Arts Culture Community
A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) is a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment. ASSV sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. ASSV does not solicit donations or conduct fund raising for itself. Those wanting to support our efforts are encouraged to buy tickets to the events we sponsor. Sharon Katz wins 2019 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2019 Phil Ochs Award to Sharon Katz in recognition of her music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. Sharon was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at the Old Songs Folk Festival in Altamont, NY on Friday June 28,2019. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. Sharon Katz was born in Port Elizabeth, now known as Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. As a young teenager during the terrible apartheid era, she used to sneak out to the “Blacks Only” townships by hiding under blankets in the back seat of her friend’s car. There, she met with the now-famous actors in Athol Fugard’s group, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, and began her lifelong mission of using music to help break down the country’s artificially-imposed racial barriers. Back in 1992, Sharon made history in her home country of South Africa when she formed the country’s first-ever, 500-member multi-cultural and multi-lingual performing group and staged the production called “When Voices Meet.” Then in 1993, Sharon rocked the nation with her concert tour, “The Peace Train.” The first performance had been so successful and so widely publicized that invitations began pouring in from all over the country. To respond to all the requests, Sharon got sponsors to hire a train – The Peace Train – and took 150 of the performers, her friends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as well as TV and radio crews on tour throughout the country. At each stop along the route, they performed their concert and encouraged people of all races, cultures, ages and political affiliations to put down their guns and hostilities and to prepare for the country’s transition to a peaceful democracy. The performing group became known as “The Peace Train” forever more, and all the world watched as Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected President a few months later. “When Voices Meet” is the award-winning documentary about Sharon Katz & The Peace Train. You can see the trailer at www.whenvoicesmeet.com The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 A Still Small Voice Supports Music Stage Once again A Still Small Voice 4U was pleased to sponsor a stage in the Whaling Museum at the New Bedford MA Summerfest July 6 and 7, 2019. This popular music festival is held every year, drawing performers from across the US as well as Canada, the UK and Australia. By sponsoring a stage ASSV reduces festival costs and helps ensure that this event can continue. The performers on the Whaling Museum stage included The Nields, The Kennedys, Pamela Means, Guy Davis, Anne Hills among others. Art Show Recognizes Local Talent In collaboration with the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Sand Lake, NY, A Still Small Voice 4U presented an art show in July and August 2019. In connection with the 100th anniversary of Pete Seeger’s birth artists were invited to interpret his song “Turn, Turn, Turn.” Over 50 submissions competed for first, second, third and people’s choice awards, each carrying a cash prize. Jason Van Stavern, art faculty at UAlbany and Hudson Valley Community College, acted as juror. Winners were Kelly Tankersley (first), Liz Smith (second), Joan Hogan (third) and Alan Opreska (people’s choice) The art included work in pastels, oils, and acrylics as well as photography and sculpture. This show will be presented again in July 2020. Artists are invited to monitor the Sand Lake Center for the Arts’ website (slca-ctp.org) for submission details. There is no submission fee John Flynn wins 2018 Phil Ochs Award A Still Small Voice 4U presented the 2018 Phil Ochs Award to John Flynn in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs. John was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke and Chad Phillips representing A Still Small Voice 4U which sponsors the award. John Flynn is an American singer-songwriter and activist known for his powerful music and tireless efforts on behalf of “the lost and the lonely, the shackled and scarred”. His career has embodied an authentic troubadour odyssey that moved legendary folk DJ Gene Shay to call Flynn "the most quintessential folk singer in my life", and Andrew L. Braunfeld of the Philadelphia Folk Festival to say, "It has been disappointing that the world of folk music has not, during the last half century, been creating many new heroes. John Flynn is a notable exception, and is worthy of our respect as he follows the paths of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Kris Kristofferson." Over three and a half decades, John Flynn’s music has carried him from Jersey shore bars to Nashville’s Music Row; from home plate performances in major league ballparks to concerts in maximum-security prisons; from star-studded benefit shows at Tipitina’s in New Orleans to awareness-building appearances at the Walter Reed Military Hospital and the Dover Air Force Base. Along the way Flynn has continued to make new friends and fans as he has given of his defiantly unguarded heart and optimistic spirit from large and small stages, living rooms, pulpits and schools across this country. A wordsmith of rare facility, Flynn’s songs are laced with keenly observed and soul-resonant scraps of irony, humor, stumbled-on wisdom, and streetwise compassion. Reflecting on some of this music, long-time friend and Flynn champion Kris Kristofferson has called John “an important artist whose work in prisons, rehabs, and half-way houses is distilled into the truth and the beauty of heartfelt and heart warming slices of life”. The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Charlie King wins 2017 Phil Ochs Award 
Charlie King wins 2017 Phil Ochs Award
Charlie King, the musical storyteller and political satirist, won the 2017 Phil Ochs Award given to singer songwriters whose music and activism embody the spirit and commitment of legendary folk singer Phil Ochs. Charlie has been at the heart of American folk music for half a century. He sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. His songs have been sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, Peggy Seeger, Chad Mitchell and Judy Small, to name a few. Pete Seeger called Charlie “One of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.” Among Charlie's best known songs are "Buy, Buy This American Car", That's the Way I Made My Millions", "Two Good Arms" and "Send in the Drones". Charlie was presented with a plaque commemorating the award and a cash stipend of $2000 at a concert presented by the Schenectady County Historical Society at Mabee Farms Dutch Barn in Rotterdam Junction, NY on Sunday October 8, 2017. The award was presented by Phil Ochs' sister Sonny Ochs and by Ron and Kathy Cooke and Chad Phillips representing A Still Small Voice 4U that sponsors the award. Additional funding was generously contributed by Michael Sussman, a civil rights and environmental lawyer, from Orange County, NY. The Phil Ochs Award is presented annually by A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. (ASSV) a 501(c)3 not for profit devoted to encouraging and supporting arts, music, literature, culture and community. The award is determined by a national panel of judges. ASSV directly supports individuals and organizations that share its mission and commitment and sponsors concerts, exhibits, performances, readings and community activities. More information is available at http://www.assv4u.com/. Charlie King may be reached through his web site: http://charlieking.org/ Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to: Ron Cooke mailto:assv4u@hotmail.com 518-428-3296 Phil Ochs Award Phil Ochs Award Criteria · accomplished songwriter & compelling performer · grounded in the folk tradition (Woody, Pete, Ronnie, Leadbelly, Buffy, Phil et al) · advances the spirit of Phil's music and activism · demonstrates a commitment to social justice and community engagement Award is open to individuals or groups Winner receives a cash award. A national panel of judges will review the nominations and make recommendations to the board of ASSV4U. Use the form below to submit nominations or for more information email us at: assv4u@hotmail.com Presented by: A Still Small Voice 4U Inc. CONCERT MODEL Through partnership with local organizations ASSV uses concerts to both support performers and to benefit local groups connected to the arts, social causes or other charities. ASSV covers the cost of the artist. The partner organization provides a venue if possible and handles ticketing. ASSV, the partner organization and the performer all collaborate on advertising. All ticket proceeds go to the partner organization. In this way the performer gets exposure at a paid presentation and the benefiting organization has a fund raiser.. AWARDS ASSV presents the Annual Phil Ochs' Award given to an individual or group whose activities carry on the spirit of Phil Ochs' music and activism. For information or to suggest possible recipients please email us at assv4u@hotmail.com.
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