The Grove
The Grove at GPAC is a unique outdoor venue where we will entertain and educate in a comfortable, beautiful, inviting and accessible space. Under a canopy of trees, our guests will experience the power of the arts to connect and inspire.
The Grove will attract new audiences for both GPAC and its local arts partners - strengthening the arts and cultural landscape while enhancing quality of life.
THE GROVE
Kids under 8 are FREE!
Sponsored by
Upcoming Events
What is The Grove?
photo: Justin Fox Burks
The Grove is designed to be an outdoor reflection of GPAC’s indoor space, aiming at the same level of experience, quality, diversity of talent and educational experiences, presented in a lush, shady setting called the TruGreen lawn. There is a covered 40’ by 60’ stage that features a giant 18’ by 31.2’ extremely high- definition video screen. The screen is mounted on a trolley, allowing for it to be moved upstage and “become” the performance or downstage to assist or enhance a performance. All types of performances are possible —theater, dance, orchestras and every genre of music— and there will be both ticketed and non-ticketed events. There is a paved entrance plaza, called the First Horizon Foundation Plaza, to welcome guests, featuring a large covered bar, seating areas, performance areas for small combos, the Donor Wall, art areas and more. There is also parking and electricity for four food trucks and a VIP area.
Quite significantly, The Grove’s technology allows for GPAC to simulcast performances or rehearsals taking place indoors on the Main Stage onto the giant screen. It is this capability that puts GPAC in the ranks of the most innovative performing arts centers in the nation, as it is currently one of only three centers employing this technology. The other centers are the New World Center in Miami and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The Grove’s park-like setting can accommodate approximately 900 guests at a wide variety of events, some specifically for families and some intended more for grownups, attracting folks seeking a more casual atmosphere in which to enjoy the arts. In this way, The Grove will serve GPAC’s needs as well as those of its primary arts users by attracting new audiences and providing an exciting alternative performance space.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE GROVE?
Our tickets can only be purchased online via gpacweb.com or by calling the GPAC box office Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, leave a message and your call will be returned. The box office number is 901-751-7500. The Grove box office will be open at the time of a performance in The Grove. You can reach the box office at 901-751-7500. Leave a message and your call will be returned.
GPAC is located at 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown, TN 38138.
Note: Choice CRM is the only authorized ticketing company for The Grove. When you buy tickets online, you will be directed to https://gpac-internet.choicecrm.net/. Tickets purchased from an unauthorized agent in the secondary market (Craigslist, Ebay, Scalpers, Stub Hub, or other resale websites) may be counterfeit or invalid. GPAC is not required to honor any tickets purchased through unauthorized parties.
These items and activities are prohibited in the grove:
Large Umbrellas
Grills
Drones
Laser Pointers
Illegal Drugs or Paraphernalia
Fireworks or Pyrotechnics
Musical Instruments
Card Tables
Solicitation of Any Kind
Smoking
Vaping
Glass
Pets
Firearms
Weapons
Professional Recording Devices
Thrown Objectsㅤ
Skateboards
*All coolers, bags, and purses are subject to search.
FAQ
When do Grove events begin?
Visit www.gpacweb.com to learn when the event will start and when we will open the doors.
I need special seating and access—how do I make these arrangements?
Wheelchair accessible seating available. For any special seating arrangements (accessible seating, aisle transfer seats, etc.) please call the Box Office at (901) 751-7500.
Parking for patrons with a valid handicap license plate or other authorized identification is available. The Grove facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
What about food in The Grove?
The Grove allows food trucks and food carts into the venue. Patrons are welcome to bring picnics to some events and sometimes outside food and beverage are restricted. If coolers and picnics are not allowed, this information will be noted on the event page when you buy a ticket. Before you pack your picnic please review our prohibited items.
Are children allowed in The Grove?
Of course! Families are always welcome. All we ask is that you supervise your children so that everyone can enjoy the performances. As a courtesy to others, if your child becomes fussy, we ask that you be prepared to remove them from the concert area. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Every concert patron requires a ticket.
*Please be mindful of social distancing guidelines for the entire family and help keep your kids six feet from other patrons.
Does my 9-month old need a ticket in The Grove?
Due to fire codes, everyone, including children of all ages, needs a ticket — NO EXCEPTIONS!
Are pets allowed in The Grove?
Pets are not permitted in The Grove. If you have a service animal please let the box office know upon arrival.
Can I bring chairs to The Grove?
Yes!
What if for some reason I cannot use all my tickets for a certain show?
Tickets are non-refundable. However, if you will not be using your tickets and would like to put them to an even better use, please inform us! We will donate unused or returned tickets to our charitable partners, the Ronald McDonald House and the Stax Music Academy.
Can you smoke/vape in The Grove?
The Grove is a no-smoking and no-vaping venue.
Where are The Grove restrooms located?
Restrooms are located in the southeast corner of the venue near The Grove box office.
What happens if it rains?
photo: Justin Fox Burks
The evenings’ events are subject to weather and availability. We’ll communicate changes via the event page on our website and social media. If the show is postponed due to inclement weather, your ticket will automatically be transferred to the rescheduled date. If you are unable to attend on the new date, your refund amount can be applied, minus the handling fee, to upcoming shows at GPAC or The Grove. You can reach the box office at 901-751-7500. Leave a message and your call will be returned.
Table Policy
Tables within reason are allowed. Tables may not be larger than 3′ wide x 3′ tall. Toppers for coolers or wagons will be allowed if under 3′ wide x 3′ tall. No card tables will be allowed.
UMBRELLA Policy
Due to safety and security issues, it is our standard policy to allow only small, hand-held umbrellas into The Grove.
PARKING INFORMATION
GPAC COVID-19 CRISIS UPDATE
GPAC COVID-19 CRISIS UPDATE
April 1, 2020
GPAC Friends,
One month ago, a sell-out audience sat in the magnificent GPAC theater, enraptured and enthralled — uplifted by the songs and spirit of the late Ray Charles, the very first of many giants to perform in our space. On the verge of completing our most successful season EVER, with 11 sold-out shows and the highest number of patrons, subscribers, donors, and sponsors in our history, we were excitedly looking forward to the imminent opening of our new outdoor performance venue, The Grove. We had announced with much fanfare our 26th Season and begun a robust wave of ticket sales. Interest and participation in our arts exhibitions, dance classes, youth symphony program, and adult arts education programming were at an all-time high. GPAC and its staff delighted in our roles, bringing outstanding arts and cultural experiences to our community and planning for the next 25 years.
Much has changed since then. I would not be honest if I didn’t say that GPAC faces enormous challenges as we adapt to keep our patrons and our staff safe and do our part to help slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The performing arts center is closed to the public, most staff are working remotely, and all part-time staff has been temporarily laid off. Events have been postponed and canceled, ticket sales are drastically low, and we’re grappling with the critical effects of abruptly lost revenue. Everything on the schedule between now and the end of April has been scuttled, and May is very much up in the air. We are still planning for next season, but it’s one that will potentially look drastically different from what we had planned. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, ever mindful of our mission “to present the highest quality artistic endeavors to educate, engage, enrich and transform,” we are coming up with new and creative ways to connect with our patrons and students. We are now operating in ways that support social distancing but feed our collective hunger for the arts.
Staff has created online instructional and virtual dance videos for our ballet students.
Our youth symphony students are engaging in a Listening Project, in which they share music pieces that bring them peace and calm. GPAC Youth Symphony staff are developing ways to complete the season virtually, with music appreciation lessons and one-on-one rehearsals via Zoom.
We are continuing with ArtsLaunch, the City of Germantown’s public art master plan development project, which is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Plans for community engagement around the subject of public arts in Germantown will now move online and occur via social media.
Keenly aware of our responsibility as a leading arts organization in our region, we are also taking steps to help the artistic community.
Via social media, we are sharing tools and resources for aid to artists and musicians, as we know so many have been dreadfully hard hit.
Mindful that we are not alone in the impact the virus has had on our operations, our board and staff are also advocating at the local, state, and national levels for relief efforts that would include non-profit arts groups, theaters, and artists.
Ever amazed by the ingenuity and adaptability of the artistic community, we are sharing positive stories and arts experiences being offered virtually across the nation.
Throughout this entire season, we have stood on stage and encouraged you to join us as we embrace the challenge of growth and plan for our future. Today, although the challenges before us are significantly different, we need you to join us more than ever! We know that you share our belief that the arts inspire and heal, that you crave the creative connection we experience through the arts, and that you look forward to the day we can gather again — in The Grove and on the GPAC main stage. We do, too. Quite honestly, we are going to need your support to get there.
May you and your families stay safe and well!
Paul Chandler
Executive Director
Arts-based Community Development
Big news for GPAC and the City of Germantown!
Arts-based Community Development
National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter announced 57 awards totaling $4.1 million supporting projects across the nation through the Arts Endowment’s Our Town program. The City of Germantown is one of the recommended organizations for a grant amount of $50,000 to support community design workshops and the creation of a public art master plan. The project is titled ArtsLaunch Germantown and will be led by Germantown Performing Arts Center Executive Director Paul Chandler and the City’s Public Arts Commission.
“These awards made to organizations across the United States are a testament to the artistic richness and diversity in our country,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Organizations such as the City of Germantown are giving people in their community the opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired.”
“Our stakeholders are expressing an overwhelming interest in public art in our city,” said Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo. “While the City has a plan for every other facet of governance from small district business plans to a parks master plan, the missing piece is a public art master plan.”
ArtsLaunch Germantown will not simply borrow or copy what has been done elsewhere, but will instead look to the community’s assets and needs in order to develop a process for creating place-based strategies to transform spaces into unique places. The plan will be led by an experienced consultant and employ local artists to create and facilitate a variety of community engagement/visioning tools to generate comprehensive and inclusive conversations about how public art will live in Germantown. Partners include the City, the Public Arts Commission and the Germantown Performing Arts Center.