Anythink’s annual family-friendly Backyard Concert Series returns for its fifth season to help bring the community together through music. A fundraiser for the Anythink Foundation, the Backyard Concert Series helps support special programs and projects at Anythink. Held in the one-acre park adjacent to Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colo., the Backyard Concert Series is an opportunity for community members of all ages to enjoy live music in a picnic-style setting. Doors open with food and drink available for purchase at 5:30 pm; bands perform from 6:30-8:30 pm. Admission to the concerts is free, and attendees are invited to bring their family and neighbors for an opportunity to meet new friends and celebrate the summer season. This year’s lineup includes:

Funkiphino – Friday, June 9

Gora Gora Orkestar – Friday, July 14

Hazel Miller Band – Friday, Aug. 11

For the third year in a row, Anythink hosts Anythink LIVE!, a teen music contest that celebrates the creativity and talent of Anythink’s teenage customers. The winner of Anythink LIVE! will perform live as opening act for the Hazel Miller Band at 6 pm on Friday, Aug. 11 More details about the contest will follow in coming weeks.

Concertgoers will have the option to purchase food at the Backyard Concert Series, provided by an array of different food trucks, with 10 percent of sales benefitting the Anythink Foundation. Beer provided by Great Divide Brewing and wine from Balistreri Vineyards will also be for sale, proceeds of which will also be donated to the Anythink Foundation.

The Backyard Concert Series is made possible by generous support from community sponsors Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., Great Divide Brewing, Mountain States Toyota, Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Colorado Swim School, Griffith Home Team, Valley Bank & Trust,Dispute Resolution Professionals, LLC, Balistreri Vineyards and Cherrywood Liquor.

About the bands

Funkiphino: One of Colorado’s most popular funk bands, Funkiphino will have everyone in the crowd on their feet dancing. This high-energy performance covers everything from classic crowd favorites to current pop hits. 

Gora Gora Orkestar: Gora Gora Orkestar brings the sounds of the Balkans to the Rockies with high-energy performances. This 10-piece brass band is dedicated to making the audience dance with its infectious rhythm and distinct brand of feel-good music. The sound is an eclectic mix, blending Old World melodies of Eastern European folk with the back beat of American funk and the sway of South American tango.

Hazel Miller Band: Hazel Miller isn’t just a great singer, she’s a force of nature. Her decades-long career includes numerous awards and honors, including opening for artists such as James Brown, The Temptations and Mel Torme. The Hazel Miller Band performs an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B and blues. Their set is designed to get the crowd singing and dancing along with them.

Event Details

Backyard Concert Series

Benefitting the Anythink Foundation

Second Friday of the month

Doors open with food and drink available at 5:30 pm

Music from 6:30-8:30 pm

June 9 – Funkiphino

July 14 – Gora Gora Orkestar

Aug. 11 – Hazel Miller Band

Anythink Wright Farms

5877 E. 120th Ave.

Thornton, CO 80602

Enjoy music, food and fun for the whole family. Monthly concerts are free and open to the public. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit the Anythink Foundation.

The annual Anythink Backyard Concert Series, presented by Xcel Energy, returns in 2018 with a new lineup and opportunities to bring the community together through music. Hosted the second Friday of June, July and August at the one-acre park adjacent to Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colo., the Backyard Concert Series is a chance for families and friends to gather for local music, food and beer in a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere. Doors open with food and drink available for purchase at 5:30 pm; bands perform from 6:30-8:30 pm. In addition to free Friday night entertainment, these events also serve as a fundraiser for the Anythink Foundation. Funds raised through food and beverage sales help Anythink to provide special programs and projects for the community. Supporters can also donate at the show and online. This year’s lineup includes:

Roka Hueka – Friday, June 8

Leon and the Revival – Friday, July 13

Hazel Miller Band – Friday, Aug. 10

Concertgoers will have the option to purchase food onsite, provided by a variety of food trucks, including Basecamp Provisions, Blue Umami and Little India. Beer provided by Periodic Brewing and wine from Balistreri Vineyards will also be for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Anythink Foundation.

The Backyard Concert Series is presented by Xcel Energy and made possible by generous support from community sponsors Ciancio, Ciancio, Brown P.C., Mountain States Toyota, Stifel, Periodic Brewing, Colorado Swim School, Griffith Home Team RE/MAX Professionals, Butler Snow LLP, PFM Asset Management, TBK Bank and Balistreri Vineyards.

About the bands

Roka Hueka: Combining traditional and contemporary Latin ska, Roka Hueka is a band with members originating from Mexico, El Salvador and the U.S. Singer Andres Gonzales brought his love for energetic ska from Chihuaha, Mexico, to Colorado. With a strong brass section and energetic vocals, Roka Hueka will have you up and dancing to their Latin ska beats.

Leon and the Revival: Leon and the Revival emerged in 2015 when members of established Denver bands Reverend Leon’s Revival and The Royal began to collaborate on a new project that showcased the members’ shared love of classic soul and R&B music from the 1960s and ’70s. Influenced by Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Daronda, Solomon Burke, Ann Peebles and James Brown, Leon and the Revival fuse multiple music styles into a high-energy live musical experience.

Hazel Miller Band: Colorado music legend and crowd favorite Hazel Miller will be back, returning for a second time to the Backyard Concert Series. Hazel Miller isn’t just a great singer, she’s a force of nature. Her decades-long career includes numerous awards and honors, including opening for artists such as James Brown, The Temptations and Mel Torme. The Hazel Miller Band performs an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B and blues. Their set is designed to get the crowd singing and dancing along with them.

Anythink Wright Farms

5877 E. 120th Ave.

Thornton, CO 80602

Enjoy music, food and fun for the whole family. Monthly concerts are free and open to the public. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit the Anythink Foundation.

About Anythink™

Anythink is a new style of library – a place of unlimited imagination, where play inspires creativity and lifelong learning. Anythink serves the residents of Adams County, Colo., with seven libraries and a bookmobile. With a focus on innovation, Anythink’s award-winning approach to library service is recognized by industry leaders and organizations across the globe. For more information, visit anythinklibraries.org.