ICSF is THIS WEEK!

The first-ever Iowa City Songwriters Festival is THIS WEEKEND! We're so excited to share this new project with Iowa City, and we hope you can be a part of it in some way. While festival passes are sold out, this festival is built so attendees can choose which events they go to, including headlining performances, the festival conference, community events, and educational experiences. We'd also like to give a special shoutout to Deb Talan, a local artist who is going above and beyond to give attendees an amazing experience. Read the email below to learn about everything she's doing for the festival, and for a breakdown of everything you can still get access to if you didn't get a pass. We hope to see you downtown this weekend!

Festival Headliners:
Jeff Tweedy and Joy Oladokun

If you missed out on getting passes to shows at The James and Trumpet Blossom, don't worry! You can still witness world-class songwriters perform their music at The Englert. The first Iowa City Songwriters Festival allows attendees to choose to buy individual tickets to their favorite headliner and their opener, much like a stand-alone concert at The Englert. Country songwriter Margo Cilker opens for Jeff Tweedy and the festival's Artist-In-Residence Courtney Marie Andrews opens for Joy Oladokun. Tweedy performs on Friday, September 5, and Oladokun follows on Saturday, September 6. Pick your favorite, or come to both shows! 

Are you a songwriter, or are you interested in the art of songwriting? Iowa City Songwriters Festival aims to cultivate a community of songwriters here in Iowa City, and creates a space for artists to meet each other and learn. The festival conference at Iowa Conservatory on September 6 features insightful conversations from festival artists, free musician's earplugs, and an exhibit hall. Tickets are $20, get yours and read more about the conference here. For songwriters looking for a masterclass, our Artist In Residence Courtney Marie Andrews is providing a free workshop at MERGE on Wednesday, September 3. Spots are limited, RSVP now and learn more about the workshop here. 

The Black Angel is the festival's free-admission venue! See local legends like Dave Moore, as well as touring acts like She Returns From War. The Black Angel will have performances every night of the festival. These performances will be the latest on the schedule, so if you're seeing a show at The Englert or The James, you can swing by The Black Angel after the paid performances. Also, check out mars hojilla performing at the Northside district on Saturday, another free festival performance.

Deb Talan is an artist living in Iowa City with an illustrious career, and we are blessed to have her involved in the festival for this inaugural year. She's performing at the sold-out song swap at Trumpet Blossom, and is speaking as part of the City of Songwriters panel at the festival conference. She's coming off of her album release show at The Englert in May. If you enjoyed that performance, come out to get involved in the festival this weekend, whether that be attending educational activities or seeing concerts. We're thankful for Deb, and we can't wait to share the festival with all of you. 

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