The Bohemian Club will hold its 100th annual “Monte Rio Variety Show” on Thursday, July 28, offering an evening of music, comedy and theater to celebrate the centennial anniversary of its friendship and connection with the Monte Rio and Russian River communities and to raise funds for local charities:

Monte Rio Variety Show Celebrates 100 Years of Bohemian Club Entertainment

Monte Rio Variety Monte Rio, Calif.  – This July marks the 100th anniversary of the Monte Rio Variety Show.

While most of the world looks at the Bohemian Club and the Bohemian Grove as a secretive private men’s club, the Russian River community sees them as friends and benefactors to the local community.

The Monte Rio Community Variety Show began in 1911 as a way for Bohemian Club members camping at the Grove to share their talents and love for the Russian River communities and to raise money for local causes.

It all began when a group of Bohemians wondered down from the Grove and were looking for a local church to pray.  They hit upon the idea of teaming up with the local Catholic parish to build a church in Monte Rio, because, in those days, it was 10 miles to the nearest chapel.  The combination of doing a good deed, the convenience of a nearby place of worship and the desire to not talk so far after a week of imbibing and entertainment is the origin of how St. Catherine’s Church came into existence.

Every since then, the Bohemians sent their finest performers, from brand names of the past, including entertainment stars such as Ray Bolger, Art Linkletter, Merv Griffin, Bing Crosby and Phil Harris, as well as captains of industry, U.S. Presidents and Senators and others to perform for Monte Rio.

This year, the Bohemian Club will hold its 100th annual “Monte Rio Variety Show” on Thursday, July 28, offering an evening of music, comedy and theater to celebrate the centennial anniversary of its friendship and connection with the Monte Rio and Russian River communities and to raise funds for local charities.

Last year’s show sold 2,200 tickets and raised more than $50,000 for local charities. Recent performers at the event include Bohemians such as music stars as Zac Brown, Clint Black, Steve Miller, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Big Al Anderson and many others.

This year’s 100th Monte Rio Variety Show will begin at 7 p.m. July 28 at the Monte Rio Amphitheater. A pre-show barbeque, hosted by the Monte Rio Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, begins at 4:30 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. These items can be placed in advance at the amphitheater after 7 a.m. on the day of the show.

The entrance to the show is behind The Pink Elephant on Main Street in Monte Rio. Admission is available at the gate, by reservation or by purchasing tickets at several local outlets. 

As is tradition, this year’s Variety Show will feature special guests, Grammy Award winning musicians, rock bands, jazz, and special acts that are guaranteed to delight spectators of all ages.  

Tickets purchased in advance are $25 for adults and $5 for children ages 13 to 17. Children 12 and under are free with paid adult admission. There is an additional fee for the Firefighter’s pre-show barbecue.

Ticket reservations can be made by sending a check to Monte Rio Variety Show, c/o P.O. Box 218, Monte Rio, CA 95462. For any questions, call 707-865-2234. For more information, visit the website: http://www.monterioshow.org/

All proceeds will benefit St. Catherine’s Church, the Monte Rio School Foundation, and the Monte Rio Fire Services Foundation.

The Bohemian Grove, the club’s rustic retreat near Monte Rio, provides 600 jobs for adults, college and high school students each summer. The Club also participates in charitable causes that benefit local schools and athletic programs, food banks and has partnered with the Sequoia Trust, which helps fund many programs that serve the Monte Rio and Russian River communities. 

The Bohemian Club of San Francisco was founded in 1872 by a group of men dedicated to the enjoyment of art, music, literature and drama. To escape the cares of the City, they started holding an annual retreat along the Russian River in 1878. In 1901 the club purchased its first parcel of what today is the Grove. It has often been said by local residents that the acquisition of the Grove lands by the club saved the area from being over-encroached by real estate development.