Songwriters in the Round

Music at the MAC: Songwriters in the Round

Featuring Richard Lewis, Molly O’Leary, Ric Allendorf, and John Fernandes

Saturday, April 22
7:30-10:00pm

in the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater
Doors open at 7:00pm | General Admission
Tickets: $20 MAC members | $25 nonmembers

Experience a night of original music performed by four talented singer/songwriters on the MAC stage. The MAC’s first edition of Songwriters in the Round will feature local musicians Richard Lewis, Molly O’Leary, Ric Allendorf, and John Fernandes. Musicians will share the stage, taking turns performing original songs. During the first hour, guests will hear up to three songs per artist, followed by a 15-20 minute intermission where guests can meet and greet the artists. Finish off the night with two more songs from each artist and an informal Q&A opportunity after the show.

Additional Information
General Admission: Seating is first come, first serve. Doors will open at 7:00pm to guests.
Cabaret Tables: To request a cabaret table (for four guests), email info@marionartcenter.org after purchasing your tickets.
Accessibility: There are three small steps plus a raised threshold to enter the Marion Art Center. There are four steps and a handrail at the entrance to the MAC Theater. This show will include fully amplified sound.
Audience: Performances are recommended for a general audience. All guests entering, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Food and Beverages: There are no concessions for sale. Guests may bring their own beverages or refreshments to enjoy during the show.

About the Artists

 Ric Allendorf began his musical life at the family piano and accordion lessons in the suburbs north of Boston. When he was 15, Ric learned ‘Blackbird’ from his Berklee-trained older brother on a borrowed Ovation guitar, sparking a lifelong interest in fingerstyle playing. While studying Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art, he immersed himself in 80s/90s Boston folk and acoustic music, building his guitar chops in stairwells and hallways of the school. After attending the Cape Cod Songwriters Retreat in 2014, he composed the first of a few dozen originals that would lead to his 2018 debut CD release titled ‘Take It All In’. These songs would garner recognition in multiple songwriter competitions, international radio play, and opening slots for national and international acts like Archie Fisher, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Abbie Gardner. Among his most noteworthy features were the 2021 NERFA Conference Folk DJ Showcase, Club Passim’s 2018 and 2021 Campfire Festivals, the 2019 Providence Folk Festival, the 2018 CT Folk Festival Emerging Artist competition, and nearly a dozen Club Passim tribute shows. Ric continues to actively perform throughout New England, offering his intuitively familiar songs as navigation, anchoring, and connection. His playing style honors his influences in traditional folk & blues, singer-songwriters, Celtic, British and Canadian fingerstyle players. For music and video, visit ricallendorf.com.

John Fernandes is a singer/songwriter who performs solo and is also the guitarist for Molly O’leary and The J. Kelley Band. His musical journey started senior year of high school when he first picked up a guitar and took lessons with local legend teacher Tony Pacheco. Soon after, he was very fortunate to study with the amazing Jim Robitaille, a teacher John considers a big influence on his musical journey. John graduated from UMASS Dartmouth in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in music. Since the year 2000, he has been performing and teaching throughout the Southcoast area. He’s been fortunate to open up for bands like Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Johnny A, Dickey Betts, Jillian Jenson, Ryan Cassata, and Entrain. His first release solo album See It From Here is due out in the spring of 2023 and was recorded with John Mailoux at Bongo Beach Productions.

Richard D. Lewis is an artistic late bloomer whose music emerges out of the Folk/Americana tradition. His original songs contain a sharp political edge reflective of his past involvement in the protest movements of the 1960’s and related struggles continuing into subsequent decades. These life changing experiences set a solid foundation for his current dedication to issues of human rights and social justice, including abuse suffered by psychiatric victim/survivors. Richard once wrote and performed a few “protest songs” in the early 1970’s, but left his guitar and songwriting idle for multiple decades. However, semi-retirement in 2015 led to a renewed inspiration and a total re-immersion back into fresh contemporary musical endeavors. Richard follows a mantra of “Making Music to Change the World,” but insists that those efforts must avoid an “agit-prop,” or politically stilted style of writing and performing. He believes that the very best artistic creations are those that are truly “higher than life,” and nurture the very best inclinations of the poetic and compassionate human spirit. His music has also been influenced and shaped by 25 years of counseling experiences in the south coast of Massachusetts, helping people whose lives have suffered from the violence of poverty and other various forms of trauma and drug addiction. Richard now calls himself a “Snowbird” and currently splits his residential time between Marion MA. and Dunedin Florida, which is located in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Richard’s enjoys performing at small, intimate venues and house concerts where there are opportunities for up close and personal dialogue with the audience.

Molly O’Leary (they/them) is an indie folk/rock singer-songwriter from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They perform solo, duo, and with a full band nationally. Holding Space, their first full band studio album, is out now. Holding Space was recorded and produced by John Mailloux at Bongo Beach Productions. Molly is known for their use of songwriting as a form of activism to raise awareness about mental health and social justice. Molly was a semi-finalist in the 2021 International Songwriting Competition for their song Karen Carpenter, which was written to raise awareness about eating disorders, diet culture, and health at every size. Molly and the band were finalists in the 2022 Last Band Standing Competition, and they have been nominated for the 2022 New England Music Awards New Act of the Year. Molly has opened up and shared the stage with renowned artists like Ryan Cassata, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Will Hoge, Geoff Rickly (from Thursday), Nate Bergman, Chris Griffiths, Thom Donovan, Allen Jones, Scout Gillett, Rebecca Correia, Jillian Jensen, and Matt Cusson. They also integrate music into their job as a school counselor, private practice therapist, and yoga teacher. Follow @mollyolearymusic on social media to see what’s up with their music and cats.