By: Adrian Varnam

Since spring the first Tuesday of every month has consistently been a special night for Wilmington’s local music scene. Rain or shine, from one venue to the next, from Super Tuesday to plain old Tuesday, the Wilmington Unplugged songwriters series has managed to maintain support and momentum in a cultural and economic climate not always conducive to live music.

Offering an opportunity to share songs with other established musicians in front of a usually packed and attentive audience, Wilmington Unplugged has become a hallmark for music lovers who want to hear and share good music in a supportive environment.

Wilmington Unplugged began a couple of years ago at the now-defunct, and sorely missed, Bella Festa. Organizer and local musician Kevin Rhodes teamed up with then bar manager and co-owner Billy Mellon to create a monthly event where local writers could get together and share songs. Part “MTV Unplugged,” part songwriters-in-the-round, the series promised to be an organized and pre-scheduled open mic of sorts, where established musicians got an opportunity to share their music, as well as network with other players and attentive scenesters. Amazingly, after many months and several venue changes, Wilmington Unplugged is still going strong and has kept to its original vision, something attributed to the hard work put together by Rhodes, Mellon, and the dozens of other musicians and fans who enjoy being a part of it.

While providing a forum for sharing original songs and the stage has always been a draw for the musicians, the real joy and power of Wilmington Unplugged has been the audiences. Almost without exception the Wilmington community—by virtue of good acts, word-of-mouth and supportive local press—has consistently shown up and listened, a gesture that makes the event more than simply a self-indulgent hootenanny. The act of giving and receiving together, in one room, in one night, strengthens the larger community as a whole, and helps sustain and support Wilmington’s small but precious music scene.

For December’s contribution the series returns once again to downtown favorite Hell’s Kitchen. To celebrate the success of the songwriters’ series, the holiday season and all who have contributed every first Tuesday, this Wilmington Unplugged will be a “smorgasbord and cornucopia of Wilmington talent,” Mellon, still acting as Master of Ceremonies and co-organizer, says. Mellon and Rhodes have invited every musician who has ever played the series to join them in a “musician’s buffet,” which will result in a “formal open mic,” Mellon says. Each musician will be asked, time permitting, to perform one or two songs, have other players join them on stage and continue the musical relay race throughout the evening. With the stage pre-arranged with drum kits, amplifiers, mic stands and keyboards, Mellon says the atmosphere will be encouraging for everyone to be involved and participate.

In keeping the tradition of the season, Mellon and Rhodes have set the admission price as a “canned goods donation.” They’re asking that patrons bring a few items of non-perishables to donate at the door in lieu of a cover charge. The proceeds will be donated to a local organization whose mission is to provide food for those unable to provide for themselves. It’s the same spirit of community that has made Wilmington Unplugged a standout monthly event here in the Port City—now, it’s giving back more than just great music.

Come spend the first Tuesday night of the month, December 9th, at Hell’s Kitchen for the “Wilmington Unplugged Holiday Shindig.” It’s promised to be a wonderful evening full of local talent, supportive listeners and good deeds for the holiday season. The show begins at 7pm.