Erin Enderlin
For the past 28 years, The Bluebird Cafe and a host of songwriters have helped raise funds for Alive Hospice. Revenue from a month’s worth of shows, donated by the songwriters performing, has provided a significant portion of the nonprofit hospice’s annual budget over the years.
This year the partners have reimagined how this fundraiser can go forward considering the tiny venue’s continued closure and lack of opportunity for social distancing. Their solution is to channel their creativity in new directions that include livestreaming from the cafe via StageIt’s platform plus a new partnership with Green Door Gourmet to ensure that the show will go on.
“Over the past 28 years, Alive at The Bluebird has become a joyful reunion where old friends reconnect, and new members of the community are welcomed into the circle. This year’s event will embody that same spirit,” said Kimberly Goessele, Alive’s president and CEO.
Erika Wollam Nichols, president of the Bluebird Cafe, said that this past year forced many to think more about what really matters and find creative ways to sustain their work.
“We knew we couldn’t let uncertainty overshadow a beautiful tradition,” she said.
In seeking safe spaces to expand the series throughout the year, Goessele turned to friend and farmer Sylvia Ganier, co-founder of Green Door Gourmet.
Green Door Gourmet will partner with Alive for a series of fundraisers at their 350-acre farm, including concerts and invitation-only tastings. The local family business, which provides fresh food choices, is finding new ways to connect to the community as an outdoor venue, and the partnership with Alive is part of this initiative.
“Connection is desperately needed right now, and so is the support Alive provides to local families at the end of a life,” Ganier said.
This year’s Alive at The Bluebird series will consist of 15 live streamed shows from The Bluebird over the course of the year. Shows will stream every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in January (Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28) and the first Thursday of each month thereafter. Starting in February, The Bluebird will continue to donate proceeds from one show per month to Alive. Follow Alive and The Bluebird Cafe on social media to learn about performers as they are announced.
Musicians slated to perform include:
Jan. 7: Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman and Jim Photoglo
Jan. 14: Marc Beeson, Lucie Silvas and friends
Jan. 21: Erin Enderlin, Kendell Marvel and Waylon Payne
Jan. 28: J.T. Harding and friends
Feb. 4: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and friends
In keeping with The Bluebird’s tradition of providing an affordable and intimate space to interact with the songwriters, tickets for the virtual experience will cost $20 and attendance will be limited. Audience members will be able to send applause, donations, requests and messages to the performers via SategeIt’s live chat feature.
StageIt is on a mission to enable live intimate experiences, providing a stage for every creator and a front-row seat for every fan. Visit stageit.com/signup to create an account. Tickets can be purchased at stageit/bluebirdtn once an account is created.
Alive is the only nonprofit provider of hospice care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Its mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families and service to the community. This includes in-home and in-patient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to under-served communities, education, financial assistance, a comprehensive volunteer program, and professional training. To learn more or volunteer, visit alivehospice.org.
For more information on Bluebird Cafe, visit bluebirdcafe.com.
