Hello, friends. On the 12th anniversary of September 11th, we remember that shocking day and are comforted to know that the songs we wrote in respons
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About to sing "Peace Salaam Shalom" in French! From the video "Peace Through All People". |
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Hello, friends.
On the 12th anniversary of September 11th, we remember that shocking day and are comforted to know that the songs we wrote in response to that day, "Peace Salaam Shalom" and "If I Give Your Name", have been there for those who lost loved ones and the countless others who work for peace on an on-going basis every day. |
CodePink demonstration last night at the White House |
War Averted--At Least for the Moment
At the CodePink demonstration at the White House last night, we heard from activists Medea Benjamin and Col Ann Wright who have been part of the daily protesting and lobbying in Congress for a no-vote on authorization to bomb Syria. They spoke of Congress members thanking them for their potent arguments for immediate ceasefire, regional peace talks and humanitarian aid to the over 2 million refugees fleeing the violence. One Congress member brought the CodePink talking points directly to Obama. CodePink broadcasted Obama's speech to the crowd gathered last night. After September 11th, we heard promises of limited strikes in Iraq that led to an authorization for unlimited war. Seems the people--and even, Congress--have grown weary of war and false promises paid for at the expense of the young, the poor, the elderly, the people. The Syrian people will not be helped by creating more dead Syrians.
As Noam Chomsky said, "It was kind of interesting what [Obama] didn't say. This would be a perfect opportunity to ban chemical weapons, to impose the chemical weapons convention on the Middle East. The convention, contrary to what Obama said, does not specifically refer just to use of chemical weapons; it refers to production, storage or use of chemical weapons. That’s banned by the international norm that Obama likes to preach about."
See our FaceBook page for more photos from last night and check codepinkalert.org for next actions to keep the pressure on for diplomacy and aid--not military strikes--for Syria. |
Dancing to "Peace Salaam Shalom"! from the video "Peace Through All People". |
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"Peace Salaam Shalom" Goes Global
And, especially on the anniversary of 9/11, we are honored to launch "Peace Through All People", a stunningly beautiful and moving video of our song "Peace Salaam Shalom"! Pat began writing the song on this day, 12 years ago, and we've been singing it ever since.
Where in the world did this video come from? You won't believe it (we didn't at first), but the story includes Devo (yes, that Devo), a denomination we had never heard of, musicians from Australia to Zambia, and a trip to Independence, Missouri.
Read on for the full story, then share the video with peace and music lovers far and wide! You can embed the video on your website and purchase a download of this video along with our live performance at the World Conference. ("What World Conference?" Read on and you'll find out!)
Check out our new peace tee colors including Union-Made purple longsleeve tees, the invitation to join us in New Orleans Nov 15-17 for our Music & Social Justice weekend and hear us coming right up:
-Sat Sep 21 Takoma Park MD: Harmony Singing Workshop
-Sat Sep 21 Takoma Park MD: Double-bill with The U-Liners
-Northeast Concert Tour with Holly Near: Fri Sep 27 New York NY (Sold out!), Sat Sep 28 Northampton MA, Sun Sep 29 Newburyport MA, Mon Sep 30 Providence RI, Sat Oct 5 Hartford CT
-Fri Oct 18-20 Independence MO: Community of Christ's Peace Colloquy. Sat night concert is free and open to the public.
-Fri Oct 25 Wakefield MA: Benefit Concert for UU Mass Action Network
-Sat Oct 26 New York NY: Memorial Tribute Concert for Jon Fromer
Then it's on to WA, CA, LA, GA and FL!
We look forward to singing with you wherever you are.
Peace,
Pat Humphries & Sandy O
emma's revolution
email: enews.ermusic@gmail.com
web: www.emmasrevolution.com |
In DC: Ariel rockin' the tank top, Dean in the Pool Blue unisex and Pat in the women's short sleeve! |
New Peace Tee Colors & Purple Longsleeve Unisex
New season? New colors!
Plus, at long last, Purple Longsleeve tees in Unisex sizes--and they're Union-Made.
Check out our tees in new colors & styles --still at the same prices! |
Pat in the Union-Made Purple Longsleeve | | In AR: Susan in Avocado organic and Gini in the Pool Blue! |
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Yes, THAT Devo! |
Part I: Peace . . . & Devo?!
Early this year, we got an email requesting permission to include "Peace Salaam Shalom" in the new hymnal of a denomination we had never heard of. The letter explained that the hymnal would include about 680 songs and that ours would be one of 70 to be taught to all the faith's 3,000 congregations around the world. The writer ended his email:
"As a personal note, I’m a fan of you guys, grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, went to Kent State, graduated in 1970, and then went on to found Devo. Love the stuff you’re doing and power to the people."
WHAT?! That Devo?! Yes, that Devo.
Needless to say, we were surprised and intrigued.
When Pat called Robert Lewis, he did indeed have that Devo voice (hear it in their 1984 hit, "Whip it!"). But before they talked about hymnal details, Bob asked, "Do you know about Community of Christ?" When Pat answered "No," he went ahead to tell some of the history: This denomination had originally been called the Reorganized Church of the Latter-day Saints. When Mormon founder, Joseph Smith, was killed in the mid-1800s, this group did not follow Brigham Young to Utah, but instead, followed Smith's wife, Emma (!), to Independence, Missouri. As abolitionists, this group had already begun to show their progressive nature and CofC has kept up with it, ever since. CofC began ordaining women in 1984. Their Temple is open to the public and they hold a midday peace service every day of the year. Their last World Conference was focused on nuclear non-proliferation and, this year's would be focused on peace.
(Cont'd, below.) |
Upcoming Concerts
See our concert page for details on these & all of our shows.
Sat Sep 21 Takoma Park MD: Experience creative harmonizing, then join us for a song on-stage at our concert with the U-Liners. Tickets
Sat Sept 21 Takoma Park MD: Double-bill with The U-Liners. A night of harmony and song, packed full of tunes of justice and hope. Tickets |
Northeast Concert Tour with Holly Near: We'll be accompanying the fabulous Holly Near and performing as her special guests at these shows:
Fri Sep 27 New York NY (Sold Out!)
Sat Sep 28 Northampton MA Tickets
Sun Sep 29 Newburyport MA Tickets
Mon Sep 30 Providence RI Tickets
Sat Oct 5 Hartford CT Tickets
Fri-Sun Oct 18-20 Independence MO: Community of Christ 2013 Peace Colloquy: “Peace, Justice, and Song” . “Peace, Salaam, Shalom”, has been selected for inclusion in Community of Christ’s new hymnal and chosen as a core song to be sung throughout the denomination. Saturday night concert is free and open to the public!
Fri Oct 25 Wakefield MA: Benefit Concert for UU Mass Action Network. "Since 2006 UU Mass Action has had a history of mobilizing the 140 Unitarian Universalist congregations around social justice issues in Massachusetts." Tickets
Sat Oct 26 New York NY: Memorial Tribute to Jon Fromer, with Anne Feeney, Bev Grant, Colleen Kattau, D.C. Labor Chorus, Elise Bryant, George Mann, Professor Louie, Rick Burkhart and more at People's Voice Cafe
Sun Oct 27 Woodinville WA: Singing at the installation of Reverend Lois Van Leer. Private Event.
Thur Oct 31 Everywhere!: Live in studio with Betty Devereux on Community Radio KGHP. Listen online. |
Bread & Roses Festival, Lawrence MA on 9/2 with Gary Johnson on keys & Ken Quam on drums (Thanks to Herb Tyson for the great photo!) |
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Fri Nov 1 Olympia WA: Returning to wonderfully progressive, Traditions Cafe! Tickets
Sat-Sun Nov 2-3 Kirkland WA: Return Concert (& Sunday Service) at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church. Stay tuned for tickets.
Thurs Nov 7 Grass Valley CA: Celebration Concert for 50th Anniversary of The John Woolman High School & 10th Anniversary of The Woolman Semester! Tickets
Fri-Sun Nov 15-17 New Orleans LA: “Singing for Justice”: Music & Social Justice Weekend! Come to New Orleans for a weekend of music & social justice including workshops, an ice-cream social community sing and our concert with the extraordinary, Gina Forsyth, on fiddle! Of course, there’ll be time for you to explore Nawlins and catch some great music and great food this weekend, too. Incredibly affordable housing and meals available at the Center for Ethical Living & Social Justice Renewal. Tickets
SAVE THE DATE!
Fri-Sun Nov 22-24 Columbus GA
Thur-Fri Dec 5-6 St. Petersburg FL
Sat Dec 7 Davie FL
Sun Dec 8 Lake Park FL
More . . . |
Playing "Peace Salaam Shalom" in "Peace Through All People" |
Part II: Peace . . . Around the World
As time went on in our discussions with Bob and CofC and our fab lawyer, Leslie Berman (yes, these things require fab lawyers!!), we learned that CofC was planning to sing "Peace Salaam Shalom" at their World Conference in April and to premiere a video of members of their congregations from around the world singing "Peace Salaam Shalom". From the description, it sounded like the video was just a casual, off-the-cuff thing, but when we saw it, we were astounded by this spectacularly beautiful and moving video, sung by friends and members of CofC in Korea, Tahiti, Zambia, Haiti, Spain, Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, First Peoples of North America and the US. |
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