Hot Lunch Band headlines this week's Rock & Rails

After the opening night concert was cut short due to a thunderstorm, fans are eager to attend week two of Niwot's Rock & Rails summer concert series on Thursday, June 6 at Whistle Stop Park. Concertgoers will be able to enjoy music, dancing, drinks, food trucks, activity booths, and people-watching from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The June 6 event features The Hot Lunch Band, based in Denver, as the headliner. The band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Known for their high-energy funk, The Hot Lunch Band is guaranteed to get the crowd moving. As their website promises, "[the] music is so electrifying that the crowd will not be able to sit in their seats."

Although they are new to Rock & Rails, Satir DeMarco, the event's booking manager has no doubt the crowd will love them. "They're a great dance band, people will have a wonderful time," she said.

The crowd can expect a captivating performance of R&B, soul, and dance music from the past 60 years. The website brags, "The Hot Lunch Band knows how to entertain and pump up the crowd with their energetic, comedic personalities...IT'S GUARANTEED A FUNKY GOOD TIME!"

Opening for The Hot Lunch Band is the George Street Duo, performing from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The duo features lead singer George Street on guitar and Niwot resident Joe Pacheco on bass. The talented pair specializes in Americana, rock, and blues, promising an engaging start to the evening with their versatile musical style.

DeMarco is looking forward to seeing everyone and dancing the night away to the June 6 lineup. The Hot Lunch Band, with their funky rhythms, and The George Street Duo are expected to deliver performances that will have the audience dancing from start to finish.

Where are the tips going?

As concertgoers enter Whistle Stop Park for Rock & Rails, they will be greeted by volunteers with large tip jars. Each week, different nonprofit organizations, chosen through an application process, are invited to collect donations. In exchange, these organizations assist with setting up, taking down, and running the event.

This week, half of the tip jar collections will go to the Women's International Niwot Club (WINC). Amy Klein, the Secretary of WINC, explained that the "local group of women, approximately 100, meets regularly for a variety of activities." Those activities include social events, cooking classes, and theater and music events.

WINC is a prominent participant in the Niwot Holiday Fayre just before Christmas, one of its largest fundraisers, featuring international goodies. They also host popular trivia nights with proceeds benefiting local charities. "The money from Rock & Rails helps support the Holiday Fayre and other community events sponsored by WINC," Klein added.

The other half of the tip jar collections will benefit the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC), which provides invaluable services through equine-assisted therapy programs, helping individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. CTRC is located on the south side of State Highway 52, directly east of the Tree Farm Nursery & Garden Center. According to their website, all donations they receive go directly towards program services. The contributions from Rock & Rails will aid in sustaining these vital programs, ensuring continued support for those in need.

Last year, the average tip collection was almost $2,000 per concert. Donations at Niwot's opening concert this summer were over $2,300. Donations can be made by cash or check made out to Niwot Cultural Arts Association, P.O. Box 733, Niwot, CO 80544. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.