La Rosa celebrates one year anniversary with community birthday party

For Tucson residents looking for a place to hear live music, dance, see touring performers, or gather around local artists, La Rosa is marking its first year with a celebration built around the community that helped establish it. The venue, located in the former Benedictine Chapel near Country Club Road and Speedway Boulevard, will host its anniversary party at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9. The evening is planned to include live music, dancing, food and drinks, birthday cake, raffles, giveaways, live screen printing, venue tours and an electronic dance music afterparty.

Owners David Slutes and Charlie Levy originally envisioned La Rosa as a boutique, mid-sized venue that could bring nationally touring acts to Tucson without losing a more intimate atmosphere. They also wanted a space that would give local performers and artists a suitable home. Slutes said the concept existed before the chapel entered the picture, but finding the building quickly turned the idea into a specific project. He and Levy reportedly fell in love with the structure when they first visited it and saw the possibility of creating something distinctive while preserving its character.

That preservation has been central to the venue’s identity. The owners worked to retain the essence of the Benedictine Chapel while adding the sound, lighting and other production details needed for concerts and other performances. Slutes said the project became a labor of love and involved more work than the partners might have anticipated, but he believes the decision not to cut corners has helped La Rosa earn a strong reception. He has described enjoying the experience of walking into the building each day and seeing how the finished venue has developed.

Levy brought substantial experience to the partnership. He previously opened the Van Buren, Crescent Ballroom and Valley Bar in Phoenix, while Slutes had his own experience in Tucson’s music and arts community. The two had been considering possible locations in both cities when Slutes was encouraged to visit the old chapel. Their partnership combined Levy’s background in venue development with Slutes’ interest in programming a wide variety of events. Together, they created a space aimed at artists who might not fit comfortably into either a smaller club or a much larger concert hall.

That middle ground has become one of La Rosa’s defining roles. Slutes has said many performers want a room of this size because a larger venue can feel too empty, while a smaller one may not provide enough space for the audience or production. La Rosa’s programming has also extended beyond a single musical style. The venue has hosted or planned events involving dance, comedy, country, metal, folk and other genres, along with performances by artists working in different mediums. Slutes said this variety helps different audiences feel that the venue belongs to them.

The pace of activity has been especially notable during La Rosa’s first year. The venue has approached 300 events, quickly becoming one of Arizona’s most talked-about music spaces, according to the reporting. Slutes has described himself as a constant programmer who tries to balance touring acts, dance nights and events that directly serve Tucson’s local scene. He has also pointed to the response from performers as an important sign of the venue’s success, saying both touring and local artists have offered positive feedback and indicated they would return because of the room’s unusual atmosphere and community focus.

The anniversary party will emphasize that local connection rather than center on a major national headliner. The lineup includes New Misphoria, a young indie band; Bolero Jonze, the project led by Tucson musician Brian Lopez; Street Blues Family, one of Slutes’ longtime favorite acts; and Las Azaleas, a mariachi group he describes as highly talented. The mixture is intended to represent different parts of Tucson’s music community. Other activities, including the raffle, giveaways, screen printing and tours, will give attendees ways to experience the venue beyond the stage.

Mayor Regina Romero is also scheduled to offer remarks during the celebration. For Slutes, the decision to feature local performers reflects what he considers La Rosa’s most important distinction: the venue was created and operated as a Tucson project rather than as part of a national concert chain. He has credited residents with embracing the space from its opening and said their support has been the biggest factor in its first year. As La Rosa begins its second year, its owners are looking to continue the broad programming and community-centered approach that brought the chapel back into Tucson’s cultural life.