that come here with different backgrounds, different ages, but the common narrative that I see in all these people is their passion in the community and in the arts, and in making a difference in the places where they live and even beyond,” he said.
Doing good is doing well. The Industry has been a great success, Garcia said, because cooperation from the community has shaped the all-inclusive environment.
“I’m very proud of what this place has become, but I am more proud of all the people who helped since the very beginning,” he said. “We have bands that have come and built the stage, some helped paint, others helped put up the sound panels and some even donated equipment. It is because of the joint community efforts that this place has become what it is.”
Fellow Southwestern College peers expressed their appreciation for The Industry.
“I love what this place is doing for South Bay,” said ReaLynn Fuson, 24, a business major. “Arts, music, culture… it’s exactly what we need.”
Mike Mule, former Southwestern College student, played at The Industry with his band, Alive & Well.
“We had a chance to perform here and I was blown away with the hospitality and the way they ran their venue,” he said. “They’re all amazing people.”
