Songwriters Association of Washington upcoming events

The Fairfax Folk Festival (04/24/2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW.org), in association with Spotlight on the Arts and with grant support from the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts, will present the first-ever Fairfax Folk Festival on April 24–26 at Fairfax City’s newest music venue, Mackenzie’s Tunes & Tonics. The festival is hosted with the support of venue owner Josh Alexander.

The three-day event will feature more than 35 of the area’s most gifted performers and award-winning songwriters. The performance schedule is pictured below and will be available on this website and at SAW’s website.

The event is free to attend but we are accepting tax deductible donations from members and sponsors and would appreciate a donation to SAW to help with costs.

For inquiries, please contact the festival at president@saw.org

New Deal Open Mic (1st Tuesday) (05/05/2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Lynn Hollyfield hosts an open mic at the New Deal Cafe every first Tuesday.

• Full PA with vocal mics and instrument pickups. Upright piano available.
• In Person sign-ups at 6:30, 2 songs, 10 minutes, 7-9:30PM.
You can ask questions by emailing lynn@lynnhollyfield.com. See ya there!

New Deal Cafe
113 Centerway
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 474-5642 (for venue information)
www.newdealcafe.com

SAW Second Saturday Toolbox (online) (05/09/2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SAW Virtual Second Saturday Songwriters' Toolbox w Christie Chirinos

In the tradition of our years of Saturday songwriting toolboxes, join your host, Christie Chirinos, (christiechirinos.com ) for a refreshing, frank and helpful look at where your songs are now and how they might be improved.

Bring your finished, almost finished and just started songs to a session with other songwriters. You will perform your song for the group from your end and receive a kind but thorough look at how others hear your work.

Please have the lyrics of your song ready (in a format that works for a screen share) or submit it beforehand to the moderator (email address will be provided to registrants) so others can follow along.

Christie and your fellow songwriters will bring you into the community of songwriting and give your process some new perspectives.

New Deal Open Mic (1st Tuesday) (06/02/2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Lynn Hollyfield hosts an open mic at the New Deal Cafe every first Tuesday.