Universal Music Center holds first annual Summer Music Festival | Local News

Universal Music Center held its first annual Summer Music Festival last Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival took place on the lawn of the Anderson Center just outside the UMC building.

The UMC is a nonprofit organization that provides lessons in a wide variety of instruments, as well as specialty programs in other aspects of music such as songwriting and recording. It is also an active participant in the Red Wing community, with students and instructors frequently leading workshops and performing at local events.

Recently, UMC added a second division to its programming: OnSite Music & Arts. OnSite works with senior living facilities and adult care centers in Goodhue County and surrounding areas, coordinating programs where artists perform for and connect with senior residents.

The Summer Music Festival is another extension of UMC’s community service. 

“It’s a way for us to say thank you to the community for all the support and all the belief in UMC, and all the great things Red Wing has done for us over the years,” said UMC founder Mike Arturi.

The central focus of the event was a day of live music provided by UMC students and staff. Music began at 11:45 a.m. with a performance by Tim Cheesebrow, an Americana musician from the Twin Cities who works with OnSite Music & Arts. Around 1 p.m. a series of UMC musicians took the stage with their own performances. Acts included a piano cover of the Tetris theme, a medley of metal songs ending in a guitar rendition of “Careless Whisper” and even some original compositions by UMC students. Each year, UMC holds four live student concerts where UMC students are invited to show off the skills they’ve developed through their lessons and practice. This section served as UMC’s summer 2025 student concert.

Shortly after 2 p.m., UMC’s rock band, the Burnside Drifters, took the stage with songs including “Mr. “Brightside by The Killers, “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters and “Spun” by Delta Sleep. The Burnside Drifters have attended several UMC events before, playing one or two songs at each event. This marks the band’s first full 30-minute set.

The final performance of the festival was given by the Tennessee Stiffs, a folk/Americana band that came to Red Wing in 2023. Universal Music Center instructor Ethan Lee Sadler and his wife and co-founder Cara Sadler played some of their most popular original songs.

Throughout the Summer Music Festival, free 15-minute music lessons were offered to anyone interested in trying out a new instrument or skill. Lessons took place one-on-one inside the UMC building with UMC instructors. In celebration of the festival, UMC is also offering a special of four lessons for $100. The special began at the festival and will continue through September 1, 2025.

Many community members were invited to set up tables and tents at the event. Community organization RiseUp Partnership appeared at the event with information on RiseUp programming and blank bookmarks and flags for kids to color. Face painting was provided by The Party Lady and food and drinks were provided by Chef Shack and Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies respectively. Sophia Grace Designs, a local handmade jewelry business led by UMC student Sophia McGuire, set up shop at the festival. Universal Music Center administrator Rita Hudson also set up a table for her embroidery and crafts business Stitches & Crafts selling fabric products including bowls, stockings and purses.

The Summer Music Festival was made possible by donations from sponsors including First Farmers & Merchants Bank of Red Wing, Falk Auto Body, Bella Casa Design Studios and the Red Wing Credit Union. The UMC also thanked the Jones Family Foundation, the Red Wing Shoe Foundation, the Wings Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council for their continued support of UMC.