On April 5, 2025, The Lettermen lit up the Arcadia Performing Arts Center with a concert that exceeded all expectations. 

Known for their smooth three-part harmonies, Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack delivered a feel-good show that was enjoyed by all.

From their 1961 hit “The Way You Look Tonight” to classic covers, their sound was as strong as ever. 

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” one guest said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but The Lettermen put on a fantastic show. I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed it.”

The Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation remains dedicated to bringing great entertainment to the community.

“My girlfriends and I love being able to enjoy a great night out right here in town,” said one attendee. “No LA traffic, no parking hassles—these shows are right in our own backyard. It’s so easy and enjoyable!”

The night had even more meaning for local fans—Donovan Tea is a Pasadena High School alum, and several of his former choir classmates were in the audience to support him. The show also drew fellow musicians, as well as members of The Lettermen’s devoted Filipino fan base, who were treated to a special song sung in Tagalog.

And judging by the crowd’s reaction, The Lettermen are welcome back anytime.

On January 25, 2025, the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presented a magical evening with Taiwanese pop icon Cyndi Chao in “The Most Romantic Concert”—a moving musical celebration that touched hearts and brought the community together through the power of music and love.

Performing a heartfelt lineup of her beloved hits, including The Proposal, Flying Higher, Too Late to Meet, and The Most Romantic Thing, Cyndi captivated the audience with her emotive voice and sincere stage presence. Her performance was elevated by a special collaboration with the Hollywood Band, who opened the show with Hotel California and played English favorites like Perfect, I Will Always Love You, and My Heart Will Go On, blending East and West in a beautiful cultural harmony.

A highlight of the evening was the emotional moment when Cyndi performed Too Late to Meet, visibly moved by the song’s personal meaning. She later shared that music—and her fans—helped her through some of life’s darkest times. Her honesty and vulnerability created a powerful connection with the audience.

Adding to the night's charm was a touching duet with the Arcadia High School Choir on What a Wonderful World, followed by a unifying sing-along of Tomorrow Will Be Better, during which Cyndi stepped off stage to invite the audience to join her in song. The finale became a beautiful tribute of hope and healing, with proceeds from a mid-show charity auction supporting Arcadia Unified teachers and staff affected by recent wildfires.

Fans who traveled from across Southern California and abroad were especially moved by the intimate atmosphere. Many sang along throughout the show, with one audience member describing it as a “dream come true” to sing alongside their idol.

As the first Arcadia concert featuring an Asian pop star, the event drew a diverse and enthusiastic crowd, creating a milestone moment for the Foundation and setting the stage for future multicultural performances.

For longtime community members, the night also evoked warm memories of past milestones at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. One parent recalled the grand opening in 2013, when legendary crooner Paul Anka performed with a full live band and even selected outstanding Arcadia High Symphony Orchestra students to join him on stage. “My son was one of the cellists that evening—it was an exciting and unforgettable night for him and for us in the audience,” they shared.

Thank you to Cyndi Chao, the Hollywood Band, Max Tu, the Arcadia High Choir, and all who made the night so special. And to the audience—your love and energy made it truly unforgettable.

LATEST UPDATES:

Tuesday March 21, 2022

Our Commitment to Arcadia High School Music Club

Supporting the arts is essential for fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural enrichment. We're excited to announce our donation of $10,000 to the Arcadia High School Music Club and proud to have our name showcased on their newly painted trailer that will carry the music into the future.

New LED Display for the Performing Arts Center

Part of our mission is to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. We recently donated a brand-new LED Display in the lobby which will help showcase upcoming events and announcements.

Mini Grants

We're in the process of awarding our annual mini grants to teachers who have applied for a range of needs to enhance their students' learning experiences. From performance gear to green screens, art supplies to instrument maintenance, wireless microphones to tuning devices, banking wheels for ceramics, and even supplies to make math and science more creative, we are proud to support our teachers' efforts in creating a well-rounded education for our students. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these efforts will have on our students' growth and development

Thursday December 22, 2022

Dear Foundation Supporter:
 
As we approach the end of another year, we hope that 2022 was rewarding and prosperous for you.
 
For the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, it was a year of reflection and rebuilding. We used the disruptive pandemic period to refocus and recommit to our original goals and mission. To that end, the Foundation continues to support the arts in multiple ways including student scholarships, teacher mini grants, helping to underwrite Arcadia’s famous Festival of Bands, and supporting student programs and performances.

We are also working diligently to bring back our concert series at the Arcadia Performance Arts Center to be announced in 2023. 
 
To continue the Foundation’s mission of supporting the arts and education in Arcadia and throughout our region, we ask that you consider a donation to support the work we are doing. 

Sincerely,

Gary Kovacic Jim Romo
President/ CEO Chairman of the Board

There is still time to make a tax-deductible donation to APAF! 
We know you have many options when it comes to your end-of-year giving.
Why not choose APAF? We are using your donations to directly impact student's lives through the Arts.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which makes all donations to us tax-deductible. Make your donations before December 31 to ensure that it can be deducted from this year's taxes.

We are a proud sponsor of the Festival of Bands. Apache News helped create an informational video
with Jim Romo and Gary Kovacic about the mission of our foundation.

We award mini-grants to teachers to introduce and cultivate the arts in classrooms throughout the district.

We awarded 10 scholarships to arts students in the Spring of 2022. 

We bring world-class entertainment to the community and provide students with opportunities to work with professionals. We were the official Entertainment Partner for the Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival on July 2, 2022. We hosted the Main Stage at First Avenue Middle School and gave Arcadia High School sax players the opportunity to perform with The Alumni Band, a veteran rock and roll band who are all graduates of Arcadia High School in the early 1970s. We also hosted an Entertainment Lounge featuring World Guitarist Roger Espinoza!

We contribute to the maintenance and up keep of the Arcadia Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the art venue. 

Saturday November 18, 2023