Friday, March 28, 2014

April 2014 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 6


The dates are set, the rooms are booked, 

the musicians are ready and waiting  -- 

all we need is you!

We have 16 14 12 seats left for this summer's tour of Ireland ... Come join us for 10 days and 9 nights of fun, fantastic music, breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences.



Only four months until we depart on our Irish adventure!! Sign up now!  I've got 16 seats left, and I hope one of them is yours!  Our tourmates so far are wonderfully interesting folks whom I'm sure you'll enjoy.  Join the un-tour ... no crowded buses belching diesel, no name tags, no rushing, no early mornings - just fantastic adventures, beautiful scenery, extraordinary music.  Click here for more:  http://annefeeney.com/Pages/irishtours.html

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EVAN GREER AND I HEAD TO THE FOURTH CORNER 
APRIL 16th - MAYDAY

 The rabble-rousing spirit of beloved protest singer Pete Seeger lives on
 -- and this April, renowned labor singer Anne Feeney and riot-folk
 troubadour Evan Greer are out to prove it. Audiences who attend the
 multi-generational “Carry it On” tour will learn to expect the
 unexpected during high energy concerts that feature music ranging from
 Irish ballads to union singalongs to political punk anthems. Greer and
 Feeney have both shared stages multiple times with the Pete Seeger.
 Together they will carryi] on Pete’s legacy - harnessing the power of
 music for revolutionary social change, and making it irresistible for
 audiences to join in and sing along.




 The Carry it On tour features Anne’s bottomless backpack of hellraising
 songs, given new energy by Evan's skillful accompaniment on a veritable
 arsenal of acoustic instruments. Greer's catchy and original folk-punk
 anthems shine with the addition of Anne's soaring harmony vocals. The two
 have been touring together for more than a decade -- since Evan was just a
 teenager -- and their dynamic stage performance, which ranges from
 hilarious to serious, will instantly and permanently change the opinion of
 anyone who has ever thought that political music has to be boring.


 Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Anne Feeney is the granddaughter of an intrepid
 mineworkers' organizer, who also used music to carry the message of
 solidarity to working people. After two decades of community activism and
 regional performances at rallies, Anne took her message on the road. Since
 1991 Anne has traveled to the frontlines in 42 states, as well as Canada,
 Mexico, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden. Her anthem "Have You Been to Jail  for Justice?" is being performed by activists everywhere, and was recorded
 twice by Peter, Paul and Mary. Dubbed the "minister of culture" to the
 movements for economic and social justice and human rights, Anne is "the
 best labor singer in North America" according to Utah Phillips, and Pete
 Seeger himself has praised Anne’s “fine songwriting.” Anne has played for      crowds of thousands and shared the stage with legends like Utah
 Phillips, Peggy Seeger, Dan Bern, Billy Bragg, Peter, Paul and Mary, and of
 course, Pete Seeger.

 Evan Greer is an LGBTQ parent, organizer, and multi-instrumentalist who
 writes fearless and dangerously catchy original songs that inspire hope
 and incite resistance. Equally at home leading singalongs in a union hall
 or sweating at a basement punk show, Evan has developed a cult following
 across North America and Europe, and has had songs featured on NPR, in
 college courses and major independent films. At 28 years old, Evan tours
 internationally as a musician and facilitates workshops and trainings to
 support movements for justice and liberation. Howard Zinn called Greer
 “an eloquent and energetic writer, who “reminds me of Phil Ochs."
 Evan has shared stages with artists as musically diverse as Billy Bragg,
 Immortal Technique, Gil Scott Heron’s Midnight Band, Holly Near, Against
 Me!, Pamela Means, The Coup, and Chumbawamba. Tom Morello, guitarist of
 Rage Against the Machine writes, "Evan Greer continues to write inspiring
 folk music in the tradition of the great protest singers ... a heck of a
 guitar player."

 The Carry it On tour spans Washington State and British Columbia. It
 begins April 16th and will culminate during a grand finale on May Day,
 International Workers Day, during an event at UW in Tacoma, WA.






EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE 
PEOPLES' MUSIC NETWORK
ANNOUNCING THE PMN "SONG OF THE MONTH"!!!!


People’s Music Network (PMN) – an organization that has been promoting music for progressive social change since 1977 – invites you to submit an original song at no cost to a new project that launches May 1, 2014 (May Day) called, “PMN Song of the Month.”

PMN designates each month with a theme related to a specific social justice topic where people are fighting for a better world. The topic for May 2014 is the “financial crisis” and the deadline for submissions via our website is April 5, 2014.

In June, the topic will be “The Environment.” In July, it will be “Prisons.” Check back on the website for future topics as they are designated. The goal of this project is to integrate inspiring new songs of freedom and struggle in today’s progressive movements and to raise the profile of politically-informed songwriting in the culture at large.

A small panel of judges composed of activists and songwriters who are part of struggles for justice related to each month’s topic will select from the submissions what they deem to be the most politically effective, well-crafted, and relevant song.

The songwriter whose song is selected will be given a modest award of $100 cash. PMN will promote the song by asking partner organizations to publish the selected song on their website, featuring live performances of the song at events, and by encouraging PMN members to learn and sing the song.

In June, the topic will be “The Environment.” In July, it will be “Prisons.” Check back on the website for future topics as they are designated. The goal of this project is to integrate inspiring new songs of freedom and struggle in today’s progressive movements and to raise the profile of politically-informed songwriting in the culture at large.
 www.pmnsongofthemonth.org

PMN Song of the Month is sponsored by People’s Music Network for Song of Freedom and Struggle, and so far, has no outside financial support.

Learn more and submit a song here:
Sign up to receive the song of the month by e-mail.
picketing  Please forward this notice to songwriters who may be interested.

For more information:  Ben Grosscup, People's Music Network, Executive Director, ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org

The discussion group that PMN has discusses interesting subjects. Why aren't there any songs that are friendly to the police? asks one member..  It reminded of one of my favorite stories from a few years back.  A bunch of what we would call "the usual suspects" were picketing and leafletting at a local military recruitment center.  A FOX news reporter covering the vigil was taunting all the peaceniks.  At some point the reporter called the police and said he feared for his life.  The cops showed up en masse with riot gear, stun guns and police dogs.  In the melee that ensued during the police riot a young woman was pepper-sprayed, and elderly woman suffered a nasty dogbite, and a long-time peace activist was knocked out of his electric wheelchair and there were a few arrests.

We decided there was nothing for us to do but return the following week, stronger and more determined.  About 200 activists lined up outside the recruitment center. Dozens of heavily armed cops were there on horseback, with snipers on the rooftops and full riot gear.  The tension was palpable.  Most of the vigilers were afraid.  When along come the "BAKERS AGAINST BRUTALITY" wearing white aprons and carrying trays of donuts with signs saying "PASTRIES FOR PEACEFUL POLICE.  The protesters immediately relaxec, laughed and sang.  


The high point of the demo was when one of the cops came over to inquire if the donuts were for "everyone."  When we said yes, the cops took the donuts to the other cops, and the tense situation was completely defused.  After a few hours we dispersed, laughing and singing - our hearts full of gratitude to the Anarchist Bakers Against Brutality aka Pastries for Peaceful Police. Desert Rat of PDX has a song called "I Really Love the Cops" that I am very fond of.


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Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 7:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Labor Temple - Davis Williams Bldg
906 S. Columbia St., Suite 330
Olympia, WA 98501
206-254-4908
Price: donation
Thursday, April 17th, 2014 7:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Polish Club Hall
823 W First St
Aberdeen, WA 98520
http://www.ghinstitute.org/
Price: $10 and u
p
Saturday, April 19th, 2014 6:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Clallam County Democratic Headquarters
124-A West First Street
Port Angeles, WA
Price: suggested $15-25
syvanenx@teleport.com
All ages
No one turned away for lack of funds. Students, seniors, unemployed warmly welcome
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 7:00 PM
Mayworks presents: ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Courtenay Zocalo Cafe
208 5 St
Courtenay, BC V9N 1J6
Canada
250-331-0933
http://zocalocafe.ca/
Thursday, April 24th, 2014 7:30 PM
The Campbell River Labour Council presents: ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
The Carriage Room - Royal Coachman Inn
84 Dogwood St
Campbell River, BC
contact: bcharlton@shaw.ca

There will be appetizers available for purchase at the interval between our two sets, and cds and dvds available for purchse.
Friday, April 25th, 2014 8:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
House Concert
Victoria (James Bay), BC
250-385-1307
Price: $15-20 suggested
Tix are $20 waged, $15 other, and reservations directions are available at
why2342@hotmail.com, or 250 385 1307
Saturday, April 26th, 2014 2:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Heartwood Cafe
317 E Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Canada
http://www.heartwoodcc.ca/
Come a little early for a delicious brunch, and attend our 2PM matinee - our last show in Canada!
Monday, April 28th, 2014 12:00 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Commemorating Workers' Memorial Day on the Bellingham Public Library Lawn
210 Central Ave
Bellingham, WA 98227
betsy pernotto is the contact
Monday, April 28th, 2014 7:30 PM
ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Union Center
1700 N. State Street (upstairs)
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-647-1752
http://evangreer.org
Price: $10-20 suggested
Betsy pernotto is the contact
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014 8:00 PM
WS Labor Council May Works, PNHP and SEIU 1199NW presents:ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
Seattle Labor Temple Hall #1
2800 First Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Price: $15-25 suggested
all welcome. no one turned away for lack of funds.

Thursday, May 1st, 2014 7:00 PM
UW Tacoma Campus presents; ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON -a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger
UW Tacoma Campus - Carwein Hall
Tacoma, WA
Mike Honey is the contact.
Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 7:30 PM
Remembering Pete Seeger on his 95th birthday - Carry it on!
First Unitarian Church
Ellsworth and Morewood
15232
412-361-3022
Join me, Mike Stout, Ginny Hildebrand and a host of Pittsburgh's finest musicians as we honor the legacy of Pete Seeger with an evening of singing. Proceeds will, in part, benefit Marcellus Protest and the campaign to organize at UPMC

Brad Yoder and Anne Feeney: Kerrville or bust!!
( many more dates will be added... stay tuned!)
Sunday, May 18th, 2014 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Brad Yoder: Kerrville or Bust!
The Barn
1225 North Bend Road
Cincinnati, OH 45224
513-542-0007
Price: $15-25 suggested
contact Jon at jon@footprintsforpeace.org to reserve a sear.
Sunday, June 8th, 2014 4:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Brad Yoder in Concert
Danny Yeager's house
College Station, TX
(979) 777-8758
http://brazos_progressives.typepad.com/news/2007/02/anne_feeney_hou.html
Price: free!
Y'all were so wonderful and generous last year when my health made the concert impossible ... I'm doing a free concert for you and bringing along another super-talented player!



Saturday, June 14th, 2014 7:00 PM
Heartland Labor Forum's 25th Anniversary Celebration with
Jim Hightower, Brad Yoder and Anne Feeney
IBEW Local 124
301 W 103rd Terr
Kansas City, MO
816-517-4083
http://cas.umkc.edu/labor-ed/radio.htm

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

I'll get home from our 4th corner adventures just in time for one of the most fantastic musical events in the history of Pittsburgh...


Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 7:30 PM
Remembering Pete Seeger on his 95th birthday - Carry it on!
First Unitarian Church
Ellsworth and Morewood
15232
412-361-3022


Join me, Mike Stout, Ginny Hildebrand and a host of Pittsburgh's finest musicians as we honor the legacy of Pete Seeger with an evening of . Proceeds will, in part, benefit Marcellus Protest and the campaign to organize at UPMC



The concert will be held at 7:30PM at First Unitarian Church, Ellsworth and Morewood.  Come to sing and share the legacy of an American icon.


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Brad Yoder and Anne Feeney: Kerrville or bust!!
(more dates will be added... stay tuned!)
Sunday, May 18th, 2014 7:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Brad Yoder: Kerrville or Bust!
The Barn
1225 North Bend Road
Cincinnati, OH 45224
513-542-0007
Price: $15-25 suggested
contact Jon at jon@footprintsforpeace.org to reserve a sear.
Sunday, June 8th, 2014 4:00 PM
Anne Feeney and Brad Yoder in Concert
Danny Yeager's house
College Station, TX
(979) 777-8758
http://brazos_progressives.typepad.com/news/2007/02/anne_feeney_hou.html
Price: free!
Y'all were so wonderful and generous last year when my health made the concert impossible ... I'm doing a free concert for you and bringing along another super-talented player!

Saturday, June 14th, 2014 7:00 PM
Heartland Labor Forum's 25th Anniversary Celebration with
Jim Hightower, Brad Yoder and Anne Feeney
IBEW Local 124
301 W 103rd Terr
Kansas City, MO
816-517-4083
http://cas.umkc.edu/labor-ed/radio.htm

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MILESTONES


Farewell to dear Al Dale - a stalwart activist from Bellingham, WA.  
He and his marvelous wife, Dotty Dale, were inseparable.
Al was a tireless worker for justice ... I'll miss him.

So long, Porky Chedwick, our 'daddy-o of the raddio.'


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BABY BALD EAGLES!!!

I've been transfixed by the webcam monitoring the bald eagles' nest, where three eggs will hatch any minute now.  It's pretty irresistible! http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/hays-bald-eagle-cam/





Anne Feeney
http://annefeeney.com
http://cdbaby.com/all/unionmaid - Buy CDs!
412-877-6480 (cell)

"Anne Feeney is the greatest labor singer in North America." -- Utah Phillips




Friday, March 07, 2014

ANNE FEENEY AND EVAN GREER -CARRY IT ON - a multi-generational tour honoring the legacy of Pete Seeger

HEADS UP - Washington and British Columbia!!


Testing the water here... I'm wondering if I can put together a mini-tour in Washington and British Columbia next month.  We are flexible in our fee schedule and this would be a chance to get a real bargain booking us.

We'd like to tour from April 14 right to Mayday.  I know this isn't much notice, but if you know of an event that is already scheduled, or could put together something with one month's notice, please get in touch. 

Evan Greer

Photo by Jenell James
Evan Greer at the World Fellowship Center

workshops

I'll be doing this tour with the amazing Evan Greer.  Evan is terrific at doing workshops, and she and I are offering to do workshops for youth and high school students, college and university students, organizations or unions.

Evan is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, harmony-singer, and writer. Our duo is ... ahem ... dynamic. really.

rallies & picket lines

April 28th is Workers' Memorial Day.  We perform lots of songs that work with this important labor observance - "War on the Workers," "We Just Come to Work Here (We Don't Come to Die)" and "You Will Answer" to name a few. We love to play at picket lines.  If you know anyone who is on strike, please let them know we're available.

HOUSE CONCERTS

We do a lot of house concerts, and would love to do one at your house!  If you can seat at least 20 people in your living room or family room, and you know 20 people who might come to your house, let us know..


concerts

We're really excited about being with you for Mayday!  And we'd like to do that in Seattle if possible, as I will be flying out on May 2nd.

We are interested in any ideas you have.  Please contact me at anne@annefeeney.com or Evan at evan@evangreer.org.  If this works out, it will be great.  I'm really missing all my friends from Aberdeen to Cumberland.

Solidarity forever!

Anne

PS  I wrote this without Evan, and I can see I emphasized labor - but we have awesome material for gender rights, feminism, the environment, peace and so much more! Thank for your help!!!



Anne Feeney
412-877-6480 (cell)

"Anne Feeney is the greatest labor singer in North America." -- Utah Phillips

Saturday, March 01, 2014

March 2014 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 5

In this issue I'm welcoming 200 updated and new subscribers to the Fellow Travelers' Advisory! Some of you folks go back to the Summer of Solidarity Tour from August 2013...  Sorry for the delay in getting you onboard.  I've been super busy, but it's a good busy, not a stressed busy.

It's my pleasure and privilege to welcome you to my network of family, friends, fans and Fellow Travelers.


Come to Ireland with me this summer!

Lots and lots of you expressed interest in the Ireland tour.  If you're interested, please contact Vicki Belinoski at vbelinoski@austin.rr.com


Tuesday, July 29th - August 6th, 2014
Come to Ireland with me for a Labor History Tour!!
Innishfree Tours
http://johnsmithmusic.com/tour-ireland The dates are confirmed, the rooms are reserved --
 all we need is you!!


I've got a labor history tour of Ireland that will knock your socks off! Ireland's history is as interesting as its countryside is gorgeous. Please join me for ten days you'll never forget in the "Isle of Saints and Scholars."  This year's tour starts and ends in Dublin.  Come in a day early and book a room at the Academy Best Western.  Be sure to mention Inishfree Tours and get a discount.  Day 1 starts with a full Irish breakfast at our hotel.  Then we'll climb aboard our luxury coach and head south to Cork City.


Then on through historic towns  to Cork, where we'll check into the Maldron Hotel.  We'll be in Cork City for three days, where we will attend the"Spirit of Mother Jones" Festival.   On July 30th we'll treat you to dinner at the Waldron Hotel, and to a private concert by a wonderful local musician. The festival lineup is still shaping up, but on July 31st, The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival will present me and Si Kahn in concert.
The Mother Jones Monument in Cork
festival board member Gerd O'Mahony
our genial host at Maldron's

On August 1 we'll head to Dingle, one of the music capitals of Ireland, and spend three days taking in breathtaking scenery by day and fabulous Irish music by night. We're staying at the Hotel Ostan Ceann Sibeal in Dingle. http://www.dingleway.com/accommodation/ballyferriter-hotel-hotel-ostan-ceann-sibeal.php We'll be providing a fine dinner one of our nights in Dingle, and fabulous music every night!

August 4th we'll take a scenic cross-country drive and return to Dublin.  I'm still working on the whole Dublin itinerary, but it will unquestionably be the emotional high of the tour.  We will discover so much about the history, spirit and culture of the Irish people - AND tour the Guinness brewery.  Our last night, we treat you to dinner.


Let me know if you want to be one of the lucky 22 to make this tour with me in 2014 and I'll connect you to the wonderful folks at Innishfree Tours.  This tour is a fabulous value and a guaranteed good time.


Annual Oscars Dinner cancelled.

For at least the past dozen years my cousin Bill and I have watched the Oscars together.  One year Julie fixed a fantastic dinner for us, and a tradition was born.  Every year the guest list has grown - to 26 people one year in my little house. Over the years we added added a second television monitor, ballots, a giant toteboard, costumes, paparazzi and for the last two years - the Daniel McTiernan  Excel Toteboard withcontinuously updated results displayed on a monitor. The gala evolved into a sit-down dinner with 5 courses inspired by the 5 "Best Picture" nominees. Like the guest list, the number of nominees has increased..Threats of a blizzard in Pittsburgh this Sunday night gave cold feet to many of our key attendees.  A much smaller group will huddle here to watch the Oscars.  

It was fun to dream up the menu.  If you are somewhere warm and want to spend a lot of time cooking today,  here's the menu for the ten-course  we had planned:

Mussels Dijon - Captain Phillips- 
Super Healthy Salad - Dallas Buyers' Club
Chicken Piccata - American Hustle
Pasta with Rao's Marinara Sauce - American Hustle/Wolf of Wall Street
Massaged Kale - 12 Years
Tub of Cheap Beer on Ice - Nebraska

Irish Trifle - Philomena
Floating Island - Gravity
Lots of Champagne and Good Wines - Wolf of Wall Street

For "Her" put an 8-Ball Toy as the centerpiece on each table to answer any questions you have on who will win in a particular category. (If you have a better idea, let me know...)

On the Road Again: NYC-FT MYERS via MIAMI - 

The 2014 "Plumbers' Relief" Tour


I left Pittsburgh on frigid Friday, January 24 for the People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle Annual Winter Gathering.  PMN is a great organization. Delayed by traffic, I arrived about 30 seconds before I was scheduled to perform .. It was a challenge!




This pic from the finale on Friday night.  People's Music Network is a fabulous community of activist songwriters.  It's been around for a long time.  Pittsburgh videographer Rich Fishkin recently posted a treasure trove of great performances from the early 90s on youtube.  There are some really great performances archived in these videos - Pat Humphries of Emma's Revolution performing her new song "Swimming to the Other Side."  Jon Fromer with a great performance of "We Do the Work," Jay Mankita performing "Old Devil Time" with gorgeous harmonies by Sarah Underwood and (I think) Heather Lev, Faith Petric and Bob Reid singing "Why Am I Painting the Living Room?"  and so many more

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/s851x315/10104_10202962120394981_1190524968_n.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7uWNDIaipM

If those links don't get you there, go to youtube, search for richfishpgh, scroll down his page to FREEDOM TROUBADOURS OF THE 90s   connect with him on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/rich.fishkin

My next show wasn't until January 31 in Durham  (part of my strategy to rest more on my tours and stay out of hospitals).  After a glorious 3 day rest stop at my friend Shirley's in DC, I headed on to Durham to visit the amazing Vicki Ryder and her wonderful husband Doug.  They and their committee organized a show that packed a UU church and raised thousands of dollars for the NC NAACP, where I met the inspiring Rev Wm Barber.  I sold all the CDs I had packed for the entire tour at this show, and had to have more sent to me in Jacksonville.Endless thanks to 
Vicki and her terrific committee.

In JacksonvilIe I made my debut at the Mudville Music Room, sharing the evening with the marvelous Tim Grimm.  Six people who came to the show had never been to the venue.  They heard me on "Brother Stan, the Union Man" - a labor radio show on 1600 AM, WZNZ - hosted every wednesday from 2-4 and streaming online at http://1600thebeach.com

On February 8 I performed at the Lake Worth Playhouse with a very talented ensemble in a multi-media Pete Seeger tribute.  Joyce Brown, the producer, sold out two $20 per shows at the 350 seat theater - a pleasant time was guaranteed for all!  Congratulations Joyce!




Then on to Boca Raton, where Bob and Patty Bender and friends put on a terrific show for me, which benefitted in part the Peace Action Education Fund  I had such a great time with them. I so enjoyed the music of my opening act, Pink Slip, that I invited them to join me at the Luna Star the next night and they did

My good friend Michael Stock, who hosts the venerable Folk and Acoustic Show on WLRN
invited me on the show just before my visit to Alexis and the Luna Star Cafe

If you're getting tired reading this, imagine how I felt about now!!
Lucky for me, I got a respite at the home of the amazing Amy Carol Webb and her wife.
Then on for a great visit with Rosanna Lane and Bill Deegan in Naples, and on to Estero, where I enjoyed seeing Ed Sadlowski and his terrific wife, Marlene and their adorable puppy Zoe

I did two shows for my fabulous labor sister Laura Griffin in Ft Myers... I did an Irish show for the United Irish Club of Ft. Myers, and my standard labor/politics show for the SW FL AFL-CIO.

On to Tallahassee where my anxious presenters informed me of a number of competing events going on that afternoon and evening. .... one of which was a Peter Yarrow fundraiser for Alzheimer's awareness.  My concert was supposed to be after a potluck, but with Ward and Rebecca's blessing, the hungry guests arriving got treated to a concert before dinner, and I got to go to the show and sing "Have You Been to Jail for Justice?" on stage with Peter.  Peter was very generous and thoughtful with me and the four fans of his who accompanied me to the show.



Photo courtesy Doug Gauss

A gazillion thanks to all my fabulous Hosts and Presenters:  Bev Grant, Shirley Shultz Myers, Vicki and Doug Ryder,Candice Carter, Ray Lewis, Ken Connors and Cee Cee Severin, Joyce Brown, Howard in Lake Worth,   Patty and Bob Bender,  Alexis at the Lunastar, Amy Carol Webb and Brooke Bell, Rosanna Lane and Bill Deegan, Ed and Marlene Sadlowski, Laura Griffin,  Ward and Rebecca...  All in all, it was a great tour and I came home with enough money to retire my $5300 plumbing bills... But winter is still here, dammit.

Please Let My Son, Daniel, hear from you 


I'll let Dan tell you in his own words about this extraordinary project:

Imagine walking out of your home in Washington, D.C., carrying nothing but a backpack, hoping to make it to Guadalajara, Mexico. You don't have enough money for a bus ticket, let alone a flight. You don't have your passport. You don't speak Spanish. You haven't had time to say goodbye to anyone except your closest relatives. You don't know if you'll ever return.
This is the situation that many of the world's 15 million refugees have faced. Through my work with forced migrants in Zimbabwe, I've met people who are travelling, mostly by foot, from places like Goma, DR Congo, to South Africa. The 3500 kilometer journey is fraught with danger. These men, women, and children risk their lives because they hope that South Africa will be somewhere they can enjoy the basic human rights that are unavailable in their home countries--most fundamentally the right to life and the right to not be tortured or raped; but also basic freedoms such as the right to shelter, food, water, work, and education.
This April, I plan to ride my bike 800 kilometers across Zimbabwe to South Africa, following the path of many refugees and asylum seekers, and then run 56 kilometers (34 miles) across the tip of Africa in the Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon. My goal is to find 100 people who will support me by donating $56 ($1 / km of running) to Asylum Access, to fund their refugee rights programming.
Eighty percent of the world's refugees live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and Asylum Access's mission is to make the legally recognized rights of these refugees a reality. I had the privilege of working with Asylum Access when I lived in Ecuador, and I was able to see first-hand the transformational impact of helping refugees assert their rights. Although I am no longer affiliated with Asylum Access, I firmly believe that their innovative approach is the best model for providing long-term support to refugees. I also know that, unlike some larger organizations, $5600 will make a real impact, allowing Asylum Access to provide legal assistance to more people who need it. Of course, financial support of any amount is greatly appreciated, and if you are unable to donate you can still support my cause by sharing this site with your networks.
I'll be blogging here about my training and planning for the trip across Southern Africa. To find out more about Asylum Access, visit www.asylumaccess.org. Thank you for your support.
-Dan
To support Dan in this effort, click this link:


And Great News from My Daughter, Amy Berlin!

Amy's first recording, a 6 song EP titled FRAGILE BONES,  is now available on CDBaby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/amysueberlin  As her mother, I'm uncomfortable reviewing this CD, but I encourage you to preview it on CDBaby and post a review.

I think the youthful purity, simplicity and vitality of this recording is impressive, and her honesty is startling and evocative.  But judge for yourself.  And download or buy it for yourself and tell your friends!

Best read I've had in a while: Chris Chandler's Feb Muse and Whirled Retort

I love it when you write back.  Hoping to be where you are soon!  Happy Birthday Shirley! Get well, Lee.