October 2018 Meeting Recap
Hey songwriters,
Meeting No. 2 at Hambone’s went very well. Most of the songs presented accepted Brian Junker’s (junkerb@gmail.com) challenge to “write a crooked song.” New members, good songs and sharp commentary followed by another solid open stage hosted by Chet Vincent (chet.vincent@gmail.com).
Suggested assignment for the Nov. 6 meeting: Write a song in one week.
CD release
Whether you’re on the the group’s 14th compilation album or not, I hope you’ll join us for the CD release event at the Roots Cellar at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (6300 Fifth Ave, [Shadyside] Pittsburgh 15232. Doors 6 p.m., show 7-10 p.m. $7 for non-performers, free off-street parking. If you’re playing check in onsite as close to 6:30 p.m. as possible. Expect more details later this month. Direct questions to me at jhayes@post-gazette.com.
Featured sets
After Club Cafe the group lost the opportunity to precede the accompanying open stage with a featured set spotlighting a Songwriters Circle member. At Chet’s suggestion we met recently at Mr. Smalls Funhouse in Millvale with AcoustiCafe host Jesse Prentiss to talk about cross-promotion of the two open stages and stage time at Smalls for Circle members.
Beginning in October a member of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle will perform a 20-minute featured set every third Monday in the upstairs Funhouse space (not the Mr. Smalls Theater concert hall). The showcase starts Mon., Oct. 15 with Sue Gartland (suegartland@juno.com). Free, doors open at 6 p.m. — not sure at this writing what time her set starts. Mr. Smalls is in the deconsecrated church at 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale, 15209, 412-821-4447. The featured set pays $20 plus dinner. There are 12 featured sets available per year.
Venture Outdoors gig
Sorry to anyone who had planned to play on the North Shore wharf Oct. 26 but didn’t get word that the Venture Outdoors event was postponed for rain. Our gig has been rescheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 10. We play under a dining canopy and through member Dennis Malley’s (denmalley@gmail.com) PA providing live music for the final meeting and awards ceremony of a summerlong Venture Outdoors fishing program. No pay, free lunch. We set up beside the Allegheny River under the Clemente Bridge in the shadow of PNC Park. If you plan to play please let me know at jhayes@post-gazette.com.
See you soon,
– John
