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East Kildonan resident Dana (Bean) Kowalsky will be part of the Bluebird North songwriters’ showcase at The Park Theatre on Feb. 8. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

East Kildonan-based singer/songwriter Dana (Bean) Kowalsky is starting to sprout on the local music scene.

Kowalsky, who is currently working on her debut EP with producers Carlin Hiebert and Los Angeles-based Adrian Bradford, will be one of the featured performers at the upcoming Bluebird North songwriters’ showcase. The Feb. 8 event, which is sponsored by the Songwriters Association of Canada, will also feature Don Amero, Scott Nolan, and James Struthers.

Kowalsky said the showcase will be a great opportunity for her to mingle with her musical peers.

"I’ve seen Struthers play before but I’ve never seen Nolan or Amero. So, it’s going to be interesting to sit up there with them," she said.

"I’m the only female and I play piano, and I think the rest of them play guitar. It’s going to be interesting to see their perspective on song writing."

The Bluebird North series features Canadian songwriters taking turns sharing stories and songs in an acoustic setting.

The idea for the show originally started  in a Nashville, Tenn. cafe called the Bluebird and eventually made its way north of the border.

Chris Burke-Gaffney, a local music producer who is organizing the Winnipeg showcase, said he first learned about Kowalsky through her manager, Glen Willows. Although he hasn’t seen her perform live, Burke-Gaffney said he thinks she will be a great addition to the lineup.

"It’s a very relaxed and fun environment...We try to get different styles and varieties. The stories that the people tell and to see them perform their songs in a stripped down acoustic venue. Everyone who comes out really enjoys it," said Burke-Gaffney.

Willows, who runs Burning Circus Management, said Kowasky’s star is on the rise.

"I think she has a very current sound and approach. These days with the music business in a period of limbo, artists have to be proactive and self-motivated. She's incredibly talented and creative," said Willows. "I think people will be blown away with her writing and voice!"

The 24-year-old musician has been playing music since she was five, and began writing by the time she was 11.

While her music is very piano-oriented, Kowalsky said she is proud of the fact that it defies easy labeling.

"I grew up playing classical piano, so that had a bit of an influence," she said.  "It’s sort of a different pop, I would think. It’s very piano-based because I write everything on the piano, but I like to orchestrate things with different sounds."

Kowalsky grew up in a musical household. Her older brothers studied piano and she couldn’t wait until she got the same kind of opportunity.

"I started writing when I was 11. I was very shy and never showed any of my work to anybody. Then I got involved with church music when I was a teenager, and that brought me out of the box," she said.

"It was always something that called to me. I really enjoy it, and it’s  a creative outlet.. It’s one of my favourite things to do."

Kowalsky said no release date has been set for her forthcoming debut disc, but she’s hopeful it will be available later this year.

To learn more about Kowalsky and her music visit www.myspace.com/beanmusic1 or www.youtube.com/beanmusic1.

adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com