Songwriters' Circle At Sherbrooke Village

Visitors to Sherbrooke Village Musuem will be able to learn more about writing songs and enjoy an evening of music at an event called Songwriting, a Labour of Love? on Monday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

The songwriters' circle will kick off the Monday concert series and be led by two-time Juno nominee Susan Crowe. Ms. Crowe has received the Music Nova Scotia Female Artist of the Year award and is a 2005 ECMA nominee.

Other artists include 2006 ECMA nominees Meaghan Smith of Halifax and Jason MacDonald of Glace Bay. Guysborough County artists Steve Wright and Alanna Hayne will also perform. Mr. Wright performed at the 2006 Stan Rogers Folk Festival and Ms. Hayne's song Highway to Glory was the title song for the most recent Stanfest gospel show.

The event will be hosted by Sherbrooke Village's George Brothers, who will also perform some of his own work.

"We felt that Sherbrooke was an ideal place to host such an event, not only because of the great acoustics of the courthouse, but because of the songwriting connections we have made over the years, largely through partnerships with the Stan Rogers Folk Festival," said Mr. Brothers.

"Through those Stanfest connections we have been able to bring in great writers such as Valdy, JP Cormier, Ron Hynes, Lennie Gallant, Terry Kelly, John Gracie, and Dave Gunning. We've had some great songwriting events here in the past, this year's event promises to continue that great tradition."

Topics for discussion include: how songs are written; the process of writing; is writing a labour of love? and; is songwriting a gift, a craft, or both?

In addition to performing their own material, each writer will be encouraged to share a song by a writer whose work they admire.

Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the St. Mary's Food Bank.