Usually (but not always) our concerts follow this format:
** A song-circle starts the show. Usually this will be three acts on stage at once, trading off performing their own material. They go around in a circle, playing until they each have done 4 songs. This is a wonderful way for musicians to get to know one another and possibly play or sing spontaneously on each other's material. Audiences love hearing the variety of styles!
** A duo or band often follows the song-circle, performing a set. This can be for 30-45 minutes, depending on our timing.
** The artist-in-residence usually closes the show, playing either with his band, solo, or with other friends sitting in.
NEW Song Challenge...
Each month I offer up a "challenge" for my musical guests -- a challenge to create something new!
As the series name implies, Songwriter Sanctum is meant to be a place where artists can feel safe and nurtured creating and sharing their art. I want them to feel like this is a home for them -- a haven for making music. With that in mind, I'm encouraging the performers each month to write and perform
ONE NEW SONG!
I'll give the songwriters a different theme every time and they can see where it leads them. We have had some real gems presented on our stage as a result of this challenge, and the audience loves hearing pieces performed for the first time. [If you are an artist and wrote a new composition for Songwriter Sanctum, I'd like to feature them on the website. Please contact me with the name of your song and what the challenge theme was. Thanks!]
The NEW Song Theme for our upcoming concert in DECEMBER is: anything holiday-ish!
** Concerts take place at the Church In Ocean Park, 235 Hill St. Santa Monica CA 90405
** Start time: 2:00pm
** Donations of $5-$20 are suggested and highly appreciated (the musicians deserve to get paid!)
** No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
** We provide snacks -- you're encouraged to bring your own potluck contribution to share, as well.
** ARRIVE EARLY so your parking experience won't be stressful.
** Bring quarters in case you need to park in the metered lot.
Does Santa Monica seem far off? It's not! Its ocean views are just a short drive away.
Plan to make a day of it! Arrive in the late morning and visit the S. M. Farmer's Market
on Main St. It's like a mini-festival with crafts, live music, pony rides, and yummy
food to purchase -- try the crepes :-) Then walk the 2 blocks to the Songwriter
Sanctum concert! Enjoy world class music, schmoozing with artists and audience members,
and maybe even take home a CD or two of the performers. Follow it up with a trip down
to the beach, see a movie on the 3rd St. Promenade, or take a walk along the pier.
There are plenty of restaurants, people watching, and activities all in the same area.
DALE LADUKE is our Artist-In-Residence!
Multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Dale LaDuke plays in bands, has a solo career,
teaches music, and hosts a weekly open-mic. His skills accompanying other musicians are
in demand. As the artist-in residence for Songwriter Sanctum, he performs alone or with
his band at the monthly concerts. Dale's songwriting has been recognized numerous
times, including by the Billboard Song Contest, the Hollywood Music in Media Awards,
Independent Singer/Songwriter Awards, and the Los Angeles Music Awards. His much
anticipated CD, The Lone Ranger, is now available! Check out the new video of his tune
favorite songs include "De Los Angeles," "Shine It All Around," "The Lone Ranger," and
"It's About Us." Dale's tunes resonate with people, and often compel them to sing along.
Since I don't own a computer, I can't promise speedy communication. If you need to contact me, please be patient. And gently persistent. If you'd like to be added to the mailing list for Songwriter Sanctum, this is the best way to let me know, for now.
purpleDCconcerts "AT" yahoo dot com
Here is a longer list of who our versatile artists sound like:
James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Tuck & Patti, John Hiatt, Cat Stevens, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Crowded House, Jill Sobule, Mary Chapin Carpenter, U2, David Wilcox, Elton John, Melissa Ethridge, Indigo Girls, Loggins and Messina, Pete Seeger, Nanci Griffith, Steve Winwood, John Denver, Shawn Colvin, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joel, Patty Griffin, Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, Jackson Browne, CSN, John Prine, Don McLean, Emmylou Harris, Dan Bern, Joan Baez, The Eagles, Holly Near, Stevie Nicks, The Beatles, Lucinda Williams, Don Henley, Phoebe Snow, Bob Marley, Carole King, The Limelighters... and many more to be added as I think of them.
~ See other pages for more info on Concert Dates and Artists ~
