Sunday, July 31, 2005

Fellow Travelers' Advisory from Anne Feeney: VOLUME One, Number 5 - August 2005

IMMEDIATE DESTINATIONS:

July 31 - Yachats, OR
August 4 - Newport, OR
August 6 - Eugene, OR (FREE show!)
Harrisburg, PA; Hershey, PA; Springfield, IL; Mt. Olive, IL; Ann Arbor, MI; Detroit, MI; Terre Haute, IN

You can buy my CDs at CDBaby

Then, YOIKS! -- I've been so busy I haven't had time to book any new work! I don't even have Labor Day 2005 confirmed anywhere! Holy Cow, what was I thinking? Email me at: anne@annefeeney.com if you have some ideas for all these blank dates!

Well, I'll tell ya... I've been on the road for over a month with my 23 year old daughter, Amy Berlin. It's been such a luxury and joy to have so much of her company. It's been so much fun to introduce her to all my friends in the Pacific Northwest (and the great Canadian Southwest)... what an adventure!

Walking into the Oregeon Country Fair (a magnificent three day extravaganza of vaudeville/puppeteering stilt-walkers, contortionists, firebreathers and swordswallowers) I overheard a woman talking. She says "How much worse can things get? Bush in the White House, this horrible war in Iraq, Sandra Day O'Connor resigning, bombs in London, and the AFL-CIO falling apart! Well.... at least I live in a state where I can kill myself!!"

Shall we propose that to the Oregon Convention and Visitors' Bureau? Billboards that say "Welcome to Oregon --- at least you can kill yourself here." .... maybe on the license plates...

And the tour has been wonderful. All my hosts have been conspicuously generous, competent and gracious.

Congratulations to my companero David Rovics, who is going to be a daddy! And good luck to Nathalie, who'll be doing all the work on that project!

The brilliant Prince Myshkins CD "Total Myshkin Awareness" has kept me laughing for the whole tour. I highly recommend it, and you'll be hearing me singing some of their material in the coming months.

I've also really enjoyed performing Pittsburgh songwriter Jack Erdie's terrific song "Let Their Heads Roll." I'll put information on how to listen to and/or order both of these CDs on my blog soon.

In the meantime, a gazillion people have asked me what I think about the current turmoil in the US Labor movement. I've put a few links on my blog to people whose opinions I greatly respect, and I encourage you to read their thoughtful opinions. It's a good thing that so many people are hearing and thinking about unions ... there has never been a social engine like it for ending poverty and improving the quality of working life. I mourn the end of the AFL-CIO women's divisions, education department, the layoffs and firings of the field representatives and the uncertain future of labor education. I hope this crisis evolves into the end of labor's love affair with its abusive spouse, the Democratic party. We need a real progressive political party in this country and the Democrats have demonstrated time and againt that they are not interested. Meanwhile, millions of people work draconian hours and suffer debilitating stress-related and repetitive motion injuries. Millions work with no pensions, or find their pensions looted at the end of a 35 year working career. Millions endure invasive spying, prying and over-management of their waking hours. Millions have no health care, or are stuffed into some crappy HMO. Parents have no time for their children. Working adults have no time for service to their communities, civic life, cultural life. We need a vital and energetic labor movement more than ever ... and I'm still ready to work hard for it.
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At the AFM national convention (American Federation of Musicians) in Las Vegas we passed the US Labor Against the War resolution calling for an immediate end to the war! It was very exciting. One brother came up to the mic and says, "Does anyone in this room remember Inchon?? Does that name mean anything to you? I was there! I invaded Korea! I know what war is!!! and I'm telling you now, I wish to hell someone in the United States had been working to bring ME home!!" of course I'm paraphrasing his remarks, but we all thought he was headed in a different direction with that speech! I'm so proud of my union. The same resolution passed at the AFL-CIO convention in Chicago, too.

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Please forward this on to anyone you think might enjoy it, and tell your friends and relations to come and see me if I'm headed to where they live! I'm never going to have any corporate sponsors, folks, so YOU are my publicists...

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Sunday, July 31st, 2005 8:00 PM
Music for Troublemakers
Yachats Commons
Highway 101
Yachats, OR
541.265.9747
Price: $10 sugggested
no one turned away.... this will be a great night... co-sponsored by the local Folklore Society... you can also email blancanegro@earthlink.net for more info.

Thursday, August 4th, 2005 8:00 PM
Music for Troublemakers
Cafe Mundo
NW Coast and 2nd St
Newport, OR
541-265-9747
Price: $10 suggested
no one turned away... all welcome..more info at blancanegro@earthlink.net

Saturday, August 6th, 2005 7:30 PM
U Oregon Labor Summer School
University of Oregon - Erb Memorial Ballroom
Eugene, OR
Price: FREE!!
Bob Bussell is the contact.
Bob Bussell be reached at 541 346-2784 (w) or 541 232-1764 (Cell)


Sunday, August 21st, 2005 8:00 PM
Looking for Work
Bay Area or north... enroute to Eureka

Monday, August 22nd, 2005 8:00 PM
Vacation/Retreat in Northern CA thru August 31


Friday, September 9th, 2005 8:00 PM
PA Labor History Society Annual Meeting
Harrisburg, PA

Saturday, September 10th, 2005 8:00 PM

PA Labor History Society Annual Meeting
Hershey, PA

Saturday, October 8th, 2005 6:00 PM
Mother Jones Banquet
U of IL at Springfield PAC Cafeteria
Springfield, IL
http://motherjonesfoundation.org

Sunday, October 9th, 2005 10:00 AM
Mother Jones Memorial Service
Mt Olive, IL

Wednesday, October 19th, 2005 8:00 PM
IWW Centenary Event
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
julie herrada is organizing this

Friday, October 21st, 2005 8:00 PM
Labor History Conference
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
ML Liebler is coordinating this event

Saturday, October 29th, 2005 8:00 PM
2005 Eugene V Debs Dinner
Terre Haute, IN
http://eugenevdebs.com

Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 6PM
Thomas Merton Center Award Dinner
Sheraton Station Square
Pittsburgh, PA
This year's awardee is Father Roy Bourgeois!
http://thomasmertoncenter.org

Friday, Nov 18th - Sunday, Nov 20th, 2005 12:00 PM
SOA Vigil
details TBA
Fort Benning, GA `
http://soaw.org

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

IFCO/Pastors for Peace 2005 Caravan to Cuba

IFCO/Pastors for Peace 2005 Caravan to Cuba has run into a roadblock and could use your help....

AID DESTINED FOR CHILDREN IN CUBA SEIZED BY U.S. CUSTOMS
Call the Department of Commerce and Demand The Release of the Aid!

On Thursday July 21st, US Customs and Border Protection officers, acting on instructions from the US Department of Commerce, seized 43 boxes of computer equipment – toner, cables, calculators, modems, keyboards, 2 printers, and a dozen computers – intended for Cuban children from the 16th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan...........

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

• Call your congressional representative and your senators (202-225-3121); urge them to personally call Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce and insist that he let the computers go!

• Call Michael D. Turner, Director of Export Enforcement for the Department of Commerce and insist that the computers be released. 202.482.1208, Ext. 3

• Call Wendy Wysong, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, for Export
Enforcement, and insist that the computers be released and allowed to continue to Cuba. 202.482.3618

• Ask your church or congregation to sign on to our Pastoral Letter in support of releasing the aid and allowing it to continue on to Cuba (available soon on our website).

• Organize a solidarity prayer vigil on Wednesday, July 27.

Our Prayer Vigil will be taking place on the Hidalg-Reynosa International Bridge, Wednesday, 4:30- 6:30pm

• Hold a Rally at the Federal Building in your town to demand the release of the computers.

For more information, visit the Pastors For Peace website,

www.pastorsforpeace.org

Monday, July 25, 2005

What's Going on in the Labor Movement?

The best analysis of what's going on these days in the labor movement can be found from my friend Jerry Tucker in Monthly Review

I also thought Rose Ann DeMoro of the California Nurses' Organization did a great job of exposing the issues in Counterpunch

The most important thing for us to remember right now is, (as the Wobblies say), "the working class and the employing class have nothing in common." We can move on from whatever happens in Chicago for constructive change and refuse to get embroiled in backstabbing.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Greetings from Eugene

I'm still glowing from the fabulous midwest trip. It was so great to stay with Ed & Marlene Sadlowski, although, as always, I wish we had had more time together. The IWW concert was great fun. Larry Long, Citizens' Band, Charlie King & Len Wallace, John Berquist, Rebel Voices, Mark Ross, Utah Phillips and I took turns swapping songs, adding harmonies, instrumentals, and, at least once, a chorus line ! I sure hope the live recording that was made captures the magic of that evening at the Peoples' Church. I was stunned to learn that my pal Len Wallace was recovering from a heart attack... He looked great, tho...and sounded strong as ever...

What a great surprise to see Al and Dotty Dale from Bellingham, WA at the show -- they were in town for a wedding and visiting son Dan. The Wobbly conference that took place that weekend was terrific too... it was so inspiring to hear the organizers from the South Street Workers' Union. And Ernie Beal has a great UU congregation that meets in the same church on Sundays. I had the pleasure of singing at that service.

Mother Jones Fest was interesting. Cecil Roberts, President of my beloved United Mineworkers of America, spoke. He talked more about Mother Jones and the old days -- not a word about the mineworkers supporting mountain-top mining in WV, or their *not* supporting a national park and monument at Blair Mountain, where striking miners were the victims of the only aerial bombing of US civilians in our history until the MOVE bombings in Philadelphia many decades later. The turnout for the Mother Jones Fest was fantastic. More than 400 tickets sold to the banquet ... and there were a host of activities that weekend... including a Mother Jones Golf Tourney!

The Midwest Labor Press Association conference was fantastic. How nice to see Mike Rankert, and so many folks from Hedy Hilburn's Louisville local ... Gary Brown did a great job putting it together.

Got to spend lots of time with Janet Stecher and Susan Lewis of Rebel Voices, and a little with Citizen's Band and Charlie King. I flew from Chicago to Dulles, to pick up my car where I had left it after the Great Labor Arts Exchange. Mark Ross had missed his plane, so we had lunch at the airport. When I got to DC, my son Dan and his sweetheart Monique and I went to Silver Spring and had dinner with my best friend from college, Shirley Shultz. Shirley and I had a glorious day of self-indulgence ... gym, manicures, new shoes... and I got back to the Burgh at 11 PM with 36 hours to unpack from the MN, DC and Midwest swing and pack for the 5 week tour of the great Pacific Northwet and Canadian Southwewst...

Now I'm in Eugene where my daughter Amy is sleeping sweetly until I wake her to help me find a birthday cake for the big Brian QTN/Anne Feeney Birthday Celebration at Sam Bond's tonight. That should be great fun.

I'm sick about Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation. I was hoping Bush would resign before any of them did.

Friday, July 01, 2005

Fellow Travelers' Advisory from Anne Feeney - Volume One, Number 4: July 2005

Please BUY CDS at http://cdbaby.com/all/unionmaid ... If you haven't checked out the Great Peace March CD yet, you should!


Hi there Fellow Travelers!

It's my birthday! I've always loved birthdays and still do. Birthdays are wonderful... Lately I've been wondering a lot... I wonder where I put my glasses... I wonder where the time went... I wonder where I left my boots... I wonder if we can filibuster Supreme Court appointments through the next election cycle...

My best birthday present is getting to do this fabulous five week tour on the left coast with my daughter, Amy Berlin, just back from several months in Mexico, where she studied Spanish.

I hope to see lots of you at the shows, and if you're far away from California, Oregon, Washington and BC ... PLEASE think of someone you know out this way and send them to one of my shows!!

More news at my blog... just visit http://annefeeney.com and click on the blog...

Love and Solidarity from the City of Roses - Portland, OR

Anne

Sunday, July 3rd, 2005 8:30 PM

Giant Birthday Party for Anne Feeney & Brian Cutean
Sam Bond's Garage
407 BLAIR BLVD
Eugene, OR
http://www.sambonds.com/
Price: $6
Cover charge includes yummy cake! Come celebrate with us!
541-343-2635

Wednesday, July 6th& 7th, 2005 5:00 PM

Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women
Lewis And Clark College

Saturday, July 9th, 2005 1:30 PM

Oregon Country Fair
Shady Grove Stage
Veneta, OR
http://oregoncountryfair.net

Sunday, July 10th, 2005 2:00 PM

Oregon Country Fair
Blue Moon Stage
Veneta, OR
http://oregoncountryfair.net

Sunday, July 10th, 2005 5:00 PM

Oregon Country Fair
Spirit Tower
Robert DeSpain & Dancing Dragons present...


Tuesday, July 12th, 2005 7:00 PM

Anne Feeney in Concert
Bellview Grange
1050 Talman Creek Rd.
Ashland, OR
Price: $10-20 sliding suggested
for info call. mori 541-482-8288. Patrick Dodd will be opening for me and a 7 minute labor video will be shown.

Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 8:00 PM

KMUD presents Anne Feeney
Civic Club
477 Maple Lane
Garberville, CA
contact Dave Myers for more information: 707-923-2513

Thursday, July 14th, 2005 8:00 PM

Bastille Day Concert for SF Laborfest
La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
http://laborfest.net


Friday, July 15th, 2005 8:00 PM

House Concert in the Bay Area
probably at Nina and Dan Fendel's in Oakland
Oakland, CA
Price: $10-20 sliding suggested
email ninaf@igc.org to reserve, or call 415.420.1701

Saturday, July 16th, 2005 8:00 PM

House Concert at Louis and Nancy La Fortune's house
La Fortune's House
Santa Cruz, CA
Price: $10-20 sliding suggested
home phone is 831.476.5019.
cell is 831.588.8487
lafort@cruzio.com

reserve a seat early... this house concert always sells out!



Sunday, July 17th, 2005 10:00 AM

Streaming Web appearance on Please Stand By
KPIG-FM
http://kpig.org
This is a legendary radio show hosted by John Sandidge. Tune in! You'll love it.

Sunday, July 17th, 2005 2:00 PM

House Concert
Watsonville, CA
Price: $10-20 suggested
RSVP to AmyNewell@charter.net if you'd like to attend. It will be a great show! Updated info should be available at http://annefeeney.com/;calendar.html soon.

Monday, July 18th, 2005 8:00 PM

Anne Feeney in Concert
Don Quixote's International Music Hall
6275 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
http://donquixotesmusic.com/
fundraiser for the Women Ventures Project (program that trains and places women in non-traditional jobs most of which are in partnership with the local building trade union shops).

LOCATED JUST 10 MINUTES FROM SANTA CRUZ
6275 Highway 9 in Downtown Felton, CA 95018
For ticket reservations and info call 831-335-2800
Tickets Available at Don Quixote's
SEATED CONCERTS ALL AGES
Under 21 must be accompanied by parent

July 19 & 20

Off to Las Vegas for the AFM convention, where I was elected to serve as a delegate for Local 1000.

Friday, July 22nd, 2005 8:00 PM

Harry Stamper and Anne Feeney
First United Methodist Church of Coos Bay
123 Ocean Blvd
Coos Bay, OR
Price: $5
h.stamper@charter.net will have all the details, children free, call (541) 888-1038

Saturday, July 23rd, 2005 7:00 PM

Benefit Concert for Washington State Jobs with Justice
Joe Szwaja's House
2021 NE 75th Street
Seattle, WA
http://wsjwj.org
Price: $10-20 sliding...
PBigman@aol.com is the contact... with special guests Anna Roland and Thistle

http://cdbaby.com/cd/kpettersen
www.annaroland.com
www.riotfolk.org

Sunday, July 24th, 2005 8:00 PM

Carnegie Community Centre
Vancouver, BC
CANADA
http://rebelmouse.resist.ca/
details very soon!

Monday, July 25th, 2005 7:30 PM

House Concert
Ken Orchard's House
Victoria, BC
Price: $10-12
tickets: $10 unwaged $12 waged
reservations: 385 1307 or wy234@victoria.tc.ca

Tentative Seattle, July 27th
Labor History Workshop
Rebelvoz@aol.com is the contact


Thursday, July 28th, 2005 8:00 PM

Songs for Hellraisers
LIUNA Hall
Bellingham, WA
Betsy Pernotto and Steve Koch are making this one happen.


Friday, July 29th, 2005 8:00 PM

House Concert
Somewhere in Olympia
Olympia, WA
harry levine is the contact for this one... still tentative... details soon...

Saturday, July 30th
Tentative House Concert - Portland
Connie Cohen is working on it...
cohen@easystreet.com


Saturday, August 6th, 2005 7:30 PM

U Oregon Labor Summer School
University of Oregon - Erb Memorial Ballroom
Eugene, OR
Price: free
Bob Bussell is the contact.

The performance will be primarily for attendees at the summer school,
although folks from the community are welcome to attend.

We will have summer school info. on our website that will note your
performance.

Bob Bussell be reached at 541 346-2784 (w) or 541 232-1764 (Cell).