The “Grand Oak Opry” combines our love of music with our love of our neighborhood.
We live in the “Uppertown” or “Dousman Park” neighborhood of St. Paul, in a pre-civil war house with a double lot and a 200+ year old white oak tree. The space works really well for music performances, and the neighbors have been incredibly supportive, including volunteering their time and skills to make these concerts happen. We’re lucky to live in a neighborhood with so many creative people in so many different fields of work.
Background: After hosting a neighborhood holiday party for many years, we decided we wanted to try events in our backyard that would bring neighbors and friends together to feature local musicians. Other neighbors had brought people together for small house concerts, especially in the wintertime.
After trying two summertime events in 2014, we expanded to five events in 2015, relying on outreach through the “Cool Kids” page for West 7th residents on Facebook, and word-of-mouth.
How does it work? The structure of the concerts is pretty simple:
* The concerts are in our backyard, at 273 Goodhue Street in St. Paul.
* ANYONE is welcome. You don’t have to know us, the neighborhood, or anyone else. We hope everyone feels welcomed and able to enjoy the great music.
* Bring a chair/blanket, and anything you want to drink and eat. Alcohol is fine if consumed responsibly. Some people make a picnic out of it. We provide water and our bathroom is open to guests.
* Payment isn’t required, but 100% of the money from the gate and any merchandise sales (except Grand Oak Opry t-shirts) go to support the bands. We ask that all adults and kids over 16 contribute $10/person if possible, and over 95% of attendees contribute to support the musicians. (These payments are what help us get such great bands.)
* Kids of any age are welcome. Many of the kids play in the front yard during the show. Others dance with their parents or on their own.
* Local business sponsors cover our fixed costs to make the concerts happen, which don't include paying the bands. We don’t make any money from the shows. Please patronize the community businesses that make this community event possible!
* No pets at all, and no smoking in the backyard. (Our pets are kenneled in the house and go crazy when they know other pets are here.) You are free to smoke in the front yard.
Contact us via Facebook if you know of potential bands for us to consider in the future, or if you have any questions.
Thanks for joining us!
Sean Kershaw and Tim Hawkins