OGDEN — A popular Ogden-area eatery and gathering place is sponsoring a free concert next month at one of downtown’s most iconic venues as part of its continuing mission to support local musicians.

On Oct. 7, Gandy Dancer Mercantile will present a free show featuring three musical acts at Peery’s Egyptian Theater. Jazz band Standards & Substandards and bluegrass outfit Basin & Grange are set to co-headline the event, which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, the country music duo STAMPEDE! will be performing for early arrivers in the theater lobby once the doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The event is being presented in conjunction with Excellence in the Community, a local organization that seeks to bring Utah’s best musicians to diverse communities through free concerts.

“We’re in the joy business,” said Jeff Whiteley, founder and managing director of Excellence in the Community, ahead of his organization’s October 2023 collaboration with Gandy Dancer Mercantile. “We work to weave the accomplishments of Utah musicians more visibly and more regularly into the fabric of Utah communities, and it’s all free.”

Gandy Dancer Mercantile owners Boni Gravelle and Glenn Croydon are similarly passionate about Ogden’s music scene and helping it grow.

“We’re just doing our part to support local music,” Gravelle said. “Music that is free and easily accessible … and with fabulous musicians; they’re just so talented and good people.”

Gravelle and Croydon purchased their business, located at 3920 Washington Blvd., in April 2021. And while it began as an ice cream parlor, the Gandy Dancer Mercantile became a place where one also could get a homemade meal, purchase a used book to read and enjoy live music.

“We realized that musicians had to take other jobs because of COVID. They couldn’t play in bars and other gigs,” Gravelle said. “So we built a stage at the front of the store and started inviting musicians to play.”

Bands take to the Gandy Dancer stage every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with live jam sessions occurring on the latter day from noon to 2 p.m.

“You never know who’s going to show up,” Gravelle said. “One guy is in his 80s. We’ve had high school kids come in. We’ve had people that say, ‘I’ve been playing in my basement for 10 years and I found out about this,’ and they’re so good.”

Gravelle says that more than 100 musical acts have performed on her stage over the years.

For information on the upcoming concert event, go to https://excellenceconcerts.org/concert/gandy-dancer/.