Falcon Central

Tickets on sale now for the 2026 Palm Coast Songwriters Festival

Musicians playing onstage at the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival.

Get ready for an extraordinary week of STARS, STRIPES, & STORIES (a tribute to America’s 250th Birthday) featuring live musical performances and storytelling as the 8th Annual Palm Coast Songwriters Festival takes center stage from April 22 to April 26, 2026. Featuring an ALL-STAR lineup of over 45 hit singer/songwriters with more than 200 #1 hits, this festival offers an exclusive and intimate experience like no other.

Festival Schedule that includes ALL STAR Singer/Songwriters at every show:

Wednesday, April 22: Free Preview Show at the Golden Lion Café (4-8 p.m.)
Thursday, April 23: Free show at Hammock Grill by JT’s (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.), followed by ticketed KICK OFF SHOW at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater (4:30-10:15 p.m.)
Friday, April 24: Exclusive shows at Hammock Beach Resort (11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., members & guests only) and evening ticketed performances at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater (5-10 p.m.)
Saturday, April 25: Bloody Mary Brunch Bash at The Landing Strip Tavern ticketed show (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.), followed by evening ticketed performances at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater (5-10 p.m.)
Sunday, April 26: Grand finale with performances at the Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater (1-6:30 p.m.)

Elite Songwriters and Their Hits
The 2026 Palm Coast Songwriters Festival again boasts a lineup of elite Nashville songwriters whose work has topped the charts and been performed by some of the biggest names in music. From timeless classics to today’s chart-topping hits, these writers span decades of musical brilliance. Here are just a few of the talented writers performing this year:

Jeffrey Steele – Known for 85+ top ten hits including "What Hurts the Most" and "My Wish" (Rascal Flatts).
Jamie O’Neal – Recording artist and songwriter with hits like "There Is No Arizona”, "Somebody’s Hero”, and “When I Think About Angels”
The Warren Brothers – Writers of "Red Solo Cup" (Toby Keith) and "If You’re Reading This" (Tim McGraw).
Jimmy Yeary – Writer of "She’s Somebody’s Daughter” (Drew Baldridge), I Drive Your Truck" (Lee Brice) and "Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” (David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney). Chris DeStefano – Known for "Something in the Water" (Carrie Underwood) and “At the End of a Bar” (Chris Young featuring Mitchell Tenpenny).
And so many more!

This Festival also helps raise funds for the Daytona State College Foundation, Flagler County Education Foundation, Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia Counties, Gold Star Mentors Foundation, and Neighbor To Family Organization.

Don’t Miss Out!
For more information including a complete schedule, artists bios, and to purchase your tickets now for this one-of-a-kind musical experience, visit www.PalmCoastSongwritersFestival.com

Expanding the On-Campus Living Experience

Our capital campaign to build a second student residence hall on the Daytona Beach Campus is underway and you are invited to help our students!

Our first residence hall has been a resounding success, opening to full capacity in Fall 2022. It is remained at full capacity since then, and we continue to receive hundreds of student housing applications each semester.

When we began studying the possibility of building housing on campus in 2018, a study we commissioned showed the college could support more than 500 students. Initial plans for the second residence hall call for approximately 52,000 square feet of space and approximately 256 beds.

We know that students who live on campus are more engaged with their instructors, utilize academic support systems more frequently, and participate more in on-campus activities.

With the DSC Foundation, we’re launching a $16 million capital campaign for a new facility which is designed to house approximately 256 students. Donations from the community will ensure our residence hall will be an affordable and accessible option for students.

We need your support. Make your gift here, or contact the Daytona State College Foundation at Foundation@DaytonaState.edu or by calling (386) 506-3195.

You can learn more at the new residence hall web page and keep tabs on the campaign’s progress.

Fundraising campaign thermometer

Honoring Employee Samuel Finken

It’s our pleasure to share that Samuel Finken received a Service Excellence Award this week during our Senior Executive Staff meeting.

Samuel began with us as a student where he discovered his passion for theater technology. After years of freelancing, he joined the News-Journal Center team in 2012, later spent time at Orlando Family Stage, and returned to DSC in 2022 as Technical Director.

Samuel knows the News-Journal Center inside and out. He understands the vision behind the facility and carries a genuine sense of stewardship for the space and the programs it supports. Some people come to work. Samuel comes to protect, improve and elevate a decade-long vision. Under his leadership, NJC productions continue to push boundaries with moving lights, upgraded audio and video systems and stage designs that rival much larger venues. For Samuel, “business as usual” is never good enough – if he works on a system, it becomes “better than it has ever been.” What truly sets Samuel apart is his support and mentorship for faculty, staff and students. He trains students to meet and exceed industry standards, celebrates their growth and takes pride when they return as accomplished professionals. Watching people succeed is his favorite part of the job.

Samuel’s default setting is excellence, and his integrity, kindness and faith elevate everyone around him.

Please join us in congratulating Samuel on his outstanding service and lasting commitment to our mission.

Honoring Employee Randy Eder

It’s our pleasure to share that Randy Eder was recognized this week with a Service Excellence Award during our Senior Executive Staff meeting.

Randy began his career at Daytona State College in 1995 as a lab technician supporting the computer repair program. He transitioned into Facilities as an electrician in 2002, first part time and then full time in 2004. His leadership and technical skills led to his promotion to Trades Supervisor in 2010 and, most recently, to Senior Trades Supervisor in 2024. In his current role, Randy oversees critical safety, electrical and infrastructure projects across all campuses, helping ensure regulatory compliance and uninterrupted operations.

Randy has led or personally completed campus-wide LED lighting upgrades that have reduced energy use while improving classroom environments. He has also overseen exterior and parking lot lighting improvements that enhance campus safety and security. Many of these projects were completed on weekends and during breaks to avoid disrupting College operations.

Randy’s expertise, leadership and willingness to go beyond normal hours have strengthened our infrastructure, reduced operational costs, and made our campuses safer for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. His impact is felt every day across Daytona State, and we are grateful for his service.

Please join us in congratulating Randy on this well-deserved recognition and thanking him for his outstanding service and lasting commitment to our mission.

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