Music has been part of the atmosphere at Leunig's for years. During the winter, musicians perform at the restaurant on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. In the summer, the musical offerings expand to three nights, adding Thursday night too. During the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival it is just one big celebration on Church Street; the restaurant melds into the festivities seamlessly. Bob Conlon believes in supporting the musical offerings in other venues around Burlington, as well. Leunig's supports Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and the Lane Series at the University of Vermont, among many other arts organizations in town. He says that "the arts are good for Burlington; it keeps the city vibrant. And when people go out to a performance, they enjoy going out for dinner as well. We want them to come in and enjoy talking about their experience over a meal."

Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival board member Jean Pilcher introduced Bob Conlon to the Festival. "Jean has a history with the restaurant and had originally encouraged me to support the Lane Series at the University of Vermont Recital Hall. It's the strength of the relationship that we had with Jean Pilcher that opened the door to supporting Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. I believe that giving back to the community is the best way to thank our loyal customers."

Mr. Conlon takes his support one step beyond advertising; one Sunday a month the restaurant gives 10% of its sales to a nonprofit suggested by patrons. He adds that "we also sell a Community Partner Card for $50 with half that money going to the nonprofit. The card entitles the purchaser to a 20% discount on food at Leunig's for one year. If they renew the card the following year, the entire $50 is donated to that month's non profit." What a creative win-win offer!

Bob Conlon thinks that "all businesses in town should support the arts." A businessman to his core, he added that "if it wasn't good for business, I would have to think twice about the level of our support. Our sales have gone up every year for the past fifteen years, so I believe that our policy of supporting the arts organizations in Burlington is not only good for the arts, but it's also good for our business."

For believing that a "business owner has to lead by example," Bob Conlon 'leads off' our advertiser profiles. Thank you Bob Conlon and Leunig's Bistro! More information on Leunig's Bistro (located at 115 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401), is available on their website. Please click here to make a reservation and tell your server that Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival sent you!

Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival's program book advertising campaign is under way and sales are moving briskly. Advertisements are reasonably priced: $50 to $350. To place an advertisement, please contact Public Relations Associate Sally Olson by email: solson@gmcmf.org. Deadline: April 15, 2012 for submission of all materials.

Photo courtesy of University of North Texas.

Susan Dubois is the founding violist in the Caminos del Inka Ensemble and String Quartet (CDI). For readers unfamiliar with the project, Caminos del Inka, Inc. has as its mission "to discover, preserve, expand and disseminate the rich musical legacy of the Americas through cultural and musical research, composition, publication, performance, education and outreach." When asked about her affiliation with the Caminos del Inka project, Susan said, "I am truly honored to be a part of the Caminos Del Inka Ensemble and the Caminos del Inka String Quartet and to be able to collaborate with outstanding visual and performing artists."

How did this native of San Diego become so passionate about the music from South of the Border? Ms. Dubois shared that "while performing in Corrientes and Buenos Aires many years ago, I fell in love with the music of South America. I now have the opportunity to more fully explore and share in performance the rhythmically pulsating and passionate music!"