The heroines of the popular Southern Nights songwriter series which showcases female songwriters returns January 11 at Snug Harbor and fans of the featured singers are welcome to submit song requests.
Southern Nights is an intimate songwriter series presented by BlackAmericana Fest, celebrating women songwriters, original music and the heroines who shaped us. Curated by Dusky Waters, each evening centers storytelling, collaboration, and the living roots of American music—grounded in the South, expansive in spirit.
Artists perform in the round, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the heart of their craft. The night culminates in a collaborative Southern Nights Superset, where all artists unite on stage to honor a shared musical heroine. On January 11, the tribute is dedicated to Sister Rosetta Tharpe—the godmother of rock & roll, a trailblazing guitarist, vocalist, and gospel revolutionary whose sound reshaped American music and laid the foundation for generations to come.
“Over the past few years, we have had the absolute joy of hearing stunning original music from women songwriters across our region — and this is shaping up to be something really special,” wrote admins for @blackamericanafest on Instagram.
Featured artists for the January 11 line up are as follows:
Dusky Waters, the New Orleans–based Americana songwriter whose music carries the magic, grief and resilience of the Mississippi River. A soulful multi-instrumentalist, she blends folk, gospel, pop, and roots traditions into performances that feel both intimate and electrifying. OffBeat praises her work as “beautifully crafted” with “clarion-call vocals.” She is the co-founder of BlackAmericana Fest and curator of the Southern Nights series.
Kristin Diable is a southern original whose voice bends as whimsical and unyielding as the Mississippi River. Her sharp-eyed lyrics and timeless melodies reveal the mystical within the everyday, crafting songs that feel both grounded and otherworldly. Rooted in Americana and colored by dream-pop textures, her work carries emotional depth, quiet power, and an unwavering commitment to truth-telling.
Amethyst Starr brings a bold, soulful presence to the Southern Nights stage, weaving together voice, story, and emotional depth. Her work reflects a commitment to truth-telling and connection, creating space for vulnerability, power, and communal resonance.
Dusky Waters – banjo, guitar, vocals
Kristin Diable – guitar, vocals
Amethyst Starr – guitar, vocals
Rose Cangelosi – drums
Nelson Williams – upright bass
Hannah Kreiger-Benson – piano
Doors open at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. with shows beginning half an hour later. Tickets are available here.
To make a song request, comment on the Instagram post here.
This event will continue second Sundays through April (January 11, February 8, March 8 and April 12.
