Iowa State Center and Ames Community Arts premiere new music venue

With the support of the Ames Community Arts Council, the Goldfinch Room, a new music venue located within Stephens Auditorium, will host a series of Iowa Songwriters Showcases over the next year. The first Songwriters Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26, from 7 – 9 p.m. and will feature two Iowa songwriters, Chad Elliott and Patresa Hartman, along with Texan Tommy Lewis.

The Goldfinch Room is a newly created space on the ground floor of Stephens Auditorium on the Iowa State Center campus. Nestled inside the Celebrity Café on the ground floor, this listening room will provide great acoustics in an intimate setting for approximately 100 people.

“There is unique magic in hearing music performed by the person who wrote it,” said Tammy Koolbeck, Iowa State Center Executive Director. “The audience will learn about the song as the artists share what they are feeling as they composed the score and the lyrics. It will be a fantastic evening as they share their passion for their music.”

Elliott’s soulful, foot-stomping shows are incredible. His laid-back storytelling and his skillful fingerpicking weave well-crafted songs together for an evening of pure entertainment. Averaging more than 200 shows per year, Elliott has been on the road for nearly 20 years performing a blend of Americana, roots and country music. [www.chadelliott.net/promo-materials.html]

Patresa Hartman is proudly carrying the torch of the Iowa Sound that dates back decades. She is continuing the roots tradition established by Iowa Artists Greg Brown and Dave Moore while cutting her own distinctive groove into the Iowa landscape. [www.patresahartman.com]

Lewis is a sought-after songwriter, producer, guitarist and poet. His brand of jazz influenced country breathes new life into the genre and evokes the fiery spirit of mid-century America. [http://tommylewis.net/epk]

“I love listening rooms. I spend most of my time tending to lyrics and melodies and as a song unfolds from inspiration to completion, the final part of the process is performance,” said Elliott. “There is nothing more fulfilling to me when an audience pays attention to that work.”

Reserved tables with seating for four (4) are available for $20. A general admission seat is available for a minimum $10 food and beverage purchase. Wait service is provided to the reserved tables. Food options will include cheese platters, hummus tray, popcorn, cookies, and candy, along with a selection of wines, craft and domestic beers, and sodas.

To purchase tickets, go to www.center.iastate.edu/goldfinch012619 or call the Iowa State Center Ticket Office at 515-294-2479 between the hours of noon – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This program is made possible with the support of the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Community Grant Program and the Ames Community Arts Council.

Iowa State Center Ticket Office
Located at the north entrance of Stephens Auditorium at the corner of Lincoln Way and Beach Avenue.
Regular Hours: Monday – Friday, noon – 6 p.m.