The Magnolia House Listening Room Experience

If you are a repeat visitor to the blog, you know by now that I love to read and I have a crazy little thing called Alpha Gal Syndrome that greatly impacts my life. With those two factors, it is probably not a surprise that I don’t get out much. Evenings are one of my favorite times to cuddle up with the pups and a good book. Eating away from home is always a risk; I don’t deign to micromanage another cook’s kitchen and failing to do so could result in accidental allergen consumption, which is never a good time for my family or me. So when my dear friend Rachel at Magnolia House Listening Room informed me the menu for a particular dinner concert would be vegan and totally safe for me, I set aside my book for an evening and enjoyed a night out. Sit back and get cozy, and I will tell you the tale of a girl who had a magical experience practically in her own backyard.

Magnolia House is a darling little coffee shop in an historic building in the heart of downtown Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Just down from Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, you will find Magnolia House lining the street alongside a handful of fascinating little shops in beautiful old storefronts. The front porch is inviting on a balmy day, but step through the doors to meet some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. During the daytime and Thursday evening open mic nights, you can sample their handcrafted coffees, house blended teas and homemade pastries. Their brunch and lunch menus will delight even the soggiest curmudgeon. I could go on for days about how their food is made from scratch in a cozy little kitchen just like my grandmothers did, or how blissful it is to sit and soak up the nostalgia as you enjoy your culinary delights. But a very different kind of magic happens on Saturday nights, when Magnolia House dons her exclusive elevated identity and shines as Magnolia House Listening Room.

The light outside was fading and the streets of small town America were tucking themselves in for the night on this particular evening. Patrons stood with bated breath, waiting for the doors to open and allow us to find a table in preparation for the carefully curated three course meal. Homemade hummus anchored the appetizer with a glorious pour of olive oil, accented by fresh cut vegetables and freshly made flatbread. This hummus sang with vibrant, fresh flavors, and enough garlic to make the body feel joyful for having consumed it. I could have made a very satisfying meal on the appetizer alone, but then the entree was discreetly swept into place and I found myself looking at the very portrait of a perfectly crafted baked sweet potato. Well seasoned, perfectly cooked black beans, slivered fresh red onions, a delicately portioned mound of perky little sprouts, and a well balanced sprinkle of scallion weighed perfectly on the fork and satisfyingly on the tongue. Closing my eyes and savoring each bite, my body thrummed with energy, good health, and great happiness as life leapt from fork to tongue. To be honest, one half of this masterpiece could have sufficed as supper, the second as dessert. But the creative genius behind this meal left no such opportunity, as a moist and flavorful spiced apple cake was set before me. My heart and body were so very blissful. And then the music began.

The delightful fare provided by MHLR.

Looking at the venue area of Magnolia House does not evoke thoughts of great acoustics or a particularly special listening experience. But do not be fooled. The music in the Magnolia House Listening Room is unamplified, so it is not overwhelming, but it will take someone more familiar with sound engineering than I to explain how the particular shape of the room manages to take that sound and channel it directly to the soul. And the musical magicians of this evening are storytellers who speak directly to the soul, haunting and delighting and tickling the spirit with musical Ozark folklore that evokes a visceral reaction. Still On The Hill delights like no one I have heard before, and I noticed several times that I was holding my breath, leaning forward in my chair or settling relaxed in my seat, depending on the lyrical story they were telling. With quilted slideshows and instruments that tell their own stories, the duo carried me away like pixies in the night, and slipped me home none the wiser by morning. And when the show ended, I was surprised to find that any time at all had passed. The only appropriate response I could give was to sit in my seat, eyes closed, cells humming joyfully through my body, and savor the experience. I might have actually been to enthralled  to applaud, but in the intimacy of the setting, I’m sure they felt the extent of my gratitude.

Woman By Grace and Magnolia Rachel with Kelly & Donna of Still On The Hill

My Partner In Dine for the evening was my heart’s sister and Magnolia House bakery genius, Rachel.

Still On The Hill is one of the phenomenal artists who have graced the patrons of the Magnolia House Listening Room, and the schedule is packed past and future with more acts that are not to be missed. Each one specifically curated by the musical genius of owner and outstanding musical artist, Rachel Fields. You can find the lineup and purchase tickets online: https://www.magnoliahousepg.com/events and I recommend doing just that. For less than the cost of a night on the town, we were immersed in a magical experience that is simply a shame to miss.