4200 Wisconsin Ave, NW PMB 106-137
Washington, D.C. 20016
(301) 654-8434

Sponsored in part by

SAW Song Xchange

The Song Xchange is a monthly songwriting workshop series, held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

The idea is to bring a song-in-the-works to share with the group for constructive criticism. You can play your song live (a piano is available, and there are always guitars around), or bring a CD or tape to play on our boom box. You're encouraged to bring lyric sheets to distribute, too,
which will be returned with comments in the margins. Even if you get substantial co-writer-quality input on your song from the group, the copyright remains exclusively yours.

Please come join us whether you have a song to share or not, everyone is invited!

Each month a Guest Artist hosts the first hour of the Xchange (see the SAW Calendar to see who the guest artist will be). The guest can lead a discussion about the songwriting process, offer a lesson, or actually write a song on the spot. Guest artists usually play three or four songs during their portion of the Xchange, and then help critique your songs-in-progress. There is no fee, but we pass a tip jar around for the Guest Artist.

The coordinators for the Xchange are Dan Grove and Paige Powell. For more info, call Paige at 703-671-4131 or 571-242-0716. If you'd like to be added to the email list announcing Guest Artists, drop a note to Dan at SongXchange@comcast.net.

Directions: The Xchange is in The Lab at Convergence, 1819 Crestwood Drive, Alexandria VA. Take the Shirlington exit off of I-395 and follow the signs to Quaker Lane, then take the second left on Crestwood Drive. The Lab is the first building on the left, with the entrance facing Crestwood Drive. Map: http://tinyurl.com/5wnz9g

Workshops

PRESS KITS - Promoting yourself "accurately and awesomely" through your press kit
www.pixidesign.net
www.ruthieandthewranglers.com

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009 (11:00am - 2:00pm)
Place: Lab at Convergence, 1819 Crestwood Drive, Alexandria VA
Price: $30

Hosted by Ruthie Logsdon, graphic designer and partner in pixidesign specializing in promotion for the independent artist. Ruthie is lead singer and songwriter for Azalea City Recording Artists Ruthie and the Wranglers and has over 20 years of do-it-yourself promotion and design experience.

Whether you are starting your press kit from scratch or just want some feedback on your current promotional package, you will learn how to recognize and highlight your most important accolades and represent your best self. Get tips on how to help your press kit go from typical to tremendous with a few minor adjustments. See examples of other marketing ideas that won't break the bank!

Discussion Topics
How to get a great photo, what to include in a kit, how to create a bio and how to stand out among other artists.

The workshop will include a press kit presentation, lively discussion, critique session (bring your presskits for feedback) and Q and A.

SONGWRITING WORKSHOP with GRAMMY WINNERS CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009 (10:00am - 2:00pm)
Place: Lab at Convergence, 1819 Crestwood Drive, Alexandria VA
Price $50 only 50 seats available
www.cathymarcy.com

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer will lead 2 concurrent sessions from 10-12pm, followed by a lunch break. They will then do a session together from 12:30-2pm.

Bring paper and writing implements for “in workshop” exercises.

Cathy’s session will focus on 3 topics:
1) The elements of a great song
2) Songwriting practice and exercises
3) The intention behind your songs-who/what are you writing for and how does that influence your approach.

Marcy’s Session will focus on 3 topics:
1) Tools of rhyme and poetry
2) Writing with a specific purpose or theme
3) Inspiration: where and how it meets art & craft

The session with Cathy & Marcy together will cover co-writing, editing yourself, and getting help from others in editing.

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer have been nominated 13 consecutive times for GRAMMY Awards in folk and children’s music. They have won 2 GRAMMY Awards for the original CD “Bon Appétit!: Musical Food Fun and “cELLAbration: a Tribute to Ella Jenkins”. Their song “Scat Like That” took first place in both the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the ISC (children’s music). Cathy’s song “Names” placed first in the Mid Atlantic Songwriting Contests “Folk” category. They collectively have nearly 50 WAMMY Awards. www.cathymarcy.com

"Dreaming the Song"
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Place: Lab at Convergence, 1819 Crestwood Drive, Alexandria VA
Presented by Pete and Maura Kennedy
www.kennedysmusic.com

The Kennedys latest CD is entitled "Better Dreams", a project inspired by their dreams. In this workshop, they will show you how to harvest ideas from the rich crop of imagery that flows freely while you're dreaming. Lucid dreaming, keeping a dream journal, and turning the notes in your journal into songs are all techniques that will be explored. Over ten CDs, Pete and Maura have mined their vein of songwriting creativity, and now they will share their process with you.