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.
Nikki Nesbary
Nikki Nesbary is an activist, justice singer, and government relations professional. Her mission is to amplify the power of people and communities through policy, organizing, and music activism. A long-time leader and singer with the DC-based a cappella group SongRise and member of the DC Labor Chorus, Nikki has been raising her voice at rallies, protests, and community events since 2012. She is also a member of the People's Music Network, a co-founder of Justice Choir DC, and founder of Movement Music Project.
nikkinesbary.com
Joe Willing
Joe Willing has been singing folk music since he was five years old. Later in life he sang in choirs, pubs, clubs, coffee houses, weddings, singarounds, chantey sessions and friend and family gatherings (especially grandkids), in Boston, the UK and NY. He loves the stories that folk music tells of men and women's lives and struggles, and he loves when the room fills with sound, with harmonies, with everyone belting out the chorus. Joe sees himself as a song carrier, keeping these songs alive in our hearts by singing them, and passing on this music and these stories to more and more people.
Tonight's concert is supported by the Folk Music Society of New York.
LOCATION:
Judson Memorial Church
Assembly Hall (not the main sanctuary on West 4th St.)
239 Thompson Street, between West 3rd and West 4th Streets
New York NY 10012
TRANSPORTATION:
to West 4th St./Washington Square - south exit
Walk three blocks east to Thompson Street; turn left. (3 minutes) MAP
SHOWTIMES:
All shows start at 8 PM, Saturdays. Doors open at 7:15.
No reservations, so come early to be assured a seat.
ADMISSION:
Suggested contribution: $20. Friends of PVC*: $12. Students & Youth: $12
Folk Music Society of NY Members: $12. Judson Memorial Church Members: $12
More if you choose, less if you can't. No one turned away for lack of money. *Friends of PVC include monthly sustainers, regular volunteers, Collective members,
performers and people who donate at least $30.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Wheelchair accessible (including bathrooms). For info call 212-787-3903.
Masks are no longer required
We will continue to offer KN95 or other high quality masks to anyone who wants one.
We use three HEPA air purifiers within the Assembly Hall.
James Gordon
James Gordon has had a remarkably diverse and resilient career in the Canadian cultural scene. As a solo singer-songwriter and with the ground-breaking trio Tamarack, he has recorded at least 40 albums and toured relentlessly around the world. Between tours, James is a record producer, playwright, author, community activist, theatre director, festival director, and a retired City Councillor in his hometown of Guelph, Ontario. His classic song "Frobisher Bay" has been covered by over 100 artists, and his new album Wrinkles and Scars continues his use of music to explore social justice and climate change issues.
jamesgordon.ca jamesgordonmusic.bandcamp.com
Val Kinzler
Aurally Records recording artist/songwriter/rock mommy/NYC alt-rocker/educator/animal lover/music community organizer/real world influencer, the inclusive
Val Kinzler is a music warrior who unites people.
Legendary boogie-woogie singer/keyboardist Dr. John gave her the heroic name of "Valkyrie," a mythical Scandinavian warrior woman. When she was a child,
the popular classmates would ask, "Why do you want to hang out with them?" (referring to the unpopular kids). Val's mission is "to rescue war-torn heroes and
working class zeroes from the injustices of our times, and reward them with poetic immortality in Valhalla." This resonates with her work in music,
educational programs, and with "NYC Women Who Rock." Val Kinzler has released five albums. Tonight she will be accompanied
by Roger Blanc.
valkinzler.com
Violizzy
Violizzy is a prolific violinist/fiddler/singer-songwriter focused on the environment, labor, and other social struggles. She has spent her career
combining politics with the healing power of music, simultaneously lifting the spirits of her audiences and helping to educate others. Violizzy is a
member of Bluestone 739, The Val Kinzler Band, the UNSCR Symphony Orchestra, the Queer Urban Orchestra, ARTivistUS, the People's Music Network, the NYC
Labor Chorus, and is the President on the Board of Directors of Performance Wellness Inc, a non-profit organization that trains and works with people
who want to learn the Dr. Louise Montello Method of Performance Wellness. violizzy.com
Al Ronzoni
Al Ronzoni has been singing and playing guitar since age 13. He has been in numerous rock bands over the years and has performed at venues like the Lonestar Roadhouse, China Club, Kenny’s Castaways, the Red Lion and Bitter End. He is also a regular participant at the Sunnyside Singers Club on Wednesday nights in Queens. Better late than never, Al has recently begun writing original songs.
Lisa Gutkin
Lisa Gutkin has crafted a courageously varied artistic career. She is a member of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, co-founded the Downtown Celtic band Whirligig, was a co-creator of the Tony Award-winning play Indecent, and had a cameo in
Sex and the City. Her song "Gonna Get Through This World - with words by Woody Guthrie - was hailed by Pete Seeger, as "a piece of genius." Lisa's voice has been praised by the LA Times as "hauntingly emotional." Her solo concert is a whimsical wander through her musical styles, featuring Lisa on fiddle, tenor guitar, and voice.
lisagutkin.com
SONiA of disappear fear
SONiA - aka, the independent singer/songwriter Sonia Rutstein - once compared her musical stylings to "a bird jumping off a window ledge. It's in that split second of trust and light and talent and God."
For nearly four decades, music lovers and fans around the world have relished "that split second" and the eclectic sounds of SONiA and disappear fear.
Writing and performing in genres ranging from the Blues and Folk to World Music, SONiA has appeared at concerts around the globe and performed with such luminaries as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, the Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow, Arlo Guthrie, and Peter Paul and Mary. Her latest recording is Album 23. soniadisappearfear.com
Hawaii's State Flower, Mao Hau Hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
Hawaiian Music & Dance Night
Come beat the winter chill with an evening of traditional Hawaiian music and dance produced by Evy Mayer, and supported by the Folk Music Society of New York, Inc. You will hear ukuleles, slack key guitar, steel guitar and more, from some of the finest practitioners of Hawaiian music and Hawaiiana, including Makalina, Claudia Goddard, Andy Wang, Evy Mayer and Chris Davis. In addition, you will enjoy authentic hula dancing by the New York branch of Kumu Hula (Master Teacher) Vicky Holt Takamine's Pua Ali'i 'Ilima. Wear a Hawaiian shirt or other festive attire.
Printable Flyer
Tonight's concert is supported by the Folk Music Society of New York.
Charlie King
Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. 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 since the early 60s. His songs have been
recorded and sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, and Arlo Guthrie. "If we had more Charlie Kings in the world, I'd be less worried." - Peggy Seeger "Luckily, we have him!" - Tom Paxton
charlieking.org
Tret Fure
Tret Fure began her career at the age of 16, singing in coffeehouses and
campuses in the Midwest. At 20, she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for
Spencer Davis, touring with him and penning the single for his album
Mousetrap. She recorded her first album in 1973.
Some career highlights include winning the South Florida
Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition in 2 out of 3 categories (Best
Overall and Best Up-Tempo Song), winning the Women in the Arts Jane
Schliessman Award for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Music, and
winning the A Still Small Voice 4U songwriting competition with her song
"Monuments". Tret's latest album, Lavender Moonshine, addresses the
times in which we live.
Tret also teaches guitar and songwriting, paints pet portraits on
commission, and has even published a cookbook, Tret's Kitchen. tretfure.com
Brooklyn Women's Chorus
The Brooklyn Women's Chorus was formed in October 1997 by Bev Grant, who was the director until she retired in 2021. Last year they welcomed new director Caroline Kuhn. The chorus sings socially relevant songs by contemporary American songwriters such as Bev Grant, Garth Brooks, Jackson Browne, Pat Humphries and Sandy O. Topics range from freedom and social justice, to peace, resistance, women's labor history, and empowerment. The Brooklyn Women's Chorus communicates with a joyful voice, sure to uplift anyone who hears them.
brooklynwomenschorus.com
Lissa Michalak
Lissa Michalak loves songs that make her laugh, stick in her head, or send chills down her spine. She has performed solo and unaccompanied as well as with friends and guitars since the mid-1980s. She uses her rich knowledge of human movement, expression, and anatomy to enhance both her vocal sound and physical performance. Lissa is also one half of the traditional song duo Hilo.
hilotradsongs
Songs of the Season, with Robin Greenstein & Cecilia Kirtland
Robin Greenstein is an accomplished musician and performer with a fascinating resume. She majored in music in college (classical guitar) and worked under folk legend Hedy West ("500 Miles"). After graduation, she was signed as a songwriter to Bob Dylan's company. Robin was a Clinician-Performer for Martin Guitars and a headliner for Renaissance Cruises. She toured the U.S. college circuit and Europe for years and performs for Club Med. She has released six CDs of original music, traditional folk, children's music and a holiday CD, Songs of the Season. Robin is delighted return to Peoples' Voice to perform her multicultural holiday show celebrating Chanukah, Christmas, Yuletide, Kwanzaa and Solstice! Tonight she
will be joined by Cecilia Kirtland. robingreenstein.com
Peoples' Voice Cafe, started in 1979 by members of Songs of Freedom and Struggle, carries forward the vision of
using songs and performing arts to support the struggle for peace and justice.
All are impacted by the history and ongoing practice of systemic racism in this country and the continuing
brutal murders of Black Americans by police.
We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, outraged by the many faces of racism found in education,
healthcare, housing, jobs, poverty, criminal justice, and voting. All must be free to move about in the
"land of the free" without suspicion, harassment, or arrest.
Peoples' Voice Cafe stands committed to speak out, sing out, and work against racism, white supremacy, and
indifference.
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