Story by: Thomas Herrold 

Each month, nestled between the beach and Bull Memorial Park, local musicians gather within the cramped, dimly lit walls of the Adele Grage Cultural Center to share their original songs during the Atlantic Beach Songwriters Night. 

Inside is a dark, wood-paneled room, featuring rows of theater-style chairs around a small stage adorned with spotlights and amplifiers in the center of the room. 

According to Roy Peak, the event’s host, this event gives these local musicians the chance to share music that they may have never played before. 

“You’re always hearing something new that someone’s written that they probably haven’t played anywhere,” he said. For Peak, it is not always about how well someone can play; “it’s about the song.” 

Debi Jean, one of the performers, has only been playing guitar for a few years. “I got started really late,” she said. “I had a wild hair and just went, ‘I’m going to learn to play guitar.’” 

Now, Jean shares her music through her weekly online show, Debi Jean’s World, featured on YouTube and Facebook. 

“I do like, three songs, and I interact with my followers,” Jean said.  

Inside the Cultural Center, there is a revolving door of performers as each musician plays their music, then gives up the stage for the next person. 

Noah Studeman, a Jacksonville resident, views the event as a fun way to participate in the community and meet new people. 

“It’s always good to see some local artists,” Studeman said. “I think it’s a good standout event because you get a bunch of local artists.” 

“It’s all original songs.”