ABOUT
ATL Songs
ATL Songs
A Monthly Songwriter Night at Buteco Grant Park
Hosted by Parker Smith of Guitar Shed
Presented by Roots of Rhythm Foundation
ATL Songs is a monthly songwriter night presented by Roots of Rhythm Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music education, supporting local artists, and creating more spaces for people to connect through music.
Each month, Guitar Shed founder and songwriter Parker Smith hosts an evening that brings together Atlanta songwriters, students, and music lovers for a night of original music, stories, and community.
The night begins with a featured songwriter round from 7:30–8:30 PM, where Parker is joined by two local songwriters for an intimate in-the-round performance — trading songs, stories, and the inspiration behind their music.
After a short break, the evening opens up for an open mic starting at 8:45 PM. This is a supportive, non-competitive listening-room environment where songwriters can share original music. Honesty, vulnerability, humor, and works-in-progress are all welcome — this is not about perfection or polish.
Open mic slots are limited and available by advance sign-up on a first-come, first-served basis. Performers may share up to two original songs, with a total performance time of about 8 minutes.
If you want to perform in the open mic, please arrive and check in with Parker by 7:30 PM so we can confirm your spot and keep the night running smoothly.
Held at Buteco Grant Park, ATL Songs is designed to be a welcoming monthly gathering for Atlanta’s songwriting community. Buteco offers a full menu of food and craft cocktails, so come early, grab a bite, and settle in for an evening of original music.
Featured Songwriter Round: 7:30–8:30 PM
Open Mic: Starts at 8:45 PM
Open Mic Check-In: By 7:30 PM if you want to perform
Location: Buteco Grant Park
Dates: Last Thursday of every month
Cover: No cover; donations to Roots of Rhythm Foundation are encouraged
Join us each month as we spotlight Atlanta’s songwriting talent and continue building community through music — one song at a time.
Camp Explorers (ages 4-7)
dates:
July 20 - 24
9:00am - 12:00pm
•
Guitar Shed Main Lobby
Do you have a music lover between the ages of 4 and 7 who is almost ready to begin private instrument lessons? Can’t decide when to begin lessons or what instrument to study? This five-day summer camp is for you!
Join us this July for an exciting five-day series that will introduce young music students to a wide variety of musical instruments and concepts. This class aims to aid children in choosing an instrument for private study while also having a positive experience exploring different ways of making music. Over the course of the series, students will have the opportunity to play piano, percussion, and a variety of string instruments, including violin, guitar, and ukulele. We will also have fun learning beginning music theory concepts and - of course - do some singing and dancing too!
Sign-up early! Space is limited in this small group class so that everyone gets plenty of time with the instruments!
Explorers (ages 4-7)
dates:
September 12 - October 3 (Saturdays)
11:00am-11:45am
•
Studio A - Band Room
Do you have a music lover between the ages of 4 and 7 who is almost ready to begin private instrument lessons? Can’t decide when to begin lessons or what instrument to study? This class series is for you!
Join us this fall for an exciting four class series that will introduce young music students to a wide variety of musical instruments and concepts. This class aims to aid children in choosing an instrument for private study while also having a positive experience exploring different ways of making music. Over the course of the series, students will have the opportunity to play piano, percussion, and a variety of string instruments including violin, guitar, and ukulele. We will also have fun learning beginning music theory concepts and of course do some singing and dancing too!
Sign-up early, space is limited in this small group class so that everyone gets plenty of time with the instruments!
Fall Session (ages 1-4)
dates:
August 1 - September 26 (every Saturday except Labor Day Weekend)
10:00am - 10:30am
•
Studio A
Join us at Guitar Shed in Atlanta for a playful, welcoming space where children can discover the magic of music at their own pace.
Classes can be attended as an entire session or a la carte. All classes are designed for children and their caregivers. We do not offer drop-off classes at this time.
FALL SESSION
dates:
September 21 - November 15
11:30am
•
Guitar Shed
Calling all Songbirds! Join us for another session of Songbirds with many great artists to choose from like Dua Lipa, Billy Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and more!
Must have at least one year of singing experience. Students must attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions to participate in the final performance at the end of the session.
The sign-up fee is waived for current students.
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8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Studio A
Join us each Saturday in June and July for a different special workshop each weekend! Our workshops will feature everything from how to jump into a bluegrass jam to understanding music theory.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
June 13th - Songwriting: Simple Tools To Create Great Songs
w/ Vivian Slade
June 20th - Music Theory: Understanding Core Theory Concepts For All Instruments
w/ Zach Judsen
June 27th - Guitar Technique: Command Your Hands
w/ Brandon Marsolo
July 11th - Bluegrass Jams: How To Jump In On A Jam
w/ Max Godfrey
July 25th - Harmonization: How To Construct Chords & Put Together Progressions
w/ Sean McMorris
JAMINAL PARTY PACKAGES
Select from one of our party packages below and reach out to book an interactive party that's run and enriching for both kids and partents!
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Week 1
Staff lead:
LUKE BOISMIER
AGES:
8-16
dates:
June 8-12
9:00AM-1:00PM
Guitar Shed - 1610 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30317
Our camp is 25 hours of individual and group instruction from our expert teachers at Guitar Shed. Throughout the week, students will learn arrangements of fun, popular songs while working on technique, music fundamentals, and playing cohesively with other musicians. At the end of the week, campers will feel more confident about their playing and have memories to last a lifetime.
Ages 8-12 spots available:
4
Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Ages 12-16 spots available:
0
FULL
Ages 9-12 voice spots available:
Week 2
Staff lead:
ZACH JUDSEN
AGES:
8-16
dates:
June 22-26
9:00AM-1:00PM
Guitar Shed - 1610 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30317
Our camp is 25 hours of individual and group instruction from our expert teachers at Guitar Shed. Throughout the week, students will learn arrangements of fun, popular songs while working on technique, music fundamentals, and playing cohesively with other musicians. At the end of the week, campers will feel more confident about their playing and have memories to last a lifetime.
Ages 8-12 spots available:
0
FULL
Ages 12-16 spots available:
0
FULL
Ages 9-12 voice spots available:
Week 3
Staff lead:
RADLEY FRICKER
AGES:
8-16
dates:
July 13-17
9:00AM-1:00PM
Guitar Shed - 1610 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30317
Our camp is 25 hours of individual and group instruction from our expert teachers at Guitar Shed. Throughout the week, students will learn arrangements of fun, popular songs while working on technique, music fundamentals, and playing cohesively with other musicians. At the end of the week, campers will feel more confident about their playing and have memories to last a lifetime.
Ages 8-12 spots available:
2
FULL
Ages 12-16 spots available:
2
FULL
Ages 9-12 voice spots available:
Week 4
Staff lead:
LUKE BOISMIER
AGES:
8-16
dates:
July 20-24
9:00AM-1:00PM
Guitar Shed - 1610 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30317
Our camp is 25 hours of individual and group instruction from our expert teachers at Guitar Shed. Throughout the week, students will learn arrangements of fun, popular songs while working on technique, music fundamentals, and playing cohesively with other musicians. At the end of the week, campers will feel more confident about their playing and have memories to last a lifetime.
Ages 8-12 spots available:
1
Bass only.
Ages 12-16 spots available:
2
Bass
Ages 9-12 voice spots available:
Rock Ensemble
Thursdays
•
8:15-9:15pm
•
Guitar Shed
If you like:
The Beatles, The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Tom Petty
Current Openings:
Drums, Vocals
Our Rock Ensemble is an adult band that focuses on rock music and its many subgenres. It features drums, bass guitar, and electric guitar to go along with strong vocals. They have played everything from Smashing Pumpkins to B.B. King to Fleetwood Mac. The band provides students a chance to not only hone their skills as part of a group but a chance to interact with other musicians in a laid-back atmosphere.
Acoustic Ensemble
Mondays
•
5:45-6:45pm
•
Off Site
If you like:
Indigo Girls, Fleetwood Mac, The Wailin’ Jennys, The Avett Brothers
Current Openings:
Guitar, Mandolin, Violin
Our Acoustic Ensemble, ‘Wednesday Night Supper Club’ is an all-female group. They play songs from different genres in acoustic arrangements. The group features several talented singers and focuses a lot on vocal harmonies, strumming patterns, and chord voicings.
Americana Ensemble
Mondays
•
8:15-9:15pm
•
Guitar Shed Lobby
If you like:
Wilco, Rhiannon Giddens, Willie Nelson, Gillian Welch
Current Openings:
Mandolin, Bass, Guitar
Back by popular demand, our Americana Ensemble, The Bullfrogs, has returned to Guitar Shed. The group focuses on a wide variety of music that falls under the Americana moniker, country, roots, bluegrass, and folk. However, this is not a traditional music group and they will incorporate newer covers alongside the classics you know and love. Open to acoustic instruments.
Blues Ensemble
Sundays
•
6:30-7:30pm
•
Studio A
If you like:
Albert King, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Clark Jr., KoKo Taylor
Current Openings:
Vocals
Guitar Shed’s longstanding Blues Ensemble, ‘The Bobcats’ learn about popular blues styles, iconic tunes, improvisation, and how to play in a group setting.
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Jam Ensemble
Mondays
•
8:15-9:15pm
•
Studio A
If you like:
The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Phish, Widespread Panic, Medeski Martin and Wood
Current Openings:
Female Vocals, Percussion
Ready to take your noodling to the next level? Jam Ensemble is currently enrolling students who are looking to improvise with like-minded musicians in a group setting.
Jazz Ensemble
Wednesdays
•
8:15-9:15pm
•
Guitar Shed
If you like:
Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Wayne Shorter
Current Openings:
Bass
Our Jazz Ensemble, ‘Adult Recital’ focuses on improvisation techniques, learning to play in a combo setting, listening exercises, and building a jazz vocabulary. The group will primarily focus on material from the Blue Note era. Open to all instruments.
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Pop Ensemble
Sundays
•
11:30am–12:30pm
•
Studio A
If you like:
Madonna, Olivia Rodrigo, Laufey, Bruno Mars, Chappell Roan
Current Openings:
Guitar
The Pop ensemble is designed for experienced adult musicians passionate about playing contemporary and classic pop music. The group focuses on songs with memorable melodies, strong grooves, and expressive dynamics. Participants should be comfortable with chords and generally fluent on their instruments. Rehearsals emphasize tight ensemble playing, rhythmic precision, and musical expression to bring each piece to life. Join us to develop your skills, collaborate with fellow musicians, and enjoy performing popular repertoire around ATL!
