PMN TRANS-ATLANTIC SONG SESSION
Sunday, 13th July 2025
– In the Eastern US: 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM
– In the UK: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
REGISTRATION: Invited artists will be sent the Zoom link for this Trans-Atlantic Song Session, and they will be pre-registered unless they tell us otherwise. Other participants should use the form below to register. There is no fee to register, but any financial contribution you make supports the People's Music Network.
ABOUT THIS SESSION: This Trans-Atlantic Song Session will be like singers sessions found in folk clubs throughout the United Kingdom and the open mic nights in the United States and Canada. The MC will call upon participants in assigned order. When called upon, you will have up to five minutes of performance time for a song, recitation, or poem. If you want to listen only, be sure to register using the "audience" registration option. Your five minutes includes a brief comment about the previous performer plus any introduction. We request that participants attend the entire session.
THEME: We ask that you honor PMN’s purpose by choosing a song, recitation, or poem that focuses on freedom, peace, social justice, human rights, and/or liberation.
ELIGIBILITY TO PERFORM: All participants in this singers session must...
• Either be a PMN member in good standing, or else be invited by the session hosts.
• Either be pre-registered by invitation or else use this form to register.
• Have a computer or tablet with a functioning video camera and microphone.
* If you are not yet a member of PMN, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN
HOW WE SELECT PERFORMERS:
• If you have been invited by the session organizers (Joanie Calem, Sharleen Leahey, or Steve Suffet), you are assured of a performance slot.
• We are aiming to have about half the performers be from the UK and the other half be from North America. One of the goals is building person to person links across national borders. Most of the invited artists are from the UK.
• If you would like to perform, please indicate so when you register. The organizers will seek diversity of demographics, geography, and musical/artistic style. They will also give preference to artists who have not recently performed in an on-line PMN event. If we can't fit you in this time, we anticipate more opportunities in the future.
Technical Orientation Session: 60 minutes before showtime @11:00am (ET) / 4:00pm (UK).
Performers are invited to a technical orientation session, 60 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/
ABOUT PMN: With roots going back to 1977, the People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle is a diverse community of performing artists, activists, and allies, based mostly in the US, who use music, poetry, and other art forms as catalysts for a just and peaceful world. Before the pandemic, PMN's main activity had been holding two large in-person get-togethers each year referred to as gatherings or convergences. During the covid pandemic, PMN began hold many on-line activities. Today PMN holds both in-person and on-line events.
©2017-2021 People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
