The Americana Community Music Association has a great lineup for August.
A benefit concert and food drive is planned for Saturday, Aug. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Once again the fine musicians associated with the Florida Music Food Initiative are donating their time and talent to feed the hungry in Lee County. The ACMA is donating the space, and organizers hope that the ACMA audience and members will do the rest. Come on out to enjoy good music, good friends and good fun all for the cost of a few food items.
That night’s lineup includes The Dunn Deal, Joe Virga, James Hawkins, Peg & Em, Frankie J & The Chicken Parade. To find out more about the program, visit online at www.floridamusicfoodinitiative.org.
The ACMA welcomes Brian Smalley back to its listening room on Aug. 24. With his lightening fast fingers and innovative lyrics a Brian Smalley show is always amazing!. We can’t wait to have him back in our neck of the woods! Brian Smalley lives in Florida. Where is Brian from? That’s a trickier question to answer. By the time he turned 18 his family had moved all across the country more than twenty times. So, it’s no surprise that wander-lust found its way into Brian’s soul, as well as into his music. His acoustic novel “Chickens Pigs” based in Civil War era Florida was named Best Florida Folk CD of 2013 by the Florida Times-Union. His latest CD “Key” is an acoustic novel set in the Florida Keys telling the fictional story of Painter Kellet & Compass Rose. Brian’s music borrows from old-time flat-pick guitar and new-grass, but his style is hard to pigeon-hole. He sings with a soulful, earthy voice, and his live performances tend to be just that: Lively!
Houseboat Jim Visone will open the show…banjo? guitar? Originals or well loved covers? One just never knows with Houseboat Jim, but fans know it will be awesome.
Other upcoming ACMA shows include The 502s on Sept. 7, Grant Peeples on Sept 14, Cliff Eberhardt on Oct. 5, Friction Farm on Oct. 12, Mike Laureanno on Oct. 19 and Violet Bell & Omar Ruiz-Lopez on Oct. 26.
The ACMA provides a venue for local and touring artists, many are award winning performers in the Americana/Folk community. All shows are in a quiet, intimate setting and every show is a meet and greet with the artists. YouTube any of these artists and be prepared to be impressed by the talent that is available to you all year round for a cost of $10 to $15 donation. The headliners are touring “under the wire, should be famous” musicians. Each show has a local songwriter that performs at a professional level open for the headliner.
Singer songwriters circles are held every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at All Faiths Unitarian Congregation at 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. The circle is for acoustic songwriters of all levels. Songs and experiences are shared in a non-judgmental, casual atmosphere. No membership is required. All are welcome to come and play or just to listen.
The ACMA is a non-sectarian not for profit organization. Most concerts are held at All Faiths Congregation located at 2756 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and all shows start at 7 p.m. For more information visit www.americanacma.org.
