Listen Local: A Q&A with Debbie Bramstedt of St. Croix Preparatory Academy

will be putting on the featuring special guest Billy McLaughlin.

The 'Listen Local Lounge, featuring top local performers, appetizers and refreshments, will open two hours prior to the show. 

Stillwater Patch recently asked St. Croix Prep's Development Director, Debbie Bramstedt a few questions about next weekend's event.

Stillwater Patch: How did the idea for Listen Local come together?

Debbie Bramstedt: We live in an art-and-talent-rich community.  As a school in the St. Croix Valley area, we brainstormed ideas that would both embrace the Valley and east metro communities while raising funds for the performing and visual arts programs of the school. Bringing national performers with a Minnesota connection to the local stage seemed like a perfect fit. This was the spark for Listen Local!

Patch: What’s the need?

Bramstedt: As a public charter school, St. Croix Preparatory Academy receives approximately 70% of the funding of a traditional public school. Consequently, the need exists to raise funds to compensate for this deficit. We divide our need into three categories: Academics, Athletics and the Arts. Listen Local is the third of three annual capital fundraisers conducted by St. Croix prep: the Lions Open golf tournament raises funds for Athletics, the All-School Marathon raises funds for Academics and Listen Local will raise money for the Performing and Visual Arts programs.

Patch: What are your hopes for this event in the future? 

Bramstedt: Our hopes are to bring together the entire east metro and Valley area with an eclectic annual event that is entertaining and memorable to the community. In turn, the proceeds from the event will benefit the 33 performing and visual arts programs of more than 1,000 students attending the school.

Patch: How can an event like this help the music community as a whole?

Bramstedt: The Valley area is widely known for its richness in the arts. Listen Local will bring a unique, new venue to the area offering an intimate setting in which to hear Minnesota artists who have now become national recording stars perform in our own back yard. Billy McLaughlin is proof of this; he is a sought-after national recording artist with an incredible story and song. Add Patrick Harison's Patty and the Buttons and you have an event of acclaimed national artists with Minnesota ties.

Patch: What types of things will the proceeds benefit?

Bramstedt: St. Croix Prep offers 20 curricular and 13 co-curricular programs in band, orchestra, choir, speech, drama/theatre and visual arts. The performing and visual arts are a part of the St. Croix Prep daily curriculum. Proceeds will benefit these programs, including musical instruments, visual arts materials, staging equipment and hands-on training courses.

Patch: What are you most excited about with this event?

Bramstedt: Celebrating with the community. We are excited to offer a local venue of national significance, embrace the Valley and east metro communities, and honor that for which the Valley is so widely acclaimed: Its true appreciation and love of the arts.