PORT TOWNSEND –– The sirens are calling you to a special concert and songwriting forum today.
“Sirens Sing: A Two-Part Collaborative Event on the Art of Songwriting” will offer a songwriting forum from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. before a performance at 7 p.m. at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
Suggested donations in a pay-as-you-can format range from $3 to $15 for the forum and from $5 to $20 for the performance.
After years of collaborating on their music, the four “sirens” — Aba Kiser, who performs as Abakis; Aimee Ringle; Kate Copeland; and Judith-Kate Friedman — will display their talents and encourage audience participation.
“This event is special to me because it brings together my mentors and collaborators to showcase our process and talent in a way that’s interactive,” Kiser said.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this dynamic quartet,” Friedman said, “each of whom has inspired me to be more true to my own voice in my most recent writing and performance.”
Original songs
The four songwriters, who live in New York and Port Townsend, will perform their original songs solo and in concert with each other.
It’s especially unique, they said, to gather four women artists together.
“Though I am aware that many female singer-songwriters exist, I feel constantly inundated with male voices and perspectives within the genre,” Copeland said.
Sunday afternoon’s forum is intended to allow songwriters to come together, discuss inspiration and hone their skills by collaborating with other artists.
“By engaging with others creatively, I am able to expand my own voice as an artist through active dialogue and an intimate knowledge of other people’s music,” Copeland said.
“It involves trust and release of expected outcomes,” Kiser said. “It’s about creating an environment rather than a product.”
Cuts from Abakis’ debut album, “I’m One, Too,” will be featured during the evening concert, and Copeland will sing songs from her upcoming debut.
To reserve a spot or for more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-sirens.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.