Welcome to The Songwriter Soiree
What began in 2009 as a monthly living room potluck, has turned into one of the largest communities of songwriters and lovers of music in the Pacific Northwest! The Songwriter Soiree is Portland’s longest running underground monthly music event; a special open mic style evening for anyone and everyone!
The Songwriter Soiree celebrates the craft of songwriting and the art of performing original songs. Our mission is to support songwriters of all skill levels and genres, create an inspiring and supportive community, and provide a safe space where individuals can express themselves through music and storytelling.
We emphasize the act of sharing vs performing. The audience will be THE best you’ve ever had! Play a song, just listen, make new friends, relax, get inspired!
Seasonal Locations:
During the summer months (July-Sept) The Songwriter Soiree is OUTSIDE at Alberta Park. All other times of the year, it is indoors at the Village Ballroom. This allows some variety between indoor and outdoor space.
“The Songwriter Soiree is music church for me.
I’m inspired every time by the vulnerability musicians embody.
Thank you Robin for creating a cocoon that feels untouched by the outside world. Songwriter Soiree is the medicine we all need right now!“
– Uma T
Next Songwriter Soiree
Thursday, December 14th
Songwriter Soiree 125: Community!
When: 6pm – 11pm
Where: Village Ballroom
RSVP and get more info on the FACEBOOK EVENT
Welcome to the Songwriter Soiree!
Join us for this special cozy edition of Portland’s most connected home grown style music event in the Village Ballroom!
Winter is here and this month’s theme is: Community!
This is a time or gathering and supporting one another as well as internal reflection. What are you reflecting on? How do you connect with others? What does community mean to you? What part does music play in this for you?
Click the link below to purchase a ticket to attend. Tickets are $15 pre sale. We offer a sliding scale of $10-20 at the door suggested, and no one turned away. Buying in advance ensures your spot and gives you priority for signing up to play. Please note that online sign ups will close after 25 people have signed up. After that point, you will have to sign up in person and you’ll be put in a raffle for your time slot. It also helps as gauge how many to set up for. Thank you for your support!
How It Works
The Soiree is an open mic for original music. Every song played MUST be original and played by the writer. Each person gets up to 5 minutes to present.
1) To Sign up to Play
All performers sign up online or at the event. Online sign ups will be taken in order received and the list will be made based on your requested time preference.Please note that online sign ups will close after 25 people have signed up. After that point, you will have to sign up in person and you’ll be put in a raffle for your time slot. To increase the possibility of playing in your desired timeframe, please show up between 6-6:30pm
For in person sign ups, we will have two sign up periods (first and second half). When check in at the desk, sign up and your name will be put in a random drawing for list order for the first OR second half (10-15 people per half). Sign up will begin at 30 min before start time for the first half so get there on time to sign up!
Please note that we often have more people who want to play than space, so sign ups are on a first come basis online and drawing for in person. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
We provide a piano, house guitar, and mics.
2) Volunteer
We need your help to run this event! Positions include 1-2 hour door shifts, set up and clean up.
If you’d like to volunteer, please message us or comment on the event page.
3)Guidelines
- This is a listening party, not a rager. Come with the intention of listening and keep talking to a minimum in the music space.
- This is a mostly acoustic sharing space for ease of transitions. If you wish to use electronic elements (synth/loop pedals, amps) please contact us before coming so we can clear it first.
- Please keep your total stage time to under 5 minutes
- Please invite friends personally you wish to attend!
4) Support the Soiree!
If you love being a part of this event and want to see it continue, please show your support and consider paying more than the door charge. It takes a lot of energy to produce the soiree and your support means so much! 100% of all net profits are donated to our scholarship fund to help make our events accessible to those in need.
Buy one of our amazing NW Songwriter Soiree Retreat T-shirts! These shirts are awesome fitting and tell the world you’re a bad ass! Price includes shipping to anywhere in the USA.
We invite you to come relax, make new friends, get inspired, and enjoy this magical night ahead of us. See you soon!
Thank you so much and see you at the soiree!
NW Songwriter Soiree T-shirt
Stay Connected
Join our Facebook Group Page and connect with others in the community and get notifications on the next event!
The BEST way to know of the next soiree is to sign up for our email list, located in the footer.
Join our monthly reminder TEXT LIST by texting “MUSIC” to 33222
Safer Space Policy
We recognize that oppression is real and that some of us reap unequal benefits from a legacy of privilege. We believe that anytime people gather and hold space, it is a powerful opportunity to acknowledge and shift the ways oppressive systems harm and disconnect us from ourselves, from each other, and from the earth. We see it as a necessity in order for growth and transformation to take place.
We recognize that there are people in bodies which are marginalized. We aspire to co-create a space that is as safe as possible for all people, with the understanding that a fully safe space is impossible in our world. People of all races, sizes, ages, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, trauma backgrounds, and religions are welcome. Intentional words and actions that promote racism, misogyny, hatred, bigotry, supremacy, sizeism, transphobia, ageism, or divisiveness will not be tolerated and will constitute expulsion from the soiree.
A note on ADA accessibility:
Q: Is the ballroom ADA accessible?
A: Due to the historic nature of the building and the ballroom being on the second story, the entrance is not directly ADA accessible. The entrance to the ballroom has a couple of stairs, a walkway, and then more stairs. Once in the ballroom, all doorways are wide enough for ADA accessibility.
We can assist with helping you get up the stairs (there are roughly 5) if you are comfortable with that.
