The Pomona Music Collective are inviting music lovers to join them for ‘Songwriters in the Round’- an evening of songs and stories that may well make you laugh, cry and dance but will guarantee you leave with a heart full of appreciation for the craft that is song making.
This fantastic night of live music will showcase a line-up of wonderful local talent with the songwriter’s round being hosted by award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist, Alan Kelly.
The Dublin-born folk performer who now calls the Sunshine Coast home, will be joined onstage by musicians Clare Quinn, TobiAs and Lilliahna Rogers, for an intimate performance of original songs and followed by a toe-tapping concert by Celtic band, the Barleyshakes Trio.
Fronted by Kelly, the Barleyshakes are adored throughout Australia and beyond for their ‘bent’ Irish sound and their trio formation is no exception, delivering their lively dance tunes and haunting Celtic ballads.
Fusing fresh material with tradition, the musicians are renowned for taking their audience on a ‘joy-filled ride’.
The opening songwriter’s round is a special experience for the artists and audience alike to engage with the songwriting process and hear from each artist as they share their experiences and the stories behind their songs.
Kelly says the February 24 event is destined to be a clear highlight in the local arts scene.
“An ‘in the round’ show brings out the very best in songwriters, and they get to share their finest songs and stories in a classic old, timber hall,” Kelly said.
The show will be held in the Pomona Memorial School of Arts hall and is supported by the Pomona and District Community House with funding from the Regional Art’s Fund through Queensland’s Flying Arts Alliance.
Organised by the Pomona Music Collective, the event aims to develop audiences and broaden community engagement with the arts at the same time as contributing to cultivating a thriving arts culture in Pomona and the surrounding district.
Pomona Music Collective member, Kate Marian Rose, says the Collective are committed to curating unique musical experiences for the community to enjoy and be uplifted by, at the same time as showcasing the seasoned professional and emerging professional performers from Pomona, the wider Noosa district and the neighbouring Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
“Storytelling and music brings people together and events like this have the potential to highlight individual and cultural diversity. Our local halls are fantastic venues for social gatherings that have live music as the drawcard”, she said.
“We are very grateful to have the backing of the Pomona and District Community House and the Pomona Memorial Hall committee, and we are thrilled to be Australian Government Regional Arts Fund recipients”.
Alan Kelly is no stranger to Pomona’s town hall and says it has been a magical home for many community gatherings down the years:
“I’ve written a song especially for this event I’m particularly proud of called “The Best of Intentions’, and my band the Barleyshakes are excited to be closing the show”.
This will be the second offering from the newly formed Pomona Music Collective whose inaugural Songwriter in the Round in October 2023, was headlined by Hat Fitz and Cara to a sold-out audience.
Tickets for the Saturday 24 February Show ‘Pomona Music Collective Presents Songwriters in the Round are available online through Humanitix at events.humanitix.com/songwriters-in-the-round
