JANUARY 2009 - Anne Feeney's Year in Review - VOLUME 4, #10

VIDEO FROM A SHOW FOR "ARTISTS FOR PEACE" IN DENMARK THIS SUMMER

FELLOW TRAVELERS' ADVISORY YEAR IN REVIEW 2008

IMMEDIATE DESTINATIONS:

ST. LOUIS, MO
WATSONVILLE, CA
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
PALO ALTO, CA
SAN MATEO, CA
ASHLAND, OR
DEADWOOD, OR
ASTORIA, OR
PORTLAND, OR
OLYMPIA, WA
VANCOUVER, BC
VICTORIA, BC
SALT SPRING, BC
SEATTLE, WA
BELLINGHAM, WA
SALEM, OR
complete information at the bottom of this message and continuously updating at http://annefeeney.com/calendar.html



Special Year-in-Review Issue
Featuring:

QUICK NOTES
IRELAND 2009
HELP with the NORTHWEST TOUR
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
SOME LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
FAMILY NEWS
2008 MOVIES - My Top Ten so far (and some losers!)
SIX SUGGESTIONS AS 2008 DRAWS TO A CLOSE
THE TOUR


First: a couple quick notes...

Thanks to everyone who bought CDs in response to my December newsletter... Over 30 of you responded... I deeply appreciate it!

And if you've been meaning to buy my cds... there are still plenty left at http://cdbaby.com/all/unionmaid

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Also:

I spoke a couple days ago to Joanna Robinson, Utah Phillips' wife. Unfortunately, the envelope full of checks from the tribute concert never arrived in Nevada City. I have sent another $600 check representing the cash contributions, and Hilary and Nick will resend their personal checks... but if you gave me a check at the
Utah Phillips tribute concert, it appears to have been destroyed in the mail...

It would be great if (all of) you could send a check to the Hospitality House for the homeless, founded by Utah Phillips, to honor his life and work:

HOSPITALITY HOUSE
PO BOX 3223
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945

or donate securely online at:

http://www.hospitalityhouseshelter.org/

Ask them to notify Joanna that the contribution
was made:

Joanna Robinson
Box 1235
Nevada City, CA 95959

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IRELAND: AUGUST 25-SEPTEMBER 3 ONLY

As I took stock of what I loved and hated about 2008 I realized that I *LOVE* taking folks to Ireland but I *HATE* talking them into it. So I'm only going to do one trip next year - 20 seats only - August 25- September 3, 2009. It'll be a new tour that includes the best of the west as well as a visit to Dublin! I hope twenty of you will decide to come very soon. Email me at anne@annefeeney.com to save seats.

My friend Sharon Simon from the National Labor College is coming, as is the amazing feminist scholar and peaceworker, Betty Reardon... My groups are awesome!
This trip should fill up quickly. Please drop me an email if you're interested in going to Ireland with me. Visit http://www.annefeeney.com/Pages/enchantedwaytours.html or http://enchantedwaytours.ie for more information.


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HELP with the Northwest Tour

I'm still looking for some dates to fill in on my upcoming tour of CA, OR, WA & BC...
If you'd like to host a show (it's easier than you think!), please take a look at http://annefeeney.com/calendar.html

In particular I'm looking for -

anything in the SF Bay Area Jan 12th-15th
San Francisco, Sacramento, Grass Valley or Humboldt on Jan 19th
Tacoma, WA - JAN 25th
Feb 2nd-6th between Bellingham and Salem


********************************************
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!
2008 - GOOD RIDDANCE!!! THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Well, the Bush years finally come to an end - The End of an Error - with the most vicious "maim duck" president ever (thanks to Gary Huck for that one!) still at the helm. He's slashing women's rights, ruining the environment, and sittling idly by as hundred die in Gaza - while he makes up his list of scurrilous pardons.

If it weren't for you - my friends and family - the hardworking activists who *never* give up - I would lose hope. But you keep on... and I'm going to take a few paragraphs to thank you all here at the end of this very long year.

Even though I spent a good part of the year touring in Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and Canada, I still did shows in nineteen of these United States. I expect to spend more time in the US in 2009.

I'm grateful to the Labor Center at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for renewing my grant so that I can continue my research and writing about my grandfather in 2009.

I'm grateful to Tom Pigott and to the fifty wonderful friends who went with me to Ireland this past year. The trips were unforgettable. Getting so much time in Ireland in 2008 did my heart a world of good. I hope some of you will join me this year.

I'm grateful to Fredrik Gleisner of Goatbridge Productions for being my agent in Sweden this summer and finding me so much amazing work. It was an unforgettable memory to play the Trastock Festival near the Arctic Circle this summer. I look forward to working with him again in 2009.

I'm grateful to my dear friend Gerd Berlev and her family. Her hospitality in Copenhagen is unparalleled, and her commitment to peace and justice is awesome.

I'm grateful to my friend Jerry Starr for writing such an important play about SAGO, and for allowing me to contribute music to his work and participate in its presentation. He and Judy are in my heart and my thoughts as Jerry battles a very advanced and aggressive cancer.

I'm grateful to all the people who ponied up $100 to help me get DUMP THE BOSSES OFF YOUR BACK out this year. And I'm grateful to all the musicians who performed so beautifully on it - especially Commander Cody, the Austin Lounge Lizards, Emma's Revolution, and Anne Weiss.

I'm so grateful to all the people who presented me in concert and organized conferences, rallies and riots and let me be a part of it! I'm so grateful to all the people who welcomed me into their homes.

My colleagues enriched my life beyond measure this year... What a joy to work with Roy Zimmerman, Emma's Revolution, Holly Near, Wishing Chair, Chris Chandler, the Prince Myshkins, Evan Greer, Charlie King and Karen Brandow, Laura Love, Joe Jencks, Rebel Voices, Jan Hammarlund, Micael Castor, Carrie Newcomer, Oliver Steck, Geno Gottschall, George Mann & Julius Margolin, Elise Witt, Maurice Turner, Tracey Walker, Peter Siegel, Jay Mankita, Addie & Olin, Lou & Peter Berryman, Larry Penn, Terri Roben, Doug Wilkin, Sue Powers, Jack Erdie, Sue Gartland, Robert Wagner, Bruce Hoffman, David King, The Torres Sister, Sheila Liming, Roger Day, Ole Rolf Lassen, Helge Larsen, Tommy Hovgaard Nielsen, Kirsten Gramm Mogensen, Anne Hills, Brett Perkins, David Rovics, Brian QTN, Adam & Kris, David Rovics, Ken & Janet Bates, Smokestack Lightning, David HB Drake, Bill and Eli Perras, Laura Daniels, Magda Hiller and Four Shillings Short - and anyone I forgot to mention - thanks for your work! It was a pleasure!

This is a time of year to remember dear friends no longer with us - Tim Sullivan, Anne McLemore, Peter Kastner, Kathleen Kennedy, Emma Bursik, Jerry Yoest, Frances Courtsal, Utah Phillips, Studs Terkel, Miriam Makeba and Odetta, and be grateful for all that they brought to our lives.

It's a time to remember people out on the picket lines at Conn- Selmer http://www.connselmerstrike.com, Heartland Health Care (see below), for example. Let's get the Employee Free Choice Act passed in 2009.

So long to the lousiest, most corrupt, most lawless and evil government the United States has ever known!

It is a time to look forward with the wonderful new arrivals - Benjamin McCahill, Mason Avery Gailiunas, Della Belmont McCahill and Romina Idalia Wright... and salute the unflagging spirit of Pete Seeger, Alice Hoffman, Julius Margolin, Phyllis Wetherby, Faith Petric, Stetson Kennedy, Joyce Kornbluh and so many more ...

It's a time to look forward to a 2009 filled with exciting action! The inauguration of our first African-American president - Barack Obama!!! A serious campaign to end the war!!! National Health Care NOW!! There is so much to do, and this is a great time to be doing it.

You mean so much to me. Thank you for being part of my life, my family, my work and our struggle for a better world!

Here's to a happy and hellraising 2009!

Love

Anne

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LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/03spr/coal1.asp - Find out about this gigantic environmental disaster in KY!!

Listen to music from my Swedish touring buddy, Jan Hammarlund http://cdbaby.com/cd/janhammarlund and visit his English website - http://janhammarlund.se/english.html


____________________________________________


FAMILY NEWS

My children bring me more joy than I can measure. Dan's wonderful wife Monique is a spectacular addition to our family. I will miss them terribly when they leave for Quito, Ecuador in a few days, but I know they will be doing important work. My daughter Amy is such a healer, and wise far beyond her years. It gives me great happiness to see her settled into her cozy new home in San Marcos.

I'm so blessed to have true love in my life too. My husband will be joining me at the Western Workers' Labor Heritage Festival this year. I'm so happy.

My household was blessed this June with the addition of my housemate Tod Faller's lovely 15 year old daughter Sophia. It's been great having a youngster in the house.

BIRTHDAYS ----

Mark Rauterkus Jan 1, Lauren Grefenstette Jan 8, Jesse Dalton Jan 10, Chris Chandler Jan 16, Jim Marks, Jan 16, Shannon Metcalfe Jan 16, Blanka Engstrom Jan 16, (Happy Anniversary Kelly & Charles Warren Jan 25), Tom Weldon (the younger) Jan 27, Art Deckard Jan 29, Ed McCahill Jan 29, Maryellen Hayden January 31


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MOVIES

It's too early to make my Oscar picks... still too many films I haven't seen... here are my favorite 10 so far from 2008 -

1. The best film I've seen in 2008 is probably BENJAMIN BUTTON. It's a fantastic story, beautiful to watch, with great performances. Kate Blanchett is breathtaking.

2. DOUBT was fabulous as well - but you might have had to grow up Catholic when I did to fully appreciate it... some of the very authentic detail might not ring at all true for people who didn't live it. All the acting in this film is superb.

3. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a terrific film. Like CRASH, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE sets up a highly impossible premise in order to allow the characters to speak uncomfortable truths. It is simultaneously quite touching and highly entertaining. I highly recommend it.

4. CHANGELING was an absorbing film - a great true story, well told - but I swear Angelina Jolie's lips grow during the film to where they take up half the screen.

5. If you get a chance, catch THE BAND'S VISIT. I saw this charming film in my local theater earlier this year, but I see it's available on demand on many cable services.

6. MILK took a while to reel me in, but it ended up being an extremely satisfying film with a fabulous performance by Sean Penn.

7. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN - a horror/drama from Sweden is a wonderful film. The young boy, Oskar, who is the protagonist of the film is the subject of bullying and abuse. Over the course of the film, the gratuitous violence of the bullies seems much more objectionable than the occasional murders committed by the charming young vampire girl Oskar befriends. Bravo!

8. Oliver Stone's W is probably his best film to date.. the most nuanced and complex... Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheyney is scary.

9. SYNECHDOCHE, NY is a cool film, but if you've seen BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ADAPTATION and THE ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND you're likely to start thinking of director Charlie Kaufman as an old friend who's brilliant, but took a little too much acid and always wants to tell you these long, incredibly complex stories. A fine film, but not Kaufman's best. (ADAPTATION is my personal favorite.)

10. BOY A is a very compelling drama about a young man released from prison after spending most of his life behind bars for murdering a child when he was, himself, a child. You can find it on Netflix and pay-per-view

Still looking forward to FROST/NIXON, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, DARK KNIGHT, THE READER, A CHRISTMAS TALE and many more... In fact, I'm going to have to rent WALL-E - the reviews are so great I'll have to see what's up with it.

Not on track for an Oscar this year, but just terrific from Netflix is Ken Loach's 2007 offering, IT'S A FREE WORLD.


Watching the over-rated RACHEL GETTING MARRIED was exactly like going to a wedding where you don't know anyone. Anne Hathaway was great, but the screenplay (if there was one - some times I felt like the whole film was being improvised) was terrible. GRAN TORINO is certainly not Clint Eastwood's best film - and I found the recurring racial epithets tiresome - but it's worth a look. VALKYRIE is a total loser. It could have been done much better by the history channel.

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MY HALF DOZEN END-OF-THE-YEAR GIVING SUGGESTIONS:

(and if 2008 is over when you read this, keep in mind that 2009 will end too!)


1. THE COALITION OF IMMOKALEE WORKERS

This tireless group of agitators gets more done for the least powerful than any group I know - and on a shoestring budget! This year they won landmark agreements with Burger King and Subway, and exposed chattel slavery in Florida. They are amazing!

http://ciw-online.org/donate.html

Coalition of Immokalee Workers
P. O. Box 603
Immokalee, FL, 34143

********** ********** **********

2. A FRIEND IN NEED - JOULES GRAVES

My friend and musical colleague, Joules Graves, http://www.joulesgraves.com/ , has been living with MS for a number of years now. Her light hearted and often humorous songs of peace, feminism, spiritual renewal, and environmental protection have inspired many of us for a long time. She's been in a real financial bind lately, and matters got considerably worse recently when she wrecked her car. In the recent storms, Joules skidded out and totalled her little 2-door Honda while driving a homeless person in Bellingham to find shelter with a friend. (No one was hurt.) That's the kind of person she is--willing to help those less fortunate even while she herself needs help. Send cash, checks, keys to a car to:

Joules Graves
PO Box 2391
Bellingham, WA 98227

********** ********** **********

3. DEMOCRACY NOW!

What would we do with Amy Goodman and her team of relentless, ethical and uncompromising researchers?

Listen or watch DN! any time at http://democracynow.org and
give generously at:

http://www.democracynow.org/donate/ye08-splash or

Democracy Now!
ATTN: Samantha Chamblee
100 Lafayette Street, Suite 604
New York, NY 10013

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4. Founded by Utah Phillips:

HOSPITALITY HOUSE
PO BOX 3223
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945

or donate securely online at:

http://www.hospitalityhouseshelter.org/

Ask them to notify Joanna that the contribution
was made:

Joanna Robinson
Box 1235
Nevada City, CA 95959


********** ********** **********

5. Heartland Health Care Workers - AFSCME 3474

This is the second holiday season since Local 3494 went on strike in July 2007. When they offered to return to work last July, management locked them out, and they are still on the picket line every day. Don't let the heartless outfit that runs Heartland dampen the holiday spirit of these sisters and brothers who want nothing more than a little respect and some basic fairness.

Send checks, made out to the Council 31 Solidarity Fund, to Heartland Holidays, AFSCME Council 31, PO Box 2328, Springfield, IL 62705-2328.

********** ********** **********


6. Feeney Family Memorial Fund for Study of Irish History, Politics and Culture

I set this fund up when my Dad died in 1987, and have been adding to it slowly. Connie Cohen and I organized a big concert to fund the scholarship fund on Mother's Day of 1994, and several young women have received cash awards to study Irish history, politics and culture.

Chatham College
Feeney Family Memorial Fund
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

and ask that notification of your gift be sent to:

Anne Feeney
2240 Milligan Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15218


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THE TOUR!!!

Saturday, January 10th, 2009 8:00 PM
Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare
The Crowne Plaza - Downtown St. Louis
200 North 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
http://http://www.laborforsinglepayer.org/
Price: see web page
For Reservations Call 314-621-8200 reference
´National Healthcare Conference´
for Special Room Rates - $100 per night Preview Hotel & Conference Center at - www.crowneplaza.com/stlouisdt


Sunday, January 11th, 2009 6:30 PM
Anne Feeney in Concert
SEIU - Watsonville
11 - H Alexander Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
Price: $10-20 suggested
Light refreshments and beverages will be served. Anne's considerable CD catalogue will be available.
Take the main Watsonville exit off Highway One. Proceed into town on Main Street. Turn left at the Plaza, then left again into the parking lot just before Alexander Street, or park on Alexander. If you need further directions, I'll have my cell phone on until 7pm: 588.4305


Jan 12, 13, 14, 15 --- got any ideas??? looking for work here.... rallies, riots, radio shows... you name it...



Friday, January 16th, 2009 5:00 PM
Western Workers' Labor Heritage Festival
IBEW #617 (Electrical Workers)
1701 Leslie St
San Mateo, CA
http://www.docspopuli.org/WesternWorkers.html



Friday, January 16th, 2009 7:30 PM
Anne Feeney and Roy Zimmerman
First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco (TENTATIVE)
San Francisco, CA
412-877-6480 to confirm
Price: $10-20 suggested
I hope this show works out!



Saturday, January 17th, 2009 9:00 AM
Western Workers' Labor Heritage Festival
IBEW #617 (Electrical Workers)
1701 Leslie St
San Mateo, CA
http://www.docspopuli.org/WesternWorkers.html

At 10AM I'll be doing a two hour workshop with Bev Grant and Rebel Voices.. woo hoo! that should be great!
$60 for weekend, $35 for Saturday only.
Concert $15-25, sliding scale.
No one turned away for lack of funds.Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.´s contribution to the civil rights and labor movements


Saturday, January 17th, 2009 7:00 PM
Four Shillings Short in Concert with Special Guest, Anne Feeney!
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF PALO ALTO
505 E. Charleston
Palo Alto, CA
(650) 274-1100
http://www.art.net/~4ss/
Price: $10-20 suggested
Kids free w/paying adult
I'll be opening the show!


Sunday, January 18th, 2009 9:00 AM
Western Workers' Labor Heritage Festival
IBEW #617 (Electrical Workers)
1701 Leslie St
San Mateo, CA
http://www.docspopuli.org/WesternWorkers.html
$60 for weekend, $35 for Saturday only.
Concert $15-25, sliding scale.
No one turned away for lack of funds.Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.´s contribution to the civil rights and labor movements
A weekend of solidarity in an era of war, racism, and hard times.
With Jimmy Collier, Jon Fromer, Roy Zimmerman, Rebel Voices, Bev Grant, Faith Petric, The Diggers and much much more!


Monday, January 19th, 2009 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney House Concert
tba
Palo Alto, CA
412-877-6480 to confirm
Price: $10-20 suggested
I hope this works out, too. My friends Christy Martin and Aodh Óg Ó Tuama are trying to put this together...



Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 8:00 PM
Anne Feeney Inaugural Party Concert! Celebrate the End of an Error!
Siskyou Pub
31B Water St
Sweat-Free Ashland, OR
541-482-6988
Price: free - your generous donations
Southern OR Jobs with Justice and Southern OR Central Labor Council are co-sponsoring this show!



Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 8:00 PM
Anne Feeney in Concert
Deadwood Community Center
Deadwood, OR
(541) 964-3420
acricket(@)casco.net is the contact



Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 7:00 PM
Carol hosts a House Concert
Kate's house
Astoria, OR
(503) 458-6837
Price: $10-20 sliding
Carol Newman is the contact...caroltov(@)pacifier.com
light refreshments provided... email carol for reservations and directions



Friday, January 23rd, 2009 7:30 PM
Portland Folksong Society presents Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Carvlin Hall
SE 17th and Division
Portland, OR
http://www.portlandfolkmusic.org/concerts.html
Price: $12
doors at 7 pm, admission: $10 PFS members, $12 Non-Members,
$5 ages 12 to 18, Children under 12 FREE. (Sorry, No Advance Sales)



Saturday, January 24th, 2009 8:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices in Concert
Traditions Café and World Folk Art
300 5th Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501
360-705-2819
http://www.traditionsfairtrade.com/pages/tradhome.html
Price: $12


Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 8:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Peretz Centre
6184 Ash St
Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9
Canada
604-325-1812
http://peretz-centre.org


Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 7:30 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Ken Orchard and Sharon Hazelwood's
Victoria, BC
Canada
Price: $15-20 suggested
wy234@victoria.tc.ca for more info

Thursday, January 29th, 2009 7:00 PM
Mayworks Presents Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Joe's Garage
5th St
Courtenay, BC
Canada
http://www.myspace.com/joesgarageon5th
Price: $15 suggested
bcharlton@shaw.ca Brian Charlton is the contact



Friday, January 30th, 2009 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Lions Hall
103 Bonnet Ave
Salt Spring, BC
Canada
(250) 653-9485
Price: $15
Phil Vernon is the contact - philvernon(@)telus.net
Doors open 7:00, 7:30 start
$15 at the door, advance tix available at Salt Spring Books, Acoustic
Planet and Stuff & Nonsense


Saturday, January 31st, 2009 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Carpenters' Hall
2nd and Vine
Seattle, WA
206-524-7753
Price: $10-20 suggested

Sunday, February 1st, 2009 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Rebel Voices
Whatcom Peace and Justice Center
100 E Maple Street
Bellingham, WA 98227
(360) 734-0217
http://www.whatcompjc.org/calendar.html
Price: $15 suggested
betsy pernotto is the contact - betsyp(@)openaccess.org


Saturday, February 7th, 2009 6:00 PM
Anne Feeney in Concert
Salem House Concerts
Salem, OR
503-378-7704
http://home.teleport.com/~blueman/
Price: $12/$20 w dinner
Marc Nassar is the contact - blueman(@)teleport.com

Please check http://annefeeney.com/calendar.html for updated information. Always check with the venue before strapping on your roller skates!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!