Welcome to The Songwriter Soiree
Portland’s longest-running open mic-style music event and community, celebrating original songs and the power of individuality.
Don’t forget to join the next Soiree on Facebook to receive important notifications and connect with attendees!
Songwriting is a deeply personal venture that can sometimes feel isolating, but when we come together to connect with others and share in our passion, it can be incredibly healing.
If you’re looking for a safer space to build momentum for your music, find an inspiring community, and feel more alive when it comes to sharing your original expressions with the world, you’ve come to the right place.
For more than 15 years, The Monthly Songwriter Soiree has celebrated the craft of songwriting and the art of performing original songs. We create a nurturing environment to help you fuel your inner confidence and expand your creative impact.
Sharing and performing your original works doesn’t happen in front of just any audience. The Monthly Songwriter Soiree is a fiercely loving community designed to uplift and inspire you to continue the craft you love, for the people that love it.
Get ready to share in front of the best audience you’ve ever had!
“The Songwriter Soiree is music church for me.
I’m inspired every time by the vulnerability musicians embody.
Thank you Robin for creating a cocoon that feels untouched by the outside world. Songwriter Soiree is the medicine we all need right now!“
– Uma T
Next Songwriter Soiree:
Wednesday, August 26th
Songwriter Soiree 149: Pulse!
When: 6 – 11pm
Where: Alberta Park, Portland
RSVP and get more info on the FACEBOOK EVENT
This month’s theme is: Pulse!
What are you keeping a pulse on?
Welcome to the Songwriter Soiree!
Join us for this special cozy edition of Portland’s most connected home grown style music event!
The Songwriter Soiree is a 17+ year running musical community which started in a Portland Living room, and now has reaches across the world.
Our mission is to support songwriters of all skill levels and genres, create an inspiring and supportive community, and provide a safe space where individuals can express themselves through music and storytelling. Over 4500 songwriters have played since we began in 2009. Wow!
Join us for this very special soiree as we celebrate coming together in music, connection and belonging!
For our special outdoor soirees, we are collaborating with Heartbeat Silent Disco and using their headphones system. All performers will play LIVE into mics in front of the audience. The sound will be broadcast into special headphones which are included in your ticket.
Bring a blanket (and jackets for the night!) for you and your crew so you can get cozy and hangout enjoying the music. Heartbeat Headphones are noise canceling and offer personalized volume control so you can hear the music as if you are in the front row no matter where you are in the park.
You must have a Valid Drivers License or ID to check out a pair of Headphones
Find out more about Heartbeat Silent Disco events
Seasonal Locations:
During the summer months (July-Sept) The Songwriter Soiree is OUTSIDE at Alberta Park. All other times of the year, it is indoors. This allows some variety between indoor and outdoor space.
***We are looking for our new longterm indoor venue home! Please contact us if you have a venue that might be a great fit!***
Click the link below to purchase a ticket to attend. Tickets are $15 pre sale. We offer a sliding scale of $10-20 at the door suggested, and no one turned away. Buying in advance ensures your spot and gives you priority for signing up to play.
Please note that online sign ups will close after 25 people have signed up. After that point, you will have to sign up in person and you’ll be put in a raffle for your time slot. It also helps as gauge how many to set up for. Thank you for your support!
How It Works
The Soiree is a monthly open mic event and community designed to create a safe space to share your original music and get inspired by your fellow songwriters. Every song played MUST be original and played by the writer. Each person gets up to 5 minutes to present.
1) How To Sign up to Play
Online sign-ups will be taken in the order received and the list will be made based on your requested time preference.
Please note that online sign-ups will be closed after 25 people have signed up. After that point, you will have to sign up in person and you’ll be put in a raffle for your time slot. To increase the possibility of playing in your desired timeframe, please arrive at the venue between 6-6:30pm.
When you sign up online, there are two steps:
1. You must first purchase a ticket
2. Click on the online sign up form link which is included in your ticket email from Eventbrite (at the bottom).
For in-person sign-ups, we have two sign-up periods. When checking in and signing up at the desk, your name will be put in a random drawing for list order for the first OR second half (10-15 people per half). Sign-ups will begin 30 minutes before the start time of the first half, so please arrive on time if you want to sign up!
Please note that we often have more people who want to play than space, so sign-ups are on a first come basis online and in-person. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
2) What We Provide
We provide a piano, house guitar, and mics. This is a mostly acoustic sharing space for ease of transition. If you wish to use electronic elements (synth/loop pedals, amps) please contact us before coming so we can clear it first.
3) Volunteer
We need your help to run this event! Positions include 1-2 hour set up and clean up shifts.
If you’d like to volunteer, please message us or comment on the event page.
4)Guidelines
- This is a listening party, not a rager. Come with the intention of listening and keep talking to a minimum in the music space.
- This is a mostly acoustic sharing space for ease of transition. If you wish to use electronic elements (synth/loop pedals, amps) please contact us before coming so we can clear it first.
- Please keep your total stage time to under 5 minutes
- Please invite friends you personally wish to attend! (They can buy a ticket online or at the door).
4) Support the Soiree!
If you love being a part of this event and want to see it continue, please show your support and consider paying more than the door charge. It takes a lot of energy to produce the soiree and your support means so much! 100% of all net profits are donated to our scholarship fund to help make our events accessible to those in need.
Buy one of our amazing NW Songwriter Soiree Retreat T-shirts! These shirts are awesome fitting and tell the world you’re a bad ass! Price includes shipping to anywhere in the USA.
We invite you to come relax, make new friends, get inspired, and enjoy this magical night ahead of us. See you soon!
Thank you so much and see you at the soiree!
NW Songwriter Soiree T-shirt
About Us
What began in 2009 as a monthly living room potluck in Portland, The Songwriter Soiree has since turned into one of the largest communities of songwriters and lovers of music. For the past 15+ years, we’ve welcomed over 8,500 songwriters to play on our stage across the Pacific Northwest.
Join our next soiree as we celebrate coming together in music, connection, and belonging!
Safer Space Policy
We recognize that oppression is real and that some of us reap unequal benefits from a legacy of privilege. We believe that anytime people gather and hold space, it is a powerful opportunity to acknowledge and shift the ways oppressive systems harm and disconnect us from ourselves, from each other, and from the earth. We see it as a necessity in order for growth and transformation to take place.
We recognize that there are people in bodies which are marginalized. We aspire to co-create a space that is as safe as possible for all people, with the understanding that a fully safe space is impossible in our world. People of all races, sizes, ages, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, trauma backgrounds, and religions are welcome. Intentional words and actions that promote racism, misogyny, hatred, bigotry, supremacy, sizeism, transphobia, ageism, or divisiveness will not be tolerated and will constitute expulsion from the soiree.
A note on ADA accessibility:
Q: Is Bridge Space ADA accessible?
A: Yes! There is a ramp for those that need it.
Stay Connected
Join our Facebook Group Page, connect with others in the community, and get notifications on the next event!
The BEST way to know of the next soiree is to sign up for our email list, located in the footer.
Join our monthly reminder TEXT LIST by texting “MUSIC” to (844) 383-0575 or click here.
Read our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and SMS Terms of Service.
