Rapid City SD - The 2004 6th Annual Songwriters Invitational, the largest original music event in the region, will again present 10 concerts featuring over 100 performers in two states and six cities, April 16 through April 30. All events are free, and each concert features between and 8 and 12 performers.

Venues hosting events include Prince & Pauper Books (Rapid City), Borders Books (Rapid City), Cheers (Rapid City), Rapid City Public Library (Rapid City), Nemo Guest Ranch (Nemo), Common Grounds (Spearfish), Knights Cellar (Spearfish), Flat Iron Grill (Hot Springs), Western Bar (Upton WY), and Michael's Senior Center (Newcastle WY).

The concerts offer variety. Musical styles will range from solo acoustic folk to blues & rock bands. While most venues will host musical concerts, at least two will present spoken word performances. Some will highlight seasoned favorites and others will explore new and young performers. It’s also an annual chance to review the acoustic music available for hire for summer festivals, of musicians available for collaboration, and a place for the music community to catch up on the year’s events. Many of the area’s music and literary groups are involved in hosting or performing at Invitational events

Coordinator Barb Evenson notes, "Each of the past six years, this event has surprised me. Each time, I see some of my favorite performers performing new songs, get to know some terrific new performers I’ve never seen, and visit new venues which support local music and regional touring acts. The variety and creativity in this event is amazing. And new venues come in, and old friends do something a little different each time. Each concert has been unique and entertaining, and I’ve seen a bunch of them over six years. Music in the Black Hills is always changing and always find new homes and new audiences.”

The Flat Iron in Hot Springs is using the Invitational event to kick off its summer of Friday night barbeques, and Borders Books in Rapid is introducing its new Saturday night open mics. For the first time, Cheers/Ramada Inn in Rapid City will participate with local celeb Shawn Bitz hosting its Sunday night open mic. Long time participants Knights Cellar and Common Grounds in Spearfish will be hosting events, with Knights Cellar open to the over-21 crowd and Common Grounds geared to the under-21 crowd. Nemo Guest Ranch will feature some of the area’s finest original folk music, hosted by the Black Hills Songwriters group, who host the week-long Songwriters Retreat in June.

In Wyoming, the Newcastle Newsletter Journal will host a wide variety of performers at Michael’s Senior Center, and the Western Bar in Upton will have an all-afternoon, all-ages event on Sunday.

The literature venues have some new twists this year as well. Prince and Pauper Books had a chance to have well-known mystery author, Stephanie Cane,  author of, Quiet Time, Indifference, and Blindspot, in to give a talk and sign books. They have added writers from the Black Hills Writers Group and having a Mystery event. The High Plains Writers are using the Rapid City Library’s poetry event to hold a poetry contest, complete with cash prizes.

Also new this year, each of the events will accept donations for the Da Coda Instruments Drive. This local organization repairs and donates used instruments to Girls Incorporated (YFS) and Boys Club participants. They accept most instruments that can be repaired. They are also interested in school and private lesson music books. More information on this drive can be found online at http://BlackHillsMusic.com/dacoda.

“New participants are always welcome,” Evenson emphasized. “If you are interested in performing, volunteering, or hosting a concert, let us know. Many of the venues are open to new performers.”

For up-to-date information, please contact any of the venues, consult the website at http://BlackHillsMusic.com, or contact the coordination committee (si@blackhillsmusic.com; phone 605-348-3770; Songwriters Invitational, 710 St. Andrew St., Rapid City, SD 57701; fax 270-712-8507).