Located in Colorado Springs, which is home to Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Olympic Headquarters and Training Center¹, you’ll find an innovative non-profit started 30 years ago called The Black Rose Acoustic Society. The association was carved out just north of Colorado’s second largest city² by a group of local musicians³. The society’s main focus was then and remains bringing acoustic concerts to the area.

In a 100 year old log cabin⁴, with an emerald green roof, surrounded by Ponderosa Pines in the Black Forest⁵, is a listening room oasis. The Black Forest Community Club is the magical site of The Black Rose Acoustic Society’s concerts on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. The intimate setting hosts an opening act that performs five songs followed by the featured performer⁶.

Located at the base of Pike’s Peak, the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and bicyclists, with rooms to lodge including a place to hang your bicycle; The Watering Hole with Colorado craft beer, wines, and moonshine; and home to The Black Rose Acoustic Music Society’s open mics and showcase events⁷. On the second and fourth Wednesdays they have open mic at the Buffalo Lodge in Manitou Springs, just 15 minutes from Colorado Springs. On the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, The Black Rose Acoustic Music Society host performs 40 minute sets at the Lodge, assigned ahead of time.

In addition to its concerts that host both national and regional musicians, the non-profit also focuses on “the preservation of acoustic music played on traditional acoustic instruments”. Hosting spring and fall group music lessons, The Black Rose helps people both learn new instruments and improve their skills. The classes include acoustic instruments, theory, and vocal lessons. Membership is also available and includes discounts on concert tickets and entry to group lessons.

Special thanks to Bill Leake and The Black Rose Acoustic Society for help with this article.

Resources:

1. https://coloradosprings.gov/human-resources/page/about-city-colorado-springs
2. https://coloradosprings.gov/about-colorado-springs
3. https://www.blackroseacoustic.org/
4. https://weareblackforest.com/black-forest-community-club-bfcc/
5. https://weareblackforest.com/
6. https://www.blackroseacoustic.org/bio
7. https://www.bicycleresort.com/about-us-our-vision