The Latest

Come to the Highlander Retreat in May!

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Here are some endorsements of last year’s Highlander Retreat.
peteralsopheadshot_crop” Last year’s retreat was a rare and special time for me; to meet with peers who understand, to share strategies and memories.
Highlander is hallowed space where organizers and musicians have dreamed huge dreams and sparked huge changes for social justice in our world!”     -Peter Alsop
Register here
HighlanderPhotos2011
ScottBerwick2011
“The 2011 Retreat at the Highlander Center was amazing.  There we were at the spiritual home of “We Shall Overcome” and of key organizing efforts for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s with a roomful of delightful brothers and sisters who believe in the power of songs to speak truth to power and to change the world for the better.  Truly inspiring!”   -Albert Berwick
JohnOConnor2011“When you sit in one of those rocking chairs facing each other in a circle in that great meeting room, you are sitting in a chair that could well have been occupied by Rosa Parks, Ralph Rinzler, Miles Horton, Guy Carawan, Hazel Dickens… the list goes on with the spirit of some of the greatest movers and shakers this land has ever known. Can there be a more important and hallowed place for Local 1000 members to meet, sing and plan the future? An experience not to be missed.”  -John O’Connor
AustinNash
” You cannot help but stir the wind into your cooling tea.
See you at Highlander 2012.”   Folksinger Austin Nash

Highlander 2012 Registration is Open!

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

HighlanderSolidarity

Once again, there is an opportunity to join together with your Local 1000 sisters and brothers at the Highlander Center in New Market, Tennessee. Tues, May 15- Thurs, May 17, 2012  Featured presenters are Local 1000 members Si Kahn and Holly Near.

Visit the Highlander Page for more information.  There are a limited # of slots open, so register early!

(Like last year, SERFA is scheduled in Montreat, NC for the following weekend.)

President Tret Fure fills Board Vacancies

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

President Tret Fure, elected at the Membership meeting on Oct 22nd in Eugene, Oregon, moved to make two appointments to the Executive Board so all vacancies are filled and the Board is back to working at full capacity.

Fure’s election left a vacancy in the Vice President position, which she had held for many years. Debra Cowan, Eastern Regional Representative, was appointed to fill the balance of her term (through December 2012.)

Debra’s appointment left a vacancy in the Eastern Regional position, to which former Secretary-Treasurer, John O’Connor has been appointed for the balance of the term (through December 2012.)

Alsop appointed Western Regional Board Representative

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Peter Alsop, of Topanga, California, was appointed by President John McCutcheon to fill the Executive Board vacancy of Western Regional Representative that resulted from Steve Eulberg’s appointment to Secretary-Treasurer.  Alsop, a long-time Local 1000 member, will fill the balance of the term through December 2012.  The Executive Board, affirmed this appointment in the December 22, 2011 Skype Meeting.

Eulberg appointed Secretary-Treasurer

Friday, December 16th, 2011

The Executive Board accepted the resignation of Amy Fix as Secretary-Treasurer and approved President John McCutcheon’s appointment of former Western Regional Representative, Steve Eulberg, to fill the balance of her term.

This appointment leaves a vacancy in the position of Western Regional Representative which will be filled by Presidential appointment, in accordance with our ByLaws.

Amy Fix, who served served as our Business Rep and Office Manager for the past 12 years will continue to serve Local 1000 in that capacity.

Tret Fure Elected as Local 1000 President

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

On October 22, Tret Fure (current Vice President) was elected as President of Local 1000 at the Membership Meeting held at the Shedd Auditorium in Portland Oregon during the FarWest Folk Alliance.  Ken Whiteley (Canadian Vice President) and Sandy Andina (Midwest Representative) were re-elected to their respective positions.  In accordance with our ByLaws, all officers serve three-year terms.

McCutcheon Gives Keynote at Far-West

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Local 1000 President John McCutcheon is scheduled to give the first ever keynote address at the Far-West Folk Alliance Conference in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, Oct 22nd.

The Executive Board of Local 1000 will be meeting in conjunction with the conference and the Pete Seeger-signed banjo will also be present.  In addition to Local 1000 participation in workshops, and the Exhibit Hall, members Peter Alsop and SONia will host sing-arounds in the traditional Showcase Free Zone held in room #334.

[10/24/2011 Update] The proceedings were recorded and can be viewed here.

Valdy, admitted as Member of Order of Canada

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Local 1000 member, Valdy, has been admitted as a Member of the Order of Canada!

Hearty congratulations for this high honor.  Read more about this exciting news at:

Roots Music Canada

Valdy’s Website

Here’s info about the Order of Canada

Solidarity also means when one member is honored, ALL members are honored, so thanks, Valdy!

Si Kahn’s “Silver Spoon” June 9 Fundraiser for Local 1000

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

AFM LOCAL 1000 INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE NORA THEATER COMPANY’S PRODUCTION OF

Silver Spoon


A musical comedy written by Local 1000 member and writer/musician/activist Si Kahn (music and lyrics) and Amy Merrill (book)

Join Si Kahn, award-winning folk musician and Local 1000 President John McCutcheon for an evening of musical theater and meeting friends


Thursday, June 9, 2011

Central Square Theater,

450 Massachusetts Ave.,

Cambridge, MA 02139


5:30 to 7:00

reception and conversation with Si Kahn, John McCutcheon proceeds to benefit AFM Local 1000

7:30 to 9:30

reserved tickets to evening performance of Silver Spoon


$35-one ticket to the June 9th performance of “Silver Spoon”

$50-ticket to “Silver Spoon” plus Local 1000 reception

$75-all of the above plus an autographed copy of Si’s new CD “Courage” OR

an autographed copy of John McCutcheon’s new CD “Passage”

$100-all of the above plus a copy of Si’s newest book “Creative Community

Organizing”

$250-All of the above plus a personal Debra Cowan concert in the greater

Boston area


ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

RSVP: Debra Cowan at (508) 662-9746 or dcowan@DebraCowan.com Please put “Silver Spoon” in the subject line of your email

Download a jpg flyer to help publicize this event here

Fair Trade Music Initiative Planned.

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Local 1000 is working on a Fair Trade Music program to connect venues who treat musicians fairly with musicians and fans.  Watch for updates.   http://www.local1000.com/fair-trade-music-1000.html