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MUSIC ALLEY’S HISTORY

Music Alley started as an area between two buildings that contained little more than unkempt grass, broken fence posts, debris; it was generally an ignored area. The Town Clerk, Marilee Hunt, had a vision to turn it into a community space with possible entertainment.

In the start of 2016, Marilee Hunt gathered a group of Bridgewater residents to form a steering committee in order to explore the options and secure funds to execute a plan. This committee created Music Alley, a community outdoor music venue to hold weekly entertainment during the summer months, free to anybody who wanted to enjoy the area and live entertainment.

In addition, the committee also set a goal to gain involvement through community partnerships that would help advertise local business through on-site sales. Local food vendors and non-profit organizations were contacted to host refreshments and food for the audience. Also, Melissa Napier Dorr volunteered to paint a mural, representative of Bridgewater, MA, which was done beautifully.

The first year of performances gained much more attention than originally anticipated; it was clear that Music Alley was a ‘hit’ with attendees! Every night saw 100-plus people over the course of the evening.

During the winter break of 2016-2017, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization was formed by the steering committee to oversee all programming with Music Alley. The Board of Directors was formed with a diverse cast of members that continue to work hard to ensure the future of Music Alley through continuous improvement and dedication to bring the spotlight of culture to Bridgewater.

 After the Friends of Music Alley navigated the pandemic by offering virtual live-streaming performances, the weekly Music Alley performances were threatened by construction on a building adjacent to the outdoor venue in Central Square.  This is when the FoMA board partnered with Black Hat Brew Works and the Mulcahy family to offer the weekly live music events at the brewery.  This allowed the show to not only go on, but the large outdoor venue also allowed for a large crowd to attend. 

 The shows have continued at Black Hat since the summer of 2023, and Black Hat has generously donated a percentage of their beer sales to the not for profit to help ensure that the live music continues to be presented to the community for free.  FoMA now hosts their Music Alley Open Mic nights throughout the summer and a handful of one-off live music events within the original alley venue.