The Focal Point Listening Room

Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO | Get Directions »
FREE

What is coming up this week at the Focal Point? Well, you all are in for a treat!  We have five fine evenings of entertainment and an opportunity to jam with like-minded folk at the Focal Point Listening Room at 2720 Sutton Avenue in Maplewood, Missouri.  So come on down to to our intimate listening room to hear some great music and to have some fun with friends and your Focal Point family.

This email does not cover all of the incredible things happening at the Focal Point, there is so much going on that it would be impossible to put it all into one email.  If you want to find out more about what's happening at the Focal Point check out our website at http://www.thefocalpoint.org  you will be surprised at what we are up to! Also, be sure to forward this on to all of your friends who are interested in experiencing great live music, in an intimate listening room atmosphere, at a cost that can't be beat.

Did you know that the Focal Point is an all volunteer organization?  All the money we take in from our concerts either goes directly to the artists or to pay our operating costs (electricity, rent, etc.).

Here's how you can help to support the unique music we bring to the St. Louis Area:

Come to our concerts and enjoy the great music we provide

Volunteer some of your time to the organization, make friends and make the work a better place at the same time!

Tell your friends about The Focal Point and get them to come out to hear great music with you

Sign up for our email list (contact: fpcommoblast@gmail.com) We always inform, we never spam!

Generously contribute to help defray our operating expenses

Here is what happening @ the Focal Point this week!

Listen Up!

Tuesday, August 7 @ 7:30 PM

Listen Up! night is a showcase of St. Louis' most talented singer-songwriters, each playing a micro-set of their best songs.
Featured artists TBA
Seating will include tables & chairs for less formal atmosphere.
Tickets: $3

Acoustic Jam

Thursday August 9th @ 7:15 p.m. 

The Thursday night jams at Focal Point have been a St. Louis  Institution for more than 25 years.  The format is simple: Put about 15
chairs in a circle and let each person start a song.  A typical night will bring out at least one song in every genre -- bluegrass, country,
rock, blues, old timey, even some show tunes and occasionally jazz (on purpose, sometimes!).

We think you can be "all things to all people" in music.  Some pretty good musicians are likely to show up, but a rule around here is that
everyone is welcome, including learners.  A very typical player is someone who played electric guitar in the younger day and after a
decade or two is finding his or her licks again acoustically. (One rule: you can't plug it in.")

The jam starts around 7:15; it ends when it ends, rarely before 11, sometimes past midnight.  The first time you come, it's free; if you
come back it's $4.

Remember, it's Thursday night to make good friends and good music.

Tom Hall Trio

Friday, August 10 @ 8:00 PM

We all know Tom Hall-- he's been a Focal Point favorite for years, with his finger-picked national steel guitar, his deep, unassuming vocal style, and his blues-based but eclectic repertoire. This time he's bringing reinforcements! Dave Black, in Tom's words “probably the best guitarist in St. Louis,” and Margaret Bianchetta, a fantastic vocalist and flute player, will be sharing the stage with Tom and we can't begin to predict what you'll hear! We do know it will be different, and awesome.

Tickets: $15 at the door.

Troubadours of Divine Bliss

Saturday, August 11 @ 8:00 PM  

The Focal Point is pleased to welcome this dynamic and soulful female duo back to our stage.  In 1998 they were named “Best New Folk Band” by New Orleans’ Offbeat Magazine. They have received numerous accolades and gained many fans since then.  Through the years they have had the privilege of living the life of true troubadours, traveling the wondrous expanse of America, Europe & Canada & have been inspired accordingly. Their travels have given them the opportunity to sample a wide variety of tastes, cultures & timely issues that have become the muse for their myriad of musical genres & numerous recordings.

The Troubadours also initiated the community unity organization Mighty Kindness that hosts 2 festivals each year that bring together everything that nurtures the body, mind, spirit, and soul of community.  You will feel the warmth in their unique musical presentation and come away uplifted! This concert is also a bit of a CD release party. Get their new CD: Awakening to Love.

Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at the door.

Advance Tickets @:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/253333 
 
More about the artists: http://www.troubadoursofdivinebliss.com/

Atwater-Donnelly

Sunday, August 12 @ 7:00 PM

Note the earlier start time (it is a school night after all)

I knew I'd like these folks when I looked up their website and saw right there on the home page, a video of what was one of my first encounters with the weirdness that is traditional culture: the Swedish Ox Dance! Every performance is surprisingly different and always entertaining, exciting and educational with the award-winning duo Atwater~Donnelly, who provide a unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry. The highly praised husband-wife duo blends gorgeous vocals with an astounding array of instruments including the mountain dulcimer, old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, limberjacks, feet and more.

Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 door.

Advance Tickets @: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/260997

More about the artists: www.atwater-donnelly.com/

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