Backyard Concert Series at Anythink

One of our favorite summer-y library program series is back; out of the archives comes this conversation with Stacie Ledden from Anythink Libraries about their Backyard Concert Series. Enjoy!

We’re thrilled to present a conversation with Stacie Ledden, Director of Innovations and Brand Strategy at Anythink Libraries. In today’s post she talks about the library’s Backyard Concert Series, which brings the community together at the library to celebrate music during the summer. Special thanks to Erica Grossman at Anythink for coordinating today’s interview! ~Laura

Library as Incubator Project (LAIP): Can you give us a quick overview of the Backyard Concert Series?

Stacie Ledden (SL): This year marks the third year of the Anythink Backyard Concert Series. The series is held the second Friday of the month, June-August, at the one-acre park attached to Anythink Wright Farms, the district’s flagship branch. Each year, we bring in an eclectic mix of bands to perform for the series. This year’s lineup included Denver-favorites The Congress, Calder’s Revolvers, and on Friday, Aug. 14, Dixie Leadfoot & the Chrome Struts. The concert is free, and there is BBQ, beer and wine, and other beverages for sale with proceeds benefiting the Anythink Foundation. For 2015, the library unveiled the Anythink Pale Ale – a delicious pale ale handcrafted by the brewers at Beer by Design in Northglenn, Colo. Not only can attendees enjoy the beer at each of this year’s concerts, but if they show their library card at the brewery, they receive a $1 off a pint of the Anythink Pale Ale.

Kids dance to the sounds of Calder’s Revolvers at the Anythink Backyard Concert Series on July 10, 2015. (Photo by Kent Mereis/Anythink Libraries)

Calder’s Revolvers perform at the Anythink Backyard Concert Series on July 10, 2015. (Photo by Kent Mereis/Anythink Libraries)

Phoebe Purchase, 4, of Centennial, Colo., plays the xylophone in the Explore Outdoors outdoor classroom at Anythink Wright Farms during the Backyard Concert Series on July 10, 2015. (Photo by Kent Mereis/Anythink Libraries)

Funds raised from this year’s series will benefit the expansion of The Studio at Anythink, which made this the perfect year to launch the Anythink LIVE! teen music contest. Teen performers submitted demos of their music, and after a panel of judges narrowed the contestants to three, the bands were put to popular vote. The winner – Broomfield, Colo., alt rock band Altitude – will perform live at the Aug. 14 concert, opening for Dixie Leadfoot & the Chrome Struts.

LAIP: How did the Backyard Concert Series at Anythink get started? Who were the primary partners, and how did they make it happen?

SL: At Anythink, we’re huge music fans. When we opened Anythink Wright Farms in July 2010, we dreamed of doing concerts in the park because the space is so perfect. When we were looking to develop a new fundraiser for the Anythink Foundation, a concert series felt like a natural next step. We had the passion and the space, all we needed was some great music, partners and people to come enjoy.

The event is a fantastic collaboration between the Anythink Foundation and the library’s support staff. It’s a great example of Anythink’s culture in action; no matter their role or department, people rally to lend a hand in providing this amazing experience for our community. We partnered with a local Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise in Thornton to provide food, and Beer by Design has been the concert’s beer sponsor for the past three years, which led to the the brewing of the Anythink Pale Ale.

The Congress perform at Anythink’s Backyard Concert Series on June 12, 2015. (Photo: Kent Meireis)

The Congress kicked off Anythink’s first Backyard Concert Series show of 2015. (Photo: Kent Meireis)

Kylie Potter of Henderson, Isabella Rodriquez of Thornton, and Tatuam of Thornton, run and dance on the one-acre park at Anythink Wright Farms during the Backyard Concert Series on June 12, 2015. (Photo: Kent Meireis)

LAIP: What is the community response like to the Backyard Concert Series? And, can you tell us a little bit about how the concert series fits the Anythink mission in the community?

SL: The response in the community to the Anythink Backyard Concert series has been incredible. About half an hour before the music begins, people from all over the community start pouring onto the lawn with their chairs, dogs and kids in tow, ready to find their perfect spot on the back lawn. We typically have around 400 guests, some who live right in the neighborhood and others who travel from throughout the Denver metro area and beyond.

Before Anythink Wright Farms was built, there were talks about that plot of land housing a gas station or a storage facility. The community rallied at city council meetings and elsewhere to fight for a library in their neighborhood. Over and over we’ve had conversations with concert attendees about how this event was exactly what they had in mind when they fought for the library, and that both the event and the library far exceeded their expectations.

Anythink’s mission is “we open doors for curious minds.” The Backyard Concert Series is a perfect example of this – curiosity is sparked when you’re introduced to new things. That can be a new band, a new neighbor – even a new style of beer! There are many people whose first introduction to the library was through the concert series. They came for the music initially but came back for the kids programs, The Studio, the community gardens, the computers, the staff and more.

LAIP: Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for people who might consider doing a similar series at their library?

SL: Part of the concert series’ success is due to the passion of the team involved. Any type of series like this is a lot of work, but it’s made much easier when your team enjoys it and looks forward to it. Another reason that it’s been so successful is the simplicity of the event. We don’t overdo it with lots of other activities or bells and whistles, although this year we did add the launch of the Anythink Pale Ale and the Anythink LIVE! teen music contest. We felt comfortable building on the core event after getting down most of the logistics the first two years. Finally, finding great partners who have similar values and where the partnership is mutually beneficial is key.

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