Event

Downtown Abbey Grand Opening with Under the Big Oak Tree

Under the Big Oak Tree will present a special all-ages concert on July 12 to celebrate the Grand Opening of Downtown Abbey, a beautiful new events space. Gary and Joni Westcott renovated and transformed a 1901 brick church building on Felix St. into Downtown Abbey (www.thedowntownabbey.net): a charming setting for concerts, performances, weddings, memorial services, and other events. Kids are welcome, and those under 12 get in free.

The new venue features superb acoustics and will be an ideal setting to hear the band's lush, acoustic sounds. Antique stained glass and woodwork adorn every wall of the former church, and seating is pew-style with padded benches, accommodating up to 150.

Stephanie Gummelt (www.facebook.com/StephanieGraceGummy), who sang her way to Hollywood on the final season of American Idol this past year, will open the event with her unique brand of "pop-folk-rock-angst."

The concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12 and will go until around 5:45 p.m. giving audience members enough time to get back to Coleman Hawkins Park for the Imagine Eleven concert series. Downtown Abbey is located at 1202 Felix Street. Tickets are $10 each, and children 12 and under get in free. Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance online. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available for purchase on site.