Workshops

Songwriter's Tool Box

What it is and how to get there…

The SAW Songwriter’s Toolbox is a monthly songwriting workshop series, held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Lab at Convergence. Convergence's address is 1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria VA, at the intersection with Crestwood Drive. The Lab is a brick building facing Crestwood. It has no address on it, but 1781 Crestwood Drive pinpoints it in Google Maps. Directions: 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 at Convergence is the first building on the left. Map: http://tinyurl.com/5wnz9g.

The Lab at Convergence is a facility that's part of the Convergence Church across the street, but SAW and the Songwriter’s Toolbox are unaffiliated with them or any religious group. The ambiance is secular, and the room is designed for performance. If you have a new email address or would like to be removed from this list, use the buttons below. If you know people who would like to join us, please bring them along or forward this to them, they can add their email below. Everyone is invited!

Pro Songwriting & Performance Workshop!
with Singer Songwriters Celeste Krenz and Sally Barris.

This is a workshop for songwriters who want to take it up a notch. There are songs and then there are “songs”! What makes a song magic? What gives it the mojo to transcend time and space? How do you reach a wider audience and even get to a pro level?
Each student will receive in-depth feedback, a full tool kit of strategies, and new skills that will widely broaden their songwriting horizons. Please plan to share 1 song and bring copies of your lyrics to share with the class.

Here’s a chance for you to:
* Play a song that you’ve written and have it seriously listened to and critiqued.
* Get advice on the art and craft of songwriting.
* Find your own voice and learn how to come into your own as a performer.

Sally Barris is an A-list Nashville songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009.

While her writing credits mightily impress, fans and peers are most captivated by her bright spirit and expressive mountain soprano. Dirty Linen says “Barris knows how to write lyrics that are as forthright as a stream of clear water and how to support them with melodies that share that quality”.

When Sally is not touring solo, she is known as “Sister Waymore” in the power trio; The Waymores with Tom Kimmel and Don Henry. In the last 2 years, the Minnesota native has performed Mountain Stage, New Bedford Summer Fest, The Kerrville Folk Festival and taught at The Swannanoa Gathering. Sally is currently touring with her new cd “Wilder Girl”.

Celeste Krenz has been a touring/ recording artist for the past 18 years releasing 10 albums and crossing genres with her award winning recordings. Throughout her career Celeste charted on Gavin's Americana, college and folk formats. She has taught at Rocky Mtn. Folks Festival Song School, Kerrville Folk Festival, Flatrock, Music In The Mountains and many other national festivals.

Robert Oermann Of Music Row Magazine writes of Krenz, "The purest folk voice I've heard in years, and that little catch in her throat gives it just a touch of hillbilly soul. I was so enchanted that I practically held my breath."

COST: General Public or Walk-ins $55, SAW/WAMA/NSAI Members $50,
LOCATION: The Fab Electric Maid, 268 Carroll Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012
DAY/ TIME: Sunday April 21, 2013 1 - 5 PM

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Song Critique Session

SAW's Song Critique Session is hosted by board member Robert Keelin and takes place on the second Saturday of each month at the Surge Community Church, 1988 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101, from 4 PM to 6 PM. It's free and open to the public, so all are welcome to attend.

The format is simple: bring your completed song or your work-in-progress, along with 10 to 12 copies of your lyrics, and obtain valuable, supportive feedback from fellow songwriters. You are encouraged to bring your instrument and perform your song live; however, a CD player and MP3 docking station will be available for those bringing pre-recorded material. An acoustic piano is also available for use.

Please note: by participating in the Critique, participants acknowledge and agree that they have no legal claim to copyrights on any other participant's music and/or lyrics based on feedback or suggestions they offer, whether such feedback or suggestions be oral, written, or in some other form. All are free, however to seek and form new songwriting partnerships in order to write the next great song!

The Critique will be followed at 7 PM by the long-standing Second Saturday Open Mic.

Questions concerning the Critique may be directed to Robert Keelin at rtkeelin@msn.com.