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• PMN Earth Day Online Song Swap

  • When
    04/19/2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom Link Provided upon Registration
  • Registered
    20 registrants

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Deadline to register to perform: Friday, April 17, at 11:59 PM (ET)
  

  Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970, when an estimated 20 million people nationwide attended the inaugural events at tens of thousands of sites including elementary and secondary schools, universities, and community sites across the United States. Likely many PMN members, past and current, were present at some of those events. In 1990, activist Denis Hayes, one of the original organizers, made it international by taking it to 14 other countries. It was founded and continues to highlight the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Let’s sing out!

  In this Zoom event, members of the People's Music Network from around the world are invited to share songs of Freedom and Struggle in honor of our home, Mother Earth. Come join us with your Earth songs in a fun, inclusive, supportive, and collaborative online setting!

  Contact Joanie Calem <joaniecalem@gmail.com>

  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.

  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 Spread the Word!

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• Songs of the Spirit (Participatory Singing)

  • When
    04/26/2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom - link sent when you register

  Register

  

  

  Registration

  Registration is free to all members of PMN. Not a member? Check out our inclusive sliding scale membership policy.

  When you register, you will receive an e-mail with a link to a private Zoom meeting.

  Description

  Come join in this shared experience of Community and Heart. You're invited to enjoy a (digital) 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. Please mute yourself while the one person is singing, allowing 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 recognize that the silence is also 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, to harmonize (in your own home), and to ground ourselves for the day and the week to come.

  Songs of the Spirit will not be recorded since the goal is to focus on the present moment.

  If you have questions, please contact the coordinator:

  • Joanne Tuller <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org> 
    

  SPECIAL INVITATIONS:  If you know someone who would enjoy Songs of the Spirit, but they are not a PMN member, you can invite them to participate!  Simply contact Joanne Tuller <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org> .  She will send easy instructions for inviting guests to join us.
  

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• April 27, 2026 - PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (Zoom only)

  • When
    04/27/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom meeting info provided after registration. Confirmation provided by Eric Law <ehflaw@gmail.com> on day of workshop.

  Register

  

  *** Registration Deadline: Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at 10:00 PM (Eastern). 

  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 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.
    

  • Barbara Dyskant is a singer, writer of songs both serious and mischievous, and pianist playing many musical styles, who hopes for a better world for all. A longtime PMN member, Barbara enjoys a generous helping of joy and humor in the midst of it all and loves interacting with other songwriters and musicians.

  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: 

  
  

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

  • Start
    05/29/2026
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    05/31/2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    GROTONWOOD CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER, 167 Prescott Street, Groton MA, 01450

  Register

  
  

  Register IN-PERSON

  Summer Gathering Program to come! 

  
  

  The 2026 People’s Music Network Summer Gathering takes place at Camp Grotonwood, Groton, MA.

  The event begins with arrival and participatory singing on Friday, May 29, 2026. On Saturday and Sunday (May 30 & 31), we’ll have participatory workshops and song swaps, and a Saturday night Round Robin Collaborative Concert – 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 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:

  
  

  Discounts

  • Membership Discount: PMN members receive a $20 discount for full weekend registration.
  • Early-bird Discount: Adult full weekend registrations received by Monday, May 11 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: Registration is on a sliding scale. If you can’t afford the registration price, remember that we don’t turn anyone away for lack of funds! If you can’t pay at least the low-income rate, please contact <pmn@peoplesmusic.org> to ask for a cost reduction and tell us what you can afford. Use the SUBJECT: “Cost Reduction”.  NOTE: The cost to PMN for food and lodging at the camp is about $210 per person. This doesn’t cover any of PMN’s operating budget.
  • 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 15, 2026 will be fully refunded. After May 15, PMN will subtract $100 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 $27,000 in scholarship funds to people attending PMN gatherings. Please consider making an extra contribution to the Matt Jones Scholarship Fund when you register.

  • To apply for this scholarship or to get in touch about making a donation to this fund, contact Joanne Tuller, <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org>, with the subject: “Matt Jones Scholarship Fund”.   Click here for more info on MJSF.

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• PMN Summer Gathering (ZOOM-only)

  • Start
    05/29/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • End
    05/31/2026
  •  
    12:15 PM
  • Location
    Zoom links sent to registrants 1 day before event. (Times listed are ET)

  Register

  

  Register ZOOM-Only

      

  (Full Summer Gathering Program to come!)

  
  

  The People's Music Network Summer Gathering takes place in Groton, MA from May 29-31, 2026.

  Throughout the weekend, parts of the Summer Gathering will be presented via Zoom:

  • Sessions marked "[IN-PERSON & ZOOM: Hybrid Participation]" will provide a chance for people registered on Zoom to participate in the discussion, or share a song with the in-person group.
  • Sessions marked "[IN-PERSON & ZOOM: One-way Broadcast]" will give live access to a presentation. You can ask questions in the chat.
  • Sessions marked "[ZOOM-ONLY]" are being hosted by PMN members not making it to Groton.  Participants are invited to share songs and participate in the discussion.

  At the Saturday evening Round Robin Collaborative Concert, both in-person and online participants will be able to share their music.

  Recordings of these sessions will be made available to PMN Members after the Gathering.

  ZOOM-Only REGISTRATION FEES EXPLAINED: 

  • • FOR MEMBERS: Registration is available to members of the People's Music Network on a solidarity sliding scale, from $0 to $75. Simply log in to our website with your password and choose any of the "PMN Member" registration options.   
    • FOR EVERYONE ELSE:  If you aren't already a member of PMN, simply choose any of the "New Member" registration options. Your registration fee includes a one-year membership in the People's Music Network, which PMN staff will activate manually within a day or two of you registering. This gives you full member access to our website, including all of our events throughout the year.  (See PMN member benefits). If the low end of our annual member dues scale is prohibitive, read our membership dues cost reduction policy.

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