Shelter hosts Plaza concert

A free concert on the Plaza on Friday, Sept. 23,  aims to bring awareness about the Santa Fe animal shelter and the nonprofit’s work in the community.musician

The 6 p.m. concert features Daniele Spadavecchia, a gypsy jazz musician from New Orleans. The musician plays acoustic jazz guitar, mixing swing with Mediterranean Flamenco and European ethnic music. He also sings a selection of Italian, Latin and classic jazz repertoire.

The concert is part of a celebration for the animal shelter, which is being recognized Friday with a proclamation from the city as Santa Fe Animal Shelter Day. The proclamation, signed by Mayor Javier Gonzalez, notes the shelter’s significance in the city, which includes providing more than 100 living-wage jobs, free and low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, humane education and community outreach programs. The shelter, which takes in more than 5,500 animals per year and provides services to thousands more, has marked a live-release rate of 94 percent for several years, effectively making the city a “no-kill” community.

The shelter plans to mark the day with reduced adoption fees and discounts at its shelter store. Donations will be accepted during the concert, which is being sponsored by shelter contributors.

The shelter recently wrapped up a $50,000 appeal to help alleviate overcrowding at the shelter. The funds will help support shelter programs, said Evelyn Viechec, the shelter’s director of growth.

For more information or to donate, please visit the shelter’s website at sfhumanesociety.org, or donate directly to 505-216-0628.