What we’re about
Verbal tradition holds that Songmakers was started in the late 1940's as an informal jamming group. A 1963 newsletter reported the club was formally launched in 1953 as a "workshop" for songwriters. Since then it has evolved into a mutual support and social group for songwriters, musicians and singers wanting to improve their craft, meet like-minded folks, play lots of music together, and generally have a lot of FUN! Songmakers was incorporated in the '60s as a non-profit organization with a set of by-laws, a board of directors, and a more formal organizational structure. However, we don't let that interfere with our FUN! Songmakers is somewhat like a folk music club, except that we welcome and embrace a more eclectic mix of musical genres and styles, including country, oldies, bluegrass, gospel, blues, humorous songs, and of course folk. The only common thread is that most (but not all) of what we do is acoustic and FUN! Hoots, Song Circles, and musical camping weekends are our main activities. A Hoot is a Songmakers sanctioned, formal get-together, usually at a private home, attended by from 8 to 50 people. Everyone gets one or more turns at which time they may either Perform a song, Lead a sing-along song, request a song or performance by someone else, or simply "Pass." Song circles are similar but informal, and often held in public venues such as restaurants. Songmakers hosts about 20 Hoots or song circles per month in locations from Orange County to Ventura County. We have a Summer picnic, a February "RoundUp" (concert and election meeting) and 4-6 music camping weekends every year. We currently have about 300 members, mostly musicians ranging from beginning to professional, but also just plain folks that love to hear acoustic music. We joined the MeetUp social network to spread the word! MeetUp members will receive a free month of Songmakers membership according to our current rules. After a month, we hope they will want to stay, and pay our incredibly inexpensive annual dues of $10 per household - the best entertainment deal in Southern California! Some of our events will be listed on MeetUp, and the full calendar can be accessed through our website: Songmakers.org.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Woodland Hills In-person Song CircleNeeds location
Apr 27th – 4th Saturday 5:30-9pm: LIVE Woodland Hills Potluck and Song Circle. Alan Stillson astillson13@gmail.com is inviting you to attend this in-person event. The address is 5515 Keokuk Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367. It’s close to the Ventura Freeway and Winnetka Ave. The landline telephone number is 818/884-4284. Co-leaders are Linnea Richards and Alan Stillson. All musical instruments are welcome. It will be held in compliance with the rules adopted by the Songmakers board of directors for in-person gatherings. Attendance requires a reservation via Meet-up or direct contact with host. The maximum number of attendees is 15 (couples = two attendees). The gathering is indoors. There is a full-size keyboard in the room. Bring a Potluck item to share. The host will provide non-alcoholic beverages.
