ABOUT THE WEEKEND

This event emphasizes:

• Music to inspire dreams for a better world.
• Traditions that strengthen social justice struggles.
• A welcoming community of singers, activists, songwriters, spoken word artists, and allies committed to using the arts as catalysts for peace and justice.

The weekend begins with arrival, choral singing and a Round Robin (participants take turns sharing a song) on Friday evening.  On Saturday and Sunday (January 24 & 25), 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 join efforts to bring music into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.

Food

Meals, provided by the nonprofit City Beet Kitchens, are included in the registration price. Meals include vegetarian options and are served from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch.

Sales Table

Tell us on your registration form if you'd like to sell CDs or other merch during the gathering.  Items for sale may be left on the sales table, with or without a price. You may leave your phone number and information about payment methods, so that potential customers can text or pay you.  For questions, ask for the sales table coordinator when you arrive.

COVID Policy

Masks are not required, but we encourage participants to wear them at their own comfort level.  We will have masks available.

We ask that people stay at home if they feel sick or if they had flu-like symptoms within five days of the event.  We encourage attendees to take a rapid home test within two days of the weekend, even if they are feeling well, and we encourage people to bring extra tests.  Full refunds are available due to sickness.  If you test positive for COVID while at the gathering, please tell a member of the PMN Health and Safety team (contact person, Erland Zygmuntowicz <sc-zygmuntowicz@peoplesmusic.org>), so that other attendees can test and take appropriate precautions.

Request a Home Stay: On the registration form, you can ask to be matched with a volunteer host in New York City. For years, PMN has fostered a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere by matching PMN members from out of town with PMN supporters in the hosting city. We will try to find housing within a 30-minute trip to East Harlem, but some options may involve longer commutes. We provide this service to make gathering participation more affordable.

Please register by January 9, 2026 to guarantee a home stay match. Although we can’t guarantee that the match will meet every specific need, our housing coordinator, Erland Zygmuntowicz, will do his best to assign appropriate housing for the needs you write on the registration form, and will tell you if he can’t find an appropriate match. Questions? Contact housing@peoplesmusic.org.

Offer a Home Stay: If you live in NYC, please consider hosting an out-of-town PMN registrant! it's a great way to help and to get to know a fellow musician or activist. Email housing@peoplesmusic.org to offer. Thank you!

Find a cheap place to stay nearby:

• Hostel International 891 Amsterdam Avenue (103 St):  Prices are cheap. For all ages. http://hinewyork.org/reservations/
• Vanderbilt YMCA 224 E 47 Street OR Harlem YMCA 180 West 135th Street: More expensive than Hostel International, but cheaper than a hotel. https://ymcanyc.org/guest-rooms

WHAT TO BRING:  We ask out of town guests to bring what they need to be comfortable, and not necessarily assume that linens, bedding, and toiletries will be provided by hosts.

Carpool Coordinator:

Contact Joanne Tuller, <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org>, who will coordinate carpools to NYC from other places.

Location / Transportation

The Winter Gathering will be held at:

Central Park East II School

Enter at 1st Ave. & E 101st St, New York, NY (The official address is 433 East 100th St.
New York, NY 10029, but the entrance is at E. 101^st St.)

*** The main entrance to the school is via a pedestrian walkway at the intersection of First Avenue and East 101st Street.  Once you arrive, walk east along the pedestrian path, leading into the center of the block, that would be a continuation of 101st Street. 

Parking Options: 

• Street Parking: Street parking can be found near the school. Start by looking for options on E. 100th Street. 
• M99 Parking Lot:  There is a parking lot across the street from the school. (TO ACCESS from First Avenue, turn right on 102nd Street, which ends at the FDR Drive service road. Keep to your right on the service road, to E. 100th Street. Turn right onto E. 100th Street; the entrance to the parking lot is on your left.  See a map from the pedestrian entry point to CPE2 to the entry point of the M99 Parking Lot.)  Although signs say that unauthorized vehicles will be towed, this is only true when school is in session, and NOT on the weekend. To get to CPE2 from the parking lot, cross 100th Street and look for signs along the pathway to the school.
• Garage: There are many commercial parking garages in the neighborhood.  The closest is at 408 East 101st Street.
• Public Transportation:  Read detailed public transportation options for getting to the school.