Our Mission
The vision for the future of the Grass Roots Cultural and Performing Arts Center is ambitious and comprehensive. Our mission is to preserve, promote and advocate for Traditional American Roots music. Bringing a wide variety of programs, seminars, workshops and live performance to the community will keep us and the local community very active. Music and the arts touch every aspect of our lives and is under fire from our government and leaders. Part of our vision is to create a sanctuary where we can enjoy music, art and community as one.
The Building Blocks
The Grass Roots Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Inc. (GRCPAC) emerged from a decade-long effort that began as The Alternate Root, a modest operation with the mission to preserve and promote traditional American Roots music and support its creators.
In 2007, we started documenting our work on film, developing Alternate Root TV, a weekly program distributed to over 275 Cable Access Channels in the US, UK, and Canada. While filming, we discovered many independent artists creating powerful and relevant music, often overlooked by the mainstream industry. To share this "live" experience, we created The Extended Play Sessions, inviting a small studio audience to attend our filming sessions.
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From this effort, a community of over 4,500 like-minded individuals has emerged, all united by their appreciation for American Roots music. What began as a simple desire to create a shared musical and educational experience has evolved into a significant and intentional community.
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In March 2017, the Grass Roots Cultural and Performing Arts Center non-profit corporation was formed. Our goal is to continue providing The Extended Play Sessions experience to our community while expanding our reach to foster creative partnerships and enhance the appreciation of traditional American Roots music.
The Non-Profit Formation
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Educational Programs - Whether youth, adult or senior level the long term goal of the GRCPAC is to offer a variety of music-based educational programs to learn in a group setting. Music instruction, the music business, audio production and video production classes will afford the community an opportunity to learn from professionals with real-world experience.
Educational Programs
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The GRCPAC has an extensive library of film, music and books that are available to members and the community. Our plans include film nights, art and photography exhibitions, poetry reading and work with Public Radio to include TED Talks and Moth Radio sessions. Our future plans also include theater performance and small stage productions.
Film, Art, Literature and more...
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Our partnership with The Extended Play Sessions is a cornerstone of the GRCPAC. The weekly online show has been producing traditional American music programs since 2007 with over 500 shows produced. Our small but intimate performance space seats 100 people and gives our members an opportunity to see world-class touring musicians, share an intimate Q&A session and speak with the artists up close and personal. These performances are broadcast live to the world via LIVE STREAM.
Performance Activities
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Through our relationships built over many years with some of the finest local, regional and national songwriters, the GRCPAC is currently working on songwriting seminars and weekend programs where local community members can learn from professional musicians about the craft of songwriting.
Songwriting Workshops
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One of the most exciting aspects of our plans moving forward is the opportunity to work with music instructors and school music programs to let young musicians experience a professionally- conducted recording and filming session before a live studio audience. This gives young musicians an opportunity to do something they would otherwise not have an opportunity to do in a unique setting.
Working With Local School Music Programs
