Dear BMG community: Yes, we’re doing a thing, again. I hope you can watch this Sunday on YouTube, or streaming at the Blue Mass. Group Facebook page; and contribute what you can: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/note-oriousrbg
Thanks — Charley
PS – check out Peter Tucker’s nifty poster. Beautiful.
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NOTE-ORIOUS: A musical tribute to RBG, to save the Senate (and our democracy) Please join us October 11th in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to save our Senate!
Dear friends, The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called us to “fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” In that spirit, a bunch of us musicians decided to step up and use our artistic voices to pay tribute to RBG’s estimable legacy and her love of music. Her passion for justice has motivated us to raise funds for nine U.S. Senate candidates in swing states, who, if elected, will work to stop the authoritarian drive of Trump’s GOP. We’re all losing sleep over current events; but instead of endless doom-scrolling through social media, we’re going to flex some power. Sunday night, October 11, at 7pm, my colleagues and I will be performing in a webcast-concert-fundraiser entitled “NOTE-ORIOUS: A musical tribute to RBG, to save the Senate (and our democracy).” You don’t have to wait to contribute — in fact, earlier is better! The fundraising page is linked below, and you can customize your contributions toward the various candidates listed. The campaigns that we are supporting include: Sara Gideon (ME), Mike Espy (MS), Jon Ossoff (GA), Theresa Greenfield (IA), Raphael Warnock (GA), Barbara Bollier (KS), Steve Bullock (MT), MJ Hegar (TX), and Al Gross (AK). https://secure.actblue.com/donate/note-oriousrbg This event also serves as a volunteer-raiser for Democratic campaign efforts around the country at every level. Here’s the volunteering link; find an event and get cracking! The official press release for this event is attached. Please distribute widely! However you are able to join us, we are grateful for and inspired by your support and determination as we honor RBG and fight to preserve democracy. Best, -Charley and Shannon Rose Thank you for your support.
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Official press release after the “There’s More”:
WHO: Approximately two dozen prominent Boston-area musicians
WHAT: NOTE-ORIOUS: A musical tribute to RBG, to save the Senate (and democracy)
WHEN: Sunday, October 11, 7pm
WHERE: Streaming online on YouTube and Facebook (event will link to livestream)
A group of Boston-area musicians will present a webcast concert on October 11 entitled “NOTE-ORIOUS: A musical tribute to RBG, to save the Senate (and our democracy).” The event, offered as a tribute to Justice Ginsburg, will feature a myriad of instrumental and vocal repertoire: A gorgeous work by Boston composer Elena Ruehr; a rousing outdoor choral performance of a Boston Revolutionary hymn; a satirical political update of Gilbert and Sullivan lyrics; and a musical treatment of RBG’s infamous pot roast recipe. Attendees can also expect cameo appearances from major Massachusetts political luminaries!
The concert is a fundraiser for the campaigns of Senate candidates throughout the country who are poised to flip seats that are currently held by Republicans. We will also recruit volunteers for phone-banking shifts with SwingLeft of Greater Boston, making calls to swing states for races at every level.
Charles Blandy and Shannon Rose McAuliffe are the producers and co-hosts. In addition to singing, Blandy has been co-founder and -editor of Blue Mass. Group, the state’s most prominent progressive blog. McAuliffe is a singer, scholar, and arts advocate who holds positions at MIT, Boston University, and Northeastern University, where she instructs students in a range of topics spanning music, cultural entrepreneurship, and arts policy and advocacy.
The roster of artists includes: Arneis Quartet (Heather Braun, Rose Drucker, Daniel Dona, Agnes Kim); Mistral Music (Julie Scolnik, Sophie Scolnik-Brower, Tom Kraines); Vanessa Holroyd, flute; Sarah Darling, viola; Mariana Green, violin; Shirley Hunt, ‘cello; Maxwell Butler, organ; Julia Scott Carey, piano; Barbara Hill, soprano; MaryRuth Lown, soprano; Erica Spyres, soprano; Thea Lobo, mezzo-soprano; Shannon Rose McAuliffe, mezzo-soprano; Caroline Nielson, mezzo-soprano; Charles Blandy, tenor; Adam Boyles, tenor; Davron Monroe, tenor; Daniel Gostin, baritone, and more!
Fundraising is taking place through an ActBlue page: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/note-oriousrbg
An email I just sent out:
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Donate via ActBlue
Watch at Facebook or on YouTube (Facebook will probably work better, FYI)
Dear friends,
Well, it’s happening. The event is upon us — we’re about to hit go on the stream at 7pm tonight. I wouldn’t have imagined it would be more work to put on a virtual concert than a live one!
Again, I’m incredibly grateful to the musicians who gave of their time and spirit, under these trying circumstances. I miss them as musical colleagues, but they are also good friends, the best there are. Whatever humanity, humor, and love for life you can glimpse from their art … they are all that and more.
And allow me a non-cynical moment for politics: People who run for office can be heroes, too. It’s hard, thankless work; you’ll be called “everything but a child of God.” And when you set out to run, in a crowded field, against entrenched incumbents, against all the money that money can buy … the odds are against you.
Every last candidate on our roster is an underdog. They’re close — or we wouldn’t bother — but it’s a scrap. They need us.
As I write this, we’ve raised over $8,000 towards our $20,000 goal; and we’re actually closer than that, due to money already pledged. We’re getting there.
Anyway, see you at 7pm. Facebook should be working normally, and we recommend that platform for optimal streaming and engagement with us in the live chat. PLEASE NOTE: You do not need a Facebook account to click the link to join the livestream! Alternatively, YouTube has thrown us some curveballs, but we’ll make it work.
As the kids say … It’s gonna be lit.
Thanks again for your support.
Yours
Charley and Shannon Rose
RBG never accepted defeat. Her dissents were a blueprint for the future.