Empire reopens Studio E for live music series showcasing local talent

Jun. 24—The Empire Arts Center is inviting local musicians and fans of live music to the reopening of Studio E at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 26.

This marks the inaugural event of The Music Box Series, a mix of staged and impromptu jam sessions.

Saturday's event will feature local musicians Worm King, an indie soloist; Chris Johnson, multi-genre, folk and blues guitarist; and Cheron, a jazz, indie pop, fusion group.

In this series, local bands and solo artists will each perform a 30-minute set, to be followed by an open jam session, said Katie Diers Cavanaugh, assistant executive director of the Empire Arts Center.

Audience members of all ages who play an instrument will be invited to bring their instruments and join in the fun, she said.

Concessions will be available for purchase.

The Music Box series will bring together local musicians and provide a space to be heard, collaborate, and form new creative projects, Cavanaugh said.

"I think it's going to be a really fun show," said Debra Pflughoeft-Hassett, Empire's executive director, noting that it's the Empire's first attempt at hosting this type of event. "And we hope to make it a regular series to showcase local musicians and local talent."

Attendees may purchase tickets in advance, for $8, at https://www.empireartscenter.com/calendar/2021/5/21/music-box-show or at the door, for $10, on Saturday.

Cavanaugh, who grew up playing music with her father and sister, Mark and Hannah Diers, is working with Tommy Hoffarth, the guitarist with Cheron, to create a welcoming venue for local talent to share their music, she said.

She and Hoffarth invite other local bands and artists to email them at katyc@empireartscenter.com about future bookings.

The Empire Arts Center is located at 415 DeMers Ave. Attendees at Saturday's show should enter through the main entrance and will be directed to Studio E, also known as the Black Box Theater, in the basement.

For more information, call 701-746-5500.