The Peoples' Voice Cafe
An alternative coffeehouse offering
quality entertainment in New York City.
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~ Fall 2014 Season ~
September 20, 2014:
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The Johnson Girls
The Johnson Girls are an energetic all-woman a cappella group specializing in sea songs, which they consider the first
real “world music”: a bubbling stew of styles culled from many lands. Crashing through the barrier of male-dominated
maritime music, each of the Johnson Girls brings a specialty and style to the ensemble, including Afro-Caribbean sounds,
songs of the inland waterways, Irish, Scottish, American, English, Italian and French ballads, and work songs. With an
exciting sound full of harmony, the Johnson Girls bring audiences to their feet wherever they perform.
thejohnsongirls.com
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Hudson Valley Sally
Hudson Valley Sally is Terry Colliton, John Fisher, Laurie Siegel, and David Tarlo. Their music is rooted
in the tradition of activist folk music--an unending chain that goes back centuries and spans the globe. They are
dedicated to keeping alive some of the oldest songs, and introducing some of the newest.
"Hudson Valley Sally sings with a freshness and innocence that reminds us why we fell in love with folk music in the
first place." --Si Kahn
hudsonvalleysally.com
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September 27, 2014:
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The Mountain Maidens & friends
The Mountain Maidens are Marie Mularczyk O'Connell, Candice Baranello and Lorraine Berger, who play British and American
folksongs on guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, dumbec, bones and spoons. Tonight they are joined by Judi Meiselman from
the folk quartet Joyful Noise and Debbie Cerruti from Soldier's Joy. Finally, Wild Ginger will join in with some Balkan
tunes. Be prepared to hear songs of struggle, freedom, heartache, tragedy and joy from ancient, Medieval,
and modern traditions.
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Lizzie Hershon & The Living Room Singers
This group brings together the unique voices of Alison Kelley, Katie Browning, Chris Seymour, and Frank Woerner, and is
led by Elizabeth Hershon. Members have performed solo and in various groups, including The Johnson
Girls, The X Seamen’s Institute, and The NexTradition. Tonight they will present Love from Rags to Riches, by Sea or
by Land, a program designed around traditional songs about class distinction and heart connection, and featuring
rich harmonies and an eclectic repertoire.
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October 11, 2014:
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Filthy Rotten System
The Filthy Rotten System is a folk/rock/protest band grounded in the values of the Catholic Worker Movement, to which
many of the members belong. The band plays regularly to support peace and justice for all people. They can be found out
front at New York and New Jersey peace vigils, immigrant support marches and rallies, and a variety of events for
progressive causes and for individuals who have devoted themselves to serving others. Activists all, the members of
the band rock and will move you with their spirited versions of familiar songs and some powerful originals.
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Steve Deasy
Steve Deasy is a Pittsburgh born, Detroit based performing songwriter, producer and arranger. His songwriting has been
recognized by the Kerrville Music To Life and Great Lakes Songwriting competitions. Steve is a socially conscious writer
in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, but with the contemporary musicality of new folk, classic rock, pop, and
jazz influences. Add some humorous Steve Goodman-style story songs and you have Steve Deasy: relevant, complex, funny and
talented.
stevedeasy.com
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October 18, 2014:
YOUNG POLITICAL SONGWRITERS NIGHT
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Alexandra Bradbury
"Clever and cheerfully subversive" is how one fan described Al Bradbury's songs. Another refrain she often hears: "I
don't usually like folk music, but that was great!" The songs she writes--a mix of funny and serious, parodies and
originals--deal with work, organizing, this messed-up world, and what's to be done. Al lives in Brooklyn, where she
co-edits the rank-and-file magazine and organizing project Labor Notes (the voice of labor activists who are "putting
the movement back in the labor movement"). She's a proud member of Musicians Local 1000.
etandtheboy.wordpress.com/music
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Ben Grosscup
Ben performs original songs of social critique, addressing issues such as student debt, ecological breakdown,
and the madness of the authoritarian security state we live in. He performs songs of fellow artists that express a
sensibility for radical social change and the longing for a free society. Ben's powerful voice and thumping
guitar are the foundation for lyrics that make no apology for having a position on contemporary events. Based in Amherst,
MA, he is an activist involved in organizing for immigrant rights, ecological justice, and resisting military violence.
He serves on the Steering Committee of Peoples' Music Network.
soundclick.com/bengrosscup
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Emma Graves
Miss Marie-Emma Graves, known as Emma by her friends and fans, only looks like a fresh face on the scene. She has been
actively participating in folk music scenes from Upstate New York to the Jersey Shore since the early 90s and has
performed in such unique locations as the Nobel Institute (Oslo, Norway) The Institute for Social Equality
(San Francisco, CA) and Jalopy Theatre (Brooklyn, NY). Emma is known for her witty and somewhat pedantic musical tales.
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October 25, 2014:
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Judy Gorman
Judy Gorman's songs get their wings from her imagination and their roots from the folk, blues, jazz and gospel music
she's been surrounded by all her life. Her earliest memories are of hearing the music of Billie Holiday, Woody Guthrie,
Paul Robeson and Leadbelly, all of whom influenced her passionate vocals and her vision that another world is possible.
Pete Seeger sums up Judy Gorman like this: "She came, she sang, she conquered. No two programs that she gives are the
same. She is always thinking how to find the right phrase, the right song to hit the nail right on the head, to shoot
the arrow straight to the heart of the matter. I hope she lives to be 100 and is able to bring her songs to every nook
and cranny of this suffering world."
cdbaby.com/Artist/JudyGorman
youtube.com/watch?v=7qxTNBgXNGA
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Arlon & The Healing Project
An Americana/folk-pop songsmith, Arlon Bennett delivers timeless vignettes and melodies that recall Harry Chapin and
James Taylor, but with an eloquence, emotional honesty and style all his own. He draws you in with that aw-shucks
charisma before engaging you with songs that provoke, heal, and just plain cut right to your soul. Arlon is a three-time
finalist in the prestigious Grassy Hill-Kerrville New Folk Competition and was twice selected by Noel "Paul" Stookey to
perform in his Music2Life Showcase featuring some of America's best songs of social consciousness.
Arlon’s fourth CD is World of Possibility, which was called "his best effort to date" by Richard Cuccaro of
Acoustic Live! in NYC and Beyond. He will be joined on stage by guitarist John Sonntag.
arlonbennett.com
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November 1, 2014:
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Pearls of Wisdom with Thelma Thomas
The Pearls of Wisdom are Elders Share the Arts' touring ensemble of elder storytellers, led by artistic director, Thelma
Ruffin Thomas. In richly told presentations, the Pearls present stories that illuminate their individual pasts and, in
turn, our collective histories. Their lively, spirited, interactive, and authentic presentations not only promote the
tradition of elder folk art stories but also inspire audience participants to share stories of their own. This
performance is partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural
Affairs.
estanyc.org/core_programs/pearls_of_wisdom.php
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November 8, 2014:
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Jack Landrón (a.k.a. Jackie Washington)
Juan Cándido Washington y Landrón was one of the most popular folksingers at the legendary Club 47 coffee house during
the Boston/Cambridge folk revival of the early sixties. Going by the stage name Jackie Washington, he thrilled
audiences with his onstage wit and charm, silky voice, and his sensitive reshaping of ballads and songs from a wide
range of folk traditions, including blues and his native Puerto Rico. He recorded four albums for Vanguard and scored
a hit with his song "Long Black Cadillac" and also traveled to Mississippi with Len Chandler, working for the Civil Rights
movement in 1964 and forming the Free Southern Theater. Switching his name to Jack Landrón in the 1970s, he concentrated
on his acting career in plays, musicals, and television. In 2012 he recorded the CD Curbside Cotillion, which
features the piano genius of Joel Diamond, Professor Louie on organ and accordion, Tony Aiello on flute and piccolo,
Bobbie Van Detta on bass and guitar, the unmistakable guitar stylings of John Sebastian, and Gary Burke on drums.
The result is an album that is musically rich and satisfying, and lyrically represents an intensely lived, deeply
personal statement. More than a collection of songs, it is a journey through one man’s life and vision, and Jack Landrón
will share that journey with us tonight.
jacklandron.com
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November 15, 2014:
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Rustic Riders
Lisa Meissner sings and plays cello, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and tenor banjo. Klaus Meissner provides the percussive
foundations. Together, Rustic Riders create their distinctive sound of new music with traditional roots, fresh arrangements of
American standards and their love of traditional tunes. Their CDs are Hearing Hearts (2008) and Among These
Hills (2011).
rusticriders.net
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Jenny Murphy
Whether you know her as lead singer for The BluesMothers, founding member of Hudson Valley Sally, Babies & Grands Music
Director, or as a song leader for Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Jenny Murphy has been a New York area favorite for her
vocal styles and audience interaction. Tonight she claims the stage for herself in a special performance where her love
of blues, folk, Motown, broadway and her her rich celtic heritage will have an equal role. Her original songs range from
delightful portraits of people in her life to the more serious personal quest for answers and action. Her interpretive
covers of well known to barely known songs, laced with stories and laughs, will have you feeling like you are
having tea in her kitchen.
jennymurphy.com
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November 22, 2014:
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Our very first flyer!
Click to enlarge.
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Peoples's Voice Cafe 35th Anniversary Celebration
Peoples' Voice Cafe opened its doors in November 1979, and we have been going strong ever since. We will be
celebrating our 35th anniversary with a special program featuring many of our stalwart performers, including Sally
Campbell, Mike Glick, Judy Gorman (who performed on opening night in 1979), Barry Kornhauser, The Ray Korona Band,*
Susan Lippman,
Bruce Markow, Peter Pasco, Anne Price, Professor Louie, Rachel Stone, and Steve Suffet (MC). This will be a benefit
concert, with 100% of the gate receipts going to the Peoples' Voice Cafe so we can maintain and replace our sound
equipment as needed. Join us!
* The Ray Korona Band will be performing without Ray, but please celebrate his memory by singing along on his
songs.
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December 6, 2014:
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Charlie King & Rick Burkhardt
What do you get when you cross Joe Hill with Bertolt Brecht? We're not
sure either but Charlie King & Rick Burkhardt are bringing it to the Peoples'
Voice Café tonight. King is the 2014 recipient of the Joe Hill
award for his agitprop writing and singing. He honed his craft touring with
Bright Morning Star back in the day. Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning
playwright, performer, composer, songwriter and founding member of the
satirical political cabaret duo the Prince Myshkins. For the past decade they
have been warming up December's calendar at PVC with their incendiary lyrics
and theatrical smeddum*, enlivened by accordion, guitar, piano, harmonica,
ukuleles and some very odd harmonies. They rely heavily on the audience
for extreme harmony, so don't let them down. Be there or B-flat.
* smeddum: Zest, energy; pluck; sagacity; gumption; spirit; mettle.
rickburkhardt.com
charlieking.org
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December 13, 2014:
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New York City Labor Chorus
Now in their 23nd year, the New York City Labor Chorus has 75 members representing over 20 labor unions and District
Councils. The Chorus promotes union solidarity through song by expressing the history and ongoing struggles of workers
for economic and social justice. Their dynamic repertoire combines the power and culture of union music with the great
gospel, jazz, classical and folk traditions. Join us to celebrate solidarity with people’s struggles for a better
tomorrow.
nyclc.org
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December 20, 2014:
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Generations: Mike and Aleksi Glick
Generations is a progressive urban father and son led group. If you can imagine a cross between Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles
and Pete Seeger (with a touch of Santana), this is it. They will be playing songs from not one, but two, recordings.
Aleksi and Mike will first feature a number of new songs from their duo exploration of the blues in preparation for
their new CD, Two for the Blues. Then they will be joined by a few surprise guests to play some songs from their
current release, In These Times. Of course, there is no telling what else Generations may do at any given show,
but it is guaranteed to include some virtuoso playing from Aleksi and others as well as some meaningful lyrics from Mike
and some soulful vocals.
generations-music.com
facebook.com/generations.music.nyc
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Dan & Faith Senie
Dan and Faith are a Bolton, Massachusetts-based husband and wife singer-songwriter duo specializing in dream-inspired
folk music. Daniel (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Faith (mandolin, bass, tenor banjo, vocals) tap into dreams and
everyday life in crafting their original songs. They also perform select covers. The duo has released two CDs,
Dreaming of Another Path (2010) and Simple Grace (2014), and an EP, Live at Rosindale (2011).
danandfaith.com
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