Community Concerts of the Grand Valley (CCGV) is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to presenting some of the finest national and international performing artists to our patrons at an affordable ticket price!
In recent years, performers have included the Dallas Brass, the Redneck Tenors, Sons of the Pioneers, the Diamonds, Simply Sinatra, StepCrew, the Folklorico Ballet, the New Shanghai Circus, and the Church Basement Ladies.
All shows are held at the Historic Avalon Theatre at 7:30 p.m. (except for an occasional matinee at 3:00 p.m.). Doors open 1 hour before curtain.
A Brief History of the Community Concerts of the Grand Valley
Originating in 1944, the organization was started by a dedicated volunteer group of about 25 local music lovers. Every year since, we have presented four to six concerts that have featured esteemed artists such as Mantovani, the Gershwin Orchestra, the Robert Joffrey Ballet, the Vienna Choir Boys, Itzhak Perlman, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the New Christy Minstrels, the Kingston Trio, Peter Nero, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Riders in the Sky, the Royal Air Force Band, and the New York Theatre Ballet.
Initially, our office was headquartered in the Tom Clark Music Store on Main Street. Season ticket prices (for four concerts) were $6.00/adult and $3.50/student. Concert Board members personally met the guest musicians in Grand Junction train station and provided hospitality–often in private homes! The first concerts were held in Houston Hall at Mesa College and, later, in the Mesa College auditorium. In 1953, the organization was thrilled to move its venue to the large auditorium at the then-new Grand Junction High School. Seating approximately 1500 people, this auditorium was a community-sponsored and voter-approved facility designated for civic, community, and school district activities.
Today, our concerts are held in the 100-year-old Avalon Theatre in historic downtown Grand Junction. Built in 1923 for the residents of the city by local publishing giant Walter Walker. The Avalon Theatre was, and still is, one of Western Colorado’s largest performing arts halls. Seating more than 1000 people and sporting its unique layout, the Avalon offers patrons an intimate theatre experience with excellent acoustical quality and great visibility of the stage.
Community Concerts of the Grand Valley has a Board of Directors, which consists of up to twenty-two musically interested volunteers who meet to establish policy and procedure for the organization, conduct its business, and evaluate and select artists for the upcoming season. If you are interested in volunteering your services, please contact us at www. Community Concerts of the Grand Valley.org, phone us at 970-243-1979, or use the contact form.
Current Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Bobbi Alpha, President
Kauai Fitt, Vice President
Reford Theobold, Secretary
Danni Langdon, Treasurer
Betty Robillard, Hospitality Chair
Corky Backlund, House Chair
DIRECTORS
Scott Betts
Shelley Braz
Kauai Fitt
Penny Jansen
Kelle Keeler
Rosita Moglia
Barb O’Connor
Trish Mahre
Reford Theobold
Dee Wells
Bob Witt
Merlin Zimmet