Grassroots Concerts

Help us support Grassroots Concerts - bringing live folk music to the Brainerd Lakes Area. 

Grassroots Concerts are the nonprofit offerings of a small, happy society of largely omnivorous but gentle folk dedicated to the preservation of live entertainment in vicarious times.

In 1988 several friends who loved folk music decided to embark on a mission, establishing Grassroots Concerts. They began by inviting singer/songwriter musicians to perform in their homes, churches, town halls and school auditoriums.  As the concerts became more popular, Grassroots moved to the Odd Fellows Hall in Brainerd, MN - followed by several years at the Nisswa Community Center.  Now hosted at Journey Church's Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa, MN, the 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. 

Please consider making a donation to Grassroots Concerts!