A Benefit Concert for the Empire Arts Center

Empire Alive

2026

Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 6:00 - 10:00 PM

Empire Arts Center | Grand Forks, ND

2026 Event Poster

Artwork by Todd Bratrud — Coming Soon

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What is Empire Alive?

Empire Alive is Grand Forks' premier benefit concert for the Empire Arts Center. Since 2022, Empire Alive has raised over $75,000 — and because of that support, the Empire will be replacing all of its aging HVAC units this fall (2026). Thank you for supporting Empire Alive and helping to ensure the Empire Arts Center continues to flourish for decades to come!

It was all started in 2022 by the local Grand Forks band The Dank as a benefit for local cancer patients. It was also a tribute to Ashly Nupdal, founding member of The Dank, who sadly passed away from cancer. In 2024 and 2025, Empire Alive shifted its mission to directly support the Empire Arts Center, raising over $70,000 in just two years.

This year's proceeds will go toward upgrading indoor theater and outdoor marquee sign lighting, improving dressing room facilities, upgrading production equipment, and other enhancements that will keep the Empire thriving as an artistic cornerstone of our community for years to come.

Let's make Empire Alive 2026 the best one yet.

$75K+

Total Raised

Events

500+

Attendees

The Bands

Turtle Stacks

Opening Act

Turtle Stacks is a five-piece jam band from Grand Forks, ND, blending original music with fun covers spanning rock, funk, country, blues, and R&B. Formed in 2026 by veterans of local acts The Dank, Syncopation Station, and High Five, the band features Joseph McCauley (keys, sax, vocals), Daniel Knight (guitar, vocals), Ryan Hill (guitar), Matt Pinkard (bass), and Brian Rydell (drums, percussion).

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The Quarterly

Headliner

The Quarterly is an all-star music collective that has been performing the music of the Grateful Dead across the upper Midwest since 2007. Featuring Pat Lenertz (guitar, vocals), Travis Atwood (bass, vocals), Josh Reinhardt (guitar), Jason Will (keyboards, vocals), Trevor Pearson (drums), John Shea (drums), and Adam Cariveau (percussion). Members continue to perform with other current projects including The Pat Lenertz Band, The Dan Brekke Band, among others.

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Event Timeline

5:00 PM

Doors Open

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Turtle Stacks

7:30 – 8:00 PM

Intermission

8:00 – 10:00 PM

The Quarterly

Support the Empire

Your donation helps keep the Empire Arts Center alive for generations to come.

The Empire Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

2026 Sponsor Packet Sponsorship Form

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Event Details