Join us for a one-of-a-kind evening celebrating songwriting, storytelling, and cinematic creativity at Park Theater Hudson. The night begins with an intimate songwriters circle featuring ISMAY, Kendra McKinley, Lea Thomas, and Reed Foehl—four distinct voices weaving together a tapestry of folk, soul, and Americana.

Following the performance, stay for a screening of Finding Lucinda, a new documentary project from ISMAY that traces the roots and enduring influence of legendary songwriter Lucinda Williams. The evening concludes with a Q&A with ISMAY, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process and the making of the film.

About the Artists:

✨ ISMAY is the alternative folk project of California-based songwriter Avery Hellman, whose storytelling is deeply shaped by the landscapes and communities of the American West. Their debut album Songs of Sonoma Mountain (2020) was named one of KQED’s 10 Best Bay Area Albums, and their 2024 release Desert Pavement—produced with Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse—earned wide acclaim from No Depression, The Associated Press, and Americana Highways, and was listed among WMOT’s 2024 Thirty Essential and Outstanding Americana Albums. Raised amid the music of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Avery’s work blends pastoral lyricism with contemporary folk depth.

🎶 Kendra McKinley crafts lush, groove-driven songs that shimmer between sensuality and sophistication. With a looping pedal and a poet’s touch, she conjures the grounded elegance of Feist and the boundary-pushing spirit of Moses Sumney, moving seamlessly from Redwood recording sessions to stages like the Guggenheim.

🌿 Lea Thomas, a Hudson Valley-based songwriter, “creates worlds with her words” (American Songwriter). Her music, praised as “hypnotic” and “empowering” by NPR and The Guardian, blends intimate folk textures with cosmic indie rock landscapes. Her 2024 album Cosmos Forever (Triple Dolphin Records) continues her exploration of the mystical within the everyday.

🌾 Reed Foehl, a Grammy-nominated Americana artist, brings cinematic storytelling and heartfelt vocals to the stage. A veteran songwriter raised in rural New England, Foehl’s music evokes the wide-open emotional vistas of the American landscape. With several acclaimed albums to his name and a new release coming in 2026, his songs linger long after the last note fades.

FINDING LUCINDA DOCUMENTARY FILM

Finding Lucinda offers an intimate, cinematic exploration of creativity, legacy, and artistic self-discovery. Directed by Joel Fendelman (Man on Fire, Remittance) and produced by Liz McBee, the film follows California-based singer-songwriter Avery Hellman (ISMAY) on a journey through the American South in search of inspiration and understanding through the early life and influence of Lucinda Williams, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning icon of American songwriting.

Featuring interviews with Lucinda Williams, Charlie Sexton, Buddy Miller, Mary Gauthier, and others, the documentary uncovers untold stories, unreleased recordings, and the roots of a musical legend whose artistry continues to shape generations. Through breathtaking cinematography by Rose Bush (Colette), Finding Lucinda captures both the landscape that molded Williams and the creative terrain traversed by those who follow in her footsteps.

A reflection on artistry, resilience, and the search for purpose, Finding Lucinda is more than a portrait of a songwriter—it’s a meditation on what it means to make music with integrity and heart.

🎥 The screening will be followed by a Q&A with ISMAY, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look into the making of the film and its personal resonance.

An Evening with ISMAY & Friends — Songwriters Circle, Film Screening of Finding Lucinda and Q&A

An Evening with ISMAY & Friends — Songwriters Circle, Film Screening of Finding Lucinda and Q&A