Tony Denikos, a grand prize-winner of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, will be the featured performer during the First Friday Coffeehouse at Trinity Orchard House, 4599 Shepherdstown Road on May 2. Doors open for social time and open mic sign-up 7 p.m. Open mic starts at 7:30 and is on a first come first serve basis. Eight performers have the opportunity to do two songs (eight minutes each) in front of an attentive audience in one of the area’s premier listening rooms. The feature goes on stage around 9 p.m. for an hour set. Please note the new, earlier starting time.

A Maryland native, Denikos is one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s songwriting treasures. A familiar face at local clubs, festivals and coffeehouses showcasing his foot-stomping backbeats, engaging melodies and stellar guitar work, he’s won the hearts of those who appreciate fine songwriting delivered with an honest and authentic voice. He has independently released four albums and appeared on two compilations. His 2012 release, Under the Church, reached #5 on radio’s EuroAmericana Chart and #21 on the Freeform Americana Roots (FAR) Chart. It also features Tip of My Tongue, the grand-prize-winner in the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest sponsored by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. His previous release, Already Gone, also garnered extensive radio airplay and rose to #2 on the EuroAmericana Chart and #8 on the FAR Chart in 2010. It includes his composition Home for Christmas, a winner in the Great American Song Contest.

First Friday Coffeehouse is a not-for-profit venture in partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church in Martinsburg. All proceeds go to the featured artists and to help pay for operating expenses. For more information, call Steve Warner at 304-676-4422 or 304-876-2915.