‘Blues Box’ Dance Raises $20K for Pagosa Peak Open School

Music producers Blue Haas and DC Duncan, in cooperation Pagosa Peak Open School, rolled out a fabulous community event last weekend: ‘The Blues Box.’ The Prohibition-era-themed dance-and-costume party was billed as the new school’s “Inaugural Music Hall Fundraiser.”

With the participation of numerous sponsors and donors, the event raised over $20,500 for the school, including the $8,200 worth of in-kind donations from local businesses, used to throw the party. Dozens of volunteers and hundreds of volunteer hours went into making this event wildly authentic and successful.

The show was sold out before doors even opened at the County Extension Building on Highway 84 — with nearly 230 people in attendance, including volunteers and performers.

‘Blue Haas and the G-Men’ included vocalist Blue Haas, and special guests Kathy Keyes, Faith Eva Evangeline, Chris Haas and Dale Scrivener. The all-star G-Men include Kirk James (guitar and vocals), DC Duncan (drums and vocals), Evan Suiter(bass), Jack Maynes (Keys) and Bob Hemenger (sax).

A few notable event sponsors:

Terry’s Ace Hardware provided all the materials for artist Blue Haas to build and paint the bar and stage.

Feather Your Nest antique store provided over 100 pieces of antique items, furniture and decor, including clay whiskey bottles from the Prohibition Era.

Pagosa Liquor provided the beverages for authentic cocktails.

Quality Inn put the out-of-town musicians up for two nights.

Sage Mobile Eatery fed the band and stage crew.

Additional sponsors included:

KWUF, Footprints, Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Holi-Hands, T&T Enterprises, Pagosa Springs Source, Wildcrafted Photography, First Southwest Bank, Pagosa Baking Company, Scott Strategic Investments, Silver Dollar Liquors, Riff Raff Brewing Company, Pagosa Brewing & Grill, Choke Cherry Tree, Voormi, P. S. Chocolates, Rosie’s Pizzeria, Walmart, Wolf Creek Ski Area, Powerhouse Science Center, Chuck’s Expert Services, Refurnish Pagosa, Two Chicks & a Hippie.

The funds raised will be used to augment the “Placed-based” and “Project-Based” educational activities at Pagosa Peak Open School.

View more photos of the event on the Pagosa Daily Post.