Arts Wayland recently presented concerts by local artists as well as a songwriting workshop.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Arts Wayland hosted a Sunset Session at the Wayland Town Beach featuring Dalila Hiett, a young Wayland resident who impressed the crowd with her musicianship and singing, and a band called Pete Lavenson and Friends, where Steve Robb also played. Hiett plays acoustic folk, pop and classic rock, while Pete Lavenson and his bandmates play an eclectic range of music from Frank Sinatra to Maroon 5. Robb (also of Wayland) is a singer-songwriter whose songs span from country to blues, reggae and Americana.
One of the more unusual items on the organization’s musical calendar took place on Monday, Aug. 25 at Arts Wayland’s gallery. The event, called the Songwriter’s Woodshed, invites six aspiring songwriters to each share a song they’re working on to obtain feedback on their melodies, rhythms, and lyrics of each song. This “beta test” format worked extremely well, with each songwriter receiving constructive and honest commentary that they could apply to the process of completing their songs.
These monthly workshops, which are open to the public, are led by the experienced songsmith Steve Robb. The workshops will comprise a revolving monthly group limited to six songwriters. Each participant enjoys 20 minutes of positive critique and suggestions from the other five. The next Woodshed is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Arts Wayland also offers a Masterclass Series starting with “The Architecture of the Song” on Sunday, Sept. 7. It features Mark Erelli, who has over 25 years of experience writing, recording, and producing music. He has collaborated with artists like Lori McKenna and Matt Nathanson. It will explore how songs are crafted with unique structures and arrangements. This workshop looks at ballads and blues forms, as well as other unusual forms with quirky elements. Attendees will have these architectures broken down and explained by listening to examples, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The next Masterclass on Sunday, Nov. 2 will cover poetry.
Since its founding in 1981, Arts Wayland has been committed to supporting artists of all kinds in their pursuit of creative expression. The organization has welcomed members of the community from all backgrounds and identities who work to foster growth in the arts and to deliver enjoyable artistic experiences for all event and program attendees.
Moving into its own space has enhanced Arts Wayland’s presence in the community and helps make programs even more accessible. Meeting and sharing the results of the creative efforts of its members has been a challenge since the organization lost its space in the Wayland Town Building a few years ago. The new location is in Wayland’s Town Center at 35 Andrews Ave. has a gallery to exhibit paintings from several community artists and space for classes, workshops, musical events, and performances.
Robb, who is also Arts Wayland’s president, thinks a major contributor to the organization’s recent success has been “an energetic board that applies a ‘get it done’ attitude to everything it does.”
