After a false start due to COVID-19, and then last summer’s show by Birds of Play in The Yard at The Livery, Norwood resident Daiva Chesonis decided it was time to go bigger; she is working with Rob Miller of Pickin’ Productions to bring two free outdoor concerts to Norwood this summer.
“I’m really excited for these concerts, Norwood becoming a stop on Pickin’ Productions’ circuit, gathering the community and inviting the region to dance and frolic into the sunset,” Chesonis said.
The concerts are scheduled for June 16 and August 11. The gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Vendors, food trucks, and space for picnic blankets, dancing and kids will be available. People will be welcome to bring their own food, too.
Pickin’ Productions has been managing concerts in the region since 2000. They put on the Ridgway and Moab free summer concert series, Paonia’s Pickin’ in the Park and Pickin’ N Paradise, and Friday Night Live in Hotchkiss.
According to a statement on their website, Pickin’ Productions “was founded … with the vision of bringing high quality live music to western Colorado.”
“Huge kudos to the current sponsors for finding the funds to put forward,” Chesonis said.
In addition to management and direction from Pickin’ Productions, the Town of Norwood has budgeted $5k, Norwood Park and Recreation District $2,500, Norwood Chamber of Commerce kicked in $1,200, and the BackCountry Inn will be donating lodging for musicians. The two shows will take place at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds, with the stage in the open lot to the east of the Glockson Building.
The bands will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for info on posters around the area, on the about-to-launch Music on the Mesa Facebook and Instagram pages, or on NPRD’s website, Chesonis said.
Chesonis said that Miller chooses bands that match the community they’ll play in. While she is holding onto the band names until the second one is confirmed, Chesonis did say that the first show will be “a country swing, rockabilly-bluesy juke joint act.”
DeeAnna Burbridge, SMC Fairgrounds coordinator, agreed. Burbridge has a sense of what might work for the community, as she is nearing her 21st anniversary at the fairgrounds.
“The first concert is old country. It seems like a good first choice.”
Burbridge said she’s looking forward to the events.
“The dates chosen fit in around other events and are good for Norwood, and the fairgrounds facility seemed like the best venue choice. The Livery is too limited with space and parking, but here we have parking inside the racetrack, the Pig Palace is great for vendors, and the public transit parking lot is good for food trucks. This section of Summit Street will be closed to vehicles and open for dancing, and Daiva has great plans for a kids’ area.”
The Music on the Mesa Committee includes Jaime Schultz as a Norwood Board of Trustees representative, Krys Smith as NPRD representative, Annika Kristiansen as a citizen representative, plus Burbridge and Chesonis. A member from the Chamber of Commerce will join the committee, and “there are openings for other Norwood residents to hop on to be a hands-on sounding board for 2024 and beyond,” Chesonis said.
Aside from attending the concerts, there are opportunities to sponsor or individually support the concerts, apply to be a vendor (food and non-food), or sign up as a volunteer. All of that information can be found on NPRD’s website. Any questions may be directed to [email protected].