Monadnock Music’s annual gala raised about $15,000 for the organization’s traditional free village concerts – approximately double the total from previous years.
Monadnock Music Executive Director Laina Barakat said the gala, held in Dublin Aug. 27, was the most successful since its inception in 2020. Previous galas have netted about $6,000 to $8,000 for the nonprofit.
“Our first gala was held in the heart of COVID, so hopefully this is an example of what our gala can be, if we’re not battling everything we’ve had to battle the last few years,” Barakat said.
The gala sold 82 tickets, and featured fireworks and professional circus performers Caroline Wright and Rachel Barringer, who perform together as Duo Shadow. The event also included a silent auction, and Barakat said one of the auction items that helped to double the previous years’ takes was a private performance by the Monadnock Music String Quartet, which sold for a $5,000 “buy now” price before the gala had even officially begun.
Mondanock Music requires about $225,000 in fundraising annually, raised through membership purchases, fundraising and private donations. The funds raised from Saturday’s gala will go toward funding free concerts at local town centers. Barakat said Monadnock Music has not yet booked its summer concert series for the coming 2023 season, but said it will likely revisit its usual stops – which include Peterborough and Keene – and perhaps add some new locations to its lineup.
To buy a Monadnock Music membership or to learn more about upcoming events, visit monadnockmusic.org.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.