The Catholic Diocese of Tucson consecrated the Benedictine Monastery and chapel in Tucson months after it opened in 1940.
The historic building was rechristened on Oct. 10 by Sergio Mendoza and his cumbia-mambo fusion band Orkesta Mendoza.
Orkesta Mendoza was the first to perform on the stage of La Rosa, Tucson’s newest and arguably most unique venue, which replaced the historic chapel.
“It feels pretty magical,” Mendoza said days later as he prepared for his second La Rosa appearance with Calexico on Thursday — the first of the popular desert rock band’s three sold-out concerts over the weekend. “Everything about the way they renovated the space and the sound treatment and the acoustics. Everyone was really happy to see that all of the work they put into this place had paid off.”…