Nov
12
Events
Susan Werner & Flamy Grant
Howley Sessions: Old Town New Folk—Roots, Music and Beyond
About the event
This performance is part of the Howley Sessions and takes place in our intimate Howley Auditorium at the Helmerich Theater. Prefer music under the stars? Catch Susan & Flamy the next night on January 13 at Hugh’s View rooftop.
See the full Howley Sessions season.
A virtuoso guitarist, pianist, and songwriter, Susan Werner moves effortlessly between jazz-pop, gospel, Cuban son, and New Orleans grooves. From her appearance on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz to her work on Bull Durham, The Musical, Werner has built a career on musical curiosity, clever lyrics, and captivating performances.
Joining her is Flamy Grant, the self-proclaimed “God’s Favorite Drag Queen,” whose blend of Appalachian roots, Americana, and fearless storytelling has earned her a devoted following. Equal parts heartfelt and hilarious, Flamy brings theatrical flair, powerful vocals, and a fresh perspective to every performance.
Two powerhouse performers, two unforgettable evenings! Together, these singular artists promise beautiful music, big personalities, and plenty of surprises.
About Susan Werner
Susan Werner doesn’t just perform music — she reinvents it every time she steps on stage. A virtuoso guitarist and pianist with a voice-trained musician’s precision and a storyteller’s wit, Werner has spent more than two decades building a reputation as one of the most original and entertaining performers on the acoustic music scene.
From elegant jazz-pop inspired by George Gershwin and Cole Porter to gospel, Cuban son, and New Orleans piano grooves, Werner’s catalog refuses to sit still. Whether she’s crafting sharp, funny observations or deeply moving songs, her performances blend intelligence, humor, and jaw-dropping musicianship into an unforgettable live experience.
A featured guest on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz and composer/lyricist for Bull Durham, The Musical for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Werner continues to push boundaries with every project. Her latest recordings, The Birds of Florida and Halfway to Houston (2024), showcase an artist still exploring new territory — and making it sound entirely her own.
About Flamy Grant
Flamy Grant is here to slay shame, serve looks, and folk things up. A trailblazing Americana singer/songwriter from Asheville, North Carolina, she sets stages ablaze with blistering vocals, bold looks, brilliant songwriting, and brave storytelling.
Flamy made drag history in 2023 when her debut album Bible Belt Baby reached #1 on the iTunes Christian music charts, earning her headlines in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, People, and more. Too big for just one genre, Flamy snatched a 2026 International Folk Music Award nomination for Best Album for her sophomore record CHURCH — which also hit #8 on the iTunes Country charts. Other accolades include Audience Favorite at the 2025 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, a win for the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Songwriting competition, and a nomination for Drag Royalty at the 2024 Queerty Awards.
Beautifully blending her Appalachian roots with drag artistry and musical excellence, Flamy has stormed stages from Los Angeles to London, from New York to the Netherlands, racking up over 1.5 million streams on digital music platforms. This powerhouse vocalist, intrepid songwriter, and shame-slaying drag queen serves up a therapeutic, theatrical experience that is fearless, flamboyant, and full of heart. Flamy is brilliant, resilient proof that nothing is sacred (but everything is holy) — and shame belongs in the closet.
Thanks to our Sponsors
Nick and Lorie Howley
Blue Heaven, Gordon and Meridyth McIntosh, Doug and Sherri Montgomery, Marilyn and John Rintamaki, Nell Smets, Michael Blades and Kathy Kilroy
Series originated by Jay Scott
