Live music returns to the Rochester Hotel’s Secret Garden this August with the revival of the Community Foundation’s Community Concerts. After transitioning to radio shows during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the Community Foundation board and staff are excited to be back in person to enjoy local music and the company of friends, co-workers, and neighbors, while benefiting local nonprofits.
Four nonprofits serving the animal protection sector will receive grants from the 2021 Community Concerts. The selected organizations are Bear Smart, Dogster’s Spay & Neuter Program (D-SNiP), La Plata County Humane Society, and Wolfwood Refuge.
Community Concerts benefit the nonprofit community and promote Durango’s local music scene by featuring a different nonprofit and music talent each Wednesday evening in August from 5 to 7 p.m. The Rochester provides a bar and food for sale at each event. The bands performing this year are La La Bones, J-Calvin, Leah Orlikowski, and Six Dollar String Band.
The cover charge is a $10 cash donation to support the four nonprofits selected for the concert series. At the end of the series, all proceeds will be pooled and donated equally to the featured organizations. The goal is for each participating nonprofit to earn a $1,500 grant.
“We are thrilled to be able to gather safely in the Secret Garden after going virtual last year,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. “Over the years our Community Concerts have become a popular spot for a mid-week happy hour to enjoy live music, while supporting organizations that make our community such a great place to live.”
The Rochester Hotel has partnered with the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado to provide the concert venue. The event is also sponsored by Four Corners Community Bank and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
As a community facilitator, the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado works to increase resiliency and success for nonprofits while maximizing effective grantmaking for philanthropists to make Southwest Colorado a better place to live. The Community Foundation serves Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan Counties.