By Bronte Moore and Maddie Crosier
Rolling Harvest performing at Fox Theatre. (Bronte Moore/Radio 1190)
Alaya preschool held the second annual “Save Alaya” fundraiser at Fox Theatre last Sunday. Alaya Preschool has been in business for nearly 50 years teaching children the importance of learning through a nurturing environment based around Buddhist spirituality.
The event aimed to raise funds to buy the school’s land for $2.2 million from Naropa University in order to keep the school in business. Alaya preschool currently faces the potential sale of its property by Naropa University unless it can raise the money needed to buy the land itself. Naropa has struggled financially for over a decade, previously leading to the sale of its main campus in 2024 to try and repay its debts.
Alaya has until Oct. 2026 to collect the sum needed. They raised up to $1,750,000 of their goal before the event but hoped to reach the goal amount on Sunday evening.
After everyone sat down in their seats lining the theatre, two women made their way onto the stage. The school’s director, Rachel Steele, began the fundraiser by softly hitting a gong. She highlighted the importance of raising money, not only to keep the preschool in business, but to help the children to continue to prosper.
The importance of keeping Alaya Preschool was stressed by Assistant Director, Kaitlyn Sullivan.“Early education is a huge need in Boulder,” Sullivan said. “Losing another center would be something devastating for a lot of families.”
Stories of Alaya and the school’s impact circled around the venue highlighting the importance of the show and what the future held for the preschool.
After the opening speeches, the music began to play. Rolling Harvest performed for the audience bringing the Alaya community together. People spoke and laughed as the guitar rang through the concert hall.
Lead singer Hunter Stone came out bringing folk-rock music to life with soulful vocals that catch you off guard. In combination with the other members and their instruments heads instantly started nodding along to music.
Rolling Harvest’s music was a mix of blues and western rock, reminiscent of the garage rock of the mid-1960s and early 1970s creating a peaceful vibe. With some covers of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, Rolling Harvest was a love letter to classic rock. Bodies swayed to the rhythmic beat of drums, as Stone’s vocals swept across the room. The raw emotional lyrics gave an almost atmospheric feel to the rock music. “I hope our music brings a fun backdrop to a successful night,” Stone said.
Stone wrote most of his band’s original music himself. He cited “the influence of Colorado and the idea of the western frontier” as a key influence.
The music overall was a nice break for the audience after hearing all the heartful messages, seeing Hunter Stone and Rolling Harvest enjoy themselves allowed everyone else to take a moment and come together.
“I know friends who have their kids at Alaya,” Stone said. “I feel like Boulder needs places like Alaya.”
Unlike last year, there is light for Alaya’s future, with already 79% of its goal reached, families and faculty hope to save the school, keeping its legacy in Boulder.
To donate in support of Alaya preschool, donors can visit https://www.savealaya.org/.