July 31, 2025 - Fifth Thursday Social
Fellowship on Tap at Red Bus Brewing!
This past Thursday, our club traded the usual agenda for ales and gathered at Red Bus Brewing Company in historic Folsom—Folsom’s first craft brewery, known for its small-batch brews, retro vibes, and a love for community (and beer!).
Rotarians and friends came together on July 31, for our Fifth Thursday Social, enjoying cold pours, hot pizza, and warm conversations. No formal meeting, no gavel—just good times and good people. There were plenty of laughs, full glasses, and maybe even a few beer-illiant ideas shared along the way.
It’s always a brew-tiful thing when we can raise a glass together outside of our regular meetings. Fellowship like this reminds us that Rotary isn’t just about service—it’s about connection, camaraderie, and community. Whether we’re lending a hand in our city or simply savoring a slice and a sip, we do it together.
⸻
Behind the Curtain at the Harris Center
Just the night before, on July 30, several of our club members joined President Robina Bennion of the El Dorado Hills Rotary Club for their Fifth Wednesday Social—a special evening where members from the Rotary Club of Folsom, Folsom Lake Rotary, and the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom were also invited to attend.
The occasion? A VIP backstage tour of Folsom’s cultural gem: the Harris Center for the Arts.
Located on the campus of Folsom Lake College, the Harris Center (originally opened in 2011 as “Three Stages”) is a premier venue for the performing arts in our region. It features three distinct performance spaces:
- Stage One – Main Theater: This 850-seat venue is the Harris Center’s largest and most iconic stage, hosting Broadway musicals, national touring acts, orchestras, and other large-scale productions. During our visit, all four of our Area 5 Rotary clubs had the unique opportunity to step onto this stage together—posing for a group photo under the spotlights. It was a powerful visual reminder that when we come together in service and fellowship, we truly take center stage in our community.
- Stage Two – City Studio Theater: A 200-seat flexible black box theater, this space is designed for more intimate or experimental performances. Its versatile layout makes it an excellent venue for community partners, student productions and presented programs.
-
Stage Three – Scott-Skillman Recital Hall: This 95-seat space offers excellent acoustics and a warm, intimate atmosphere—ideal for chamber music, solo recitals, lectures, and classroom presentations.
We were welcomed with a lovely wine reception before being led on the exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. From standing on stage under the lights to exploring the backstage technology and green rooms, we experienced firsthand the artistry and coordination it takes to bring each performance to life. It was fun, educational, and awe-inspiring to witness what happens behind the curtain.
What made the evening even more meaningful was the spirit of connection among the four Rotary clubs that make up Area 5 within District 5180. When clubs come together like this, it’s a true reflection of how we are #BetterTogether—living out this year’s Rotary International theme: “Unite for Good.”
In moments like these—whether we’re gathered over a pint or standing shoulder to shoulder on a stage—we’re reminded that Rotary is more than meetings and service projects. It’s about the relationships we build, the joy we share, and the impact we create together.
As we continue to Unite for Good, may we never forget that the heart of Rotary beats strongest when we come together to "Expand Rotary"—District Governor Megan Ellinghouse’s theme for Rotary this year. With purpose, with passion, and with each other, we grow stronger, reach farther, and live out our commitment to Service Above Self in everything we do.
