367 CONCERTS IN 37 YEARS

ORIGIN

Thoroughly woven into the fabric of a welcoming community, Grassroots Concerts has for more than a quarter century presented artists who have put us on the national folk map. Our success is due to volunteers and loyal audiences who like to listen.

The series is rooted in the era of river fests and house concerts, evolving beyond river banks and living rooms to serve larger gatherings in a sustainable schedule of spring and fall Fridays. Remaining dedicated to the intimacy and interactive environment, Grassroots has drawn music lovers to shows hosted in civic halls, churches, and for several years the Nisswa Community Center.

Now hosted at Journey Church's Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa, MN, our non-profit series holds the line on the price of admission thanks to grant support from the Five Wings Arts Council, sponsorship by local businesses, and a strong volunteer base. "Artists love our series, love the acoustic venue, appreciate not playing in a bar, and love that people are listening," said former Artistic Director, Dawn Stattine. "For the past 30 years, it’s the folks who come out to our concerts and our volunteers who make our music series possible." In 2025, Grassroots welcomed Kelley Smith as the new Artistic Director. Smith, a folksinger/songwriter herself, is based in the area and hopes to serve her community by continuing to bring world class musicians to town.

Audience members have driven from as far as Saskatchewan, Canada, and routinely attend from the Twin Cities and other neighboring communities.

Among the treasured relationships with all involved is that with the Journey Church, which provides a comfortable setting - more like a living room than a sanctuary - complete with organic coffee and baked goodies. At every show, the concert series accepts food shelf donations that are shared across the area.

ARTISTS

Since 1988, more than 200 musicians have graced our stage. Despite our venue's rural location, many of these touring artists include us on their schedule because they enjoy the energy of a small and engaged crowd. We've been visited by greats such as Spider John Koerner, Leo Kottke, Greg Brown, Norman Blake, Charlie Parr, and The Lowest Pair. For a complete list of past performers, visit our Artists page.

"I love to hear a good story, and folk musicians all have that in their songwriting," says Janice Bradshaw, one of the concert series originators. "They tell the stories of their lives, of the people they meet and the places they've been."

"When Tom Paxton's wife said our sound system ran as well as the best, that said a lot," recalls Ron Miles, former Artistic Director. "Artists value the listening venue."

A NEW HOME IN 2009

It all began with house concerts - with filled living rooms in Little Falls and Baxter, MN. From homes, the concerts moved to a town hall, the after-hours medical center lobby, the Congregational Church, the Odd Fellows Hall, and Nisswa Community Center.

In the Spring of 2009, with the series facing its own economic crisis, a new commitment emerged to sustain the loyal following and keep our doors open for newcomers.

Now hosted at the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa's Journey Church, the concerts are offered at a rolled-back admission price of $15 per adult / $5 for children 12 and under with listening attention.

The first concert at the Journey Church in 2009 paired internationally known Twin Cities talents Peter Ostroushko and Dan Chouinard. The March 27 show brought the gifted Cam Waters from Rochester, MN, and on April 24 we presented the April Verch Band, a Carolina-based quartet.