Singers in the Round is a collaborative experiment to connect artists and venues across Michigan. The March tour features Cole Hansen, Mark Jewett, Sylver King, & Julia Pagac.
Doors open 6:30 and performances start at 7pm. In addition to our craft beer, coffee and wine selection, our kitchen will be open serving our full dinner menu until 9pm! Get here early to snag your favorite seat and grab a bite to eat before the show begins.
Save money by getting your tickets online in advance. Tickets available at thestraycafe.ticketleap.com.
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Cole Hansen is a singer/songwriter and vocal powerhouse from Grand Rapids, MI. Cole has been writing and performing for over 2 decades. She was brought up on a strange mix of gospel, classic country, folk, blues, and obscure rock. It’s hard to assign a genre to Cole’s music because she writes and performs with the goal of serving the raw emotion. Seeing Cole perform feels like having a great therapy session with a familiar friend. “You’ll laugh, cry, and leave feeling better about yourself.”
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Mark Jewett is an insightful Michigan storyteller who writes songs that push the boundaries of Americana into an uncommon blend of folk, rock, blues, and prog rock. Listeners can hear and feel his honesty, gratitude, and introspective thoughts, with interjections of humor and drama to vary the pace.
His songs betray the effort he makes to find just the right words, taking cues from the likes of Jason Isbell, Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, and JD Souther. Sonically, his tunes span the space between classic folk and epic soundscapes you might expect to hear from Pink Floyd. Somehow, it all fits together to provide an intriguing, self-contained variety show.
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Sylver King is a Michigan made dynamic multi genre singer -songwriter who knew from a young age, music was her calling. Upon moving to Nashville at 19, she began pursuing her dream of being a recording artist. Her stage presence is powerful , along with her strong, raspy and sultry vocals bringing to life the message of the beauty of turning pain into power- with the goal of showing that human connection is key & faith keeps us all steady. “ I just knew I had to share these messages to help others feel understood, we all deserve to be known for who we TRULY are “, says Sylver!
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Julia Rose Pagac is a metro-Detroit based musician that plays and sings every note passionately with her heart. Heavily inspired by funk, rock, blues and indie music, her originals are unique in sound and sure to make your soul feel something. Julia feels music is her life purpose and she is happy to share her sound anywhere and everywhere for those who wish to hear it.
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About this State-wide series:
In an exciting development for music enthusiasts across Michigan, Broken Blanket, in collaboration with Sounds of the Zoo and Crooked Tree Creative, and Verona Music, has announced the expansion of their popular series, "Singers in the Round." This expansion brings the series to two additional Michigan cities: Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, along with an ongoing presence in Detroit.
The series will showcase at iconic venues in each city: Aretha's Jazz Cafe in Detroit, The Clover Room in Kalamazoo, and The Stray in Grand Rapids. Significantly, the Detroit show will be live streamed across various platforms including social media, YouTube, and SonicCoast.com, one of the proud partners in this venture.
This cross-state collaboration aims to bridge the musical talents from different regions of Michigan. The Detroit event will feature an equal mix of singer-songwriters from the West Side and the East Side, embodying the spirit of collaboration and unity in the music community. The goal is to foster increased collaboration among artists and to build a robust network that supports and promotes local talent.
"Singers in the Round" is not just a series of concerts; it's a movement towards creating a connected, vibrant musical community. These shows will take the form of monthly mini-tours, offering a regular platform for artists to showcase their talents and for audiences to experience the rich diversity of Michigan's music scene. Singers in the Round is a captivating and innovative “In The Round” style songwriter showcase that has been streaming live on YouTube and Facebook for the past six years. Showcasing 4-5 songwriters a month, this unique platform has been a beacon of creativity and resilience, continuing to shine even amidst the global pandemic. It has served as a virtual stage for over 200+ songwriters from across the United States, providing them with an opportunity to share their original compositions with a worldwide audience.
The Detroit shows are expertly hosted by the dynamic duo of Matt Kysia and Yorg Kerasiotis, who bring their own unique energy and passion to the proceedings. Their camaraderie and genuine love for music add a layer of warmth and authenticity to the show, making it a must-watch for music enthusiasts. For the Grand Rapids shows, Elle Lively of Crooked Tree Creative will be hosting and in Kalamazoo, Jennfier Hudson-Prenkert of Sounds of the Zoo.
Singers in the Round is more than just a livestream show; it is a celebration of the art of songwriting using the “Nashville Songwriters Round” as a template. Each episode is a journey into the heart and soul of the 4-5 featured artists, as they share not just their music, but their stories, inspirations, and the creative process behind their work. The show's format, which places the songwriters in a round, fosters a sense of intimacy and connection. It's as if the audience is invited into a private jam session, where they can witness the magic of music creation firsthand. This unique setup allows for a deeper appreciation of the craft, as viewers get to see the raw talent and emotion that goes into each song.