They say every dilemma is an opportunity, so we’re writing you about a great opportunity growing out of a dilemma concerning PMN's plans for a Summer Gathering in 2019.
The dilemma, simply put: we have no viable site for a Summer Gathering in 2019. Every site we approached (mostly camps in rural places) was either unsuitable, unavailable or unaffordable. We are already looking to solve this issue for Summer 2020, and developing new leadership to make that happen.
The opportunity was suggested by one of our members at the last summer gathering. Why not join forces with other organizations doing the same work we do? The first organization that came to mind will be familiar to many of you.
The Labor Heritage Foundation (LHF) sponsors an annual summer gathering each June, The Great Labor Arts Exchange (GLAE). It has been going for as long as PMN has. It is organized by several of our members and attended by many of our members. Last June it was the site for the annual retreat of the American Federation of Musicians Local 1000, again an organization many of our members belong to. We’ve been in touch with LHF Director (and former PMN Steering Committee member) Elise Bryant. She is excited to have PMN be a part of their 2019 summer gathering.
We can look forward to: bringing our songs to their multiple round robin "arts exchanges"; presenting panels or workshops as we have at our usual summer gatherings; sponsoring one of the various song contests (voted on by attendees with cash prizes offered); convening breakout sessions for PMNers and any interested in joining us. And after GLAE ends with a breakfast feedback session on Sunday the 23rd a session all our own could be a welcome send off.
The dates for GLAE are June 20 -23 (Thursday to Sunday) in Silver Spring MD, just outside of Washington DC. It’s held at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center with great facilities for plenaries and breakouts. The Center offers private rooms and meals and LHF can help arrange home stays and indicate alternate dining sites for tighter budgets. Registration details will be sent out soon. We will be sharing more information at the Winter Gathering.
GLAE will bring us together with activists in the labor movement and with a diverse array of cultural workers - singers, rappers, poets, writers and visual artists. All the arts are focused on creating progressive change. We have a lot to offer each other.
So mark your calendars and join us as we join The Great Labor Arts Exchange for a mutual summer gathering! Read more about the Great Labor Arts Exchange here: https://www.laborheritage.org/great-labor-arts-exchange-2019/
- The PMN Steering Committee
