Songwriter Series hosted by Abigail Dowd, featuring: Mark Kano, and John Gillespie

Abigail Dowd, our fearless host, enjoys music most when it’s embedded in real life, sitting around a fire, singing harmonies around an old family piano, or every third Tuesday night at the Flat Iron. Each month Abigail invites musician friends to fall into space with her and the audience for what she describes as an evening in her adopted living room. They collaborate, share new songs, play old favorites, make things up, make you cry, make you laugh and most of all make you glad you came. 

Mark Kano’s introspective storytelling is driven by soaring melodies and thoughtful production. As the former frontman of Athenaeum, he made waves in the late ‘90s with his evocative songwriting and unmistakable voice, crafting songs that resonated deeply with listeners. His solo work builds on that foundation, blending openhearted emotion with polished musicianship to create soundscapes that feel both intimately familiar and refreshingly new. Whether weaving nostalgic anthems or quiet reflections, Kano’s music invites you in—to a space where memory and melody intertwine.

John Gillespie is a singer-songwriter raised in Chapel Hill, NC. Best known as half of the folk duo Nikki Meets The Hibachi, John is also a member of several Triangle area bands: Nantahala, The Drowning Lovers, The Marigold Collective, and Pillow Foot.