Scene from the first summer concert of the season Friday night at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

The Secret City Concert Series kicked off May 24 at Ashley Pond Park with several new additions to the annual concert series.

These additions include Nonprofit Row, the New Mexico Craft Distillery Garden and added security.

The site of security personnel and a fence in front of the stage and distillery garden sparked debate and questions from the public as to why these measures were necessary for a small-town concert series.

Pablo Irlando-Wildman, CEO of Sancre Productions, which won the contract from Los Alamos County to operate the concerts, explained why security was added.

Security is required by state law at the alcohol garden in order to prevent underage drinking, he said. Additionally, security is needed in front of the stage because bigger, nationally-renowned acts such as Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Ozomatli are scheduled to be perform. These bands, Irlando-Wildman said, require in their contracts a certain amount of security.  

“It’s to ensure the safety of the audience, the safety of the band and to make sure there is no underage drinking,” Irlando-Wildman said.

He added that other than seeing security in front of the stage and at the beer garden, the public should not experience any other security measures. Their belongings will not be searched and no one will be told where to sit or stand.

With one concert in the bag, Sancre Productions Producer Monica Griego said things are off to a great start.

 “We are extremely pleased with the first concert in the series,” she said.

Griego added that they had great participation from Los Alamos County, which included the DWI Planning Council and the Zero Waste Team.

Friday, the concert will begin at 6 p.m. with student musicians performing followed at 8 p.m. with Big Head Todd and the Monsters taking the stage.  Zia Credit Union, Del Norte Credit Union and the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union are sponsoring the free show.