For five years, the James City County Rotary Club has brought music to the area to benefit local and international charities.
Stephen Menaquale took on the role of concert chairman when the group, founded in 1986, was looking for a way to supplement its existing fundraising efforts. The Rotary raised money with an annual live auction, but leaders hoped to bring supporters together on a more frequent basis rather than a one-time event.
The idea of a concert series was formed, and over the years has grown to be the foundation of the club’s philanthropy projects.
“It’s really taken over as our primary fundraiser in Williamsburg,” Menaquale said.
In addition to admission price, the club has begun to sell advertising space in programs. With regular events to connect with both the community and out-of-town visitors, the series serves to expose more people to the Rotary organization and its mission.
“A lot of things that we do are kind of helping the local charities,” Menaquale said. “That’s what Rotary has always been about. In fact, our motto is ‘Service Above Self.’”
The series benefits many area nonprofits, including Literacy for Life, FISH, Grove Christian Outreach Center, Lackey Free Clinic and Avalon: A Center for Women and Children.
“If [the concert] sells tickets, that means it puts more money into the local charities,” Menaquale said.
Events also support other further-reaching Rotary charities, like Polio Plus — working to eradicate the disease worldwide — and Water for People, which tries to find a sustainable solution to accessibility and cleanliness internationally.
Many of the performers in the series are based in the area or hail from Virginia. This season the Rotary has presented William & Mary a cappella groups, Richmond’s Whiskey Rebellion and the Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra.
WCSO has been a regular feature in the series, but the other four groups are new this year.
To choose the performers, Rotary organizers scope the lineup at the New Year’s Eve celebration, First Night Williamsburg. Menaquale said they look to see who draws a crowd and whether it would be possible to bring them in for the series.
“We try to change it up somewhat, according to what people like, and also change as to what don’t like,” Menaquale said of the roster of musicians.
This Saturday at 7:30 p.m., guests can hear Code Blue, a high-energy bluegrass band. Formed in 1996 and based in the Tidewater area, Code Blue plays a mix of traditional tunes and original arrangements.
The concert will be held at the Kimball Theatre, a venue Menaquale said always elicits positive comments from players.
“It’s good to have such a fine theater that does such a great job with acoustics,” Menaquale said.
To purchase tickets for Saturday’s show, contact the Kimball Theatre.
For more information about the series, upcoming performers and the James City County Rotary Club, click here.
