The Peoples' Voice Cafe 239 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012 / 212-787-3903
PVC is an alternative coffeehouse offering live and live-stream entertainment in New York City,
presenting folk, blues, jazz, rap, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theater and dance since 1979.
We shine a spotlight on social issues and artists from underrepresented cultures.
Alcohol-free ~ Fully Wheelchair Accessible
~ Spring 2025 Season ~
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at 8pm
Sally Campbell
Quaker singer/songwriter, Sally Campbell, returns with her autoharp and her playful, powerful and sometimes practical lyrics. For instance, if you have lost your
keys or lost your way, she has songs for that: "Finding Lost Things" and "Slow Down". It is by slowing down, even lying down, that she finds songs when she
"Lets the Love Flow". She has loved giving away a CD of some of her gift songs but now those and more are on YouTube. Come in person or tune in to hear even more
of her heartwarming, heart-opening songs. Sally has invited Chris Brown to perform with her tonight because, not only is he an accomplished musician,
he is the real deal, a mensch.
youtube.com/user/scampfriend
Chris Brown
In the songs of Chris Brown you'll find glimpses of people you've known, flashes of life's turning points, stirrings of emotions tied to moments in time.
Brown captures the simple truths that we share in song, with offhand insight and humor. He writes of lessons learned and taking stock through life's journey.
He chuckles over the big stuff, even death, but sings with tenderness of the small turns in life that leave their marks on all of us. Brown wins over audiences
without gimmicks or bluster. He has an organic stage presence. All he needs are his honeyed rumble of a voice and an unteachable ability to make any song - a
good-time singalong of a favorite standard or a self-penned meditation on the passage of time - sound genuine and of the moment.
christopherbrownmusic.com facebook.com/christopherbrownmusic
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 8pm
MLK Meets Inauguration Day Performances and presentations by Chris "Oledude" Owens, DuPrée, hot glue & the gun (Carrie Klein & JoEL McGlynn), Dilson Hernandez, Shafiq Hicks, Mike Hiller, Barry Kornhauser, Kristen Meade, Martin Wallace & Barbara Frankel, Music On The Inside musicians
(Jonathan Finkelman, Dawud Rahman and Jamol Simon), The Angels of Transformation Dancers, Kaitlin Byrd, Bracha Lieberman, Judy Gorman, Tamara Fish, Elijah Dixon Owens and more!
On Monday, January 20, 2025, we will celebrate the birthday and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will also
witness the installation of America's 47th President. As we all wrestle with the intertwined futures of our nation and
our world, there are waves of thoughts and feelings that wash over us.
On Saturday, January 18th, we ask these questions: What would Dr. King say about where we are today? How does his legacy
impact the choices we will be making going forward? How do we celebrate this important holiday when uncertainty chokes
the air we breathe?
Chris "Oledude" Owens has invited various performers and presenters to build community by sharing their voices with all
of us. Saturday night will be an intense and uplifting experience for all, so please share it with us! The evening's
event will also be livestreamed, so don't let cold weather stop you from attending!
PVC members know that Oledude always produces a memorable show!
Lindsey Wilson
Lindsey Wilson is an NYC singer-songwriter with a flare for nostalgia with her memorable mix of 70's style urban folk rock and conscious lyrics. Throughout her
musical career, Lindsey Wilson has embraced issues of the heart and mind within her original music. Love songs, protest tunes and lyrics of empowerment have all
been a true representation of her style and sensibilities. Her songs "Stand for the People" and "The People Shall Rise" have caught the attention of culturally
diverse audiences throughout the country. Lindsey's influences stem from a myriad of musically conscious voices such as Odetta, Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell,
and Joan Armatrading. However, Lindsey's message is truly her own.
lindseywilsonmusicnow.com
Dilson Hernandez
Dilson is a Dominican-American performing artist from the Bronx. His talents include creative writing, playing various instruments, spoken-word poetry, singing, and digital production. Dilson is in the process of revising his one-man show, Bachatú, and will soon release his first music project, The Bachatú EP. In 2019, Dilson was named the Resident Artist for the open mike series Inspired Word, and made his Off-Broadway debut at the Triad Theatre, where he performed Bachatú. Dilson has composed for a variety of Off-Broadway productions such as Guadaliís del Carmen's Bees and Honey (MCC Theatre) and Julissa Calderón's Vámonos! (Intar Theatre). Dilson wishes to change the world with his art and community work, striving for a more progressive and creative future. Toward that end he has taught English in Haiti, built dorm spaces for underprivileged children in rural India, and led music workshops and advocated at courtrooms for incarcerated youth in New York City, via Youth Justice Network. dilsonmusic.com instagram.com/dilson.music
Friday, February 7, 2025, at 6pm
"First Fridays" with The People's Music Network - NYC Chapter
Rod MacDonald with Mark Dann
Rod MacDonald was born in Connecticut and began singing professionally in New York City, where he became a
leading headliner in Greenwich Village clubs in the 1980s. He recorded 21 songs for Fast Folk magazine
(now in the Smithsonian Folkways collection), including "American Jerusalem," "A Sailor's Prayer," "Every Living
Thing," and "White Buffalo," also recorded by numerous other artists. He has 14 solo CDs, mostly recently Rants and Romance.
The last four have made the top ten nationally on folk radio charts. Rod has also recorded three CDs with the
Palm Beach County band
Big Brass Bed, which New Times named "Best Folk Band" in 2016. Now living in south Florida, Rod has
been named to the "Ten Greatest South Florida Folksingers Of All Time" list by New Times, and one of
"Ten Magnificent Musicians of Palm Beach County" by The Palm Beach Post. He is also Music Americana
instructor with Osher Lifelong Learning at Florida Atlantic University, and was named Distinguished Faculty
Member in 2012. His second novel, The American Guerillas, was published in 2021.
rodmacdonald.com facebook.com/rodmacdonaldmusic
Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 8pm
DuPrée Toasts Bev Grant
DuPrée, accompanied by Barry Kornhauser, will sing the songs of Bev Grant,
the great singer-songwriter and frequent PVC performer. DuPrée will lend her soaring contralto voice,
powerful vibrato and melodious yodeling to Bev's rousing classics.
DuPrée is a visual and performing artist. Art and music are her tools of resistance. Accordingly, she collaborates
with multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-generational, and coalition builders. With these allies, DuPrée seeks
ways forward
for peace and social justice. This is why she is a member of: the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, the People's Music
Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle, the New York Folk Music Society, and Williams Institutional AME Church, to name a
few.
(Please note, Bev Grant will not be performing at this show.)
Charlie King
Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Pete Seeger hailed him as "One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time." Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music for more than 60 years and has been writing songs for over 50 years. His honors include the 2017 Phil Ochs Award, an "Indie" award for one of the top three folk recordings of 1984; the War Resisters League's 1998 Peacemaker Award; the 1999 Sacco-Vanzetti Social Justice Award; and the 2014 Joe Hill Award. Charlie's songs have been recorded and sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small. Charlie has recorded over twenty solo albums since 1976, and three albums with Bright Morning Star. "If we had more Charlie Kings in the world, I'd be less worried." - Peggy Seeger "Luckily, we have him!" - Tom Paxton
charlieking.org Facebook Instagram
Rick Burkhardt
Rick Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning songwriter, composer, playwright, and performer whose original music and theater pieces have been performed in over 40 US cities, as well as in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Taiwan. As a songwriter and accordionist, he has shared stages with folk legends such as Utah Phillips, Holly Near, The Indigo Girls, Emma's Revolution, Moxy Früvous, and of course Charlie King. He is one-half of the satirical duo The Prince Myshkins, who have released two CDs of his original songs which have aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition and Pacifica's
Democracy Now! He also plays a 100-year-old robot accordionist in the Off-Broadway musical Rags Parkland Sings
the Songs of the Future. rickburkhardt.com
Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2pm in Brooklyn:
Women's Concert at Brooklyn Public Library
PVC favorites Judy Gorman, DuPree, Lindsey Wilson, Violizzy, and Jendog Lonewolf give a special free
concert at Brooklyn Heights Library. See flyer for details
Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 8pm
Photo by Phillip Gould
Gina Forsyth
New Orleans-based Gina Forsyth is an award-winning singer/songwriter, who is known for her wizardry on fiddle and guitar.
With an alto as unique as it is soulful, unpretentious songs that cut straight to the heart, and a wicked sense of humor,
her live performances are legend. She is considered one of the best Cajun fiddlers in Louisiana (no small feat!). "If you've ever wondered what happened to the gutsy folk singers who used to roam the earth with their instrument and protest, check out Gina Forsyth. In the tradition of Guthrie, Dylan and Prine she is writing and singing, not just fiddling while America burns." - Rheta Grimsley Johnson.
ginaforsyth.com
Photo by Moock
Reggie Harris
Reggie Harris has earned wide acclaim from audiences
and peers around the world. Reggie's ability to craft songs of subtlety and power, and to create arrangements that stir the
soul, emanates from a deeply rooted passion for song across a wide range of genres. He is an accomplished writer and singer
whose vast knowledge of the songs of human and civil rights has made him one of the leaders of the tradition. Reggie serves
on the board of the Northeast Folk and Dance Alliance. As Musical Education Director of the
Living Legacy Project, he works to increase knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement.
His most recent CD is On Solid Ground, and he has also published
a memoir, Searching for Solid Ground. reggieharrismusic.com Facebook
Bernardo Palombo Tribute Concert
Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Bernardo Palombo came to New York and founded El Taller Latino Americano.
His songs have been recorded by some of the best-known artists
of Latin music in New York and nueva canción in South America. He was a musical consultant and composer for film and TV, including Sesame Street. As a teacher, mentor, advocate for immigrants, artist and free soul, Bernardo Palombo dramatically impacted the lives of hundreds of students, musicians, professionals and community organizers for more than 45 years. He won awards and grants for his unique contribution to education and the arts. He used art, culture, language and play to connect people and create community. His mission was to respect all people, all cultures and our planet, and tonight we will honor and continue that mission. Featuring: Alexandra Castano
Barry Kornhauser
Barry Olsen Bev Grant Hudson Valley Sally Mario Cancel-Bigay Jesús Papoleto Meléndez Rubén González
Tonight's event is a benefit concert for El Taller Latino Americano.
Friday, May 2, 2025, at 6pm
"First Fridays" with The People's Music Network - NYC Chapter
LOCATION:
Advent Lutheran Church
2504 Broadway at 93rd Street
New York, NY 10025
(1, 2 or 3 train to 96th St.) adventnyc.org
Wheelchair Accessible - Elevators Available
Pete Seeger: A Birthday Tribute A Benefit Concert for WBAI* and PVC
* 99.5 FM Peace & Justice & Labor Union Community Radio
Pete Seeger inspired the American Folk Music Revival, performing throughout the world and advancing and supporting music and musicians in the struggle for peace, civil rights, workers rights, and the environment. He is known for his work fighting the Red Scare, and with MLK, Jr., and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Tonight we will celebrate Pete's extraordinary music and life in a benefit concert for NYC's WBAI Peace, Justice, Labor and Community radio station, and the Peoples' Voice Cafe.
Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Choir are a radical performance community based in New York City. Reverend Billy Talen delivers sermons with spark and satire. Members of the choir come from many different creative and activist backgrounds. They are grounded in the work of Justice and in service to the Earth, and love to sing together. Earthalujah!
Judy Gorman's songs are rooted in blues, folk and jazz. Judy has performed with Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Sweet Honey, Odetta, Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg, Richie Havens, and more.
Pete Seeger said, "Judy Gorman shoots the arrow straight to the heart; she's a wonderful singer and musician."
"Real music in a sea of mediocrity." - German Public Radio.
Mario Cancel-Bigay is a marvelous poet, singer-songwriter, and a virtuoso on the cuatro, Puerto Rico's national instrument. As an artist and NYU professor of ethnomusicology, Mario's songs focus on anti-colonialism, social justice and love.
In approaching the cello, Barry Kornhauser draws on a parallel musical incarnation as a bass player and guitarist to inform his musical options, the primacy of accompaniment and playing in a rhythm section with the added bonus of a singular melodic voice.
Robin Burdulis is a multidimensional percussionist who The New York Times observed "plays her percussion instruments like a symphony."
The NYC Metro Raging Grannies promote global peace, justice and social and economic equality by raising awareness through song and humor. The Grannies are hell-raisers despite their mild mannered exteriors. Non-violent but dangerously funny, musical, and perilously visionary! mercy@comicbookradioshow.com
Bracha Lieberman is a social worker, activist, occasional songwriter and actor, and Board President of Peoples' Voice Cafe. Bracha believes that it's important to start your day off with an act of kindness, that community counts and in the power of song to bring people together!
Chris Lang is a singer/songwriter and founding member of the activist band
Such As Us, which performs throughout the tri-state region at environmental and progressive festivals and events. They often played with Pete Seeger at various Clearwater events.
Master and Mistress of Ceremonies:
Bob Hennelly (WBAI) Lindsey Wilson (PVC)
Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 8pm
Paul Kaplan and Rod Sinclair
Paul Kaplan and Rod Sinclair are bringing their finely crafted lyrics and tunes grounded in the terse reality of the old songs to PVC. Rod, from Fife, Scotland, now living in Denmark, has sung his songs and played guitar and 5-string banjo all over the world. He has previously toured with Dick Gaughan and fiddler Brian McNeill. Paul Kaplan's warm style and gentle humor have charmed audiences since the 1960s, when his early protest songs were published in the legendary magazine Broadside. His most well-known songs are "I Had an Old Coat," "Call Me the Whale," and "Henry the Accountant."
paulkaplanmusic.com rodsinclair.com
Tonight will start with an Open Mic!
Sign up at the show by 8:00 pm.
Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 8pm
Carolyn Hester, with Karla & Amy Blume
Folk legend Carolyn Hester, a pioneering figure in the Greenwich Village Folk Scene, came to New York in 1955 and recorded her first album for Coral Records in 1957. Known as a fiercely independent artist, she continues the work of a lifetime using her unique empathy to translate meaningful messages for her audience in the ongoing effort to create a better world. Her honeyed voice has raised up other artists to this calling, from Bob Dylan to Nancy Griffith. Tonight she will be joined by her daughters, Karla and Amy Blume, who continue the tradition of American Folk Singer-Songwriters. "Her sensual honey-husk voice has been a model for wave after wave of female singers. It somehow always sounds both sweet and strong-hearted, alluringly feminine and fiercely independent." --Scott Alarik, Boston Globe.
Tonight's concert is supported by Folk Music Society of New York and by Folkus-NYC.
The Peoples' Voice Cafe and the Peoples' Music Network work closely together, and many of our performers and attendees are active in both organizations. We encourage you to attend the Summer Gathering of the People's Music Network on Memorial Day weekend in Groton, Mass. for our annual PMN Summer Gathering. The event begins with arrival and participatory singing on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday we'll have participatory workshops and song swaps, and a Saturday night "Collaborative Concert Round Robin" – all highlighting the role of music in progressive social change. Expect numerous opportunities to share music, sing together, and to join efforts to bring music into the heart of struggles for justice and freedom today.
Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 8pm
Photo by Elizabeth Cooper
Jamie Anderson
Singer-songwriter-comic Jamie Anderson has played her unique original songs in hundreds of venues in four countries. She's a multi-instrumentalist who's folk without the Birkenstocks, country without the big hair and jazz without the angst. Songs on her thirteen albums range from the serious "Beautiful," about body image, to the tongue-in-cheek "Marry Me," where she sings about wanting to marry Rachel Maddow because, really, who wouldn't? For 30 plus years she has performed at colleges, clubs, folk festivals, and pride events in 47 US states and all over Ontario. She's also the author of three books.
jamieanderson.com Facebook
Double Trouble
Celebrating 36 years of Trouble. Evy Mayer and Jean Farnworth started performing as Double Trouble in 1989.
Evy sings and plays ukulele, guitar, dumbek
and other percussion instruments, and collects popular songs of the early 1900s as well
as rounds, humorous songs, world music, singer/songwriter and children's music. Jean
sings and plays Celtic harp (32 strings, 45" tall), and 12-string guitar. She includes
Renaissance, traditional Celtic music, vintage blues, as well as songs she has written,
in her repertoire. Lyrical and haunting on one song,
and boisterous on the next, Double Trouble handles their instruments with authority and project
their voices with beauty and clarity. Twisted, yet sensitive; multi-cultural; extremely
dangerous. They have produced three albums. ukelady123.wixsite.com/evymayer
Tonight's concert is supported by the Folk Music Society of New York.
Friday, June 6, 2025, at 6pm
"First Fridays" with The People's Music Network - NYC Chapter
