By David Murchland - Marshfield Now!
MARSHFIELD — A new community-focused concert series is bringing live music and local talent to downtown Marshfield, with organizers hoping to create a lasting music culture in the city.
The series, called “At the Vault Sessions,” will hold its next event March 21 at The Vault building. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature regional artists, including the band Yes and the Jures, along with opening performer JoJ.
Jose Ortiz, founder of the series, said the goal is to highlight local musicians and create an environment where audiences can truly listen to music and the stories behind it.
“This is really about bringing local talent and focusing on songwriting and storytelling,” Ortiz said. “It’s about immersing ourselves in the music and experiencing it the way it should be experienced.”
Ortiz said the idea grew from his personal appreciation of music and a desire to strengthen Marshfield’s cultural offerings.
“I felt like there was a need for that here,” he said. “Music and concerts are an important part of a community, and I didn’t want to see that disappear.”
The concerts are designed to be family-friendly and welcoming to people of all ages. Ortiz said some families have already turned previous shows into full-day outings in downtown Marshfield before attending the performances.
Beyond entertainment, the series also aims to create opportunities for musicians and volunteers. Ortiz said organizers are seeking help from community members interested in promoting events, distributing flyers, managing social media or assisting with event logistics.
The concerts also welcome local musicians who perform original music and are willing to discuss their songwriting process with audiences.
“This is for musicians who want to share their music and talk about how their songs came to be,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz hopes the sessions will become a monthly event and eventually expand to include other creative programming, such as poetry readings, film screenings and guest speakers.
Community support will be key to sustaining the project, he said, noting that volunteers and donations help cover costs such as paying performers and organizing events.
“Even if someone donates a dollar or an hour of their time, that makes a huge difference,” Ortiz said.
People interested in volunteering, donating or performing can contact the organizers through the At the Vault Sessions Facebook page or by messaging Ortiz directly.
The March 21 concert begins at 7 p.m. at The Vault in downtown Marshfield