Arts + Culture Alliance Presents Second Songwriter's Showcase

Local musicians to share original songs and personal stories at intimate event

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Arts + Culture Alliance (ACA) in Marshalltown, Iowa is hosting its second Songwriter's Showcase, featuring four talented local musicians - Mike Bernard, Art Hanford, Nick Beard, and Katie Sires of Katie & the Honky-Tonks. The event will take place on March 6 and offer audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart and craft of songwriting, as each artist shares original songs paired with the personal stories that inspired them.

Why it matters

The Songwriter's Showcase provides an intimate space for local musicians to share their original work, building connections and deepening the community's understanding of one another's experiences through the power of storytelling and music.

The details

The event will feature four local musicians - Mike Bernard, Art Hanford, Nick Beard, and Katie Sires of Katie & the Honky-Tonks - who will each perform original songs and share the personal stories behind them. Light appetizers, snacks, and beverages will be served, and the event is geared towards teenagers and adults.

  • The Songwriter's Showcase will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The players

Arts + Culture Alliance (ACA)

A local organization in Marshalltown, Iowa that supports the arts and cultural community.

Mike Bernard

A local musician performing at the Songwriter's Showcase.

Art Hanford

A local musician performing at the Songwriter's Showcase.

Nick Beard

A local musician performing at the Songwriter's Showcase.

Katie Sires

A local musician and member of the band Katie & the Honky-Tonks, performing at the Songwriter's Showcase.

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What they’re saying

“Songwriting at this stage in my life is often about reflection and legacy, sharing life's lessons and perceptions and awareness discovered. Often one simple lesson can save or help someone's life forever.”

— Art Hanford, Musician

“At the heart of our community is storytelling — a profound way to build connections and deepen our understanding of one another's experiences. Local musicians have asked for more intimate spaces to share their original work, and we see our space as an incubator for those ideas — a place where creativity can take root and grow. This showcase is a response to that need, and a celebration of the voices that make Marshalltown so special.”

— Kelbryn VanGundy, Marketing + Program Coordinator, Arts + Culture Alliance

“I'm honored to be a featured songwriter in the city where I was born, sharing space with such talented artists and offering a feminine perspective. This is a special event that celebrates Iowa's original music, the stories behind the songs, and the moments that inspired them.”

— Katie Sires, Musician

What’s next

The Arts + Culture Alliance will host the Songwriter's Showcase on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. at their building in downtown Marshalltown.

The takeaway

The Songwriter's Showcase provides an intimate platform for local musicians to share their original work and personal stories, fostering deeper connections within the Marshalltown community through the power of music and storytelling.