The Vigilante Band is probably the only “home grown” band to open for a concert at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center.
And they have earned the distinction–being both a great bluegrass band and great supporters of the Performing Arts Series at the college.
The band’s performance in October during the 49ers Reunion was in fact dedicated to another long time PAS supporter, René Steensma, who died earlier this year.
And, one of the band members backed that dedication up with a challenge grant to the PAS Betty Clark Memorial fund. The Betty Clark Memorial Fund is a small endowment to help fund PAS programs. Betty Clark was an avid PAS member and attendee.
“We’re always looking for ways to fund this program,” notes Ronna Kalish, PAS director. “Like other non-profits, budgets this year seem harder to meet.
“I’m really grateful to Borden Putnam for his $5,000 challenge grant to the endowment. “We’re looking for another $20,000 this year to help.” Ronna added that people may donate to the René Steensma fund or donate funds in the name of someone else.
Borden, who sings and plays harmonica among other instruments, began the evening’s concert by telling a touching story about how René helped him during graduate school, unwittingly helping the Vigilante Band as well. To see a clip of the performance and hear his story, click here (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php?cat=514) To learn more about concerts at Performing Arts Series, visit http://nmtpas.org (http://nmtpas.org/).
To learn more about the Vigilante Band, visit www.thevigilanteband.com (http://www.thevigilanteband.com/)
And they have earned the distinction–being both a great bluegrass band and great supporters of the Performing Arts Series at the college.
The band’s performance in October during the 49ers Reunion was in fact dedicated to another long time PAS supporter, René Steensma, who died earlier this year.
And, one of the band members backed that dedication up with a challenge grant to the PAS Betty Clark Memorial fund. The Betty Clark Memorial Fund is a small endowment to help fund PAS programs. Betty Clark was an avid PAS member and attendee.
“We’re always looking for ways to fund this program,” notes Ronna Kalish, PAS director. “Like other non-profits, budgets this year seem harder to meet.
“I’m really grateful to Borden Putnam for his $5,000 challenge grant to the endowment. “We’re looking for another $20,000 this year to help.” Ronna added that people may donate to the René Steensma fund or donate funds in the name of someone else.
Borden, who sings and plays harmonica among other instruments, began the evening’s concert by telling a touching story about how René helped him during graduate school, unwittingly helping the Vigilante Band as well. To see a clip of the performance and hear his story, click here (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php?cat=514) To learn more about concerts at Performing Arts Series, visit http://nmtpas.org (http://nmtpas.org/).
To learn more about the Vigilante Band, visit www.thevigilanteband.com (http://www.thevigilanteband.com/)