RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - More than 400 people attended Entertainment, Theatre & Culture for Rancho Murieta’s annual kickoff event on May 17, helping to launch the organization’s 25th-anniversary concert season and setting the stage for the first concert of the summer on June 20.

The strong turnout reflected the community support that has sustained ETC for a quarter-century. Founded in 2001, the volunteer-run organization brings live entertainment to Rancho Murieta while supporting local programs, including scholarships and school art initiatives.

Held at the Rancho Murieta Country Club, the free kickoff event featured DJ music, wine tastings, gourmet food samples, raffle prizes, artwork by local artists and a preview of ETC’s 2026 concert lineup. Attendees also had an opportunity to purchase memberships and discounted concert tickets.

“We estimate that more than 400 people attended this year’s Kickoff Event, surpassing last year’s estimated attendance of 350,” ETC Board President JT Turner said. “We were thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiasm from the community.”

A special poster contest celebrating ETC’s 25th anniversary drew entries from 12 students ranging from transitional kindergarten through 11th grade. The contest invited Rancho Murieta students to create artwork celebrating either ETC’s 25th anniversary or the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Although organizers originally planned to select one winner per grade level, only 12 entries were received, so ETC chose to recognize all participants.

The students recognized were Jack Coleman, Emily Leslie, Jude Holmes, Charlotte Leslie, Carter Coleman, Sabrina Maas, Esme Arceo, Jack Leslie, Benjamin Musick, Abigail Leslie, Aubrey Pritchard and Zachary Holmes. Each student will receive a free concert ticket, have his or her name printed in the season’s first concert program, and be recognized from the stage at the June 20 concert. A standout entry was a three-dimensional train engine created by fifth-grader Benjamin Musick.

The kickoff also featured an art display coordinated with the Rancho Murieta Fine Arts Association. Paintings by Pamela Szemesi, David Epler and Rebecca Reilly were exhibited alongside metal-print photography by Paul Anderson and a photo collage, “ETC Over the Years,” created by Lynn Baugher.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a raffle featuring gift baskets assembled from donated items. Turner credited Board Member Brenda Allen-Booth with organizing the effort.

“Brenda devoted countless hours to collecting donated items and assembling the gift baskets,” he said. “The baskets were beautifully put together and reflected a tremendous amount of time, effort and attention to detail. We’re incredibly grateful for her dedication and the important role she played in making the event a success.”

The celebration now shifts to the Lake Clementia Amphitheater, where The Blockbusters will open ETC’s summer concert season on Saturday, June 20. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

The high-energy band specializes in music from the 1990s and early 2000s, blending rock, pop, dance, hip-hop and grunge hits into a nonstop sing-along and dance-along experience. Dressed in video-store uniforms, the musicians pay tribute to the era that inspired their act while performing many of its biggest hits.

The June 20 show is the first of five concerts scheduled during ETC’s silver-anniversary season. Additional performances include Billy Joel 2 Elton – Face to Face on July 11, Titans of Rock on Aug. 1, Hip Service on Aug. 22 and Rhinestone Rodeo on Sept. 5.

Turner said the organization’s sponsors, members and volunteers remain essential to ETC’s success.

“The sponsors, members and our amazing community are the backbone of ETC,” he said. “Many of our sponsors and members have been with us for years, and their commitment to ETC demonstrates just how much they value community, connection and local traditions.”

The easiest way to purchase memberships and tickets is through ETC’s website at etc-rm.org. Tickets will also be available at the gate on concert nights, and nonmembers may purchase advance tickets at Ace Hardware.