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• PMN "Songs of Struggle for a Country/World in Crisis" (Online Song Swap)

  • When
    11/21/2024
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    On Zoom and YouTube Live

  Register

  
  

  Registration Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, at 11:59 PM (ET)

  In this Zoom event, members of the People's Music Network from around the world share songs of Freedom and Struggle in a fun, inclusive, supportive, and collaborative online setting!

  The Topic

  What the heck just happened in the United States?!  PMN members will get together on Zoom and discuss this question through song. Please bring your musical expressions to this session, but leave the political speeches at the door. Using songs and poems, we're gonna grapple with threats magnified by the 2024 US Presidential election such as right-wing authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, state-sanctioned criminality, and attacks on immigrant communities. We're also gonna grapple with the persistent continuity of racism, poverty, militarism, and environmental destruction in our society, and the impact on the whole world.

  As a community, the People's Music Network gathers strength and courage to face scary challenges by singing songs that nourish our spirits, and help us make sense of events unfolding around us. Come be inspired and renewed through this participatory process of sharing a politically-conscious musical culture.

  How to Participate

  Using the button on the left side of this web page, PMN members and invited artists can register to share a song or a poem and/or to be part of the audience for this event. After registering, you receive an e-mail message containing the Zoom Meeting link. Due to time constraints and a vibrant community of performers keen to participate (400 active PMN members in total), it isn't always possible to include every interested performer in the final line up. In the event that not everyone performs, we'll make a wait list. Most people perform live, but we also welcome pre-recorded videos, immediately preceded by a live introduction.
  

  
  

  Free Livestream
  TUNE INTO THE LIVE BROADCAST via YOUTUBE

  https://youtube.com/live/-VtaqTLQVzY
  

  Thursday, November 21, 2024 7-9pm (ET) / 4-6pm (PT)
  

  
  

  *** Right after the show ends, the archive of the livestream will be available at this same link.

  
  

  LYRICS:  https://bit.ly/2024-11-21-Swap

  PERFORMER LIST:   

  1. 7.06 PM (ET) - Barbara Dyskant "A Big Black Snake"

  2. 7.12 PM (ET) - Steve Siegelbaum "In the Middle"

  3. 7.18 PM (ET) - Meera Eilabouni "Brave Hearted"

  4. 7.24 PM (ET) - Michael & Nell "Walk in my shoes" www.MichaelandNell.com

  5. 7.30 PM (ET) - bill carroll "In step with other dignified feet (homage to Zapatistas)" WWW.onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/wcarroll/music-videos-on-politics-and-society/

  6. 7.36 PM (ET) - Lydia Davis "TBA" www.LydiaAdamsDavis.com

  7. 7.42 PM (ET) - Stephen Greenberg "A Little Bit" www.youtube.com/@sgberg919

  8. 7.48 PM (ET) - Linda Allen "I Believe that Peace Will Come" www.lindasongs.com

  9. 7.54 PM (ET) - Christopher O'Connor "This Is Who We Are, We Are America"

  10. 8.00 PM (ET) - Joanie Calem "Peace Is A Narrow, Shaky Bridge" www.joaniecalem.com

  11. 8.06 PM (ET) - Paul McKenna "MAGA"

  12. 8.12 PM (ET) - Hali Hammer "I Will Survive" www.halihammer.com

  13. 8.18 PM (ET) - Joel Landy "TBD (To Be Determined)"

  14. 8.24 PM (ET) - Jenny Amanda Hurwitz "Resist! Resist!"

  15. 8.30 PM (ET) - STORM "POEM/SONG TBA"

  16. 8.36 PM (ET) - Ryc Ward "TBA"

  17. 8.42 PM (ET) - Donald Roby "Caravan of Fools"

  18. 8.48 PM (ET) - Gary Kanter "Sing Your Song" www.garykanter.com

  19. 8.54 PM (ET) - Ben Grosscup "The Lesser Evil and the Greater Good" www.youtube.com/c/bengrosscup

  
  

  Eligibility to Perform:
  

  Performers in this swap must:

  1)   Be invited artists and/or PMN members in good standing.* 

  2)   Register using the online form.

  3)   Have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.

  * If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

  How we Select the Performers

  We give priority to PMN members who are new or relatively new to our series of online song and poetry swaps.  We also give priority to hearing songs by any PMN member who is presenting a song that they brought an earlier version of to our monthly Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (check upcoming dates here).

  Every PMN member wishing to perform at this event is invited to register and to do so sooner than later.  Selection for the final performance list, however, is not first-come first-served.  PMN hosts song sharing events regularly.  If we can't fit you in this time, anticipate more opportunities soon!

  Technical Orientation Session: 45 minutes before showtime @6:15pm (ET) /  3:15pm (PT).

  Performers are invited to a technical orientation session, 45 minutes before showtime, where we discuss and practice how to get the best sound when doing a musical performance on Zoom.  Each performer has a chance to sing a verse of a song and then receive feedback on ways to improve the audio quality.  Artists new to Zoom are strongly encouraged to attend the tech orientation, because doing so will build your confidence in using these tools.  The audio quality that listeners hear of your live performance depends on the equipment you have and how you use it.  Check out this great resource for performers wanting to get their best audio quality when playing on Zoom.  It comes from our friends at Folk Alliance Region Midwest: https://www.farmfolk.org/zoom-performer-toolbox/

  Help Publicize!

  Encourage your friends to tune into this online musical event for progressive culture:  Share the event on Facebook!!   https://www.facebook.com/events/1320202725811378

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• Songs of the Spirit (Participatory Singing)

  • When
    11/24/2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
  • Location
    Private Zoom Meeting, provided via e-mail upon registration

  Register

  
  

  Registration
  

  Free registration for this event is open to all members of PMN.  Not a member?  Check out our inclusive sliding scale membership policy.

  Immediately upon registering, you will receive an e-mail confirmation that provides you a link to a private Zoom meeting.

  Description

  Come join us in this shared experience of Community and Heart.  You're invited to enjoy a (digital) community circle where inspirational and empowering songs from many traditions rise up from the group.  Singers offer a song one by one without instruments or song sheets.  These are songs that people know or can learn easily without requiring a lot of teaching.

  In this online event, we are drawing upon the tradition of Songs of the Spirit, which has been a consistent feature of PMN/SFS Gatherings since 1977.  One person will sing and others will sing along.  We ask everyone to mute themselves while the one person is singing, allowing all of us to at least see each other as we fill our separate physical spaces with music.

  Between songs, we pause, breathe and feel the energy and connection of the group. We are sustaining this rich tradition during the pandemic, despite the inherent limits of Zoom.  One part of our tradition is recognizing that the silence is sacred.  In avoiding the urgency to fill a space with song, once we finally do fill a space with song, that song sinks in more deeply.

  This is a wonderful opportunity to build community and to harmonize (in your own home) and to start the day with some grounded sacredness.

  This event will not be livestreamed or recorded.

  If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator:

  • Joanne Tuller <jt4cmn@yahoo.com> 
    

  SPECIAL INVITATIONS:  If you can think of a person you know who would enjoy Songs of the Spirit, but they are not a PMN member, you can invite them to participate in this event.  All you need to do is contact Joanne Tuller <jt4cmn@yahoo.com> and let her know that you are inviting folks.  She will send you very simple instructions for how to invite guests to be part of this experience.
  

  Show details
• PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" -ZOOM Only

  • When
    11/25/2024
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom Meeting info provided after registration. Confirmation provided by Joanie Calem <joaniecalem@gmail.com> on day of Workshop.

  Register

  
  

  *** Registration Deadline: Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 10:00 PM (ET). 

  Workshop Description

  Songwriters in People's Music Network strive to write songs that wake people up, challenge the status quo, and reach people’s hearts and minds. We don't believe it takes larger-than-life talent to create powerful songs. Rather, the craft of songwriting involves skill, practice, hard work, and the willingness to listen to how our words and music land with others.

  Through our monthly “If I Had a Song” workshops, PMN is building a loving and supportive creative community that provides songwriters with the honest listening we need. Participants present a song-in-progress to like-minded songwriters, and then receive constructive feedback. We’d love to have you join us.

  BREAKOUT GROUPS:  During the session, we'll break into groups of 4-5 songwriters presenting songs-in-progress.  Each presenting songwriter gets 15 minutes to share their song and receive peer critique from the group.  We'll explore giving and receiving kind, truthful and supportive feedback, while striving to make our songs more effective.  One may register for the workshop as a supporting songwriter to listen and give feedback.  Breakout groups may have 1-3 supporting songwriters.
  

  LYRIC SHARING: On the day of the workshop, all confirmed registrants will receive an email containing the Zoom Link plus a link to a google drive folder.  Confirmed registrants will receive a separate notification via google drive, which gives you the ability to make written comments on other people's lyrics-in-progress.  This can be done before, during, or after the session.

  Requirements for Participation:
  

  There is no wait list for the session.  Every registrant who meets the following requirements will be confirmed to present a song in progress for peer critique: 
  

  1. At the time of registration, if you are bringing a song to the group for critique, you must submit a lyric sheet of an original song in progress.  This means 1) you wrote the lyrics and 2) your intention is to get feedback from others to help you do further work on your song to improve it.   If the songwriter believes their song is finished and does not intend to do further work on the song, it should not be submitted. 
  2. The song-in-progress you submit should connect with PMN’s mission of using music as a catalyst for a just and peaceful world.

  Eligibility to Participate:

  Participants in this workshop must:

  1. be PMN members in good standing* 
  2. register using this form
  3. have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.

  * If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

  Workshop Facilitators:

  • Marcie Boyd:  Marcie Boyd is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, activist, and longtime PMN member.  She lives in Berkeley, CA, where she sings with Occupella and the LaPeña Chorus.
  • Steve Deasy:  Award-winning American-Canadian performing songwriter, producer and arranger; socially conscious in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger with contemporary musicality.  PMN Steering Committee member. www.stevedeasy.com
  • Eric H. F. Law: Singer/songwriter, visual artist, Episcopal Priest, author of over 10 books on building justice and inclusive communities and founder of the Kaleidoscope Institute for diverse and sustainable communities. PMN Steering committee member.  https://erichflaw.hearnow.com/

  • Joanie Calem is a musician, singer/songwriter, storyteller, disability awareness activist, community-builder, cross-cultural worker and teacher. She has been teaching music and performing since 1983. Joanie uses music to break down stereotypes, build community and foster connection.

  FACILITATORS EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS

  Watch our 3 minute video explaining how members of the People's Music Network are building a community of peers who are writing songs for social change: 

  Share this Event on Facebook

  
  

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• PMN Winter Convergence, NYC 2025

  • Start
    01/24/2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • End
    01/26/2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Central Park East II School, 433 East 100th Street, New York, NY

  
  

  Register In-Person (Coming Soon!)

  Read Winter Gathering Program  (Coming Soon!)
  

  
  

  The 2025 People’s Music Network Winter Convergence takes place at Central Park East II School (433 East 100th Street, NYC):  Enter the school from First Avenue and East 101st Street. 

  Save the date:  add the PMN Winter Convergence to your Google calendar.
  

  The event begins with arrival and participatory singing on Friday, January 24, 2025. Then on Saturday and Sunday (January 25 & 26), we’ll have participatory workshops and song swaps, and a Saturday night “Round Robin” – all highlighting the role of music in progressive social change. Expect numerous opportunities to share music, sing together, and to join efforts to bring music into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.

  Click on the Winter Convergence Overview (coming soon!) for details about Schedule, Workshops, Logistics (Food, Housing and Other), Directions, Transportation and more.

  MEMBER RATES: To make member rates available and pre-fill your contact information, please login before registering.  Not a member? Join PMN before registering and get a discount.

  Registration Rate Table:

  	Full Weekend non-member	Fri Only	Sat.  Only	Sun. Only
  Adults (Standard)	$190	$30	$95	$75
  Adults (Supporting)	$265	$50	$135	$100
  Adults (Discounted)	$140	$20	$70	$50
  Youth (Ages 13-25)	$85	$10	$45	$30
  Children (Ages 5-12)	$50	$10	$20	$20

  Discounts

  • Membership Discount: PMN members receive a $20 discount for full weekend registration.
  • Early-bird Discount: Adult full weekend registrations received by Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM, receive a $10 discount.

  Registration Policies:

  
  

  • Pre-Registration: PMN aims to keep gatherings accessible to all while sustaining the organization financially.  Choosing the "Supporting" option enables PMN to keep our gatherings financially accessible to the full diversity of our musical community, regardless of financial means.  Please register ahead of time to give us accurate meal counts for our caterer.  Payment at the time of registration is requested.  However, you may pre-register online and create an invoice to be paid in person when you arrive at registration (check or cash) or by mail (check).
  • Contributing to the PMN Scholarship Fund is another way to keep PMN events accessible.  You'll have the chance to "scale up" on the registration form.
  • Financial Aid: We don’t turn anyone away for lack of funds. If you can’t afford to pay the discounted rate, please contact <pmn@peoplesmusic.org> to request a cost reduction and please state what you can afford.  The cost to PMN for food and overnight lodging at the camp, before covering any of PMN's operating budget, is approximately $175/person.
  • Work Shifts: The cost of the weekend is reduced because we share the workload! Please sign up for one or two one-hour work shifts when you arrive.
  • Cancellations by Saturday, January 11, 2025 will be fully refunded. After January 11, PMN will subtract $70 to cover food costs.

  • The Matt Jones Scholarship Fund (MJSF): The MJTF fosters a multi-racial and inter-generational artistic and political community at PMN by covering registration costs (including meals) and travel costs for young people and people of color. Scholarship applicants may request up to $50 in travel stipends to reimburse for the cost of travel.  Since 2016, the fund has awarded $24,400 in scholarship funds to people attending PMN gatherings. We're inviting individual registrants to consider making an extra contribution to the Matt Jones Scholarship Fund when you register in order to sustain this fund.

  • To apply for this scholarship or to get in touch about making a donation to this fund, contact ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org with the SUBJECT: “Matt Jones Scholarship Fund”.   Click here for more info on MJSF.

  Note: When registering, please do not enter an e-mail address for children younger than 13 years of age. E-mail addresses for youth are optional, and for adults are optional but requested.

  Show details
• PMN Summer Gathering in Groton, MA (In-Person)

  • Start
    05/23/2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    05/25/2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    GROTONWOOD CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER, 167 Prescott Street, Groton MA, 01450

  
  

  Register IN-PERSON (Coming Soon!)

  Read Summer Gathering Program  (Coming Soon!)

  
  

  The 2025 People’s Music Network Summer Gathering takes place at Camp Grotonwood, Groton, MA.

  Save the date: add the PMN Summer Gathering to your Google calendar.

  The event begins with arrival and participatory singing on Friday, May 23, 2025. Then on Saturday and Sunday (May 24 & 25), we’ll have participatory workshops and song swaps, and a Saturday night “Collaborative Concert Round Robin” – all highlighting the role of music in progressive social change. Expect numerous opportunities to share music, sing together, and to join efforts to bring music into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.

  Click on the Summer Gathering Overview (coming soon!) for details about Schedule, Workshops, Logistics (Food, Housing and Other), Directions, Transportation and more.

  MEMBER RATES: To make member rates available and pre-fill your contact information, please login before registering.  Not a member? Join PMN before registering and get a discount.

  Registration Rate Table:

  	Full Weekend non-member With Lodging	Full Weekend non-member No Lodging	Sat.  Only	Sun. Only
  Adults (Standard)	$305	$215	$120	$95
  Adults (Supporting)	$405
  Adults (Discounted)	$240	$185	$100	$85
  Youth (Ages 13-25)	$125	$115	$65	$50
  Children (Ages 5-12)	$95	$75	$40	$35

  Discounts

  • Membership Discount: PMN members receive a $20 discount for full weekend registration.
  • Early-bird Discount: Adult full weekend registrations received by Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM, receive a $10 discount.

  Registration Policies:

  
  

  • Pre-Registration: PMN aims to keep gatherings accessible to all while sustaining the organization financially.  Choosing the "Supporting" option enables PMN to keep our gatherings financially accessible to the full diversity of our musical community, regardless of financial means.  Please register ahead of time to give us accurate meal counts for our caterer.  Payment at the time of registration is requested.  However, you may pre-register online and create an invoice to be paid in person when you arrive at registration (check or cash) or by mail (check).
  • Contributing to the PMN Scholarship Fund is another way to keep PMN events accessible.  You'll have the chance to "scale up" on the registration form.
  • Financial Aid: We don’t turn anyone away for lack of funds. If you can’t afford to pay the discounted rate, please contact <pmn@peoplesmusic.org> to request a cost reduction and please state what you can afford.  The cost to PMN for food and overnight lodging at the camp, before covering any of PMN's operating budget, is approximately $175/person.
  • Work Shifts: The cost of the weekend is reduced because we share the workload! Please sign up for one or two one-hour work shifts when you arrive.
  • Cancellations by May 10, 2025 will be fully refunded. After May 10, PMN will subtract $70 to cover food costs.

  • The Matt Jones Scholarship Fund (MJSF): The MJTF fosters a multi-racial and inter-generational artistic and political community at PMN by covering registration costs (including meals) and travel costs for young people and people of color. Scholarship applicants may request up to $50 in travel stipends to reimburse for the cost of travel.  Since 2016, the fund has awarded $24,400 in scholarship funds to people attending PMN gatherings. We're inviting individual registrants to consider making an extra contribution to the Matt Jones Scholarship Fund when you register in order to sustain this fund.

  • To apply for this scholarship or to get in touch about making a donation to this fund, contact ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org with the SUBJECT: “Matt Jones Scholarship Fund”.   Click here for more info on MJSF.

  Show details