You already know Rachael Kilgour is returning to SongSpace September 30, with special guest Pittsburgh blues and ballads songwriter Eve Goodman, to celebrate her haunting and beautiful new album My Father Loved Me. But coming up prior to the show are two great chances to learn more about Rachael in interviews on local radio!
On Wednesday Sept 20 just after 11:15am, Rachael will chat with “Mando” Richard Gordon on Whiskey Before Breakfast, WRCT, 88.3 FM Pittsburgh & www.wrct.org. They’ll talk about SongSpace, songwriting, the new album, and so much more… And if you miss it, staring later Wednesday afternoon you can re-play it from www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard!
Then on Saturday Sept 23 (one week before the show!) at 8:35 am Rachael will be chatting with Larry Berger on the Saturday Light Brigade also at WRCT, 88.3 FM Pittsburgh & www.wrct.org, or using one of the many links at the bottom of https://slbradio.org/radio/.
And, of course, come see Rachael and Eve on Saturday September 30, 7:30pm! It’s a show you won’t want to miss!
Rachel Kilgour with special guest Eve Goodman Saturday Sept 30, 2023 Doors 7:00pm Show 7:30pm General: $15 advance / $20 door Student: $10 advance / $15 door Or Pay what you Can – support live music in Pittsburgh at a level you can afford!
SongSpace at First Unitarian First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside 605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213. All ages; wheelchair accessible. For more information: 412.621.8008, uusongspace@gmail.com or uusongspace.com.
Rachael Kilgour with special guest Eve Goodman – Saturday September 30, 2023, 7:30pm
Rachael Kilgourreturns to SongSpace! Rachael is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. The 2015 grand prize winner of the NewSong Music Competition and a winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest, she has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Her forthcoming album, written in memory of her late father and produced by Rose Cousins, will be released in September of 2023. Her oft-noted “unapologetic lyrics” (Rolling Stone) and “master crafted indie folk” sensibilities (Billboard) are on full display in this latest collection of songs.
Hailing from Boston, MA by way of Nashville, TN, Eve Goodman has made Pittsburgh her home since 2001. With four CDs in her collection, in 2022 she started a new video project “Pittsburgh Songscapes” with Bridget McKenna on video production and Christopher Mark Jones on audio production. Performing original material in different Pittsburgh neighborhoods, you can view the finished pieces on youtube at Eve Goodman Music. Check out the Behind the Scenes.
Christopher Mark Jones with special guest Alex Meleshenko – Saturday November 4, 2023, 7:30pm
Christopher Mark Jones draws from folk, country, blues, jazz and R ’n’ B sources to stage his literate folk rock meditations. Using diverse points-of-view to narrate and critique life and love in uncertain times, he invites listeners to think, feel and dance. Recorded and live arrangements leave space for his musical co-conspirators to both express their personalities and honor the host creation. Listeners hear echoes of “Greg Brown’s pacing and a Lyle Lovett attitude” (Ben Shannon), as well as of John Prine, Bruce Coburn and Darrell Scott. Looking for the Light (2021) is his sixth recording of original folk/roots songs, while Montréal Encore (2022) is a French-language recording created in collaboration with the poet Bernard Pozier.
Alex Meleshenko is one of Pittsburgh’s most wonderful and best-kept secrets. Alex plays amazing instrumental pieces on guitar, ranging from Augustin Barrios and Miguel Llobet to Jerry Reed, Leo Kottke and more. If that weren’t enough, Alex is an outstanding luthier, creating custom-built 6-, 12- and nylon-string guitars that are treasured by players and listeners alike. As a performer, Alex’s goal is to send you to a peaceful place for a time of quiet reflection.
An evening with Bertha and the Belles – Saturday January 27, 2024, 7:30pm
Bertha and the Belles brings together four of the finest Country, Swing, Folk, and Old-time players in Pittsburgh. The band features the powerful singing of Pam Hawley, the remarkable fiddling of Alice Backer, the lovely, rootsy vocals of Annie Trimble, AND some of the best duet and trio vocal harmony around. In addition, the powerful rhythm section of Annie’s guitar, Pam’s banjo uke, and “Bertha” — Richard Gordon’s bass — provides a solid backdrop for an exciting mixture of country, swing, spiritual, old -time and other folk music. Your toes will be tappin’ and your fingers will be snappin’!
Songwriters’ Showcase with Liz McBride – Saturday March 23, 2024, 7:30pm
In March we bring together four of the freshest singer-songwriter voices in Pittsburgh. Liz McBride will share music and conversation with Lenni Green, Louie Castle and Ol’ Whitetail:
Liz McBride has been playing guitar since she was 7 and is predominantly self-taught. She has built her skills and her audience through the creation of web content and has released 9 albums. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Liz has been living and performing in Pittsburgh since she moved here in 2016 to attend Duquesne University. She graduated with her masters and has been working as an outpatient therapist since 2018. In addition to her beautiful and insightful songwriting, Liz gives new life to music you know and love with her own unique arrangements.
Lenni Green is a Multi-genre / Multi-instrumental / Composer / Songwriter / Producer. Originally on the track to receive a Master’s degree in classical clarinet, Lenni Green has since taken her musical endeavors on a completely independent creative path, wearing many hats as a multi-instrumental, multi-genre songwriter, composer, producer, performer, and teacher.
Louie Castle returns to SongSpace with a blend of Latin roots, psychedelic rock, rap, gospel and freestyling, with a little jazz and soul thrown in for good measure. He’s played everywhere from The Saturday Light Brigade community radio show to The Abbey in Lawrenceville and The Rocks Landing Bar & Grille in McKeesport, the Sleeping Octopus Art Jam, and more.
We’re also very pleased to welcome Ol Whitetail bacjk to SongSpace. Ol’ Whitetail is a singer-songwriter who grew up in rural northern Appalachia and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She uses literary devices and elements of visual design to create cinematic folk songs with hints of country blues, ragtime, and jazz. Her lyrics are inspired by philosophy, magic realism, activism, and nature. Her style of guitar playing is a variation on the Piedmont blues, inspired by Etta Baker.
An evening with Peter Mulvey – Saturday May 4, 2024, 7:30pm
We’re thrilled about the return of Peter Mulvey to SongSpace! Peter Mulvey has been a songwriter, road-dog, raconteur, and almost-poet since before he can remember. In 1989 he spent a year in Ireland, busking on the streets of Dublin and hitchhiking to whatever gigs he could find. Back stateside, he spent a couple years gigging through the bars of his native Midwest before taking off for Boston, where he returned to subway busking and coffeehouses. Small shows led to larger shows, which eventually led to regional and then national touring. The wheels have not stopped since. Twenty albums, one illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, a decades-long association with the National Youth Science Camp, opening tours and gigs for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle, emceeing festivals, hosting his own Lamplighter Sessions for years in Boston and in Wisconsin… he has built his life’s work on collaboration, on an instinct for the eclectic and the vital.
We had a wonderful evening with The Early Mays and Ol’ Whitetail on June 25. The performers and the music were magical, and the audience was large and enthusiastic!
And of course you can always catch the recording later on Neighborhood Voices!
Phat Man Dee will be performing at SongSpace — in person and online! — Saturday January 22 at 7:30pm, with pianist Victor Garzotto, drummer Dennis Garner, and saxophonist Tony Campbell!
$20 advance or online (see below) $25 at the door (in person) $10 less for students and restricted income $75 Pre-show online, zoom only, meet and greet with Phat Man Dee at 7 pm!
Phat Man Dee Saturday January 22, 7:30pm SongSpace at First Unitarian In Person and Online
Phat Man Dee is thrilled to be joining the SongSpace series! She shall sing with pianist Victor Garzotto, drummer Dennis Garner, and saxophonist Tony Campbell!
This concert shall be in person and online!
$20 advance or online (see below) $25 at the door (in person) $10 less for students and restricted income $75 Pre-show online, zoom only, meet and greet with Phat Man Dee at 7 pm!
We had a great evening with the jazz of the Alex Hamburger Quartet. Many of the songs were from their new CD, “And She Spoke”, and there were also old standards and newly-written songs–one so new that it didn’t have a title yet! Here are a few pictures from the show…
José Luiz Martins on electric piano, synthesizer and the grand pianoAlex on vocals and flute (and effects!), Tyrone Allen on bass, and Chase Kuesel on drumsThe whole band!Alex Hamburger
We don’t often get to crow about the fantastic volunteers and other helpers and supporters that make SongSpace possible. Here are some pictures of some of them, as they made our return to concerts in the sanctuary a reality!
Our intrepid ticket takers!Kensie, keeping the building safe.Organizers and greeters!
Alex Hamburger visits SongSpace at First Unitarian to celebrate the release of her new CD, “And She Spoke”!
Listen to her music and her journey in an interview with WRCT’s Richard Gordon, from growing up around live jazz and jamming with her dad, through classical music, modern interpretations of everyone from Joe Henderson to Mary Lou Williams, Brazilian improvisation, and connections between jazz and poetry, with poets as diverse as Maya Angelou, Paraguayan activist and teacher Ana Maria R. Codas, and Sylvia Plath, in honoring and paying forward the profound and important voices of women.
This promises to be a very special night. See you there!
Alex Hamburger Quartet 7:30pm / Doors 7:00pm SongSpace at First Unitarian 605 Morewood Ave (Shadyside)
$20 advance, songspace.brownpapertickets.com $25 at the door $10 off for students/reduced income.
We require masks, vaccination cards and contact information (e.g. email), in case contact tracing becomes necessary.
