Hot Summer Line Up to Hit the Stage
by Cheryl Jerabek
On April 1, in a much-anticipated announcement on social media and in local papers, Music on the Mesa shared the details about this season’s featured artists.
Kicking off on June 13, MotM will welcome Wolf Jett, a 5-piece “cosmic mountain music” band based in California. “Their sound will make you dance, sing…and possibly even howl!” exclaimed Daiva Chesonis, Music on the Mesa in Norwood Producer and Norwood Park & Recreation District (NPRD) Programs & Events Manager. “Their all-original songs are an upbeat celebration of folk, soul, and Americana carried by southern-fried vocals of Tennessee-born frontman Chris Jones with Jon Payne’s endlessly groovy drums, plus bass, a female vocalist, electric guitar and keys/percussion.”
Gracing the stage on August 8 will be The Burroughs, featuring “sweaty soul music” with their 9-piece band. Hailing from Greeley, Colorado, bandleader and frontman Johnny Burroughs sings, dances, and screams audiences into a revival-like frenzy, according to Daiva. She went on to say that pulling inspiration from artists spanning Stevie Wonder to Beyonce, his dynamite backing band includes sizzling horns and a powerhouse rhythm section made up of some of Colorado’s most versatile and in-demand musicians.
“They are a young bundle of brass-laden energy with humble beginnings covering soul standards, evolving into a band that defies odds and transcends categorization,” Daiva added.
How it All Comes Together
Music on the Mesa is a free outdoor concert series brought to the community by Norwood Park & Recreation District, Pickin’ Productions, Town of Norwood, and other supporters.
This 2026 season marks the third year of the series, with a new shift to Saturday concerts. The festivities will be held at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds on June 13 and August 8. Gates open at 4:30 pm to enjoy picnicking, food offerings, yard games, a cash bar, and the KidZone. Concerts begin at 7 pm. Attendees are welcome to bring a chair and/or blanket.
Vendors are an important part of the events. Some are new and others are seasoned veterans. This year, in addition to ball caps embroidered by a local shop, MotM will have merchandise for sale including a new item: hooded long-sleeved sun shirts (limited quantity available).
Why Music on the Mesa Matters
Music on the Mesa brings people together. As Daiva explained, “Unless you live in Town proper, we’re all kind of spread out under this wide mesa sky, so it’s good to have some key times of the year that we come together in a casual atmosphere, to catch up on things, look each other in the eye and connect, because if things go awry, either personally or as a whole, we need to know each other.”
She added, “Rugged individualism doesn’t mean you party alone!”
“It’s fun to show off what can be done as a small-town host. We like to say ‘we welcome the world to Norwood.’”
The response from the community says it all. “Dancing! Shopping! Unfettered hangtime! Silly selfies! Young and old engaging (or re-engaging) with hula hoops!” Daiva shared. “Afterward, at the Post Office or Clark’s, lotsa thanks come my way and I always turn it around with a ‘thanks for showing up.’”
What It Takes to Make It Happen
As with most anything worthwhile, the event is not without challenges. Since tickets are not being sold, there’s no way to know how many will attend, leaving vendors in the dark about the amount of food and products to prepare.
Being entirely dependent on volunteers is another concern, along with the need for financial support. “Volunteers and sponsors are imperative,” Daiva emphasized. “The concerts are free to attend but certainly aren’t free to produce. Every penny makes music.”
Pulling off Music on the Mesa takes more than what the crowd sees on concert night. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of people works together to make each event possible, starting with financial supporters, Norwood’s Public Works crew, and DeeAnna at the SMC Fairgrounds, all of whom play a steady role in keeping things running smoothly.
A great deal of the heavy lifting falls on NPRD’s Board of Directors and those close to them who step in wherever needed. In the days leading up to each concert, they help build out the setup, then spend the event working the cash bar, merch tent, or KidZone. Once the music wraps up, they return to take everything down and haul it back to The Livery, so it’s ready for the next show.
Alongside them is a group of committed volunteers who correlate with the crew, helping create an event that reflects the spirit of Norwood and the surrounding area. Together, their effort turns the fairgrounds into a welcoming spot for free live music, giving both residents and visitors a reason to gather and take part in something shared.
A future goal of Music on the Mesa includes seeing a steady rise in attendance, building on the momentum the series has already created over the past few seasons. At its core, the event remains rooted in community, something NPRD is proud to continue supporting and growing with local residents.
As the season gets underway, there’s a shared sense of excitement. “NPRD is really happy to be doing this for and with the community. For sure, Norwood is already ‘on the map,’ we’re just adding a colorful asterisk,” Daiva noted.
“So, mark your calendars for those two Saturdays! And tell some fave out-of-town friends that you have camping space for them in your yard. And offer a ride to and back from the Fairgrounds to the elder couple next door. And definitely cross your fingers and toes that we make it through fire season. The only 5-alarm fire anywhere nearby should be the bands blazing their sound into that awesome Wright’s Mesa sunset.”
For more information, updates, donate or get involved, visit the Music on the Mesa Facebook page or Norwood Park and Recreation website, or call 970-729-2210.