Friday Night Sessions
Spring Songwriter Series — First Round
Friday, March 27 | 8:00 PM
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Pay What You Can (suggested $15)
The Bunker Performance Lounge & Cafe
104 Wellington Street, Stratford
The Spring Songwriter Series begins with the first of three intimate Friday Night Sessions celebrating original music and the stories behind it. In true songwriter-in-the-round style, three artists will share the stage, taking turns performing and offering insight into their craft in The Bunker’s listening-room setting.
Opening the series is Deanna Drudge, a songwriter rooted in the farmlands of southern Ontario. With 15 years of experience, Deanna brings melodic and lyrical songwriting shaped by her connection to the land and her ongoing exploration of music as a form of healing. Her reflective approach invites audiences into songs that feel grounded, personal, and honest.
Joining her is Irish-born songwriter Dave Ward, frontman of The Dave Ward Band based in Kitchener, Ontario. Ward’s music blends traditional rock, pop, and folk instrumentation with thoughtful lyrics and rich vocal harmonies. His latest album, The Northern Lights, features performances from acclaimed Canadian musicians including Gary Craig (Jann Arden, Bruce Cockburn), Jason Wilson, Doug Elash (Tim Hicks), and Bob McAlpine (David Clayton-Thomas, Gowan). Influenced by 1980s bands like Big Country and The Waterboys, Ward’s Irish roots and love of Canadian landscapes shape songs such as “Drive,” “Carried Away,” and “Halfway to Revelstoke.” Beyond the stage, he is a longtime Canadian television producer and host of the podcast Talk to Me, where he interviews Canadian artists and advocates for the country’s music community.
Rounding out the evening is Mark Martyre, a Canadian writer and musician who released six full-length studio albums between 2012 and 2019. Touring across Canada and into Europe, his work has earned national and international attention, along with “Best Songwriter” and “Album of the Year” nominations. In addition to his recording career, Mark composed and performed music for the 2018 play That Moment When, and his poetry has appeared in various journals and magazines—reflecting a creative voice that extends beyond the stage.
Together, these three songwriters launch the Spring Series with an evening focused on strong writing, shared stories, and the kind of attentive atmosphere The Bunker is known for.
We encourage guests to reserve their seats in advance using the Seat Reservation link to guarantee a spot. Admission remains Pay What You Can (suggested $15), with contributions collected in the lounge on the night of the show.
At The Bunker, we’re proud that the majority of ticket revenue goes directly to the artists. To support our mission and keep the music going, a minimum $10 purchase per person from our menu is required during ticketed shows.
With limited seating, we kindly ask all ticket holders to arrive no later than 15 minutes before showtime to ensure your spot. Reserved seating may be released 15 minutes after the show begins. If seats are no longer available, refunds may be issued in person. Please note: no refunds are issued for no-shows.
