‘Something to inspire people’
Music Street to hold open mic, live music events
Photo by Deb Gau Music Street owner Zach Haltvick said he hopes to bring new opportunities for people to play and enjoy music in part of his Marshall store.
Photo courtesy of Zach Haltvick With the help of an Amex Shop Small Grant, Haltvick was able to purchase equipment like a portable stage, that he plans to use for monthly open mic events at Music Street.
Photo by Deb Gau Music Street owner Zach Haltvick said he hopes to bring new opportunities for people to play and enjoy music in part of his Marshall store.
Photo courtesy of Zach Haltvick With the help of an Amex Shop Small Grant, Haltvick was able to purchase equipment like a portable stage, that he plans to use for monthly open mic events at Music Street.
Trending
MARSHALL -- A local music store will be offering something new this fall: a space for people to perform and enjoy music together.
"It's just giving people an opportunity to perform, especially people who are not established professionals," Haltvick said.
Starting Oct. 8, Music Street in Marshall will be holding a monthly open mic night, as well as holding some live music events. Music Street owner Zach Haltvick said a $20,000 Amex Shop Small Grant has helped him purchase equipment like a portable stage and lighting for the events.
"It was something that had been on my mind basically since we moved into this space in 2024," Haltvick said.
Part of Music Street's current building space at the corner of Main and Fourth Street includes an open room with windows facing Main Street. Haltvick said family music classes are held there, but he was also thinking about additional ways to use the space.
Last winter, Haltvick learned about the Shop Small Grant program, which is organized through a partnership of Main Street America and American Express. The program was all about helping to strengthen communities, he said.
"I looked it over, and it just kind of clicked," Haltvick said.
An event like an open mic night would be a way for people to have fun together and build music skills.
"Most of the time, open mics are held in bars, and that's not easy for everybody to do," Haltvick said.
Hosting an event at Music Street could be a way for youth to be able to join in, he said.
The grant funding Haltvick received allowed him to purchase items like a portable stage, lights and sun shades for the windows in the performance area. After testing it out, Haltvick said he was able to set up the stage in about 45 minutes to an hour.
Haltvick said the plan is for Music Street to have open mic nights on the second Thursday of every month. The events will be open for people of all ages and skill levels, and all genres of music. The first scheduled open mic night will be Oct. 8.
Additionally, Haltvick said he had some performances by solo musicians or bands lined up at Music Street. The first will be a free show by punk/grunge band Strayhouse on Oct. 9. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Haltvick said so far, the reaction from community members has been positive. He said his announcement about the stage and open mic nights got a lot of social media reaction and interest.
"It should be exciting," Haltvick said.
He also hopes this will be a chance to encourage new musicians and performers.
"It's something to get people started, and inspire people," he said.