Fundraiser for LCHS at 11Worth Station Brewhouse

by Peggy Bair

An Open Mic night Friday, Aug. 18, will be held at 11Worth Station Brewhouse, 305 Cherokee St., as a benefit for the Leavenworth County Humane Society.

Various acts are invited to sign up to demonstrate their talents with donations going to support the local shelter. Sign ups begin at 5 p.m. Friday evening. The public is invited to enjoy craft brews, speciality drinks, food and the night’s entertainment, which starts at 6 p.m.

“We have three new musical groups that are going to be happening that night and one comedy group,” said brewhouse owner Justin Metz. “We’ve got Fat Kitty, (a couple from the fort) and Matt Fox. He’s going to be singing by himself. Duane Michaels, he’s going to be coming in and doing a 30-minute comedy skit.

We still have openings at the very beginning of the evening and at the very end. We’re going to have signups starting at five. The music is 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and we’re going to do ten-minute blocks. That will give a ten minute break between each group and that goes throughout the evening.”

Those attending the open mic night will also get to see some of the pets available for adoption through Leavenworth County Humane Society.

“The humane society is going to bring in dogs that are very relaxed and behaved and can handle big crowds,” Metz said. The hope is that some of the dogs will be introduced to people who may want to adopt. “Some (of the dogs) have been there a year, two years,” Metz said. “We’re going to see if there’s somebody with an open heart, an open mind, who wants a plus-one for their family who will be here for the music, be here for the humane society, and be able to adopt one of (the animals). There are ones who are older who have been there for a long time, find homes for them.” Metz said.

A $5 donation at the door for the open mic night event will go to benefit the shelter. Patrons can make further donations that the night that will go towards supporting the needs at the shelter.

Shelter manager Kesha Laughlin said the needs at the shelter span all areas, including vet costs, food, building maintenance and upkeep. The no-kill shelter is a holding space for animals outside the city of Leavenworth but within Leavenworth County. The present location of the shelter is 100 W. Gillman Rd., Lansing, Ks. That location opened in October 2019. The focus of LCHS is on stray animals found outside the city limits of Leavenworth. In 2022, the shelter took in 268 dogs and cats. LCHS executive director Crystal Swann Blackdeer explained the shelter’s goals. “Our goal is not to bring animals in the shelter,” Blackdeer said. “We want them to go home. No matter how well they are treated here, it’s not a home. We want them to get adopted.” Open Mic night at 11Worth Station Brewhouse sign ups start at 5 p.m. Friday, August 18, and the first act starts at 6 p.m. The event is in collaboration with First City Creatives Art Show. /p>