Open mics have long returned to the Tampa Bay songwriter scene, but Melody Artisans of Crooked Thumb—where songsmiths receive a prompt ahead of the event—is just now getting back to business (prompts throughout the rest of 2019 include waltz songs, songs that say Christmas, and the year end ‘wrap it up songs).
The series, naturally, looks a lot different because of COVID-19, and organizer Joshua Reilly told CL that going forward, every performer is bringing their own microphone. “I’m sanitizing the cables that the performers touch between sets. The tables are adequately spaced. I’m trying to provide the safest place possible for songwriters to come and share their work,” Reilly wrote in an email, adding that he’s bringing the series back because he himself has stopped writing.
“I saw a few stories where some artists were thriving creatively during the “pandemic era,” but overall I noticed a lot more instances where folks like myself had all but shut down in that regard,” Reilly added. “I saw bringing the series (and it’s songwriting prompts) back in December as a way to end 2020 on a creative upturn... and it’s working. Folks that are participating in every one will have five new songs to finish the year strong, and set themselves up to make 2021 the year that they write their best songs yet.”
Melody Artisans of Crooked Thumb w/Joshua Reilly, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. No cover. Crooked Thumb Brewery, Safety Harbor. INFO
For those kind souls wishing to express their gratitude monetarily... Venmo: @Joshua-Reilly-007 PayPal: PayPal.Me/JoshuaReilly351
Posted by Joshua Reilly on Thursday, December 3, 2020
See a list of Tampa Bay’s “Safe & Sound” live music venues here.
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