Looking for live music and a good time?
Come to the Empire’s Music Box August 22nd, 2026!
The Empire's monthly Music Box features 3 local acts, as well as an open-to-the-public jam at the start of every show. If you're interested in live, local music, the Music Box is the place to be! Come for the music, stay for the good vibes(and the free popcorn).
This month, our featured artists are DeziLou, Mediocre at Best, and Maura Fergusen!
Doors open at 6:00 PM, open-jam starts at 7:00 PM
The Music Box is one of the only venues in Grand Forks that allows artists to play what they want, and our Music Box stage helps to give any musician a platform to perform, regardless the genre or experience.
Tickets available by donation at the door. Recommended Donation of $10. The Music Box is supported through our sponsor, Rydell GMC and through donations from our community.
Meet the Artists!
Don’t let the name fool you… or maybe do. Mediocre at Best is a husband-and-wife acoustic duo putting a stripped-down spin on pop-punk favorites. We play acoustic covers of songs you probably know, tell a few jokes along the way, and don’t take ourselves too seriously. We can’t promise perfection, but we can promise you’ll leave with a smile… and hopefully an earworm!
Maura Ferguson has a big voice, an autoharp, and an array of covers that span a wide variety of genres. Every set is different based on the vibe, and you never quite know what’s next, and that is part of the adventure. Punk, folk, new wave, indie, musical theatre, even old children’s favorites are on the menu, all with Maura’s signature spin.
DeziLou is a singer-songwriter, multidisciplinary artist, and storyteller whose work is rooted in healing, hope, and authentic self-expression. Singing since childhood, she discovered early on that music was more than a passion. It was a way to connect, encourage, and inspire.
Today, DeziLou performs throughout her local community, blending uplifting melodies with soulful jazz and blues influences to create music that is both heartfelt and empowering. Through affirmations, honest storytelling, and messages of resilience, her songs invite listeners to embrace self-reflection, rise above life's challenges, and rediscover the strength that has always existed within them.
Behind the music, Destany Tognotti extends that same message through her visual art, creating textured acrylic paintings, vibrant digital artwork, and commissioned pieces that celebrate growth, resilience, and transformation.
Inspired by her journey as a young mother, an only child, and someone who spent years searching for identity and belonging, every creative endeavor is rooted in the belief that healing begins within. Whether performing on stage, sharing artwork at pop-up markets, or connecting with her community through local events, her mission is to inspire others to embrace every facet of who they are, believe in themselves, and never give up on what lights them up. Through both music and art, she hopes to leave every person she meets feeling seen, encouraged, and reminded that there is always light waiting to be rediscovered.