Southern Nights is an intimate songwriter series presented by BlackAmericana Fest, celebrating women songwriters, original music, and the heroines who shaped us. Curated by Dusky Waters, each evening centers storytelling, collaboration, and the living roots of American music—grounded in the South, expansive in spirit.                   Artists perform in the round, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the heart of their craft. The night culminates in a collaborative Southern Nights Superset, where all artists unite on stage to honor a shared musical heroine. On March 8, that tribute is dedicated to Billie Holiday, whose singular voice and fearless artistry reshaped American music and gave generations a language for longing, dignity, love, and resistance.  Tonight's featured artists include:  Erica Falls  widely recognized for her five-year tenure as the lead vocalist for Galactic, but she commands her own stage with a devoted following drawn to her distinctive blend of neo-soul, original compositions, inventive arrangements, and masterful interpretations of classic songs. Raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, Falls was shaped by her parents’ love of iconic artists such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, and Sarah Vaughan. In addition to leading her own band and performing with Galactic, she has released several solo projects and collaborated with renowned artists including Allen Toussaint, Joe Sample, Sting, No Doubt, Jennifer Hudson, Dr. John, and John Fogerty. Anna Moss grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where she co-founded the high-energy, multi-instrumental pop-folk-rock duo Handmade Moments with partner Joel Ludford. In the duo, Moss sings and plays bass clarinet, upright bass, saxophone, and other instruments. After relocating to New Orleans in 2016, she began writing on guitar during the early months of the pandemic, giving rise to her solo project, Anna Moss and the Nightshades. The project features Ludford, flautist Victoria Doutón, Brazilian drummer Fernando Lima, and an array of acclaimed collaborators, including trumpet standout Ashlin Parker and vocalist Cyrille Aimée. Her 2024 release Anna Moss: Amnesty includes “Slow Down Kamikaze,” filmed on Royal Street for NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Moss’s versatility, evocative voice, and compelling songwriting have earned critical praise and appearances at major festivals nationwide. Dusky Waters is a New Orleans–based Americana songwriter whose music reflects the magic, grief, and resilience of the Mississippi River. A soulful multi-instrumentalist, she weaves together folk, gospel, pop, and roots traditions into performances that are both intimate and electrifying. OffBeat has praised her work as “beautifully crafted” with “clarion-call vocals.” She is the co-founder of BlackAmericana Fest and curator of the Southern Nights series.  Performing artists also include: Conner McCready - drums Nelson Williams - upright bass Hannah Kreiger-Benson - piano Sage Rouge - saxaphone Shows at 7:30pm & 9:30pm Doors at 7:00pm & 9:00pm