New Midtown Music Venue La Rosa Opens at Former Benedictine Monastery with Star-Studded Lineup

TUCSON, ARIZONA (June 13, 2025) – Tucson’s Midtown is about to get a major cultural upgrade. La Rosa, a newly launched music venue housed within the historic Benedictine Monastery at 800 N. Country Club Road, is set to open its doors this October with a dynamic lineup of concerts and cultural events that extend into early 2026.

The venue will debut with a performance by Tucson’s own Orkesta Mendoza on October 10, in an opening show aptly titled La Noche Primero (The First Night). Local legends Calexico follow on October 17 as part of the official “Grand Opening Weekend.”

More than 30 performances have already been booked through February, featuring a diverse blend of national touring acts and local favorites. Notable headliners include indie rock band Built to Spill, Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo, blues guitarist Tommy Castro, and genre-blending DeVotchKa.

Local artists will also be featured prominently, with performances by Brian Lopez, XIXA, and a Dolly Parton tribute show, dubbed “Dolly Hoot,” starring an all-star cast of Tucson musicians.

La Rosa is the vision of Arizona entertainment veterans David Slutes, former events director at Hotel Congress, and Charlie Levy, founder of Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom. Together, they’ve transformed the historic Benedictine Monastery into a state-of-the-art performance venue designed to serve as a new cultural anchor for Tucson, hosting concerts, speakers, and community events throughout the year.

The monastery itself is owned and developed by Ross Rulney, who acquired the landmark property at 800 N. Country Club Road in 2017. His restoration and leasing of the space laid the foundation for La Rosa’s creation, making him a key figure in bringing this ambitious project to life.

“La Rosa represents a bold new chapter for Midtown,” said the team in a news release. “We want this space to serve as a destination for music lovers and community members alike.”

Upcoming Highlights at La Rosa:

  • Oct. 10: Orkesta Mendoza – La Noche Primero

  • Oct. 17: Calexico – Grand Opening Weekend

  • Oct. 31: Halloween Ball

  • Nov. 1: DeVotchKa

  • Nov. 2: Carl Bernstein – History as a Warning

  • Nov. 18: Built to Spill

  • Dec. 5: Omnom

  • Jan. 31: Dolly Hoot

  • Feb. 8: Tucson Flamenco Festival

  • Feb. 20: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

With this ambitious launch, La Rosa is poised to become one of Tucson’s most vital and vibrant entertainment venues, spotlighting both national talent and the creative richness of Southern Arizona.

The venue’s full schedule is available at larosatucson.com and facebook.com/larosatucson.