Peter is turning 80 and we've having a singalong concert with a bunch of our friends to celebrate.

Peter's son suggested he should do whatever he really longed to do and what came up was to sing together 15 or so of the songs that move him most deeply in our 2nd songbook Rise Again. Not just literal love songs but songs about peace, a song about how there's always money for war but never enough for the poor, songs to help us face tough times and big changes in our lives. (Bring your copy of Rise Again — or buy a copy now — so you can sing along!) As Pete Seeger always reminded us, when we sing together with open hearts, the world changes....

The concert will be in-person at our own Quaker meetinghouse in Leverett MA but also streamed live on Zoom. There are separate registration links to attend in-person or online. This is a free concert but you are warmly encouraged to make a donation to Movement Voter Project — in whatever amount you feel led tp and able to give when you reserve a ticket. 

  • Unfortuntely the in-person concert at Mt Toby Friends Meetinghouse is SOLD OUT. (There will be an oncall list at the door.) 
  • But you can still take part if you Reserve a Seat Online. You will be emailed a Zoom link to take part. (The concert will also be recorded and will be posted soon on our YouTube channel youtube.com/@RiseUpandSing)
  • Or you can make a donation to Movement Voter Project  in Peter's honor (these are tracked so he'll know you chipped in!)
  • There is also a Blue Wave Dance Party fundraiser for MVP the night before in South Amherst. Peter will be there dancing his heart out!

You can see the provisional song list for the concert here (with links to the song pages in The Music Box — so you could even try out the songs you don't know before the concert!)

Musician and singer friends joining in concert:

Our Friends Meeting is blessed with many gifted musicians & singers who be involved, including:

Musicians taking part remotely (either via a video made specifically for this concert or via Zoom):

More in-person, details:

  • Doors will open at 6pm. 
    Bring a dessert or beverage to share with others if you like.
    There will be a room with pictures from Peter's life, CDs and songbooks of musicians leading songs, and an info table on MVP.
  • After the concert we'll clear away the chairs for a contra dance with live music! (Contra dancing is an early New England form of dancing and has played a big role in Peter's life for nearly 60 years.) 
    The dance will be called by Hannah Johlas (of Downtown Amherst Contra) accompanied by Susan Conger & Ann Percival (of Wild Asparagus, The O-tones & Dear Ella). These will be easy dances and you're welcome to watch & listen if you prefer.
  • There is ample in-person parking onsite at Mt Toby Meetinghouse but no pubic transportation.

Fund-raising for change:

This will be a benefit for Movement Voter Project, an amazing group that began in Western Mass that funds local organizing groups across the country with a proven track record of registering marginalized voters and getting them out to the polls that we have often supported in past election cycles.

We hope you can join us! If not, we'll post the concert later on our YouTube channel. If you can't make the concert, we'd love it if you'll make a donation at this special link in Peter's honor! Donate now to MVP.

(Note: the links below are to the artist page in the Music Box showing the songs in our songbooks the artist has written or performed.)

Performers

Annie Patterson
Charlie King
Sally Rogers
The Nields
Sarah Pirtle
Paul Kaplan
Emma's Revolution
Magpie
Si Kahn
Ben Tousley