Calling all songwriters! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the stage, you’re invited to join Acoustic Fridays (sponsored by the Visual Art League) for its quarterly Songwriting Challenge. This free event gives singer-songwriters – and listeners! – the chance to experience the courageous and exquisite beauty of original songwriting.

Come to perform:
Each challenge has a designated theme to guide the songwriting process, and this event’s theme is “Sanctuary.” Songwriters are encouraged to be inspired by the theme to write about your safe and peaceful heaven, a comforting place of refuge and rest in a noisy, chaotic world.

Participating songwriters may perform their songs on acoustic instruments (amplified acoustic guitars are OK) or a cappella. We encourage solo performances, but songwriters may have an accompanist, also playing an acoustic instrument. The exception to the acoustic instrument rule is keyboard or electric bass is allowed.

There are no prizes and only two rules: Songs must be written specifically for this challenge and must be debuted at the event. The challenge starts at 7 p.m., though we encourage performers to arrive by 6:45 p.m. to select a performance slot on the sign-up sheet.