(Update 11/25/17: Complete and up-to-date details available at Winter Gathering Overview.)

People’s Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle invites you to be part of our 2018 PMN Winter Gathering at two venues (in Cambridge & Brookline, MA) from January 26-28, 2018.

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE ANNOUNCED!

Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt will be PMN Artists-in-Residence for the 2017 PMN Winter Gathering! Charlie is a musical storyteller and political satirist, hailed by Pete Seeger as “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.” He is recipient of the 2017 Phil Ochs Award. Rick is is an Obie-award-winning playwright, performer, composer, and songwriter/accordionist for the Prince Myshkins, a political cabaret folk duo.

FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT -- Cambridge, MA

The PMN Friday Night Concert takes place at the First Parish in Cambridge, starting at 7:30pm on January 26, 2018, which will feature PMN Artists in Residence, Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt. Other confirmed performers (so far) include Reggie Gibson, Sol Y Canto, and Windborne Singers. Concert goers are invited to come early to rehearse for a huge PMN Pick-up chorus! Details to be released soon!

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY GATHERING - Brookline, MA

On Saturday and Sunday (January 27 & 28, 2018) at the Pierce School in Brookline, we’ll have participatory workshops and songswaps; mentoring sessions; and a Saturday night “Round Robin” – all highlighting the role of music in progressive social change. The Youth Creative Convergence will take place parallel to the adult workshops. Expect opportunities to share music, sing together, build networks, and to join efforts to bring music for progressive social change into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.

CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS – DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2017

Do you want to lead a workshop session as part of this exciting and inspirational weekend? Workshops at PMN are led by gathering participants. We invite you to get involved in shaping the weekend by putting forth your ideas. Propose a workshop or workshop topic you want to see included in the Gathering. Ben Grosscup (ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org) is organizing the adult workshop program. Learn how to submit a workshop proposal.

YOUTH CREATIVE CONVERGENCE

The Youth Creative Convergence (YCC) is back at PMN for the second year in a row! The program will include childcare and activities for ages 3-12, plus a series of workshops specifically designed to inspire and equip teens in a variety of creative endeavors (roughly ages 13-17). We're excited to engage kids and youth with elements of people’s history, interactive projects, creative challenges, games, and collaborations with elders. Jayme Winnell (PurpleJayme@gmail.com) is organizing the YCC. Learn more or offer a workshop.

MEALS and ACCOMMODATIONS

We will serve Friday Dinner at the Church. We'll serve all five meals from Saturday Breakfast to Sunday Lunch in the school cafeteria. We will arrange sleeping accommodations for out-of-town guests at the homes of local volunteer hosts. Count on a welcoming community-oriented feel to the whole weekend! Boston area residents can host an out of town PMN participant, by filling out this form online.

REGISTRATION

Online registration will be announced soon. Financial assistance is available and must be arranged in advance. Our need-based payment scale seeks the broadest participation possible while keeping PMN financially solvent. All 6 meals are included when you register. Day rates are also available.

Tickets for the Friday concert are included for free with the Winter Gathering registration, or you will also be able to purchase concert tickets separately.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH & PEOPLE OF COLOR

PMN’s Matt Jones Scholarship Fund fosters a multi-racial and inter-generational artistic and political community by providing registration and partial travel stipends to young people (25 years or younger) and people of color wishing to attend a PMN gathering. Scholarship applicants may request up to $50 in travel stipends to reimburse for the cost of travel. Find information on how to apply.

Facebook: Consider sharing the Gathering Event on Facebook, and invite your friends!

SAVE THE DATE! PMN SUMMER GATHERING, June 1-3, 2018 (Tolland, MA)

Our 42nd annual PMN Summer Gathering will take place in 2018 at Camp Kinderland in Tolland, MA for the second year in a row. Save the date and stay tuned for more info. Videos from the 2017 Summer Gathering are now available on the PMN Youtube Page.

Yours in song,

Ben Grosscup

People's Music Network, Executive Director