Not signed in

About Us

General Information

Uncle Calvin's is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run live music venue, held in the fellowship hall of Northpark Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. We present concerts on most Friday nights, roughly forty weeks out of the year, from 8pm until approximately 11pm. Here are some of the things that tell you who we are and what we do:

Listen now, talk later

We are first and foremost a listening room, with seats for everyone. Our mission is to bring you the best possible environment for enjoying music, with clear, pristine sound, free of smoke, alcohol, and conversation. Feel free to stand and/or socialize during breaks or before and after the show.

Original music by original artists

All of our artists are songwriters and almost exclusively perform their own music. Unless you are familiar with these artists, you won't recognize the songs - but that doesn't mean they're not great.

Unplugged/Acoustic

Not literally of course - we do have an excellent sound system and wonderful acoustics in our room. Just know that you'll never experience an uncomfortable sound level at a Calvin's show. We mostly feature solo acts, plus duos and the occasional trio - and very few full bands, and almost no drum kits.

Secular/Non-Religious

Although we are associated with and sponsored by Northpark Presbyterian Church, the music we present is strictly secular, in acoustic-based categories like singer/songwriter, folk, americana, roots, blues, bluegrass, world, etc.

Charitible

We are not a profit-making organization, so any money left over at the end of a given year we give to one of several worthwhile charities, mostly to those serving the hungry and homeless in the immediate Dallas area (see list below). On good nights, we are able to intentionally hold back 10%-20% of what we bring in at the door to help build up our charitible coffers.

Coffee & desserts on the side

We have a fine collection of coffees, teas, snacks, and desserts - but no loud, obnoxious hissing noises from a beverage-making machine during a show. We're there for the music, and we assume you are too.

We’re grateful for this opportunity to bring you such great music, and hope you’ll do us the honor and come listen to it!

Location

Uncle Calvin's is located within

Northpark Presbyterian Church
9555 N. Central Expy. (US75)
Dallas, TX 75231

That's one block south of Walnut Hill Lane, on the west side of the freeway. Here's a map:

Directions

Coming from the north

  • Exit Central (US75) at Walnut Hill Lane
  • Continue on the southbound access road of Central past Walnut Hill for one block
  • Turn Right on Glen America Drive
  • Take the first left into the church parking lot
  • Enter the doors facing Glen America.

Coming from the south

  • Exit Central (US75) at Walnut Hill Lane
  • Stay left and take the immediate U-Turn under N. Central from the northbound to southbound access roads.
  • Continue on the southbound access road of Central past Walnut Hill for one block
  • Turn Right on Glen America Drive
  • Take the first left into the church parking lot
  • Enter the doors facing Glen America.

After entering the north doors facing Glen America, the Fellowship Hall is to the right.

Charitable Giving

Most of the money we collect goes to pay our performers, but we also hold back a percentage of each show's proceeds, and whatever we have left over at the end of the year we donate to various (mostly) local charities. Some have included:

  • New Beginnings Center - domestic violence
  • North Dallas Shared Ministries - food pantry
  • Stewpot - feeds the homeless at 1st Presbyterian downtown
  • Arts for People - helps the arts survive financially
  • North Texas Food Bank
  • English Language Ministry
  • Family Gateway
  • Greater Dallas Community of Churches
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Interfaith Housing Coaltion
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Oasis Housing Corp.
  • Presby Children's Services
  • Salvation Army
  • Vickery Meadows Learning Ctr.
  • Washington St. Mission
  • Writers in the Round - Neuro Fiber Mitosis Foundation
  • Kerrville Folk Music Foundation - own and operate the Kerrville Folk Festival
  • And many others!

Thanks, volunteers and loyal fans! Thanks to you, we are making our community a better place and providing assistance to the homeless and hungry.

Food & Beverages

Here are some of the items we serve at the coffeehouse:

  • Coffee (Caf/Decaf, Unflavored/Flavored)
  • Hot Tea (a wide selection)
  • Iced Tea
  • Juices (apple & cranberry)
  • Tap Water
  • Pies & Cakes
  • Salty Snacks

Coffee is $2 for a bottomless cup, while other beverages are $1, not including refills. Water from the tap is free (no bottled water).

Fruit pies and cheesecakes are $2, while other cakes and snacks are typically $1.

Our Room

Our room has a seated capacity of approximately 200 for paying customers, plus 30-40 extra seats for volunteers and complimentary ticket holders. Unless we know that a big crowd is coming (based on advance sales), we usually set up for 100 to 130. We make room for the extra 70-80 people by removing some tables and setting up more chairs. We never attempt to squeeze in more than 250 people, however (there are always at least 100 seats at tables). No one is expected or allowed to stand for a show. After all, would you willing stand up for an entire 2-hour movie?

Who we are

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run live music venue, presenting concerts nearly every Friday night in the fellowship hall of Northpark Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. Our goal is to bring you the best possible environment for listening to music, with clear, pristine sound, free of smoke, alcohol, and conversation. In addition to the music, we offer fine coffees, teas, juices, desserts, and salty snacks. Find out more about us here.

Our friends talk

"The intimate setting of Calvin's makes it easy to see and hear musicians....the gold standard of Dallas area coffeehouses, and for that matter, the nation...." --Michael Granberry, DMN

"I'd call Uncle Calvin's the cosmic center of the folk universe in Texas...." --Chuck Pyle

"...a warm spirited place where everybody's kinfolk, and where good music and good company are the ties that bind." --Lynn Adler

Join our weekly email list

*required
Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse * Northpark Presbyterian Church * 9555 N. Central Expy. * Dallas TX 75231 * unclecalvins.org * info@unclecalvins.org * 214.363.0044