First Church of Winsted: Stage is set for live music

WINSTED — Music fans are gearing up for another season of live music at the First Church of Winsted, starting Saturday, May 8, with this season’s first Steam Vent Coffee House and Open Mic. Area musicians and music enthusiasts are invited to join in on the all-ages and family fun.

The program, now in its second year, is held the second Saturday of every month through November. The sessions take a hiatus during the holiday season and winter months.

Each session runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with an open jam session beginning at 9 p.m. The program is open to musicians of all ages, experience and abilities.

“It’s open for anybody to come and play,†Debbie Storrs, the program’s coordinator, told The Journal Monday.

She added that although the sessions are a church-run program, musicians perform both sacred and secular music.

“Musically, we run the gamut,†Storrs said.

For each session, performance slots can be reserved in advance. The remaining slots are then made available to musicians on a first-come, first-served basis the night of the event.

“You can sign up for one song, or up to a 30-minute slot if you have a whole set of music ready,†Storrs said.

Although musicians are required to bring their own instruments, sound equipment is provided at each session. Storrs said audio recordings are available to interested performers.

“So that way, they can take it home and see how they did and what they can improve on and do better for next time,†she said.  â€œIt’s a really comfortable place for fledgling musicians.â€

A $10 donation is suggested for each session, but any amount is accepted to participate and/or attend. In addition, food and beverages will be available for participants to purchase.

Storrs said each session has a different theme. This Saturday’s event is a cookout.

“So they are going to have hamburgers and hot dogs,†she said with a laugh.

The open mic nights not only provide a welcoming and family-friendly performance space for area musicians, but also serve as a major fundraiser to First Church’s “Youth Mexico Mission.â€

The mission, organized and operated by the church’s youth group, has been assisting villagers in Oaxaca, Mexico, one of the poorest states in the country. Last year, the Winsted students worked with an Oaxaca orphanage for children with special needs.

This summer, Storrs said the youth group plans to help the Mexican villagers organize a coffee bean cooperative, which will band area farmers together into one large unit, hopefully allowing the group to sell more of its product.

“The problem is that they are so small, individually, that the major companies don’t want to work with them,†Storrs said. “So, hopefully, through the co-op, they can sell it in bigger lots.â€

She added that all proceeds raised during Steam Vent’s open mic and jam sessions will go directly to fund the youth group’s mission.

“It’s a great community event,†Storrs said.

For more information or to reserve a performing time slot, call Debbie Storrs at 860-482-3491 in the evening, or e-mail info@firstchurchofwinsted.org.