Coffee Gallery to Hold Fundraisers to Save Performance Space

The owner of the is planning to hold two fundraisers next month to get a license for a performance space that she was .

The Coffee Gallery Front Stage--which hosts free open mic music, comedy, poetry and other shows--was abruptly shut down the week before last after its owner, Julie Sandoval, was informed that the space was in violation of county code. 

Sandoval has now found out that she can get the space properly licensed for $2,267, which she hopes to raise from public donations.  The events held at the space are all free, so other than a slight uptick in coffee and food sales, Sandoval does not profit from them.

Though she said she is uncertain whether the store should really need a permit just to host free art and music events, Sandoval said she just wants to get the permit and move on.

"I wonder does it really require an entertainment license to do that?" Sandoval said.  "But I don't want to fight that battle with [the county]."

The first fundraiser will be at the Coffee Gallery on April 16 and will be a comedy roast where Sandoval will play host and be the subject of the jokes of comedians who have participated in the open mic comedy nights for years.

Then, on April 28, the Altadena Community Church will host a fundraiser for the store.  The church donated the use of the space, Sandoval said.

The coffee shop's violation stems from zoning codes that limit the presence of entertainment venues on one property, according to Sandoval.  Because the property hosts the Coffee Gallery Back Stage, a separate live entertainment venue run in the same structure by different management, any events held at the Front Stage would require a license.

Sandoval had originally been told by county planners that she would need a permit that would cost around $15,000.

The county originally got in touch with her because of neighbor complaints.