There are few things better than outdoor music in the summer. Green grass, warm breezes, friends, family and live music – we have come to greatly appreciate if not expect it. But it takes a lot of effort to organize and support outdoor music events, as Music in the Mountains can attest, and we should not take them for granted. They have managed come rain or shine to produce 30 seasons and are wrapping up this summer’s season this weekend, others too.
The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College this Thursday concludes its sixth season of free outdoor music, the fourth at Buckley Park. Thursday’s Concert Hall @ The Park will be the seventh and final show enjoyed weekly since mid-June by over 1,000 people, particularly families.
That families with kids can affordably experience a night out listening to live music ranging from country to jazz, zydeco, funk and world music in a casual, comfortable and safe environment is one of the Concert Hall’s most gratifying and unexpected aspects of the concert series. In fact, many have made it part of their summer routine.
It is a win-win for patrons and sponsors too. Fort Lewis and the Community Concert Hall love connecting with the community through the diverse music they bring to Durango. Sponsors love giving back to the community that supports them.
On a smaller scale and with a twist, the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado has produced a summer community concert series, Community Concerts in the Secret Garden, at the Rochester Hotel that benefit local not-for-profit organizations. It was conceived as a way to bring fun to philanthropy, introduce not-for-profits to new audiences, and provide the community an early evening live music and social opportunity Wednesdays from late June through August.
This season consists of 10 shows benefiting organizations as diverse as La Plata Youth Services (tonight’s show with Hello Dollface), Project Merry Christmas, 4 Corners Rainbow Youth Center, Spring Creek Horse Rescue, and the Durango Choral Society. We are lucky to live in a community that delivers great talent, supports the arts and not-for-profit organizations and has a great time doing it.
