You may or may not have noticed lately, but Denton is changing. Part of this change (the positive part, we think) includes new businesses and organizations coming to Denton. Yes, we know that some of you think that new businesses will eventually ruin the town, but hear us out. Not everything new is bad. 

“From the Community, For the Community” sums up the 7Feathers mission and the strides they are taking in Denton to make a difference in the lives of others through art, music, family, & nature.

Michelle and Jesse Keefer moved from Austin to Denton 4 years ago. They came to Denton for Michelle to finish her Master’s degree at the University of North Texas. With hopes of Denton being reminiscent of home, they quickly realized that some of their favorite memories from Austin were not achievable in sweet, little Denton. While many stand firm with the belief the Austin will never be Denton and Denton will never be Austin, there are still the quirkier aspects of Austin that may help enrich the Denton community & culture.

As they started frequenting the local establishments, the Keefer's began to plan and imagine a way to fill the void and began brainstorming how an idea for an open, outdoor space would provide Denton with a collaborative environment, and make a difference in the community at the same time. While attending a music festival in Arkansas, they bonded with several others from Denton and the spark they needed to ignite the idea of a safe multifunctional community space began to unfold.

7Feathers officially launched in April of this year, and the Keefer's are overwhelmed with the outpour of support and involvement so far. “It's been amazing how this idea has taken a form of its own, becoming a non-profit and setting a path that we had no idea was the future of this vision,” Michelle says. “We let it organically evolve. We didn't seek investors or big money, we wanted it to rise through grassroots style efforts so the community could be invested as well.”

Their collaborative efforts in hosting events have helped create awareness and connected other local non-profits, with most of the foot work done by a core group of volunteers who donate their time to do what they can to support the 7Feathers mission. This tribe of volunteers was recruited through the Denton Community Market and a weekly open forum they hold at Harvest House.

“Every one of our tribe has come from relationships formed here in Denton," Michelle says. "What started as a couple of families just trying to make a space we could enjoy with our kids, has opened up to artists, musicians, volunteers and lots of love and support in the wings “ she says.

7Feathers' hosts several events each month that feature local music and artistic talent at different small business venues throughout Denton, drum circles on the 3rd Monday each month at Quakertown Park, and they add the sounds of their talented drummers to Karma Yoga classes at Audacity on every 2nd Sunday with the proceeds benefitting their non-profit organization. 

The Pickin’ at Midway event was such a huge success that they planned their next event there, as well. Rockin’ at Midway on Saturday, August 20th from 8pm to 11pm at Midway Craft House. Son Slim & Madeline will providing tunes you can bang your head to while raising a pint, funds, and awareness for Denton County Friends of the Family.