Beyond the music: Block Party fosters connections Print E-mail
By Gina Dolski   
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
What started out as a visit to the Basilica Block Party to enjoy some of her favorite music eventually led to something much more significant for Emily Hjelm — her reception into the Catholic faith.

Interested in attending?


» Who: Among the featured artists this year are rock bands Weezer, Spoon and The Avett Brothers. Four local talents will also perform at the event.

» Where: The two-day event is held at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.

» When: The block party runs Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. both nights.

» How: To buy tickets, check out the concert website at basilicablockparty.org.


Concert aids basilica and those in need


The Cities 97 Basilica Block Party has raised more than $3 million for the Basilica of St. Mary since 1995.

The two-day concert helps fund the $9.5 million structural restoration and continued renovation of the basilica, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was completed in 1914, and named the first basilica in the nation by Pope Pius XI in 1926.

Renovations included developing the basement in 2000. The project aimed to expand the parish’s community outreach programs, which include Meals on Wheels and holiday Adopt-A-Family programs.

In addition, 5 percent of all proceeds are donated to the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which serves those in need in the Twin Cities.

The program provides shoes and transportation assistance to 250 people each week, as well as food and shelter to around 2,500 people every month. St. Vincent de Paul also currently helps 400 unemployed adults with training, workshops and job searches.
“I used to go to the block party with girlfriends from college to see bands we liked,” said Hjelm, who applied for an internship with the Block Party after college in 2001.

Rather than an internship, however, she was immediately offered a position as event planner for the Block Party, which she considered her dream job.

That connection, along with seeing others actively involved in church ministries and outreach at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, deepened her interest in the Catholic faith.

She was baptized in 2006 at the Basilica, where she is now a member.

Today, Hjelm serves as the Basi­lica’s development director. She is also executive director of the Basilica Landmark, the organization responsible for the ongoing restoration and preservation of the church.

More than a party
This is the 16th year for the Cities 97 Basilica Block Party. The annual two-day concert brings more than 25,000 people to the church grounds to watch well-known artists and local bands perform.

The Block Party is a summertime staple in the Twin Cities, but there sometimes is a spirit that reaches beyond the concert.

Many Block Party attendees, like Hjelm, find themselves developing a closer relationship afterward with the Basilica.

Getting new church members may not be the overall goal of the event, but it seems to be a factor in some young adults taking a second look at what the parish has to offer.

“It’s like an invitation,” Hjelm said. “Some people may not know about the many weekend liturgies at the Basilica, but after the Block Party, maybe they will.”

Father John Bauer, Basilica rector, said the youth presence surrounding the festivities is indispensable.

“As a pastor, I feel so much gratitude for the energy and dedication of the young adult volunteers that make the Basilica Block Party happen,” he said.

Father Bauer believes it brings younger people into the parish.

“Once young adults visit the parish, they are drawn in by a welcoming spirit, vibrant liturgies, op­por­tunities to get involved in outreach to those in need in our community, and quality learning opportunities.”

Since the first block party in 1995, the Basilica of St. Mary has doubled its membership to 5,800 families, with 60 percent of the members under the age of 40.

Geared toward young adults

Light-hearted advertising, some of which takes a tongue-in-cheek ap­proach — this year’s Block Party slogan, for example, is “Your ticket to musical redemption” — and a social website, basilicablockparty.org, offer ways of drawing the interest of young adults.

“I think it’s a great way to connect to a younger audience,” said Drew Schliep, Basilica Block Party event co-chair.

Sponsors offset the costs of the event and include Michelob Golden Light, Sun Country Airlines, M&M’s and the Catholic Aid Association.

Despite the beer company sponsorship, event organizers take precautions to ensure safety.

Trained bartenders volunteer at the beer tents; wristbands needed to purchase alcoholic beverages are given only to people of legal age to drink.

The event also hosts a designated-driver program, which gives a driver a special wristband and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Schliep said the Catholic identity is always in the back of the event planners’ minds.

“They do keep the church in the background as far as responsibility and reflecting [the Basilica],” Schliep said.

Assistance provided

Most of the proceeds from the event fund ongoing restoration and renovation of the Basilica, listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Five percent of the proceeds go to the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program. The parish in St. Paul provides assistance to people in need in the Twin Cities.