Something new is happening on Tapo Street. Community invited to ribbon cutting ceremony on June 25.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) -- Simi Vibe, a creative hub for music, wellness and community, opened its doors in May. In the weeks since, the venue has hosted rehearsals, sound baths and film screenings, building an audience ahead of its formal introduction to the wider community. That introduction comes Thursday, June 25, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m.
Located in Units 3 and 4 at 2513 Tapo Street, the multipurpose space offers live music, orchestral programming, community choir, wellness experiences, film screenings and a rotating indoor market of locally made goods. The venture comes from Joseph Metcalfe, known for building the Simi Valley Orchestras, and Katie Garibaldi, whose work with Aligned Magic brings an emphasis on sound, intuition and healing arts.
"We didn't set out to create another event venue," Metcalfe said. "We wanted to create a home for creativity, a place where musicians, filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, healers and dreamers could come together, inspire one another and build something greater than they could alone."
For Garibaldi, the payoff shows up the moment someone walks through the door. "What excites me most is seeing people walk through the door for the first time and immediately feel welcome," she said. "Every event brings together people who may never have met otherwise. Those connections are what Simi Vibe is really about," said Garibaldi who also manages the Simi Valley Orchestras.
Programming spans six areas: music, wellness, community, events, the arts and movement. A visitor could attend a choir rehearsal on Tuesday, a sound meditation later that week and a film watch party that weekend, all at the same address. An indoor local-made market adds a retail dimension alongside the performing arts programming.
Word got around before the venue's official opening. "Fabulous! Looks great! Very positive vibes for Simi Valley! Well done!" one supporter wrote on Facebook in April, as photos of the developing space circulated online.
The Simi Valley Community Choir, which meets Tuesdays at Simi Vibe, is among the ongoing programs drawing people in. Organizers call it a place to find your voice, built around connection, belonging and the joy of singing together. All levels are welcome, with sessions starting at $20.
Recent events have included an immersive sound meditation, a free performance by the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra and a watch party for short films presented through the Simi International Film Festival. Choir rehearsals and sound meditation sessions continue in the weeks ahead, with more programming announced on the Simi Vibe website and on Instagram at @simivibehub.
The ribbon cutting on June 25 will bring together members of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, city officials, community leaders, artists and residents for refreshments, live music, tours of the space and a presentation on the vision behind Simi Vibe.
"We're still at the very beginning of our vision for Simi Vibe," Metcalf said. "We hear people say all the time that there isn't enough to do after hours in Simi Valley. What you see today is only phase one. We're already exploring new programs, new events and new ways to serve the community."
Simi Vibe is built for participation, whether that means singing in a choir, sitting in for a sound bath, exploring an energy session, or just showing up to meet others who share an interest in the arts. For creative-minded residents of Simi Valley, that kind of in-person connection now has a dedicated home.
Most events can be reserved through the Simi Vibe website, where the full calendar is posted: simivibe.com.
