‘The Listening’ offers intimate experience of hearing local musicians

For musicians in the Tri-Cities, there are places to play bigger, louder shows. And there are places to play quieter sets — usually at a restaurant or winery, as the audience talks, eats or drinks cocktails.

But there aren’t a lot of spots where stripped-down music takes center stage and musicians can play their own acoustic stuff before audiences poised and primed to listen.

That’s changing, as some Tri-City musicians are teaming up with The Local coffee shop in Kennewick to hold regular listening room-style music events.

The next one is at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Local, 8530 W. Gage Blvd., Suite E.

Quinell Oucharek, a Pasco-based singer-songwriter, is helping organize the new music series, called The Listening.

He’ll take the stage for the Nov. 19 show, along with Micah Luebben, David Dayton, Chris Noyes and Jeff Stachofsky.

“We’re trying to help out musicians, give them a place to play where it feels like people are paying attention to what they’re doing,” Oucharek said.

It’ll be great for audiences too, he said.

“They’ll be able to get out there and enjoy the music instead of listening over noise.”

Jenna Tormanen, co-owner of The Local, said the shop started with the goal of bringing specialty coffee to the Tri-Cities and building community and culture.

“We wanted The Local to be a place where you can see old friends and meet new people,” she said. “We think that hosting local talent is a great way to do that.”

She said the shop is excited to play host to the “The Listening” and its organizers’ vision for musicians and community.

Admission is free.

To stay up to date, find The Listening on Facebook.

This story was originally published November 17, 2016 at 1:36 PM with the headline "‘The Listening’ offers intimate experience of hearing local musicians."