Gather ‘Round, Hear the Sound

Sunday, March 13, 6:30 p.m., Orcas Community Church

— from Mandy Troxel —

Three songs: one about the Velveteen Rabbit, another about a hootenanny at Pete Seeger’s house, and the third a backyard bathtub shrine to Mother Mary. Amazingly, they all share the same origin, written via the same song prompt given by Jan Krist during a songwriter’s retreat at the Grunewald Guild in Plain, WA.

Please join storyteller songstresses Jan Krist, Emily Ann Peterson and Mandy Troxel for an evening of music on Sunday, March 13 at 6:30 pm at the Community Church. The three will share favorite songs, many of them written while together at the Grunewald Guild, in the Songs-in-the-round format. Expect lots of stories, laughter, and an intriguing peek into the muse.

Jan Krist of Fort Wayne, IN is known for her brilliant songwriting that many who attended the Woodsong Festival on Orcas will recall. Expert guitar chops (including the use of rich open tunings) literate lyrics, and the indescribable ratio between emotion, honesty and humor that makes for a devoted following. Also an accomplished ceramist and painter, Jan is a champion and encourager of artists everywhere, and has led many songwriting retreats at the Grunewald Guild, which is what brought Jan, Emily and Mandy together. (jankrist.net/)

With her roots in Texas & Georgia and her home in Seattle, Emily Ann Peterson spent 17 years with her cello. In 2013, she was diagnosed with an essential tremor in her right hand. Refusing to simply resign to fate and genetics, she expanded her skills to include the piano and songwriting. Peterson’s lyrics dance through melodies founded upon her classical cello upbringing, while also revealing a stealthy adoration of pop and Motown. (emilyannpeterson.com/)

Mandy Troxel of Orcas Island can be found co-leading the beloved “Girls with Ukes” ensemble, offering a solo show of contemplative folk music, or kicking up her heals with her country band “The Bitter Ends.” Mandy describes her music with a dash of self-depricating humor, labeling her genre as “Country Western Pathetica” and “Island Mama Americana”. Fellow musicians are more than willing to sing serious praise to Mandy’s craft. “Mandy Troxel is the real deal.” proclaims veteran songstress Susan Osborne.(mandytroxel.com/)

Show starts at 6:30 pm on March 13th at the Community Church. Donations for the artists will be accepted at the door.