$18 adv / $25 at door / 6:15 doors / seated
This event lends a structure to receive the beauty of songwriters in a more intimate, immediate, and expressive way than we do most of the time. The musical palate depends on the songwriter gracing the stage! We’ve had everything from R&B to folk, rock n roll and to sea shanties and punk rock. The band features a wonderful rhythm section with some lovely saxophone, violin, and more surprises. After hosting several events in living rooms around the city, The Songbuilders' Soirée came to the Lilypad in November of 2024, bringing together one beautifully wild one-time ensemble. Founded in 2023 by Milly Roberts and Nate Shaffer, their leadership will foster an ecstatic experience beyond your wildest expectations.
The Songbuilder Soiree is a magical community music-making extravaganza. We follow a simple equation: Spotlit Songwriters + Joyously Spontaneous Audience Choir + Wildly Talented Backing Band = MAGICAL MUSICAL JOURNEY.
Nate Shaffer is a multi & interdisciplinary artist & facilitator who believes music is a birthright. With deep lessons and medicine for anyone who pursues it, music has taught humanity through the ages. All his work features this devotion to sound, reverence for human nature, and fearless fire. His music is daring, vulnerable, and hops genre — classical & contemporary classical, indie folk, free jazz, funk & more.
As a facilitator, he makes learning music and creative expansion an accessible and enlivening process. A devoted teacher for more than 15 years, he has lectured at Tufts & Harvard, taught hundreds of people musical improv comedy at ImprovBoston and mentors professional and amateur musicians. He music directed over 1,000 comedy shows at ImprovBoston and around the country. Currently, he records bands, hosts retreats, facilitates monthly improvisation sessions and teaches songwriting to groups. He works in the healing arts – offering body work and astrology sessions to those on the path of awakening. Join his mailing list at nateshaffer.substack.com and more info about him at nateshaffer.com
Milly Roberts is a song leader, organizer and environmental educator with a passion for building power in communities through the arts. She has collaborated with a variety of artists over the years to “get off the stage and into the room,” and joined as faculty of the Dedham School of Music to bring weekly music, movement & storytelling sessions to residents of the Dedham Housing Authority.
Milly’s song leading is influenced by oral-tradition song circles, Bobby McFerrin’s CircleSinging, and years of following on the call to bring a gathering of humans into song. With 7 years as an experiential educator, Milly has a sharp awareness of building trust in newly forming groups. Her facilitation is marked by enthusiasm, a sense of group cohesion, and bringing participants to their unique brave edge.