Truckee Donner Land Trust must have $11.25 million by Dec. 20 to purchase Royal Gorge.

The acquisition of Royal Gorge properties means access to 3,000 acres of open space, which comprises much of the historic Donner Summit area. The area offers cross-country skiing, birding, appreciation of history, hiking, biking, wildflower and wildlife observation.

A “mystery” location has been chosen for a special Sept. 23 concert to benefit the Truckee Donner Land Trust for the acquisition of Royal Gorge.

Featured will be Rootstock Percussion, San Francisco Bay Area musicians Christopher Rowe, Daniel Kennedy and Loren Mach, who specialize in 20th century percussion repertoire. After a brief intermission, the audience will be treated to the Sacramento Philharmonic Brass Ensemble with principal trumpet James Rodseth, trumpet Michael Meeks, principal trombone Joel Elias and others from the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert will be followed by a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at Sugar Bowl’s Lake Mary Cabin. Special wines and food will be sampled; participating restaurant sponsors are Moody’s, Dragonfly, Sugar Bowl, Cottonwood and The Summit Restaurant. Wines will be offered by the Pour House, Dave Lose and Soda Springs General Store.

The Donner Summit Area Association in collaboration with the Donner Summit Historical Society, Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch are hosting the event.

Suggested minimum donation is $50. RSVP is required by Sept. 15. Contact Sugar Bowl through Thursday at (530) 426.6742 and Friday through Sunday at (530) 426.6740.

Meet at the Donner Ski Ranch parking lot at 1:30pm on Sept. 23; the concert will begin promptly at 2pm. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable.