Western Massachusetts' Best-Kept Secret for Live Music Returns to Lake Pleasant

Songwriters in the Round ft. James Bird, Melanie Blackbird and Eric Phelps to be held SAT 6/13

Western Massachusetts' Best-Kept Secret for Live Music Returns to Lake Pleasant

Tucked away in the historic village of Lake Pleasant is one of Western Massachusetts' most unique live music experiences.

On Saturday, June 13, The National Spiritual Alliance's Songwriters in the Round Summer Concert Series continues with an evening featuring James Bird, Melanie Blackbird, and Eric Phelps in the historic Thompson Temple Sanctuary.

Unlike a traditional concert, Songwriters in the Round invites audiences into the creative process itself. Throughout the evening, artists alternate songs and share the stories behind them—offering insight into the moments, relationships, questions, and experiences that inspired their work.

It's not just about hearing a song. It's about understanding where it came from and experiencing the energy exchange between songwriter and listener.

That exchange is what makes the series unique. Audience members aren't simply spectators; they become part of a shared experience where stories, emotions, and creativity move back and forth between performer and listener. Songs often take on new meaning when heard alongside the personal journeys that inspired them.

The setting itself adds to the experience. The concerts are held in the upstairs sanctuary of Thompson Temple, a beautiful historic space overlooking the Lake Pleasant Bridge of Names. With warm acoustics, intimate seating, and a listening-room atmosphere, the venue encourages presence, attentiveness, and genuine connection.

For many attendees, the sanctuary feels like a hidden gem—a place where music can be heard the way it was meant to be heard: up close, without distraction, and in community with others.

The June 13 performance features singer-songwriters James Bird, Melanie Blackbird, and Eric Phelps, each bringing their own voice, stories, and musical perspective to the round.

The Songwriters in the Round series is part of the growing cultural programming at The National Spiritual Alliance, where we continue to work to foster creativity, community, and meaningful connection through music and the arts.

Doors open at 4:30 PM, and music begins at 5:00 PM. Suggested contribution is $20–$30, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Proceeds support The National Spiritual Alliance and its community programming.

Additional performances in the series include July 11 featuring Pamela Means, Wylder Ayres, and Kim Chin-Gibbons, with a season finale on September 26 at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls featuring Tobey Sol LaRoche, Luke DeRoy, Olivia Nied, and the Pond Lily Artists in Residence.

For those seeking something beyond the typical concert experience, Songwriters in the Round offers an opportunity to slow down, listen deeply, and connect with the stories behind the songs.

We thank our generous sponsors for the gifts that have enabled us to present this series to the public, including: Montague Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council, RiverCulture, The Shea Theater Arts Center, Montague Village Store, Renaissance Painting, Greenfield Savings Bank, Delta House Press, MCTV, Creatures of the Night Collective, Sean Byrne Foundation, PRIA Music Marketing, Simon Says Booking and Susan Paquet Photography.