Focus Music starts new concert series at Positano's in Bethesda

“Some musicians make songwriting sound less of a craft and more of a life affirming obsession. Caspi’s compositions stand out as beautiful, complex and intricate even in an increasingly crowded folk scene.” – NOW Magazine

Toronto-based singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Shawna Caspi hadn’t done much travelling before tapering off a series of administrative jobs to start touring full-time. She had never even rented a car. She had never been camping before performing at the Blue Skies Music Festival in 2014. Since then, Shawna has toured throughout Canada and the United States. Shawna’s fourth album, "Forest Fire," coming in September 2017, is a collection of songs about burning things down and building them up again. The elegant arrangements draw the listener into the depths of haunting, atmospheric tracks, then lift them out with airy, bluegrass instrumentation and hopeful narratives for brighter days. It’s dark granite stone with a shot of glimmering quartz through the middle. When the words get heavy, they are held up to the light of love, grace, and gratitude. With these songs, Shawna strives to be unafraid, to embolden quieted voices, to tell the truth above all else.

Focus Music (http://www.focusmusic.org/) has been bringing high-quality folk and acoustic artists to listening rooms throughout the DC area for over 27 years, and we're happy to announce a new monthly series of concerts at Positano's in Bethesda. Our September 17 concert features Toronto-based singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Shawna Caspi with local talents John and Mae Keating opening the show. Please join us for a special evening of music, community, and delicious Italian food. The November 19 show will feature Freebo and Alice Howe.

The Focus concert audience will be able to order from the complete Positano menu -- with full bar -- that restaurant patrons have been enjoying at this family-run restaurant for 40 years. If you're planning to have dinner with the show, it's a good idea to arrive about a half hour early to place and receive your order before the show starts. That will keep the room as quiet as possible for the performer and audience -- though wait staff will remain available to serve during the show.