Lore Buwell organized a concert to benefit the residents and their animals affected by the Black Forest fire. The Rise from the Ashes concert took place Aug. 25, with proceeds going to Tri-Lakes Cares for distribution to Black Forest families.As a former veterinary technician in Black Forest, Buwell said she knows how expensive some of the food and medications are for pets. She wanted to initiate a fundraiser focused on the animals. She also has a kinship with Black Forest folks.ìI used to live on Vollmer Road,î Buwell said. ìYou get to know a lot of people and they get to be like family.î Buwell is part of the performance troupe ìSpirit of the Woods,î which combines belly dancing and tribal music. ìIt is Celtic to heavy metal, not just your traditional belly dancing,î she said. The troupe is more lyrical and also adds elements of ballet to their performances. The piece they performed for the concert incorporated a film representing the spirit walker that lives in the woods and heals the forest.Other performers like Broken Angel and the NHBCS Jazz Ensemble also performed.Because of many other benefits held the same weekend in Black Forest, Buwell said there were fewer attendees than she had expected. However, she said she was pleased with the donations; she encouraged those attending to bring animal supplies and food as well. Many brought horse-related items that can be quite expensive, Buwell said. One woman who lost her home and her two cats to the Black Forest fire received a saddle (her horses are currently dispersed in boarding homes). When the woman received the saddle, she kissed it. ìThat right there was worth it.î Buwell said. Purina donated food to various shelters that assisted with boarding animals from the fire. The Colorado Greyhound Association, as well as the Mill Dog Rescue also attended the event.
