MONTE RIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--How many community fundraisers had their origins from imbibing too much?
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Monte Rio Variety Show, which began as a way for members of San Francisco’s Bohemian Club to share their talents and love for the Russian River community and raise money for local causes.
The show began in 1911 when a group of men from the Bohemian Grove, at their 2,700 acre forest retreat along the Russian River, were looking for a local church to pray. They teamed up with the local Catholic parish to build a church in Monte Rio, because, in those days, it was 10 miles to the nearest chapel.
The combination of doing a good deed, the convenience of a nearby place of worship and the desire to not walk too far after an evening of imbibing and entertainment, is the origin of how St. Catherine’s Church in Monte Rio came into existence.
Ever since then, the Bohemians sent their finest performers, from brand names of the past, such as Bing Crosby, Ray Bolger, Art Linkletter, Merv Griffin, and Phil Harris to perform in the Monte Rio show in the company of U.S. Presidents, Senators, captains of industry and others.
This week, the Bohemian Club will hold its 100th Monte Rio Variety Show at 7 p.m. July 28 at the Monte Rio Amphitheater, offering an evening of music, comedy and theater to celebrate the anniversary of its friendship with the Monte Rio and raise funds for local charities.
The show features Grammy Award winning musicians, rock bands, jazz, and special acts. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children ages 13 to 17.
Last year’s event raised more than $50,000. Recent performers include Bohemians and music stars Zac Brown, Clint Black, Steve Miller, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Big Al Anderson and others. Each year's performers are not publicized until they step on stage. For more information, visit the website: http://www.monterioshow.org/
Proceeds benefit St. Catherine’s Church, the Monte Rio School Foundation, and the Monte Rio Fire Services Foundation.
While most of the world looks at the Bohemian Club as a private men’s club, the Russian River community sees them as friends to the local community.
The Bohemian Grove, the club’s rustic retreat near Monte Rio, provides 600 jobs for adults, college and high school students each summer. The Club also participates in charitable causes that benefit local schools and athletic programs, food banks and has partnered with the Sequoia Trust, which helps fund many programs that serve the Monte Rio and Russian River communities.
The Bohemian Club of San Francisco was founded in 1872 by a group of men dedicated to the enjoyment of art, music, literature and drama. To escape the cares of the City, they started holding an annual retreat along the Russian River in 1878. In 1901 the club purchased its first parcel of what today is the Grove.