The Queen City Songwriters Invitational

Six rounds a day, on the hour from 11 in the morning until five. Groups of three songwriters take turns sharing original songs and the stories behind them, an hour at a time, at venues a few blocks apart — so you can walk from one intimate listening room to the next.

This is the heart of the Invitational — up close, acoustic, and personal. You'll hear the verse that almost didn't make the cut and the story that inspired it.

Friday night, every invited songwriter takes the stage at The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center for the Songwriters Showcase — a chance to open the weekend on the historic stage.

Saturday night, the community returns to The Matthews for the headliner — the weekend's marquee performance on that same stage.