“The 12 Strings of Christmas”

The Heart of the City Music Factory is a beautiful Victorian-style concert venue and event center located on the second floor of the Old Milk Factory on the Rum River in historic Anoka. Being in the Music Factory is like gathering in a large Victorian home with vintage wallpaper, a fireplace on stage, balcony with a great view, gorgeous décor and an intimate seating capacity of 130. The Factory features a regular concert series of diverse artists – both local and national – going from Classical to Jazz to Reggae, Gospel, Rock, Singer/Songwriter and many others. The high quality sound, light and video system makes for a great listening experience no matter where you are seated, and the caliber of the artists in concert is always top notch! The Music Factory also serves as a 5-star rated rentable venue for weddings, receptions, anniversaries, luncheons, birthdays and other events.

Heart of the City Music Factory

For the first time, 3rd Elephant - an up and coming strings trio - is coming to the Music Factory!

Holiday Events

Holidays at the Heart of the City Music Factory consist of a variety of concerts, musical styles, bands and an exciting New Year's Eve bash with comedy, catered buffet, DJ, dancing, balloon drop and more!

The music of 3rd Elephant is a rich blend of traditions. Classical works, hymns, and ethnic folk melodies, share the stage with jazz standards, soundtracks, and original music. Violin and cello find themselves sitting comfortably alongside guitar, mandolin. The trio’s unique sound reflects the diverse musical backgrounds of its members.Nathan Wilson began playing violin when he was 8 years old, at the encouragement of his grandfather. He now holds a master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Minnesota, and continues to study and perform in a broad range of styles. Nathan’s easygoing manner, and his instrumental skills on both violin and mandolin, have made him a favorite guest of tap-style guitarist Billy McLaughlin, with whom he has made countless live and recorded appearances since 2006.Charles Asch received his master’s degree in classical cello from Juilliard in 2011, and completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Minnesota in the spring of 2017. He has performed, as a cellist, with high-level classical ensembles such as Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Bach Society of MN, and MN Opera, and is also a highly proficient pianist.Ben Adler has been playing guitar and singing since he was in grade school. In 2019, Ben graduated with a bachelor's degree in guitar performance from Augsburg University. He has performed many solo performances in a broad range of styles, as well as in various bands and ensembles throughout the Twin Cities. Additionally, Ben has taught private guitar and piano lessons for many years. Each 3rd Elephant concert is a special journey, inviting the audience to join the musicians as they explore boundaries and find new harmony between musical territories.Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door. Seating is general admission and doors open at 6:30 PM. Concessions will be available for sale during the concert.The Music Factory is located on the 2nd floor of the WWI era Old Milk Factory on the Rum River in Anoka. It is not a wheelchair accessible building and there are some stairs to climb.*For attendees in groups of eight or more who want to sit together, please feel free to contact us in advance and we are willing to set aside a group of chairs in the back seating section of the main room floor for your group. We don’t do group discounts.