08/26/2026
From the beginning, we wanted our little stage at The Merc to be a place musicians loved to play — warm, easy, appreciated and ensure the seats were filled with people who are genuinely glad you came.
Carleen here. Hope and trust this finds you all so well.
Some unexpected downtime and miles on the road this summer — and especially this week, as we work through some family matters — have given me a lot of time to think. One thing I keep coming back to is just how richly blessed our lives have been because of music.
From my high school band teacher and UW Marching Band friends to every band I’ve played in — and every musician who has stepped onto our little stage — music has given me and our family some of the greatest people, memories and experiences of our lives.
As I slowly regain my footing after Casey’s passing and begin playing more with The Barn Flies again, I’m reminded all over again how music can move a soul, carry us through difficult things and bring people into our lives exactly when we need them.
All of this is on my mind today as I am grateful for the chance to work on our fall schedule and look ahead at another new year.
I know it can be hard to choose a small venue in a rural South Dakota town when you have big dreams and there’s a street dance, festival or bigger stage calling your name somewhere. It's also exciting to see more and more venues in the region hosting live music. But we hope our little corner of the music world holds its own kind of magic — and that musicians and music lovers continue to want to be part of it.
Our shows are generally 2 to 2½ hours rather than the traditional four. We provide and typically run the sound system, making it an easy plug-and-play setup. No need to haul a bunch of gear. Solo and duo acts fit our intimate space best, although we welcome larger groups whenever the stage, schedule and budget allow.
We'd love to do another songwriters round this fall and next spring, in fact, along with some other fun events.
We value the talent and time it takes to share your music. Our pay reflects the size of our room and the shorter show we’re asking you to play, and we’re always upfront about both.
Maybe you’re building a following, trying out new songs, filling an open night between larger shows or simply missing the feeling of playing for people who are happy you’re there. Whatever brings you our way, we’d love to hear from you.
Open dates through the end of the year, although we'd entertain others if you've got a night you'd want to play:
• Sept. 18 or 19
• Sept. 26
• Oct. 17
• Oct. 30 or 31
• Nov. 21
• Nov. 27 or 28
• Any Friday or Saturday in December
Longtime musical friends and new ones alike — thank you for giving us a shout.
What a freaking amazing gift this music community continues to be.
To those who simply love listening: Thank you, too. If it’s been a while since you’ve joined us, or gone out anywhere you might be to listen to a new or well-loved artist, know your presence truly does make all the difference.
