Since Caffe Lena first opened its doors in downtown Saratoga Springs more than four decades ago, songwriters have been the staple of the city's music scene and now a new concert series titled "My Favorite Songwriter" will give local residents the opportunity to enjoy their favorite local songwriters as well as national songwriters when Mare, located at 17 Maple Ave, plays host to the concert series set to kick off on Sunday, May 31.
The idea for the songwriter series came from the show's producer Arthur
Gonick who wanted to combine the idea of a house concert - a musical
performance that takes place in a person's home - with that of a
performance venue.
"I wanted to find a place where I could combine the feeling of being in somebody's living room with that of a bar," Gonick said.
While Gonick targeted a few different venues to host the concerts, he ultimately decided on the second floor at Mare because of its homey atmosphere.
"It is very intimate, the acoustics are great and it's perfect for this kind of music," Gonick said.
The series itself will feature a local songwriter who will act as the host of each show. The host/songwriter along with Gonick will then decide on an out-of-town songwriter/headliner for which the host would like to introduce to his/her fans. The host will then open the show and the headliner will perform songs at the end of the first set and a majority of the second set with a possible collaboration between the two musicians at the end of the show.
"This is going to be a great opportunity for local and national artists to meet up, network and get a good pay day," Gonick said.
Gonick, who currently hosts the "Songwriter Showcase" at Gaffeny's on Thursday nights, added that he hopes the series will give the national touring artists more of an incentive to come back and play in the city.
"This will open us up to a level of performer on tour that we probably couldn't have gotten with the budget we are allotted at Gaffney's," Gonick said.
The series will open on Sunday, May 31, with a "Meet the Host" night featuring three of the areas most accomplished musicians in Bob Warren, Jim Gaudet and Tim Wechgelaer. The performance will act as a kick off to the concert series, which will host five other dates that include: Sunday, June 28, Sunday, July 26, Tuesday, Aug. 25, Sunday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 11. While only three of the five hosts have been selected so far, Gonic said he intends to announce the other two during next Sunday's show. Tickets to the show are $15 and can be purchased at Mare or by phone at (518) 583-6955. Admission includes a complementary hors d'oeuvres buffet. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Gonick said after the last performance in October, he will revaluate the series and determine whether or not they will add more shows during the winter months. He is also considering adding another show during track season.
"Who knows where it will end up going, but I think it will offer another dimension of entertainment in Saratoga," Gonick said.
"I wanted to find a place where I could combine the feeling of being in somebody's living room with that of a bar," Gonick said.
While Gonick targeted a few different venues to host the concerts, he ultimately decided on the second floor at Mare because of its homey atmosphere.
"It is very intimate, the acoustics are great and it's perfect for this kind of music," Gonick said.
The series itself will feature a local songwriter who will act as the host of each show. The host/songwriter along with Gonick will then decide on an out-of-town songwriter/headliner for which the host would like to introduce to his/her fans. The host will then open the show and the headliner will perform songs at the end of the first set and a majority of the second set with a possible collaboration between the two musicians at the end of the show.
"This is going to be a great opportunity for local and national artists to meet up, network and get a good pay day," Gonick said.
Gonick, who currently hosts the "Songwriter Showcase" at Gaffeny's on Thursday nights, added that he hopes the series will give the national touring artists more of an incentive to come back and play in the city.
"This will open us up to a level of performer on tour that we probably couldn't have gotten with the budget we are allotted at Gaffney's," Gonick said.
The series will open on Sunday, May 31, with a "Meet the Host" night featuring three of the areas most accomplished musicians in Bob Warren, Jim Gaudet and Tim Wechgelaer. The performance will act as a kick off to the concert series, which will host five other dates that include: Sunday, June 28, Sunday, July 26, Tuesday, Aug. 25, Sunday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 11. While only three of the five hosts have been selected so far, Gonic said he intends to announce the other two during next Sunday's show. Tickets to the show are $15 and can be purchased at Mare or by phone at (518) 583-6955. Admission includes a complementary hors d'oeuvres buffet. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Gonick said after the last performance in October, he will revaluate the series and determine whether or not they will add more shows during the winter months. He is also considering adding another show during track season.
"Who knows where it will end up going, but I think it will offer another dimension of entertainment in Saratoga," Gonick said.
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