The Peoples' Voice Cafe
An alternative coffeehouse offering live entertainment in New York City,
from folk music and protest songs to rap and jazz, and poetry, storytelling, and dance.
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~ Spring 2018 Season ~
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Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 8pm:
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Reggie Harris & Pat Wictor
When Reggie Harris and Pat Wictor take the stage, it’s a celebration. The joy that transfers to their audience is boundless and
unrestrained. For these veteran musicians and friends, their artistry and skill are heightened by years of collaboration and trust.
Reggie Harris is a songwriter of great depth and passion, a gifted storyteller and a remarkably creative and soulful singer,
who has earned the respect and love of audiences around the world in a career spanning decades. Entertaining and inspiring, Reggie
is a positive force in the world and his songs reveal his joy in bringing people together.
Pat Wictor’s convoluted path to roots music - passing through rock, heavy metal and jazz on a variety of instruments, and
living abroad for much of his youth - has shaped his panoramic approach to the blues and gospel-influenced folk music he now writes
and sings. His skills as harmonizer, improviser and accompanist have made him a sought-after collaborator and session musician.
reggieharrismusic.com
patwictor.com
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Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 8pm:
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John O'Connor
Since his debut album, Songs For Our Times, reviewed as one of the best albums of the year by the Washington Post 33
years ago, John has gathered a treasure-trove of songs, stories and poems about the working class, war and peace, love and loss.
Craig Harris has said, "O'Connor has shaped his own acute observations of the working class into songs that beg to be sung along
to." Si Kahn calls his songs "wonderful: direct, simple, singable, powerful."
johnpauloconnor.com
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Lindsey Wilson & The Human Hearts Trio
Lindsey Wilson & The Human Hearts Trio bring folk, jazz and pop to your door. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Lindsey Wilson's
socially conscious lyrics and loving undertones are reflective of the country's proud past, cautionary present, and optimistic future.
She is joined by Reggie Sylvester on drums and Michael Trotman on bass.
soundcloud.com/lindsey-wilson-music
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Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 8pm:
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Martin Swinger
"Martin Swinger is one of those rare singer-songwriters who excels at everything: singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, and being so
present with his humor, tenderness, and wild mind that his performances are also deep conversations, soul to soul and heart to heart,
about the quirks, surprises, and love that brings us most alive. His songs, ranging from the little plastic parts that hold the world
together, to what enlightenment comes from Buddha and Betty Boop falling in love, are whimsically and wisely original and enduring."
Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus
martinswinger.com
youtube.com/watch?v=2SVnNJd_n3U
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The Raging Grannies
In the tradition of wise women elders, the mission of the "Raging Grannies" is to promote global peace, justice, and social and economic
equality by raising awareness through the medium of song and humor. Wearing snappy hats and with snappier lyrics, poets and singers and
puppeteers, The New York City Metro Raging Grannies are often seen at protests. Started in 1987 in Victoria, BC, there are now more than
60 gaggles of "Raging Grannies" throughout Canada, the U.S., and Scotland.
https://www.facebook.com/10025NYCRG/
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Saturday, February 3, 2018, at 8pm:
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Gerry Segal
Gerry Segal has performed at the legendary clubs of the Greenwich Village Folk Revival including Gerde's Folk City,
The Village Gate and The Bottom Line. After a long career in education and computer science, Gerry is writing, performing
and recording music full time. The music of his first YouTube Video,
"Jacques: The Wall Street Tailor", won first prize on The Brian Lehrer Show's Satire Slam on WNYC. The video,
which he created, was featured at New York City's Blackout Film Festival. A bunch of political, love songs and satire
will fill up the evening.
gerrysegal.com
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Photo by Robert Berkowitz.
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Lois Morton
Lois Morton is an award-winning singer and songwriter who has delighted audiences in New York
and beyond since 2008 with her abundant charm and humorous songs of social commentary on such subjects as cell
phones, clutter, diets, psychotherapy, and road rage. Reinventing herself in retirement, Lois has gone from being an
educator and therapist to a singer-songwriter with a rapier wit and a surprisingly contemporary approach.
"Underneath Lois Morton’s sweet grandmotherly demeanor lurks a wickedly clever songwriter. The legacy of Tom Lehrer lives
on in Lois." —John Platt, host of WFUV's Sunday Supper.
loismorton.com
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Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 8pm:
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Rod MacDonald
Rod MacDonald was born in Connecticut and rose to prominence in NYC’s Greenwich Village in the 1980s, where he headlined
Village clubs and co-founded the Greenwich Village Folk Festival. A recording and touring artist since 1983, he has
released eleven CDs and and gives 100 performances annually throughout North America and Europe, dazzling audiences with his
passionate singing and thought-provoking writing. His songs have been recorded by Shawn
Colvin, Jonathan Edwards, Dave Van Ronk, Happy Traum, David Rowe, Four Bitchin’ Babes, Garnet Rogers, Joe Jencks, and
many others. His latest CD, Later That Night, reached number three nationally on the Roots Music Folk charts, and the
song "Raven" hit number one. Rod’s songs will stay in your heart and mind long after the music has ended. In 2014 he
published his first novel, The Open Mike.
rodmacdonald.net
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Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 8pm:
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Jerry Epstein Memorial Concert
Jerry Epstein, whom Ron Olesko called one of the folk music community's guiding lights, was widely known for his powerful voice, his
encyclopedic knowledge of musical traditions, and his consummate mastery of the older traditional styles of singing. He was also
among the best players of the English concertina. In addition to
performing, Jerry was active in many other facets of the folk world. He was one of the original founders of the Folk Music Society of
New York (originally known as Pinewoods Folk Music Club.) For many years, Jerry was the musical/choral director for the New York Revels
and arranged many of the pieces in the Revels' repertoire. He was the music editor for the acclaimed Warner Collection of traditional
folk songs. Jerry also conducted vocal workshops, helping many to become better singers.
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Jeff Davis
Fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc. Jeff Davis plays more instruments than he can carry and carries more than he has time to play!
He performs traditional songs and tunes from southern Appalachia, New England, Britain, and more, often in the style of the musicians
from whom folklorists collected the material. Jeff is considered one of the
world's greatest performing experts on traditional folk music.
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Julia Friend
Julia's favorite songs are the ones that were born in the time of candlelight. She is intoxicated by the power of the human voice to
bridge the distance between minds. More important than the quirky specificity of a ballad's text is the moment of its conveyance,
so come meet us in the music. There might be banjos.
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David Jones
David Jones is an enthralling singer and consummate stylist.
He sings traditional ballads, sailing songs, music hall favorites, and the works of contemporary writers.
Besides performing solo, David has sung as a member of Poor Old Horse with Heather Wood and the late Tom Gibney, and in Bermuda Quadrangle
with Jerry Epstein, Jeff Davis, and Jeff Warner.
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Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 8pm:
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Generations: Mike & Aleksi Glick
Generations: Mike & Aleksi Glick is an NYC-based father-and-son duo blending soulful vocals with virtuoso guitar playing.
Mike (lead vocals, guitar) toured the USA, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean with an earlier group, The New Song Project.
Robert Palmer of The New York Times wrote, "More rousing and musically substantive than the music of city
folksingers of previous generations." Now Mike is back, better than ever, with his son. Aleksi
(lead guitar, vocals) leads his rock/jazz group Snack Cat and plays in other groups with such sterling jazz masters as
Paul Bollenback, Ed Cherry, Vic Juris, and Seth Weaver. Nick Noble of WICN-FM, Worcester, MA, describes their new CD
as "a wonderful album!... Listeners to my show have commented on its timeliness."
facebook.com/generations.music.nyc
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Steve Schalchlin
Steve Schalchlin is a small town singer/songwriter living in New York City. He was expected to die of AIDS, but he wrote a musical instead,
The Last Session. The healing songs from that show set him on a worldwide adventure that is still unfolding. That's why he calls
his life "Living in the Bonus Round." The New York Times raved about The Last Session and
his other musical, The Big Voice: God or Merman?
bonusroundblog.blogspot.com
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Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 8pm:
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Grassroots Harmony
Grassroots Harmony is an activist community chorus based in New York City. We bring powerful, spirited singing to progressive gatherings.
As a bottom-up organization, we empower our singers to contribute their voices to the struggles that inspire them. Led by director
Josh Feintuch, Grassroots Harmony has performed at the People's Climate March, The Bailout Theater, and more.
joshfeintuch.com/grassroots
facebook.com/grassrootsharmony/
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Chris Seymour
Chris Seymour wraps his warm baritone and driving yet sensitive banjo accompaniments around songs of hope and struggle, and he charms
audiences with his wry sense of humor. His eclectic repertoire runs from ballads to gospel to union hymns; from courting songs to
satirical ditties that skewer the powerful. He makes old songs relevant today and finds (and writes) new ones that flow right into the
folk tradition. He'll be joined by singer, guitarist and harmonist extraordinaire Matt Borgmeyer.
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Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 8pm:
Songs to Celebrate Women's Suffrage & Women's History Month
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Photo by Lyn Burnstine
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The Herstorians
Celebrate International Woman's Month with songs and stories performed by three women singer-songwriters. Join Pat Lamanna,
Lydia Adams Davis and Sharleen Leahey to honor our foremothers' struggles for equality and justice. For the past year
the trio has been performing gripping songs of activism and bravery about the women's movements for Abolition, Temperance and Suffrage
to enthusiastic audiences throughout the Hudson Valley. Historical material from the 19th and 20th centuries is brought full circle with
original contemporary songs written to honor the rising feminist resistance to oligarchy and endless war. Don't miss this rare
New York City appearance--an inspiring musical journey performed with drama, humor and passion.
patlamanna.com
lydiaadamsdavis.com
rumorsofpeace.net (Sharleen Leahey)
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Lindsey Wilson
Opening the show is Lindsey Wilson, a singer/songwriter who embraces issues of the heart and mind in empowering songs encompassing
love and protest. Her influences include Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King but her message is all her own.
reverbnation.com/lindseywilsonthehumanheartstrio
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Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 8pm:
Irish Women's Voices for Peace & Equality
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Dian Killian
Dian performs under the name DK and the Joy Machine, the latter being her Appalachian Mountain dulcimer. Her quirky and smart songs
celebrate all the crucial things in life: getting the girl's phone number on the train, falling in love with feral cats, and treating
yourself with kindness. Known for her sultry, expressive voice, well crafted songs, and genre-blending, innovative work on mountain
dulcimer--plucking, strumming, bowing and rocking out on this trad instrument, DK's music is at turns evocative, moving, playful and fun,
and always genuine.
Note: The first 25 people who attend the show will receive a free copy of Dian Killian's CD, Shy One.
dkandthejoymachine.com
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Alice Farrell
Alice has been singing traditional Irish music in the New York session scene for over 25 years and was the founder of the weekly
session at Swift Hibernian Lounge in Greenwich Village. Alice studied with noted Irish singer and song collector Frank Harte and has
recorded with Colm Mac Con Iomaire, the fiddler in the original lineup of seminal Irish trad supergroup Kila. Her catalog encompasses
both Irish and American traditions. Nowadays, you can find Alice most Wednesday evenings at the Aubergine Cafe in Woodside, Queens,
where she is a resident member of the Sunnyside Singers Club.
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Alison Kelley
Alison grew up singing traditional music as a chantey brat at South Street Seaport. She was also inspired by sitting at the feet of Pete
Seeger as he performed for children on the Upper West Side. Bitten by the music bug, she hasn't stopped singing since. When not sailing on
the Mystic Whaler or haunting Mystic Seaport, Alison
performs with The Johnson Girls (sea chantey and maritime music women's quartet), Ida Red (a triad of sultry songbirds), The New York
Packet (South Street Seaport's official maritime music group), and The NexTradition (a dynamic a capella duo). On rare occasions, Alison
performs as a solo artist or with her mentor Craig Edwards, occasionally accompanying herself with "The Banshee," her clawhammer
5-string banjo.
alisonkelley.com
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Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 8pm:
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Colleen Kattau & Dos XX
Colleen Kattau combines the melodic and vocal gifts of artists like Joni Mitchell with the fearless lyrical punch of the best topical
songwriters. She seamlessly incorporates Latin and Native American influences into her songs for a unique and satisfying sound. Her
latest album, So Much Going On, was a 2015 Sammy nominee.
After a performance one audience member said, "That was a religious experience."
Tonight she will be joined by cellist extraordinaire, Barry Kornhauser.
colleenkattau.com
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Jon Ziv & Tom Weir
John Ziv and Tom Weir together as a duo for the first time ever. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" is
an apt description for what you will hear. Tom and John will be performing a variety of familiar, original, borrowed and blues songs
with lots of singalong choruses and refrains. Proceeds from their set will be donated to the Peoples' Voice Cafe.
Co-sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York.
"John and Tom are what Simon and Garfunkel might have become if they stayed together," is a quote we made up that does not describe
us at all.--Tom and John.
Tonight's concert is co-sponsored by the Folk Music Society of New York.
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Saturday, April 7th, 2018, at 8pm:
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Photo by Irene Young
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Emma's Revolution
Emma's Revolution is the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O. Winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest
Grand Prize and the Phil Ochs Award, their songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger, and covered by Holly Near.
With beautiful harmonies and genre-defying eclecticism, Emma’s Revolution delivers the strength of their convictions in an uprising of
truth and hope for the #Resistance.
Emma’s Revolution’s latest CD, Revolution Now, garnered Top 2017 acclaim from folk radio stations across the country, including
Top Artist #20 (just after Joan Baez), Top Album #24 (just after Bela Fleck) and Top Song #25 (just after Rhiannon Giddens) for their
song, “Sing People Sing”, a loving tribute to the late Pete Seeger, who was a friend and mentor to the duo. Their music has been sung
around the world and featured on NPR's All Things Considered and Pacifica’s Democracy Now! Emma’s Revolution performs at
concert and peace and justice events, across the country and abroad. Advance tickets
are available for this show on the duo’s website.
emmasrevolution.com
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018, at 8pm:
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Photo by Irene Young
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An Evening with Holly Near: A Talk with Song
Singing, thinking and taking action in these most extraordinary times. Join Holly for an evening of story and song intended to raise
our spirits and sharpen our wits. Come thinkers and activists, artists all. For over 45 years, Holly Near has been central to cultural
activism. She will tell stories of her travels and sing songs inspired by social change movements - not for the sake of nostalgia
but because we are alive today bringing all that we are to our loved ones and our world community. Holly’s glorious voice heals,
inspires and holds space for change.
hollynear.com
youtube.com/watch?v=AISD0cupGBY
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Saturday, April 21st, 2018, at 8pm:
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Fourth Annual Ray Korona Song Night
Ray reminds us that immigrants are not the ones who “Make you work harder while cutting your pay and scheming to outsource your job
away.” He warns sexist bosses: “This is Nine to Five, not Fantasy Island. Bring your newspaper here, leave your Hustler behind!” And if
we get too much more sunshine: “Why not make the North Pole a hot spot for tennis? Put gondolas on New York streets – it worked in
Venice!” Perhaps his most important message to us is “The People Are In Charge!” Trump makes us want to run and hide; Ray’s songs make us
laugh and get active!
Please join us for our fourth annual concert of Ray Korona songs. Since he passed away, the band – and you! – have kept Ray’s music
alive. This year Ivice, Barry Kornhauser, Ellen Davidson, and Gina Tlamsa — augmented by Laura Liben, Dave Tarlo and Chris Owens – will
again present a selection of Ray’s songs. Interspersed will be guest performances by Lydia Adams Davis; Brooke Dramer & Tracy Fitz;
DuPree; Jenny Amanda Hurwitz, Talbot Katz & SamiRose Katz; Sharleen Leahey; Marie Mularczyk O’Connell, Candice Baranello,
Lorraine Berger & Doreen D’Amico; NYC Raging Grannies; Peter Pasco; Adele Rolider; Mercy Van Vlack, and Lindsey Wilson.
See the flyer for more information on the performers:
raykorona.com/RayKoronaSong18Flyer.pdf
raykorona.com
youtube.com/watch?v=YracR3ObJQA
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Saturday, April 28th, 2018, at 8pm:
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David Dodson & Mary Kate Small
David Dodson writes great songs that run the gamut of American styles - folk, rock, blues, jazz and country. They cover a variety of
topics and range from heartrending to hilarious. While he won’t be able to perform all 400 of them tonight, count on hearing some of his
classics including “The Farthest Field,” a song widely recorded and included in the Rise Again song book. The Boston Globe said
that Dodson has “An eye-twinkling, pretension-shattering wit that delighted and surprised the crowd all night.”
Lovely twists of fate brought Mary Kate Small to the People’s Music Network two decades ago, where her political song writing found
an encouraging home. Plan on joining her for “Better Without Bombs” and humming along to her parody, “White Christians.” Mary Kate is
also the author of the
Broadway musical, Significant (And don’t let them tell you you’re not).
daviddodsonmusic.com
youtube.com/watch?v=I_3sGF36N9E" (David Dodson)
(Mary Kate Small)
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Ben Tousley
Ben's lively, engaging concerts blend hopeful topical songs, singalongs, wry storytelling and lyrical love songs. He was the recipient
of the Boston Beyond War award "for communicating a clear vision of our richly diverse human family through music." He has released
seven albums of original songs.
"Tousley's ability to begin political writing deep within himself represents the genre at its best." --The Boston Globe
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Saturday, May 5th, 2018, at 8pm:
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Jean Rohe
"A sure-footed young singer-songwriter," in the words of The New York Times, Jean Rohe writes one-of-a-kind narrative songs,
concerned as much with the internal world as with the external. She is perhaps best known for "National Anthem: Arise! Arise!", her
aspirational alternative national anthem, which has been performed by artists across the country and was published in the second edition
of the popular songbook Rise Up Singing. Her most recent record, Jean Rohe & the End of the World Show, won three
Independent Music Awards in 2014, and her next, Sisterly, will be a collection of songs about connections and destruction.
She tours regularly with Liam Robinson as the duo Robinson & Rohe, which released its debut record, Hunger, in August.
jeanrohe.com
youtube.com/watch?v=UM1urpWnyy8
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David Roth
David Roth returns to the PVC after many years and multiple appearances here in the 1980’s when he lived in Manhattan. Since then his
songs have found their way to Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the Kennedy Center, NASA's
Space Shuttle Atlantis, Peter, Paul, & Mary and Kingston Trio CDs, (and 14 of his own), four Positive Music Awards, the
Rise Up Singing and Rise Again songbooks, and countless venues around the world for three decades.
davidrothmusic.com
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Saturday, May 12th, 2018, at 8pm:
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Eric Levine 10th Anniversary Memorial Concert / Peoples' Voice Benefit
Eric Levine, who passed away in May 2008 at the age of 51, was a folk musician, songwriter, peace and disability rights activist,
Hey Brother - Hey Sister Coffee House performer and volunteer, People’s Music Network activist, musical director of The Disabled In
Action Singers and of MacDougal Street Rent Party, producer of Topside Records, Peoples’ Voice Cafe performer and volunteer, and much
more. Please come as we celebrate Eric's life at the 10th anniversary of his death. Performers will include Mike, Nick, and Zack Levine
(Eric's brother and two nephews), The Disabled In Action Singers, Joel Landy, Heather Lev, Anne Price, Steve Suffet, and Gina Tlamsa.
100% of the net proceeds will go to support the Peoples’ Voice Cafe. 100% of the net proceeds will go to support the Peoples’ Voice Cafe.
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Saturday, May 19th, 2018, at 8pm:
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Gathering Sparks
You will come to listen, and walk away singing. Gathering Sparks is the graceful collision of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis, musical
friends who blend tight harmonies, finely crafted songs, and a love of participatory singing to create an intimate and uplifting
experience. Their inclusive approach embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano,
accordion, and ukulele. Their debut six-song CD was nominated for a 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and
they have become an audience favourite at concert series and festivals across Canada. They are currently recording their first
full-length CD.
gatheringsparks.com
youtube.com/watch?v=tFupBeVEfJc&list=PLDQHPn_kCbtDFdUHB2_PqWJ6XryHwGYr0
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Walkabout Clearwater Chorus
The Walkabout Chorus was created by Pete Seeger to bring the environmental message of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater inland where
the boat can't sail. For more than a quarter century the chorus has been performing songs about the environment, peace, and justice -
keeping the old songs alive and teaching new ones - and always encouraging audiences to sing along. Walkabout has performed throughout
the east coast and internationally and appears on Pete Seeger's Grammy-winning CD, Pete Seeger at 89 and in
Peter Yarrow's Singalong Special on PBS.
walkaboutclearwater.org
youtube.com/watch?v=2Tw6OO4jgVI
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