Kids & families are the focus of upcoming independent music venue concerts

All music-loving families are invited to celebrate their neighborhoods and each other through this unique partnership between our leading independent music venues and the City of Minneapolis. Starting Saturday, Sept. 12, the Family Gathering Concert Series will bring live music, dance and creative arts together to celebrate live music, community and connection.

The nine free concerts are part of the City's work to build community by bringing families together and supporting independent music venues and activation. Funded through the $7 million Small Business Resiliency Fund, the series will support Minneapolis businesses and communities impacted by Operation Metro Surge, the concert series supports independent music venues and musicians in hosting events focused on families, neighborhoods and community connection.

"Minneapolis is at its best when we invest in the people, places and small businesses that make our neighborhoods special," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "These concerts put City resources behind local businesses while bringing families together to share great music, support local artists and make memories in their own communities."

Family Gathering Concert Series

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 12, independent music venues across the City will host the family-friendly shindigs starting at 10 a.m. More details, including all performers, activities and times will be shared soon. The series is produced in partnership with the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance (MNIVA).

• Sept. 12: The Hook & Ladder
• Sept. 19: Capri
• Sept. 26: Dakota
• Oct. 3: The Parkway Theater
• Oct. 10: Animales BBQ
• Oct. 17: Pilllar Forum
• Oct. 24: Green Room
• Oct. 31: Cedar Cultural Center
• Nov. 8: First Avenue

Independent music venues are an important part of Minneapolis' cultural and economic fabric, providing places for artists to perform and neighbors to gather. The Family Gathering Concert Series will give families an opportunity to experience these venues together while supporting the local musicians and businesses that make Minneapolis' music scene thrive.

"This unique series is really an effort to help kids and families in our community build relationships with each other and build positive memories through this shared experience and the love of music," says Ben Johnson, Arts & Cultural Affairs Director for the City of Minneapolis. "Minneapolis has one of the greatest music scenes in the U.S., and it is great that we can use our neighborhood music venues and local musicians/artists to inspire our youth in such a positive way."

Concert series details and information on different performers can be found at the MNIVA website.

"Live music has a unique way of bringing people together," said Tanner Montague, MNIVA President. "Opening our independent venues to families across Minneapolis is exactly the kind of community building we want to be a part of."

About the Small Business Resiliency Fund

The City of Minneapolis created the $7 million Small Business Resiliency Fund to help businesses and communities recover from the impact of Operation Metro Surge. The fund includes $4.5 million in direct financial relief and $2.5 million for activation and marketing, including support for commercial district events, cultural businesses, independent music venues, musicians and creative marketing.