Concerts by the Creek

The Concerts by the Creek series, founded in 2023, exists to offer music lovers in the Twin Cities a welcoming environment to listen to world-class musical performances across a wide range of genres. This series is offered without cost through the support of the Matson Music Fund. We’re excited to share the gift of live music and make it accessible to all those who seek the shared and moving connection that music brings.

Concerts may be followed by an informal reception providing a unique opportunity to meet and engage with the musicians. We hope you’ll join us for amazing music in a beautiful space.

All are welcome to attend these concerts. You do not need to be affiliated with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in any way.

View a list of our past concerts

UPCOMING CONCERTS

COPPER STREET BRASS, That ’70s Show
Thursday, April 18th // 7:00 PM

We’re kicking off the 2024 season with the amazing Copper Street Brass (CSB), a group of versatile musicians who’ll be bringing a fun night of bell bottoms and brass.

The concert won’t just cover one decade, The CSB will share popular music from three decades: the 1770’s, 1870’s, and 1970’s! From the big wigs of Mozart to the big hair of STYX, music from the 70’s is covered in a whole new way. This show has been a huge hit with audiences of all ages from all across the country, truly featuring something for everyone to go home singing.

The group will bring famous classical and opera music as well as rock and pop tunes on trumpets, trombone, horn, tuba, keyboard, guitar, and drums. This one-of-a-kind concert features music from Mozart and Brahms to popular selections from Bizet’s Carmen. Then they’ll go big with innovative and fun covers of 1970’s rock and pop tunes by Fleetwood Mac, John Lennon, STYX, and James Taylor. Joining the ensemble to rock out on drums is Twin Cities virtuoso percussionist Erik Schee.

MORE ABOUT CSB

Through inventive concerts and original musical arrangements, CSB bring a fresh approach to instrumental music using a dazzling fusion of instruments that go beyond the ordinary. The ensemble includes Allison Hall and Josh Cameron on trumpet, Tim Bradley on horn, guitar, and keyboard, Alex Wolff on trombone, Nick Adragna. With this diverse group of musicians, the Copper Street Brass present an unparalleled variety of music at every single performance, and this variety has become their calling card.

Visit the Copper Street Brass website to learn more.

GYPSY MANIA, Hot Club Swing Jazz
Thursday, May 16th // 7:00 PM

A spontaneous, vivid performance by some of Minnesota’s most stellar gypsy-jazz artists played in the Django Reinhardt French swing tradition of the 1930s. Gypsy Mania features an exceptional stylistic dimension with prodigious improvisation – a group not to be missed. The ensemble includes the unmistakable mastery of jazz violinist Gary Schulte, plus the diverse guitar styling of Glen Helgeson, and tasty, refined bass work by acoustic bassist Steve Pikal and accomplished jazz drummer Jay Epstein.

Gypsy Mania Quartet is the creation of longtime bandleader and guitar stylist Glen Helgeson, who is known for pulling together the stars of the Minnesota music scene. Helgeson is an ambassador of the jazz tradition, bringing diverse world music styles to people, educating them in these traditions, and manifesting an unusual ability to write in those genres.

Visit the Gypsy Mania website to learn more.

HISTORIC ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The concerts will take place in historic St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. This beautiful building was constructed in 1937 when the new Country Club District of Edina was forming. As the first protestant church in the city, St. Stephen’s was and remains a true community church nestled in the surrounding neighborhood on the banks of Minnehaha Creek.

Signs will be posted directing you to the event location. View GPS navigation through Google Maps.

PARKING

St. Stephen’s does not have an onsite parking lot. Parking is available in the public lots connected to Utley and Wooddale Parks just West of the church. Street parking is also available. This means you may have to park a short distance away from the church and walk. We strongly encourage carpooling, use of ride services such as Uber/Taxi, and taking public transportation.

There is a bus stop directly opposite the church entrance. Bike parking is also available onsite.

ACCESSIBILITY

Due to the historic nature of the building, the church has some limited accessibility accommodations. We apologize for these inconveniences. While we strive to be welcoming to all, there are limitations within this historic space. If you have any questions about accommodations or accessibility needs, contact concertsbythecreek@ststephens.com or call 952-920-0595.

Here are a few details to know:

A limited number of handicap-accessible parking spots will be available near the entrance of the church on Wooddale Avenue.
There is an accessible entrance to the church on Wooddale Avenue.
Most seating is in fixed pews – there are spaces reserved for wheelchairs but they are limited. Please contact the event organizer at concertsbythecreek@ststephens.com to see if there are wheelchair-accessible spaces available.
A handicapped-accessible restroom is available.

CANCELLATIONS

Should an unavoidable circumstance arise requiring the cancellation of a concert, all attendees holding reserved tickets will be notified via email and we will update the event page on our website and social channels. We will also contact those holding reserved tickets with rescheduled concerts dates as appropriate.