TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The El Casino Ballroom hosted a fundraiser Sunday night to help raise funds to put on the 40th annual Tucson Folk Festival for free April 4-6.
It was $25 for Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) members, $30 for non-members, and $40 for reserved table seating.
The Tucson Folk Festival has multiple stages of music in traditional, contemporary, and cultural genres to entertain a diverse audience with over 150 live performances.
Annually, it attracts over 15,000 fans, including performers from Southern Arizona and across the nation.
It’s grown to be Arizona’s largest free to the public music festival and in order to keep that going, fundraisers are held throughout the year to pay for the infrastructure that goes into it.
Aspen Green, TKMA board member says this was their biggest fundraiser of the year.
"We have six different stages so the money goes toward the setup of those stages. We have paid headliners. So this year we have Sergio Mendoza and his orchestra for Saturday night and on Sunday night, we have Cheryl Wheeler and Kenny White. We have several other headliners also going to be there," says Green.
Over 250 people attended the celebration at El Casino enjoying music by two groups.
Opening the show was local Connie Brannock and Little House of Funk. Brannock is a Tucson-based R&B singer, songwriter, percussionist, and poet.
She calls herself the rockin' grammy.
“My personal mission statement is to extend joy through music and I think music is a way to help us connect across generations, cultures," states Brannock.
Members of her band range in age from 24-77.
Brannock has had interest in music since she was a child.
After retiring from the Army, it was a hobby she wanted to come back to.
The headliner of the event was Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, known for its bluesy, soulful vocals and upbeat music.
Different variations of music will be played at the festival that will keep you dancing all weekend long.
“At the Tucson Folk Festival you’re going to find music from all over the place. Mariachi music, you’re gonna find Irish music, you’re gonna find music from all over the world but a lot of acoustic music as well," says Green. "We have duos and bands and solos, just about anything and everything."
She says the event wouldn't be possible without the volunteers that help make it all happen.
"We are dependent on volunteers and it takes us at least 250 volunteers to put on the Tucson Folk Festival," says Green.
If interested in volunteering, you can check out their sign-up sheet.
The Tucson Folk Festival will be held April 4-6, downtown near Joel D. Valdez Main Library on Stone.
If you were unable to make the fundraiser and still would like to donate or would like more information about the schedule, you can visit their website.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9's Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x's & o's to tell players' stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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