Community Nights
In May of 2024, during the beginning of my internship at Heartwood Soundstage, my boss and I envisioned an evening for gathering with those closest to you in a time that needed it most. Thus was born, Community Nights - a weekly Wednesday night filled with live music, skill-share workshops, and of course, community.
Benny Cannon & Friends Photo by Elise Norman
Christmas 2024 Night Market Photo by Bianca Williams
Ol' Timey Music Jam Photo by Elise Norman
Karaoke on the Soundstage Photo by Elise Norman
Teen Open Mic Night - Collaboration with We Rock Gainesville Photo by Elise Norman
Community Nights Market Photo by Bianca Williams
How We Make Each Week Happen
Booking Artist-in-Residence
Each month features a new artist-in-residence, a month-long showcase of our talented local singer/songwriters. In collaboration with our Marketing team, we launched a submission form for artists to submit their work to be considered for the position. The form received over 50 submissions from musicians in our proximity. By reviewing these submissions, along with recommendations from Heartwood staff, we have booked 11 monthly artist-in-residence. These have ranged from jazz quartets, to guitar virtuosos, to folk artists. By keeping our artists different, we can cater to new crowds each month, always promising a new experience.
Collaboration with Community Organizations
Offering our venue as a free resource for community clubs and organizations has allowed our Community Nights to grow exponentially. We have worked with non-profits such as MusicGNV, We Rock Gainesville, UF Health Arts in Medicine & UpbeatGNV to provide workshops, showcases and live performances. Each month features a night for Gainesville’s Ol’ Timey Music Club, which has been gathering for over 70 years. We have also housed a monthly meet-up for BlocoGNV’s Drum Circle. By providing our venue free of charge and collaborating with local organizations, we have built a strong foundation in our community, while generating a source for new experiences.
Skill-share Workshops & Family-Friendly Activities
As a live music venue, our Heartwood staff pride themselves on their skills and technical abilities. That is why we aim to provide skill-share workshops that allow anyone and any skill level to come learn what it takes to be in the music industry. Our workshops range from lighting production, live audio recording and basics of microphones to Resolume building, AI in LogicPro sessions and BlackMagic Camera videography. We aim to build a family-friendly atmosphere each week by offering family movie nights on the lawn, game nights, karaoke and more.