Songwriter Showcase at The Packing House (2ND WEDNESDAY of the month)
FREE ADMISSION
(DONATIONS GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED)
CALL TO BE PLACED ON THE SCHEDULE
860-922-1214
2nd Wednesday of the month thru May 2026
Dean Bolt
The Songwriter Showcase at The Packing House runs from 6:30-9:00; the doors open at 6:00. The music is all original and exceptional, and the venue provides a perfect listening room for music. This venue is unique; a large hall in a historic mill where you can bring your own food and drink and relax while listening to excellent musicians. Admission is free, although we encourage donations to help support the Eastern CT Center for History, Arts and Performance (EC-CHAP) and to keep live music alive in CT. The 5 regional songwriters for December 10 are:
Bill Ludwig – Bill Ludwig has been a fixture in the CT songwriter community for a long time and is the founder and facilitator of the Manchester, CT Songwriters Association. He is a prolific songwriter, the Manchester Troubadour Emeritus and winner of the 2017 Farmington Acoustic Festival Judges Award. He has at least 17 albums to his credit all of which can be found at his website, www.billludwig.com. His music is carefully crafted paintings of life through the sounds of his banjo or guitar.
Christian Loftus – Christian Loftus is a singer/songwriter and music teacher from Manchester, CT. You can find him across CT writing and performing songs about everyday life. He is a founding member of the Manchester, CT Songwriters Association and is currently serving as the Manchester Town Troubadour. You can also find him playing bass with the indie rock group Low Ceilings, playing an assortment of instruments in the folk trio MARMO, or performing for kids as Mr. Lobster. https://www.misterlobstermusic.com/
Jocelyn Hoagland– Joss Marie is a Willimantic CT local singer/songwriter and pianist. She plays all over CT solo, and with her 4-piece band Permission to Fly. Now she is taking time to start her sophomore album while playing occasional solo shows and working a day job. Her love of music started early in life at age 5 when she picked up piano and wrote her first song at 8 years old. The rest? Is history! Her music: https://www.bellersmusic.com/jocelyn-hoagland https://www.instagram.com/the_joss_marie/
Vicky Gagliardi – Vicki Gagliardi is a contemporary singer-songwriter from Southington, CT, known for heartfelt lyrics, soulful melodies, and an intimate, modern sound. Her debut EP The Path (2022) and recent singles— "everyday Disappointment", "There Was a Time," "Miss Communication," and "Same Train Different Cars"—showcase her range and love of storytelling. Vicki co-hosts an open mic at The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown, where she also cares for the venue's historic 1912 Steinway piano. Offstage, she works as an Occupational Therapy Assistant supporting young adults in transitional living programs. Her music: https://www.reverbnation.com/VickiGagliardiMusic/videos
Dean Bolt – Dean has been the host of the Songwriter Showcase and the precursor Talent Showcase. He grew up in Willimantic at a time when the mills were still spinning thread and Shaboo was still spinning music. He started writing songs in college then took a decade off before returning with renewed focus. He has written songs for weddings, funerals, and a wide variety of life experiences. His music can be found at Bandcamp or Reverbnation https://bandcamp.com/deanboltmusic https://www.reverbnation.com/deanbolt?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav
The "Songwriter Showcase” is hosted by the Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance (EC-CHAP). Open to the general public. Free admission / Donations accepted. Doors open 6:00pm / Show 6:30pm.
The Packing House is located at The Mill Works, 156 River Road, Willington, CT