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, June 15th
Songwriter Soiree 121!
When: 6pm – 11pm
Where: Alberta Park 1905 Northeast Killingsworth Street
RSVP and get more info on the FACEBOOK EVENT
For our special outdoor soirees, we are collaborating with Heartbeat Silent Disco and using their headphones system. All performers will play LIVE into mics in front of the audience. The sound will be broadcast into special headphones which are included in your ticket.
Audience members will be able to listen with full attention to the music, while keeping a safe distance in their pod or alone. Another benefit of headphones is that it allows for full focus on the music without the aural distraction of outside noise from a park. Win-Win!
Bring a blanket for you and your pod so you can keep a safe distance from others while enjoying the music. Heartbeat Headphones are noise canceling and offer personalized volume control so you can hear the music as if you are in the front row no matter where you are in the park.
You must have a Valid Drivers License or ID to check out a pair of Headphones
Welcome to the Songwriter Soiree!
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. 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 at the event only. We will have two sign up periods (first and second half). When you register for headphones, 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!
We provide a piano and house guitar. Both will be sanitized after each use, as will the microphone. We also encourage performers to bring their own 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.
