Songwriters In the Round
7pm
April 26, 2025
Join us on Front Street!
About the artists:
EMILY PERSHA: Emily Persha is a talented singer-songwriter known for her ability to transform personal experiences or stories into deeply emotional and relatable music. Her songs depict the essence of everyday life, enriched by her captivating vocals and intricate keyboard or guitar arrangements. With a style inspired by artists such as Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, and First Aid Kit, Emily has appeared on numerous PNW stages including The Tractor Tavern, The Royal Room, and Kirkland Performance Center. Website.
ABBY K: Abby K draws upon many influences in her music, from her childhood days in Kentucky and her exposure to the great American songwriters that transformed everyday stories into lyrical paintings. Since moving to Seattle, Abby has firmly planted deep roots in the songwriter/music community, where she performs regularly across the city and at festivals, including Northwest Folklife, Tumbleweed Music Festival, and the Tucson Folk Festival.
With four albums under her belt, in 2023 she chose to foster an earnest music community on Mercer Island, called Mosiac MI. Mosaic is now a cherished, inspiring event that draws musicians from all over to be a part of a highly supportive and enriching environment. Website.
AIDAN RUFER: Aidan Rufer is a local folk rock singer-songwriter from Mill Creek, Washington. A recent Berklee College of Music graduate, they are officially setting out on their path to use their Bachelor’s in Songwriting to share stories with their growing audience. Born into a musical family, it was only a matter of time before Aidan picked up their grandfather’s guitar and took an interest in his career in songwriting.
Aidan performs around Woodinville at local wineries and taprooms, at festivals like the Redfellow Music Festival and Aquafest, and at open mics around the region, and is looking to take the next step! A journey is more fun with company, so join Aidan on theirs, and brace yourself for an Adventure! Website.
About the space: Happy Time’s workshop space will transform into a living room-style acoustic venue. There will be 20-25 chairs available, some floor pillows, and perhaps some standing room.
Be prepared to sit right on the rug, or stand, and please offer chairs to the folks who need them the most.
We expect the showcase to last a little over an hour.
Tickets: For this special showcase, we are offering 25 tickets. The vast majority of ticket sales go to the performers. You are invited to choose your ticket price based on what you are able to contribute, using one of the links below:
You might be thinking - What is “In the Round”?
“In the Round” comes from a tradition of bringing performers off the stage and into a more intimate space with the audience. At Happy Time, we will feature two (or more) songwriters who will share the stage and trade songs and stories with each other. And you - the audience - get to see it all happen as if it’s in your own living room.
Note from Ali:
This is a tradition that I first came across playing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Playing the Bluebird was always a lifetime goal of mine (and yes, it was a real thrill), but the truth is that I have had many, many other shows all around the country with this special feeling of intimacy, mutual respect, and spontaneity. Sometimes it shows up where you least expect it.
It means a lot to me that folks are out there who want to show up to appreciate original songwriting, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to host this kind of event in our Issaquah community - to nurture up and coming songwriters, to spotlight original music, to bring people together in appreciation. Thank you for your support!
Past Shows:
March 2025: Cyd Smith, Erick Irons, and John Riziki (SOLD OUT)
November 2024: Carly Ann Calbero, Alicia Healey, and Sophie Wheaton (SOLD OUT)
August 2024: Kat Bula and Amelia Day (SOLD OUT)
June 2024: John Riziki and Havah Alcorn (SOLD OUT)
Interested in performing?
We are always looking to meet songwriters and provide opportunities to share your work! We’ll need to be able to hear your songs, and learn about your experience as a performer, to see if it is a good fit.
Reach out to ali@happytimestudio.com with any questions.
