Illuminated by a stage of paper lanterns – surrounded by warmth and laughter – area singer-songwriter Courtney Hartman launched the beginning of the 715 Series on Nov. 22 in the Manz Green Room at the Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave.) in downtown Eau Claire.

The event also served as the official release show for Hartman’s third record, With You, which came out on Nov. 14.

The 715 Series – brought to listeners by the Pablo Center, Prevail Bank, The Oxbow Hotel and The Lakely, among others – will welcome a thoughtful curation of local and regional artists to the side stage from Nov. through May of 2026. Staff from Prevail Bank and Pablo Center presented their respective organizations' missions and visions as it overlaps with the core of the 715 Series.

Hartman opened the event with an introduction to several local community and mutual-aid organizations who were present to share information and resources, including The Community Table, World Relief and GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW). The themes of care and motherhood in Hartman’s latest record were complemented by these area organizations.

Sarah Siskind, an Americana folk singer and songwriter based in North Carolina, kicked off the night of music with from her 2025 record, Simplify among other notable albums in her discography. Siskind – a co-writer on With You – spoke to the friendship and humorous tales of working on the record with Hartman during her set.

She performed a special rendition of “Lovin's for Fools,” a track from her collection well-known by Chippewa Vallians and famously covered by Bon Iver in the later 2000s.

Hartman’s ensemble for the evening included With You’s primary collaborators: Zoe Guigueno, Ben Lester and Sean Carey (S.Carey) – with Brian Joseph managing the sound board. As she performed tracks from the new record, she welcomed additional Chippewa Valley musicians to the stage who equally helped shape the record.

Sarah Elstran (The Nunnery) and Shane Leonard emerged for “Bright Eye”; Russell Durham complemented Hartman’s performances of “Can You See” and “Honey, Honey” with warm and rich violin soundscapes; with Sarah Krueger (Lanue), Siskind and other female counterparts harmonizing together for the show’s finale, “Everything All At Once.”

In between musical artists, attendees were able to purchase merchandise from both Hartman and Siskind including vinyl records, CDs and even hand-made jewelry — a creative offshoot from Siskind’s personal passions.

Hartman also encouraged attendees to participate in a community art reflection installation, inspired by her recent travels on tour this fall. The Manz Green Room displayed hundreds of tiny notecards strung up, each prompting “What did giving or receiving care look like for you today?” for folks to contribute their thoughts.

Rooted in community and the power of storytelling through music, the night celebrated what will continue to be unveiled as the 715 Series progresses throughout the year.