PVC SPRING 2008 SEASON
April 26th
Heather Lev Heather Lev is an award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who performs a delightful assortment of sparklingly original songs. Her confident, yet unassuming stage manner is charming and engaging. Her performances include lightning-fast guitar fingerpicking, mountain dulcimer, ukulele and more, and her songs cover themes of social justice, protest, love, spirituality, and humorous alternative views of reality. Heather is the winner of Two Great American Song Contest Honor Awards, and an Honorable Mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. "...Engaging singing and catchy arrangements...forceful and direct lyrics... I loved the song immediately." --KPFT FM, and Audiofile CD review. Videos of Heather can be found at http://www.youtube.com/heatherlev and here. Tonight Heather will be joined by the talented Gina Tlamsa on fiddle and flute, and Michael Lengyel on percussion.
Terry Kitchen Award-winning Boston contemporary folk singer/songwriter Terry Kitchen's songs are portraits of ordinary people and emotions, captured with extraordinary compassion, honesty and humor. His wide-ranging songs (from "Be a Man About It," about an Iraq veteran dealing with PTSD, to "The Bonny Lights of Cavendish," about English orphans sent to Canada, to "Heaven Here On Earth," the spiritual-but-not-religious title tune of Terry's latest CD), superb guitar playing and warm audience rapport guarantee an enjoyable experience for all.
May 3rd
Steve Suffet Well known to Peoples' Voice Cafe audiences, Steve Suffet is an old fashioned folksinger in the People's Music tradition. His repertoire is a mixture of union songs, freedom songs, railroad songs, trucker songs, old time ballads, blues, topical-political songs, and whatever else tickles his fancy. Steve takes songs from whatever sources he wishes and then he sings them his own way, or else he makes them up himself. Usually it's impossible to tell which are the traditional folks songs and which are Steve's own compositions. He likes it that way!
Joel Landy
Pete Seeger calls him “ A real live wire!” and audiences say he reminds them of Phil Ochs. He has sung in coffeehouses and at demonstrations around the country, and his songs are heard on Pacifica Radio. Like his music partner Steve Suffet, Joel Landy is a familiar friend and spirit at the PVC, known for his clever topical songwriting and energetic stage performances. Joel is perhaps best known as the producer/host of Songs of Freedom, an award winning cable television program seen in New York City since 1996, celebrating the dignity of human struggle. (See www.singfreedom.org for details). Recently, Joel has taken Songs of Freedom to Bleecker Street every Thursday night for free live performances featuring activists and artists and a space for progressives to convene and conspire. (The Yippie Museum Café, 9 Bleecker, west of Bowery.) Creating a safe place for people to express themselves and have fun is what Joel seems to do best.
May 10th
Tribute Concert For Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk believed in a brotherhood and sisterhood of artists,
singers, and writers who supported each other in word and deed. Four
artists who were close to Dave Van Ronk are banded together for a
special evening celebrating the songs that Dave made so memorable.
There will be blues, ballads, political screeds, lullabies, whispers,
guffaws, jazz riffs, tongue lashings, and some razzamatazz. The
artists are David Massengill, Chris Lowe, Eve Silber and Frank
Christian, who will each do a set of Dave material as well as two
group numbers. Dave was a special friend and mentor to each of these
artists who have gone on to careers of distinction in folk music and
jazz. Dave would be proud.
David Massengill, an acclaimed songwriter, is also a storyteller of
charm and wit. Dave Van Ronk once said, "he took the dull out of
dulcimer." His tribute to Van Ronk, Dave On Dave, is out on Gadfly.
Van Ronk was Chris Lowe's guitar teacher, then his mentor, then
producer of Chris' first album. Jazz singer, guitarist and songwriter
Eve Silber received much of her training in the Village, in the
accompaniment of the great dames of Grove Street: Marie Blake and
Mable Godwin, as well as under the tutelage of Dave Van Ronk. Frank
Christian's guitar roots range from traditional folk to acoustic
blues, to big band guitar picking. Last year, Christian added
published author to his credits of musician, songwriter and producer
with the release of his first book, Dancin' in the Kitchen, based on
his song of the same name.
May 17th
New York City Labor Chorus
The New York City Labor Chorus, with 75 members representing over 20 labor unions and district councils, was founded in 1991. The Chorus, under the direction of Peter Schlosser and accompanied by Denis Nelson, promotes union solidarity by expressing through song the history and ongoing struggles of workers for economic and social justice. Their voices represent the great legacy of U.S. labor music. Their dynamic repertoire includes songs of labor struggles, protest, and social significance, combining the power and culture of union music with the great gospel, jazz, classical and folk traditions, including a rich diversity of music from the cultures of all working people. "A chorus that tells us the story of our fondest hopes and dreams; real, moving, passionate and salt of the earth. Bravo!"--Peter Yarrow. "The NYC Labor Chorus sings history alive to build a better future, remembering the power of organized labor and giving harmonious voice to our best hopes for tomorrow. The Chorus is a class act."--Charlie King
Closed in the summer, see you in September!
PREVIOUS SHOWS:
March 1st Carolyn Hester
Carolyn Hester is an icon of the 60s musical and political revolution. A native Texan, she moved to Greenwich Village to follow in the footsteps of her hero, Pete Seeger. Fascinated with traditional folk melodies and lyrics, Carolyn sought to bring people together through music, participating in the Southern freedom marches. One of the founding members of the Kerrville Folk Festival, she continued to promote her musical values, composing original songs. Credited with discovering Bob Dylan, she also touched the lives of Buddy Holly, Tom Paxton, Richard Farina and Nancy Griffith. Known for her vision and the beautiful clarity of her voice, the Texas Songbird continues performing a combination of traditional and original music, accompanied by her daughters Karla and Amy Blume.
March 8th Jolie Rickman Celebration
Musician/activist Jolie Rickman died in January, 2005. In her 34 years Jolie touched countless people through her music and tireless work through such organizations as the Hen Foundation, SOA Watch and CISPES. With music both sweet and sarcastic, she independently released three full-length albums. Her music and spirit reached across the country, offering a revolutionary vision of creativity, love and compassion. Tonight Jolie’s community comes together to celebrate her life and work. Pamela Means is a Brooklyn-based Out(spoken), Biracial indie folk artist whose “kamikaze guitar style” and punchy provocative songs have worn a hole in her guitar. Colleen Kattau is a central New York based bilingual singer/songwriter of New Song and Nueva Canción. She corecorded Sing it Down: Songs to Close the SOA with Jolie. The pleasantly aggressive folk duo Nervous but Excited is two songwriters, two singers, a mandolin, a violin, a harmonica, loads of harmony and some vaguely choreographed dancing. Barry Kornhauser is a Composer, arranger, teacher and multi-instrumentalist (bass, cello, guitar and mandola) in a wide variety of musical environments. Bev Grant writes songs with compassion, insight, guts and beauty and delivers them in a voice that’s big, soulful, kick-ass and wise.
March 15th
Bright Morning Star Bright Morning Star toured North America from 1978 to 1990 mixing folk, country, blues, jazz and a good dose of theater. Almost 20 years later they’re back, re-grouped with two decades of individual performance experience under their collective belt, livelier and more astute then ever. They’ve energized their repertoire with new material while holding on to classics just old enough to sound brand new (given recurring social and political realities). In the course of a concert, they pass around and play guitar, fiddle, bass, banjo, harmonica, piano and about a half dozen other instruments. Their vocals shine, whether a capella or six voice and piano. Their cabaret style adds a comic irony to traditional songs and a surprising depth to contemporary pieces. A show not to be missed! Bright Morning Star is Court Dorsey, Cheryl Fox, George Fulginiti-Shakar, Ken Giles, Charlie King, and Marcia Taylor.
March 22nd Closed for Purim/Easter
March 29th
Hook Report A little bit country, a little bit folk-rock soul, Hook Report delivers tidings from the shaky edges of the political and the emotional. They play music with a timely message and a classic beat. Mike Boals, percussion; Bill Friedman, guitar and vocals; Chris Lang, guitar and vocals; Gina Tlamsa, flute, violin, mandolin and vocals; Carlos Vasquez, bass.
Songs of Water/Songs of War Songs of Water/Songs of War is a collaborative effort featuring the songs of Emma Graves (vocals, guitar, banjo) with the musicianship of Jenny Hill (sax, flute), Barry Kornhauser (cello), Todd Isler (percussion) and various friends of the Peoples' Voice Café. This is fun Americana-styled folk/jazz with a real message. Expect contagious footstomping and hip swaying: just the type of movement you may be looking for!
April 5th
Kristin Lems The last time Kristin Lems played at Peoples’ Voice was 1980. Those two sold-out shows were attended by feminist icons Ellen Willis and Andrea Dworkin, attracted by Kristin's ability to "sing out against the bad in the world and for the good in ourselves." "A charmer in the most literal and least artificial sense of the word" (The New Yorker), Kristin has 6 CDs of original songs, a website (kristinlems.com) and a multilingual repertoire, including Persian. Enjoy the author of "Mammary Glands," "Days of the Theocracy," "Too Cheap to Meter," and other classics in this rare New York appearance!
KJ Denhert With a bold fusion of urban-folk, jazz, R&B, blues, funk and pop, KJ Denhert exhibits fire and passion through insightful lyrics, sultry vocals and fluid guitar. An expert wordsmith, she writes deeply personal stories that communicate universal truths. A Bronx-raised Grenadian-American with mixed West Indian roots, KJ was inspired by artists (Sergio Mendes, John Hartford, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro) as eclectic and diverse as her music. Her irrepressibly larger-than-life personality, emotionally resonant voice and impeccable musicianship have won her an international cult following.
Guest set: Friction Farm “Blending country, folk and pop into a seamless package is not easy, but Friction Farm has it down.”--New Times Magazine. Friction Farm is guitarist/vocalist Aidan Quinn and bassist/vocalist Christine Stay.
April 12th
Ray Korona Band BARRY KORNHAUSER, IVICE, ELLEN DAVIDSON, SHARON ABREU, GINA TLAMSA & RAY perform Ray’s original songs of peace, the environment, work, social justice, friendship and love. The band combines polished vocal harmonies with dulcimer, guitar, a pair of fiddles, flute, cello, mandolins, bazuki & percussion. Ray’s new songs address climate crisis, the elections, promotion hustlers & more. Pete Seeger, who has played and recorded with the band, says, “Wonderful songs! Ray Korona and band are great!” Look forward to an incredible guest set of songs from BELLES OF THE MILL, the fabulous labor musical about the Bread and Roses strikes in Lawrence, MA! Visit www.raykorona.com.
April 19th Closed for Passover
