2018 Summer Gathering
Tolland, MA, Camp Kinderland, June 1-3, 2018
Video
Round Robin (performances by PMN members)
Artists-in-Residence: Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt
ARTISTS BIOs:
Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Pete Seeger hailed him as “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.”
Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music for half a century and has been writing songs for over 40 years. In October of 2017 Charlie received the annual Phil Ochs Award, in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Other honors include: an “Indie” award for one of the top three folk recordings of 1984; the War Resisters League’s 1998 Peacemaker Award given to Charlie and Odetta; the 1999 Sacco-Vanzetti Social Justice Award for which he was nominated by Pete Seeger; and the 2014 Joe Hill Award, a lifetime achievement award for excellence in the field of labor culture.
Charlie’s songs have been recorded and sung by other performers such as Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. In addition to a full time career of concert touring, King has sung in support of numerous groups working for peace, human rights, environmental sanity and alternatives to violence. He is a founding member of People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom & Struggle and of AFM Local 1000. He is also an active member of IWW IU 630.
Charlie was born in 1947, and was raised in Brockton, MA. He cites as musical influences the folk music revival of the 1960’s, the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War era.
Folk legend Peggy Seeger says, “If we had more Charlie Kings in the world I’d be less worried,” and Tom Paxton adds, “Luckily, we have him!”
Rick Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning playwright, performer, composer, and songwriter. He is part of the Prince Myshkins – a political cabaret folk duo that tours nationally – singing at antiwar demonstrations, union rallies, schools, coffeehouses, living rooms, community centers and major urban intersections. His original chamber music, theater, and text pieces have been performed in over 40 US cities, as well as in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand. He is a founding member of the Nonsense Company, a touring experimental music and theater trio. In 2011 he was listed as an “Off Off Broadway Innovator to Watch” by Time Out New York.
PMN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
PMN officially began our Artist in Residence Program in 2012. We've featured the following artists in this role: Si Kahn (2012); Emma's Revolution (2013), Magpie (2014), Kim and Reggie Harris (2015), Joe Jencks (2016), Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble (January 2017), Jane Sapp (June 2017), and Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt (2018).
Friday Concert
Camp Kinderland, Paul Robeson Theatre , 1543 Colebrook River Road, Tolland, MA 01034
The People’s Music Network Summer Gathering Friday Night Concert is the opening event for a three day weekend of music for social justice from June 1-3, 2018. This showcase concert takes place in the Paul Robeson Theatre at Camp Kinderland, located in Tolland, MA. The show features 2018 PMN Artists-in-Residence, Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt, plus other wonderful artists (below). These performers represent a small slice of the many PMN members who are making music for social change.
The concert is open to the public for a suggested donation of $10-20 at the door. Concert admission is included when you register for the PMN Summer Gathering. Immediately following the concert, at 10:00pm, there will be a Campfire Song Swap at the fireplace (next to Dining Hall) which is open to all gathering participants.
Performers
Charlie King
PMN Artist-in-Residence
Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He has been at the heart of American folk music for half a century. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.
Artist Website
Rick Burkhardt
PMN Artist-in-Residence
Rick Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning playwright, performer, composer, and songwriter whose original works have been performed throughout the world. He is a founding member of the Nonsense Company, a touring experimental music/theater trio, and member of the Prince Myshkins, a political cabaret/folk duo.
Artist Website
Ren is a creative educator who utilizes poetry, song, dance, and numerous teaching styles to share cultural lessons, while inspiring expression.
Artist website.Erika Kulnys opens hearts with her powerful voice, songs and thirst for social justice. She won Music Nova Scotia’s Inspirational Recording of the Year and Rise Up, released at Copenhagen Pride, garnered awards and charted Top Ten on Folk/Roots Charts. Erika's won fellowships for music activism and is played on CBC, BBC, and NPR.
www.erikakulnys.com
Martin Swinger is a sought-after performing artist leading songwriting activities in K - 12 classrooms and coaching advanced songwriters. He teaches singing and songwriting to folks who believe they can’t. Martin’s 6th album, Living Things, is already winning accolades at festivals, concerts, coffeehouses and private events.
Jane Fallon is an award-winning songwriter and veteran performer, with 6 CD’s and two books with music to her credit. Called “one of the good artists in a sea of soulless clutter”, she crafts songs of substance that encourage people to think deeply about the important social issues of today.
www.janefallon.com
