Sweet Sunny South to Help With Final Push

OURAY – The bluegrass band Sweet Sunny South will wrap up summer fundraising for the Friends of the Wright Opera House with a concert on Aug. 21, a mere 10 days before the organization’s deadline of Sept. 1 to raise $200,000 for purchase of the historic structure.

The Campaign to Save the Opera House has currently reached $120,000. “Cash donations and pledges continue to come in almost daily,” said Ralph Huesing, chairman of the nonprofit organization created to purchase, preserve and upgrade the building. But more is yet to be done.

“This is truly a multi-level effort as Ouray County residents, businesses, and organizations support the preservation of this historic structure and the vision of new uses for the facility to enhance the economy of the county,” said Huesing, “and the State of Colorado is helping by providing a major tax incentive to assist us in achieving the sum needed to accompany grant applications. And, our ongoing discussions with the foundations are very positive and we expect their full support when we get to that stage of the process.”

Donations and pledges ranging from $50 to $100,000 are eligible for a 25 percent tax credit on Colorado Income Tax returns. All donations and pledges qualify for the IRS charitable donation deduction.

The bulk of the campaign funds are in the form of pledges to be paid in 2010 at the time of purchase if negotiations for the property are successful and the anticipated grants are received. Cash donations made now will receive a considerable tax benefit for this year. Pledges made contingent on the success of the campaign and the closing of the sale will reap the tax benefits in the year in which the pledge is paid. Some donors are combining the methods by donating cash now and pledging additional support for 2010, anticipating tax benefits for both years.

Both types of commitments are counted in the goal of $200,000 needed to support the grant applications that are expected to provide the bulk of the funding for the purchase.

Advance tickets for the Sweet Sunny South concert are available at Buckskin Booksellers, Cimarron Books & Coffee, Khristopher’s Culinaire, Mouse’s Chocolates, and Ouray Silversmith at their Montrose location. Tickets are $15; additional donations along with a can for the Ouray County Food Bank are appreciated. A cash bar for wine and beer will be available at the event with proceeds going to the campaign fund. Sweet Sunny South is a favorite around the Western Slope and has indicated a hope for the Wright Opera House as one of its regular venues in future years.

“The community has been incredible in turning out for our other events to boost our fund,” said Friends’ boardmembers Dee Williams and Nancy Nixon. “We appreciate all the sponsors for our events and the businesses that have provided lodging and meals for the performers and have sold our tickets. And our heartfelt thanks go to every person who buys a ticket, shows up to enjoy how the future of the Opera House can be, and sometimes leaves a little extra in the jar. We hope this big finale can be a celebration of all that support and community enthusiasm for this project.”

The concert is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Long range planning for the needs of the various arts organizations and the growing Ouray County “industry” of arts education is included in the expected phases of upgrading. Current needs for dance and theater training are growing. Instruction in a number of topics provided by Weehawken Creative Arts expands consistently, with 100 programs during this summer alone. WCA uses existing venues across the county, but with continued growth anticipated, additional spaces may be needed. Growth of the arts education is providing new jobs for the community and a wider range of opportunities for all residents, particularly children.

“None of these things will be possible, of course, unless we can accomplish this first challenge of purchasing the building,” Huesing said.

If the campaign to save the building is successful, upgrading the auditorium to become the premier small performance space on the Western Slope – including an elevator, balcony seating, and sound and light equipment – is an immediate goal. Eventually accommodating a repertory theater group is a high priority. Plans also include expanded retail space at the street level, a source of income for the facility. The vision and planned phases can be seen at SaveTheWright.org .

Pledge forms are available at all events and from any boardmember (Huesing, Williams, Jim Opdahl, Nixon, Nick Sustana, Tom Kenning).

Donations can be sent to Jim Opdahl, Treasurer, Friends of the Wright Opera House, P.O. Box 17, Ouray CO 81427.