The term singer-songwriter is generally used to describe a musician who writes, composes and sings songs they have written, often providing their own accompaniment in the form of piano or guitar.

Music major Phoebe Light fits this description exactly, at only 19 years old.

For the last four months, Light has been organizing a monthly event to showcase similar performers at the Mainstage at Jensen’s Music in downtown Santa Barbara.

“There’s a big community of songwriters in Santa Barbara, and this is a way to bring them together,” Light said.

Every third Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m., a songwriter’s night is featured at Jensen’s Music at 2905 De La Vina St.

Light brings in performers she already knows, or who contact her. She organizes shows, usually consisting of three main performers singing half-hour sets.

Most nights, there are one or two mystery artists, who make an appearance for a couple of songs.

“I get the people together, put up fliers and then I’ll usually emcee,” Light said.

She was first introduced to the event the first time she performed there. The songwriter’s night has been a tradition at Jensen’s for about a year and a half. Before Light, community member Christina Grimm was in charge of putting together the show.

Dave Hekhouse runs Jensen’s Electric, the music store that houses the Mainstage. After Grimm left, he asked Light to take over.

“I came to look for a (retail) job, but Dave asked me to run the songwriters’ night,” Light said.

The Mainstage opened in February 2007, and since then it has been advertised as, “Showcasing genres of all kinds, and players of all ages. Offering an all ages venue that’s safe, drug free, and fun,” according to the venue’s website, www.myspace.com/mainstagesb.

Light said that this particular venue works well for performers like her. Since no alcoholic drinks are served, shows are open to audience members of all ages-which is not a regular occurrence in this city.

“Pretty much the only places that do (this) are coffee shops,” Light said. She described Jensen’s as small and intimate.

Unlike small coffee shops, however, Jensen’s holds about 100 people, and the kind of energy that comes from a full house really boosts the performers.

Light, in her first year at City College, plans to continue running the event as long as she lives in Santa Barbara.

She enjoys hearing fellow writers perform, and believes in supporting their art.

“It’s good to support other songwriters,” she said. “I’m in a songwriting class here (Songwriting I and II), and it helps to hear other people play.”

Light has written at least 12 of her own pieces this year, and said that the class is a great help. Most of the students in the class have been invited to perform, as well as past students.

Light said that one of the major ways that she recruits for shows is by asking singers she meets through City College.

For anyone interested in participating, Light welcomes new talent, and looks forward to hearing from more performers. She can be reached by email at phoebelightcox.net.

Tickets to see the performances are $10 for adults, $5 for those 21 and under, and free for children 12 and under.

The next showcase will be at 7 p.m.on April 16, featuring students Robert Steffen and Omar Cowan.