Tucson bandleader Sergio Mendoza and his Orkesta Mendoza will be the first to officially perform at Tucsonβs newest and arguably most unique venue when it opens in October.
Their concert on Oct. 10 is the first of nearly three dozen events booked through next February at La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Road in the former chapel of the Benedictine Monastery.
Tucson legend Calexico will perform the grand opening concert the following weekend, on Oct. 17.
The lineup through Feb. 20, 2026, includes local favorites Ryanhood, Sophia Rankin and The Sound, XIXA, Brian Lopez and Phoenix-based-and-Tucson-adored Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers; national artists DeVotchKa, Built to Spill, Tatiana Eva-Marie and Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and two new festivals β βYEBO! Afro:Baile Festβ in November and βTucson Flamenco Festivalβ next February β curated by La Rosaβs co-owner-operator David Slutes.
La Rosa venue will open in October in the chapel of the former Benedictine Monastery.
βThatβs just the beginning,β said Slutes, the former Hotel Congress entertainment director who owns La Rosa with Phoenix businessmen Tucker Woodbury and Charlie Levy. βWe canβt even announce all of our shows yet because of tours and some other things. We have a whole bunch more that are going to be populating in the next few weeks.β
Slutes said the initial lineup, which features, pop, rock, Latin and jazz acts and will soon include country and comedy, is a template for βwhat we are trying to do: A wide variety of things for all walks of life.β
Sergio Mendoza, center, and his Orkesta Mendoza will perform a βsoft openingβ concert at La Rosa in October, when the venue in the chapel of the old Benedictine Monastery opens.
βI really want everyone to feel like this is their place and theyβll keep checking back and find something theyβll love here,β he said.
La Rosa is the pet project of Slutes and Levy, the Phoenix concert promoter and entertainment visionary behind the innovative venues The Van Buren, Crescent Ballroom and Valley Bar. The pair announced the collaboration in early February, nearly a year after Slutes left Hotel Congress.
The multi-million-dollar renovation, which began in late February and will continue through the summer, included removing the chapel pews and adding a stage, lighting and sound system. Slutes said workers painstakingly removed the ornate baldachin, or stone and marble canopy, near the altar of the chapel, which dates back to 1939, and created a bar in the venue. There also is a restaurant.
Sophia Rankin & The Sound are on the initial lineup for La Rosa, Tucsonβs newest concert venue set to open in October.
Slutes said a primary goal was keeping the church intact while creating a contemporary venue that can seat 450 or accommodate 750 standing; itβs a size that Slutes said he is confident will appeal to national touring acts.
βItβs a beautiful space, but really itβs that particular boutique size that does not exist in this town and thatβs really alluring,β said Slutes, who spent 27 years booking shows at the iconic Club Congress before leaving in April 2024.
The jazz/traditional ensemble Black Market Trust played a sold-out show at the 2025 Tucson Jazz Festival. They return as part of the inaugural lineup at La Rosa.
XIXA (from left, Winston Watson, Jason Urman, Brian Lopez and Gabriel Sullivan) play a show at La Rosa on Nov. 26. Lopez returns to the venue at the old Benedictine Monastery for a solo show Dec. 26.
Tickets are on sale now at larosatucson.com for the following shows:
βLa Noche Primeroβ with Orkesta Mendoza, Oct. 10
βGrand Opening Weekendβ with Calexico, Oct. 17
The White Buffalo, Oct. 19
Tatiana Eva-Marie, a coproduction with the Tucson Jazz Festival, Oct. 23
Bitchinβ Baja, Oct. 29
HalloSwing with Lizzy and the Triggerman, Oct. 30
Halloween Ball, Oct. 31
DeVotchKa, Nov. 1
Journalist Carl Bernstein βHistory as a Warning: Carl Bernstein on Watergate, Politics, and the 2025 Election,β Nov. 2
Coco Montoya, Nov. 6
EMO Brooklyn, Nov. 7
LEISURE, Nov. 9
Darrell Scott, Nov. 11
Sun Kil Moon, Nov. 12
βYEBO! Afro:Baile Festβ with Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Pijama Piyama, Djents, Herm, Nov. 14
Built To Spill, Nov. 18
Club Pride, Nov. 22
XIXA, Nov. 26
Ryanhood, Nov. 28
Omnom, Dec. 5
Steve Roach, Dec. 6
La Santa Cecilia, Dec. 11
Sophia Rankin & The Sound and Friends holiday concert, Dec. 13
Brian Lopez, Dec. 26
βLive From Laurel Canyon β Songs and Stories of American Folk Rock,β Dec. 27
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Jan. 3, 2026
Tommy Castro, Jan 13
Black Market Trust, Jan. 17; part of the 2026 Tucson Jazz Festival
Dolly Hoot, featuring all-star cast of Tucson country artists led by Momma Coal, Jan. 31
inaugural βTucson Flamenco Festival,β Feb. 8
βHearts On Fire β The Lola Torch Valentines Burlesque Show,β Feb. 14
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Feb. 20.
Ryan David Green, left, and Cameron Hood.
