Veterans Memorial Park in Colusa on Thursday looked different than it ever had for a summer concert in the park.
Flag pennant banners fluttered in a slight breeze above dozens of people who sat on blankets or in lawn chairs while enjoying a summer barbecue and the first ever Levitt AMP concert held in the city.
Brooklyn singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson kicked off the summer concert series on June 15.
Mendelson, described as a hipster artist, is on a nationwide tour promoting her latest album, “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…”
Mendelson was accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby, one of rock’s most in-demand sidemen.
The 2023 concert series, which will run weekly through Aug. 24 (except for the week of Independence Day, July 4), is made possible by a grant from the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation.
“The Levitt Foundation partners with communities nationwide, including our little slice of heaven, to activate underused public spaces, creating driving destinations for people of all ages and all backgrounds, through the power of free, live music,” said Fernanda Venetta, of the Colusa County Arts Council.
The Arts Council partnered with the City of Colusa and local concert sponsors to expand the summer concerts in the park. Vanetta and Sadie Ash spearheaded the project and are leading a large group of volunteers in putting on the series of concerts.
“We have an amazing steering committee,” Vanetta said. “If you have never seen the park look so beautiful, it is because of them.”
Since 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 communities across America. The Foundation awarded the Arts Council $90,000 in matching funds in November 2022 to present the free concerts in Veterans Memorial Park each summer through 2025. Colusa was the only California community to receive a grant in 2023.
Tonight’s performer is Diana Gameros, a singer, songwriter, and music instructor from San Francisco.
Gameros was born in Juarez, Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13.
Gameros performs in English and Spanish and her music often tells a story of family, migration, identity, and home.
Gameros, who plays the guitar, will be performing on stage with instrumentalists Thomas Edler (bass), Patrick Wolff (clarinet, saxophone), and Raul Vargas (cajón box drum).
The concert gets underway at 6:30 PM.
The City of Colusa Fire Department provided the dinner for the Mendelson concert. The Colusa Lions Club will provide food for the Gameros concert. ■
