About Positively Acoustic! Positively Acoustic! is a nonprofit singer-songwriter series featuring positive, inspiring acoustic music. It was developed by Chicago singer-songwriter Valencia Bey in response to requests for an all ages, family friendly show. "I got a little tired of wailing women singing jagged little pill songs and dudes singing about why they live alone. You can only listen to so much of that before depression sets in," says Bey. "I decided I wanted to put together a showcase of positive, uplifting music...no downers allowed." The first show of the series, which features acoustic performances by musicians and singer/songwriters from Chicago and beyond, will be held at 5 p.m. July 22 at Jazz It Café, 4202 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago. "All the artists scheduled to participate in the Positively Acoustic! series are great musicians and great storytellers," says Bey. "The shows begin earlier in the evening to accommodate families, and song themes and lyrics are appropriate for an all-ages show." The five shows will be held in Chicago, Oak Park, and Naperville. (See attached schedule.) Bey says that in almost all cases, the instruments (guitars, basses, drums, etc.) will be strictly acoustic - meaning little or no amplification - so as to create an easy listening environment. In addition to providing entertainment with a positive theme at a time and place appropriate for families, Bey hopes Positively Acoustic! will provide other artists with the inspiration to write - and perform - more positive music. Bey performs her original folk/rock- and soul-influenced music at singer-songwriter showcases around the country and recently released her first CD, Heart of a Brown Girl."I recently played a date where I decided to sing only positive music," she says. "After two songs, one of the other artists said, 'Those are really inspirational - I should write more songs like that!' Music can empower and inspire - and as artists, we should choose to do that more." Positively Acoustic! will feature up-and-coming as well as established artists. Among the featured artists scheduled to perform are international singer-songwriter Randall Williams, who performs original ballads to folk songs in six different languages; Chicago-based singer-songwriter Cynthia Lin, who has opened for Vienna Teng; and singer-songwriter Dawn Xiana Moon, an emerging songwriter whose music is described as simply beautiful. "I'm looking forward to the series," says Bey. "My girls can come and see me perform...I don't have to tell them no honey, you can't come. Mommy's singing in a smoky bar tonight."