Nineteen Pagosa Springs musicians are currently in rehearsal for an April 27 ‘Dance Party’ at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts — a special fundraising event to benefit Pagosa Peak Open School (PPOS), our local District-authorized K-8 charter school.
The dance-concert — ‘A Tribute to The Beatles’ — will feature interpretations of the Fab Four’s extensive song catalog, arranged by some of Pagosa’s finest vocalists and instrumentalists, including Kirsten Andrews, Laurie Brinkmann, Trey Brooks, Jason Dockter, Chris Haas, Josh Harper, Steve Hays, Bill Hudson, Ursala Hudson, Taryn Jones, James Kiker, Andy Matlock, Chris Morley, Greg Milioto, Gus Palma, Marcus Rivas, Em Tholberg, Bill Trimarco, and Eric Wade.
All the musicians are donating their time and talents to this ‘fun-raising’ fundraising event. Most have decades of professional performing experience… as well as a special affection for the Fab Four.
PSCA will be hosting a cash bar. The dance floor will be open.
A ‘Dress-up’ Dance Concert Event
The ‘Tribute’ audience is encouraged to dress in their favorite 1960s and 1970s apparel and hairstyles. Prizes will be awarded to the “Best Beatles Fan” costumes. Tickets are $40 each, or $75 for a couple, and can be ordered online here. (A $2.50 convenience fee applies to online orders.)
In support of the event, PPOS will be hosting a “Parents’ Night Out” children’s event that same evening, April 27, from 6 – 10pm. Parents can drop of kids age 5-12 years for dinner, crafts, science, and movies at Pagosa Peak Open School. Cost is $25 for the first child; $20 for each additional child… with a $5 discount if you have purchased a ‘Tribute to the Beatles’ ticket.
The Beatles formed in Liverpool in 1960, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and are widely regarded as the most influential rock band of all time. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionized many aspects of the music industry and were often cited as leaders of youth and sociocultural movements. Record producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings after they signed with EMI Records and then achieved their first number-one hit single, “Love Me Do”, in late 1962. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed “Beatlemania”, the band acquired the nickname “the Fab Four”.
The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of 600 million units worldwide. They’re additionally the most successful act in the history of the US Billboard charts, holding the record for most number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and for most singles sold in the UK (21.9 million). The band received numerous accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, and an Academy Award (for Best Original Song Score for the 1970 documentary film ‘Let It Be’.) Time magazine named them among the 20th century’s 100 most important people.
‘A Tribute to The Beatles’ continues a series of musical celebrations hosted by PPOS over the past several years, beginning with the highly popular ‘Blues Box Prohibition Night’ jazz night held at the CSU extension building — an exciting community collaboration supporting the arts in Pagosa Springs, as well as educational excellence. The school hosted the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts in 2022, and the ‘Viva Pagosa Springs’ casino night last October, These community-supported fundraising events have helped fund the innovative educational program at our K-8 charter school.
Academic instruction at Pagosa Peak Open School is centered around the ‘Project-Based Learning’ educational model. The school culture also features a focus on Restorative Practices, a non-punitive approach to student and staff interactions. PPOS is a tuition-free, public school, open to all Archuleta County families.