There will be lots of jamming and singing of socially relevant songs, a series of mini-concerts, and an array of workshops during the People’s Music Network’s 2014 Winter Gathering in New York City, Jan. 24-26. Unity through Diversity is the theme of this year’s annual event, which has taken place in various locales since 1977.
The weekend begins with a Friday night get-together, potluck and sing-along led by PMN’s 2014 Artists-in-Residence, Magpie (the duo of Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner), as well as other members of the nonprofit organization ,at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Christopher Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. Saturday ‘s and Sunday’s activities will include workshops, song swaps, mini-concerts, and communal meals at the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Workshops — many of them of a participatory nature — will explore such themes as songwriting, musicianship, promotion, social issues and local activism. AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, who also is a communications and public relations strategist, presents one entitled Online and Traditional Promotion: A PRimer, while former Connecticut State Troubadour Lara Herscovitch will share songs, information and commentary in a session on keeping kids out of the criminal justice system. Others will address such topics as DIY Music Business and Integrating Songs at Street Actions and Activist Events, while Magpie offers a plenary session. Song swaps also will focus on various themes.
New this year are a series of three mini-concerts featuring Jeremiah Birnbaum, Alexandra Bradbury, Caroline Doctorow, Lords of Liechtenstein, Jorge Lugo, Sonia de los Santos (from El Taller), the hip-hop/jazz of Spiritchild and Mental Notes, Art Start teens and The Peace Poets. Steve Suffet hosts a children’s concert on Sunday that will feature Two of a Kind (Jenny and David Heitler-Klevans) and Takako Naguano. The gathering concludes after lunch on Sunday.
Comprised of performers, songwriters, sound & recording engineers, record & concert producers, promoters, archivists and music lovers of various social, racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds from across the U.S. and Canada, PMN uses music and culture to promote progressive ideas and values and help bring about social change.. The network is committed to working with and supporting grassroots and community organizations and to exploring and presenting culturally diverse music.
For more information on the People’s Music Network and its winter gathering, including registration fees, visit www.peoplesmusic.org or call 413-548-9394.
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