Darryl Purpose / Emily Halpern

Sun Sept 21st, 8:00 pm

Darryl Purpose

A master of the ‘narrative’ folk tradition, Purpose has earned a reputation as a top-shelf songwriter and performer with a keen eye for detail and an uncanny knack for subtle twists that engage his listeners through his unusual, beautiful melodies and personal stories.

Purpose’s love for telling stories is almost as compelling as the life he’s made for himself. As a teenager, he hitchhiked to Las Vegas and began a legendary career playing blackjack. A few years later he joined a “March for Peace” that began in Los Angeles and walked across the country to Washington, DC. He then continued on to walk in the then Soviet Union. He began performing music on the marches, including participating in the first ever outdoor stadium concert in Russian history, produced by the legendary Bill Graham and featuring Santana, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and others.

While Emily Halpern makes her living as a screenwriter, she rediscovered her passion for music and songwriting in 2020. Two years later, Emily released her debut EP, Carry Me Home. The songs drew from her personal experiences, exploring themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. The following year she released the singles Hey Buddy and I Love You So, and she has four new singles coming out in 2025 and 2026. Emily’s musical inspirations include Patty Griffin, John Prine, and Aimee Mann.

Emily’s screen credits include Booksmart, for which she received a BAFTA nomination. She has written for several TV shows, including Black-ish, for which she received an Emmy nomination.