On Friday, December 6, Songwriter Sanctuary will present its last concert of the 2024 season. This special holiday edition will feature an in-the-round performance from Kimmi Bitter, Mark Montijo, and Bobo Czarnowski. Hosted by SD Music Hall of Famer Jeff Berkley in partnership with Normal Heights United at their beautiful historic sanctuary. About the Artists Kimmi Bitter: Driven by a hyper-obsession for the 1960s, Kimmi Bitter creates a captivating soundscape that blends golden-era Countrypolitan with psychedelic twangs and a mod flair. Creating a buzz from her grassroots efforts and vigorous touring, her debut album "Old School" hit the ground running in 2024 landing on the Top 25 Americana Album Radio Chart and has garnered three separate song nominations to date. Tracks like the tear-jerking ballad "My Grass is Blue" have grown comparisons of time when Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires overtook radio waves. Saving Country Music called it "solid country gold," nominating it for Single of the Year alongside the likes of Charley Crockett and Sierra Ferrell. Though driving her career independently, she is no stranger to building her accolades. “Aquamarine” took home Song of the Year at the 2024 San Diego Music Awards alongside fellow nominees Jason Mraz, P.O.D., Slightly Stoopid, and Thee Sacred Souls. Additionally, her breakout album skyrocketed to #1 on the Alt. Country Specialty Charts for four consecutive weeks. She's a San Diego Music Award winner for Best Country/Americana Artist, with "My Grass is Blue" snagging another Song of the Year nod in 2023. Regarding her live performance, she was notably coined one of the "biggest musical takeaways" at Nashville's most recent Americanafest. (photo by Kristi Walker) Mark Montijo has been writing and performing original material since his teens (except for several decades when he did other stuff). American Songwriter Magazine described Mark’s music as “ ... brilliant songwriting, evoking that gentle, poignant place John Prine brought us to so often, merging the sorrow with some laughter ...”, and his song “Someone Can Fly” earned him an Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting Award at the 19th Annual Great American Song Contest. Mark will be accompanied at Songwriter Sanctuary by multi-instrumentalist Lenny Bole, who also contributed to every track on Mark’s recently released album “If I Get to Heaven.” (photo by Carina Wheatley) Bobo Czarnowski: Born on the beaches of Southern California and tempered in some of the most remote mountains on the planet, the songs of Bobo Czarnowski speak of a love for travel, a love for the mountains and the ocean, a love for people and a deep gratitude for all the above. While playing as part of a duo, he was privileged to open for folk music veterans like David Wilcox, John Gorka, Dougie Maclean, Chris Smithers, and others. He has been a frequent performer at all of San Diego’s coffee house venues, including a several year stint as sound man, stage manager, and open mic host at Java Joe’s. His voice is warm and inviting, and a comfort to listen to. His musical style is classic singer/songwriter with complex open tuning guitar melodies and lyrics that reflect the large value he places on social causes, the environment, and the long list of people he loves. (photo by Dennis Andersen) Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church. 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., Show 7 p.m. Suggested Donation: $10 (all ages) but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. All donations go to artists. No one turned away for lack of funds. Food/Drink: Beverages (with and without alcohol) are available for small purchase, thanks to our partners Normal Heights United and our sponsors at Duck Foot Brewing Company. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food/drinks into the sanctuary - we recommend grabbing takeout from one of the many amazing restaurants on Adams Ave! (Please respect the space and dispose of all waste/recycling upon conclusion of the concert). Accessibility: Please direct any venue accessibility requests to Molly Lorden molly(at)nhunited(dot)org. Masks are not required but welcome. If you are ill/contagious, please stay home for the safety of others. Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/songwriter-sanctuary-december-2024-holiday-show-tickets-1063640149319
