The Glendale Star
16
January 27, 2022
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Songwriters Gathering event returns in person BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Glendale Star Staff Writer
A Glendale event filled with history is returning in person this year after going virtual in 2021. The Glendale Main Library will host the Arizona Songwriters Gathering from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. This will be the 26th year of the event, including last year’s virtual gathering. Adult Programming Librarian Ivy Jarvis said she’s excited to hold the event in person again, adding that it’s one of the library’s largest gatherings. Jarvis has helped organize the event for 12 years, arriving at the library a short time after the musical gathering moved there from Encanto Park in Phoenix, where it was held for over a decade. “It’s great to be able to see folks again in person this year, and we’re doing everything we can to make people feel comfortable to attend and making accommodations for those who don’t,” she said. To allow social distancing, more activities will be held outdoors. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the “Diner on Wheels” food truck throughout the day.
Jarvis said the gathering brings people with many interests together. Some want to break into songwriting and connect with other songwriters and are keen to attend the lectures with industry experts and get their songs heard. Other attendees of the free event just love listening to good music, and there will be plenty on offer for those folks. The gathering includes over 50 live music performances in 10-minute blocks throughout the day, as well as an informal round-robin style jam session. The performance schedule culminates with a set by Arizona music legend and Hall of Fame inductee Walt Richardson.
The gathering is a partnership between the library and the Arizona Songwriters Association, co-founded in 1977 by Jon Iger. Iger said he started the association “to help my friends out because I’d had some success in the music business at a young age and learned some things, and I wanted to be able to tell my songwriter friends to watch out for this, watch out for that.” During high school in the ’60s, Iger’s band scored a record contract with Capitol Records. While the band didn’t have a lot of traction, Iger’s career as a songwriter did, and his songs have appeared in films and television shows. In 1996, he co-founded the Arizona Songwriters Gathering with folk singer, songwriter and storyteller Lon Austin. Over the years, the association and
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF LiVE! @ Murphy Park returns to Downtown Glendale with two months of live entertainment in February and March. The entertainment starts at 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, beginning Feb. 3. Each night, a different act takes the stage with a focus on local talent. Chad Freeman and Redline headline with cool country Feb. 12. Soulstice Sound electrified fans during a recent impromptu Jam Session in the
park. They will be back Feb. 11 to mix it up and share the stage with top stand-up comics for comedy night. And Marmalade Skies returns to Glendale with its Beatles tribute in March. The complete schedule is as follows: • December ’63: Frankie Valli Tribute, Thursday, Feb. 3. • Mariachi Pasion: All-female mariachi band, Friday, Feb. 4. • The Sugar Thieves: American roots and blues, Saturday, Feb. 5. • Rhythm of the Sun: Latin variety, Thursday, Feb. 10.
• Comedy Night: Hosted by Savannah Hernandez with featured band Soulstice Sound, Friday, Feb. 11. • Chad Freeman and Redline: Country, Saturday Feb. 12. • Frosty and the Silver Tones: Rock, Thursday, Feb. 17. • Sandra Bassett: Jazz, Motown, R&B, blues, Friday, Feb. 18. • The Troubadour Experience: George Strait tribute, Saturday, Feb. 19. • ZeeCeeKeely: Reggae, Thursday, Feb. 24. • Johnny City Band: Top party hits,
Musicians will showcase their craft at the Arizona Songwriters Gathering. (Photo courtesy of the city of Glendale)
the annual gathering have helped foster a lot of songwriters, some of whom have gone on to write for stars, including George Strait and the Chicks. “It’s been a really good event, helped a lot of people, helped them learn about the business, learn about writing and make a lot of connections,” Iger said. “That’s a big part of the thing, you’ve got to make contact with people that can help you, such as people in the industry that are publishers and producers and successful writers and music supervisors and all the things that go with that.” Jarvis said that many attendees “love the community aspect” of the Songwriters Gathering. “It’s hard to explain the magic,” she said. “You just have to experience it. I meet the people … and they are just so passionate and kind.”
Arizona Songwriters Gathering
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 WHERE: Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale COST: Free INFO: gplsongwriters.weebly.com
Live music returns to Murphy Park in February
Friday, Feb. 25. • Fooz Fighters: Foo Fighters tribute, Saturday, Feb. 26. City officials said patrons should consider pre- or postshow drinking, dining and exploring at local restaurants and shops. Or, grab a craft beer from the tap truck and a quick bite from the curated selection of food trucks. Murphy Park is in Downtown Glendale at 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, with free parking. For more information, visit glendaleaz.com/liveatmurphypark.
