Utah Valley is bursting with artistic talent hoping to get its foot in the door of success.

The Barefoot Event Center wants to provide that door, said Bentley Murdock, the center's owner.

Opening in May, the event center took the place of the old Johnny B's Comedy Club. Murdock worked at Johnny B's prior to leaving on a proselytizing mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he returned from his mission, the building was vacant. Murdock has since transformed it into a musician's gathering place. Bi-monthly events are held where performers sing or play in an open-mic night style.

On Friday, the Barefoot Event Center will host three local musicians and Murdock also will play.

Self-taught musician Cory Mon, a guitar and keyboard player, will be one of the featured artists at Friday night's event. Mon is part of an acoustic rock band, Cory Mon and the Starlight Gospel, but will be playing solo at the event center.

"Playing solo brings me back to my roots when I would play in my bedroom," Mon said.

The center cycles through at least 12 to 15 people per month, bringing back its favorite musicians several times.

"We try and feature as many musicians as we can," Murdock said, "giving them the opportunity to play live in front of a crowd their music would not have usually catered to."

For lifelong singer and songwriter Ashley Wood, a student at Utah Valley University, this will be her first showcase in which she will sing and play more than one song. Wood taught herself how to play the guitar a year ago so she could guarantee her songs would be played exactly how she had written them. Singing mostly country but "dabbling in Christian music as well," Wood expects to play around six songs for the showcase.

"I am hoping the audience will listen to the music I have been practicing for so long and not boo me off stage," Wood said.

The mission of the Barefoot Event Center, Murdock said, is "bridging the gap between the kid that is jamming in his room and the coveted record label. We are the place for musicians to play."

These musicians have heard about the events center by word of mouth from friends or other musicians. They are given 30 minutes to perform their pieces.

The event center, according to Murdock, has tried to step away from the "dirty grunge" atmosphere of most band venues, creating more of a family-friendly feeling.

"When people listen to the musicians here," Murdock said, "they are not being drowned by the loud, unwanted entertainment, but are being uplifted by the wholesome music played."

Because of this atmosphere, people of all ages have come and participated in the center's events.

"We start off the shows really mellow," Murdock said, "it feels like a backyard family concert. There are people hangin' or jammin' even after the show."

If you go:

Barefoot Events Center

Where: 177 W. 300 South Freedom Blvd., Provo

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $5 admission

Info: (888) HEY-UTAH (439-8824), www.myspace.com/bentleymurdock