Songwriter Sanctuary Announces 2026 Season - A Full Year of Original Music, Community Collaboration, and Expanded Accessibility

Season passes are now available for the 2026 season of Songwriter Sanctuary, San Diego’s premier original music showcase hosted by SD Music Hall of Famer Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United. Available in limited quantities through January 29, season passes offer patrons full access to every concert in the 2026 season, along with complimentary drink tickets and guest passes, while directly supporting fair pay for local artists and increased accessibility across the series.

A San Diego Mainstay

Opening with a 3rd anniversary celebration on Friday, January 30 featuring Eve Selis, Omo Cloud, and Lisa Sanders with Brown Sugar, the monthly series - known for its intimate listening room atmosphere and in-the-round format - continues to schedule an exciting and eclectic mix of homegrown talent.

This includes three SD Music Hall of Fame inductees (Selis, Sanders, and Robin Henkel), Grammy winner Kevin Cooper, The Voice semifinalist Cedrice, multiple San Diego Music Award nominees and winners (including Whitney Shay, Riston Diggs, and Marie Haddad), and a strong lineup of rising San Diego artists such as Sumn Trop, The Dimes, and Jay Freed.

It all takes place at Normal Heights United’s gorgeous and historic 125+ year old sanctuary – a space designed for sound and story to resonate.

New in 2026

The 2026 season marks Songwriter Sanctuary’s first year operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since late 2023, the series has been curated and promoted by two-time San Diego Music Award winner Lindsay White, who views the transition as a critical step toward long-term sustainability for both artists and audiences.

“Becoming a nonprofit allows us to build the infrastructure needed to fairly compensate musicians and remove barriers for our community,” said White. “Season pass support is one of the most direct ways people can help make that possible.”

The impact of the transition is already visible. Since receiving its IRS determination letter, Songwriter Sanctuary has secured funding to provide ASL interpretation for multiple concerts throughout the 2026 season, including the January opener. Previously, ASL services were limited to a single Disability Pride showcase in 2025.

“Our goal is to make accessibility and living wages the rule, not the exception,” White added. “Season passes and community partnerships help turn that goal into something tangible.”

Collaboration is Key

This year, collaboration will be a defining feature of the series. The 2026 season includes partner showcases with Raspberry Management for June’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebration, Listen Local Radio for an August Ramona road show, and Board Member and San Diego Music Award nominee Julia Sage for September’s Hispanic Heritage Month showcase. The season will conclude with a holiday extravaganza in collaboration with Writers Round San Diego, Songwriter Sanctuary’s sister organization.

“One of the things that sets San Diego’s music scene apart is how deeply connected it is,” said White. “This season is all about co-creating meaningful live music experiences with people who are genuinely invested in lifting up local artists in tangible ways.”

Season Passes and Single Day Tickets

A limited number of season passes are available through January 29. Pass holders receive entry to all 2026 concerts, complimentary drink tickets, guest passes, and the opportunity to directly support local musicians and expanded accessibility efforts. For season passes, tickets, and the full 2026 schedule, visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com

2026 Lineup (Subject to Change)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JrvS1pYykOA

additional ASL offerings will be added - please continue to check schedule as interpreters are secured

Jan 30 - ASL provided!

Third anniversary show!

- ​Eve Selis

- Lisa Sanders w/ Brown Sugar

- Omo Cloud

Feb 27

Celebrating Black History Month!

- Kevin Cooper

- Riston Diggs

- Cedrice

Mar 27

Celebrating Women’s History Month!

- Baby Bushka Takeover - Original Songs from BB Members!

- Nancy Ross

- Marie Haddad

- Heather Nation

April 24

- Whitney Shay & Aaron Lind

- Jay Freed

- Robin Henkel

May 29

- Tim Flannery

- Jackson Wagner

- Gayle Skidmore

June 26

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride! Presented by Raspberry Management

- The Dimes

- Saint Misty

- Daddy

July 31 - ASL provided!

Celebrating Disability Pride!

- Sumn Trop

- Jay Walkr

- Claire King

Aug 28 - Ramona Edition!

Songwriter Sanctuary Collab with Listen Local Radio, venue to be announced! (No Show at Normal Heights!) Season pass holder passes will be honored at this show

- Nate Donnis

- The Beard and The Bird

- Haywire

​September 25

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! Presented by Julia Sage

- Stanton Street Duo

- Nathan & Jessie

- Juan Carlos Castellon

Oct 30

- Samantha Franz

- Ms. Connie

- Deidre

Dec 4 - Holiday Extravaganza Writers Round SD Collab!

- Isaac Cheong

- Lilia Rose

- KISUI

- Calabio Twins

- ​John and Eileen Schnarr

- Ryan Sheker

- Danielle Angeloni

- Omar Musisko

For inquiries, media comps, or further information, please contact Lindsay White at lindsaywhite.music@gmail.com. To learn more about partnering with Songwriter Sanctuary, please visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com/about.

Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego on Instagram