WELCOME TO MAMA JAWANNA!

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Conceived in 2020 and brought to life in 2022, Mama JaWanna is the brainchild of accomplished local musicians Susan Boone-Rowan and Susan Swanson who noticed how women are often overlooked and under booked by many venues and festivals and dreamt of a way to bring others front and center. the pair talked with area promoters and venues about their idea. While everyone was in favor no one could help. In the fall of 2022 the two Susan's decided that is was time to let the girls have their day and decided that they will put on the festival themselves. 

With a game plan in hand they called on N.Y.C nightlife legend Shelly Watson (who recently relocated to Arkansas) be the very vibrant Mistress of Ceremonies and together they presented their idea to the City of Harrison Convention and Visitors Bureau (Explore Harrison) who were more than eager to see this event happen.

The search for women singer/songwriters began after that first meeting and almost instantly all the times slots were filled and even more women from outlying areas were asking to join this endeavor.  Now all that was left was to go full steam ahead.