Jim has covered Boston arts and events since 1978. In addition to this column, JimSullivanInk, he is a freelance columnist for the likes of the Boston Phoenix, the Christian Science Monitor, Search Boston and Hall of Fame Magazine.
Holly Near was right at the forefront when the "women's music" movement formed. At the time, the movement was heavily influenced by folk and informed by lefty politics and, primarily, lesbian. The "women's music" rubric has more of less disappeared or evolved - Ferron was the Canadian singer-songwriter who crashed (some version) of the mainstream in the '80s - and the riot grrl punk bands of the '90 picked up on the ideals but added, anger, chaos, rock-as-contact-sport and electric guitars. Near remains the godmother of all this and she's giving an intimate workshop Thursday May 1 at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe Institue for Advanced Study.
It's not about music per se, though we expect musicians will attend Near will pick up an acoustic guitar. It's about "helping people become better presenters" or "making their stories or messages have a bigger impact." That is Near's forte. (That is one of the lyricist's main goals, of course, especially in the folk world.) It runs from 7-10 p.m. and costs $100-$75. It's also limited to 40 people.Says Near; "Because I am interested in social change and community, I practice 'active noticing' and 'creative curiosity.' I try to remain open to new ideas, to be willing to change my opinion, to enjoy challenging the misinformation that may have made its way into my little childhood brain. In this workshop, I will offer up tools that can be of use in this journey towards creative expression. Even if your main form of communication is talking to a neighbor over the fence, this 'practice' can help keep that conversation alive. "I do not separate my music from my heart nor do I separate my ideas from my daily life. I open my self up to learning as much as I can about humanity and this mysterious life experience, but I do not relate to political work as a series of "causes." Moment by moment, I integrate what I learn into my personal life, personalizing my politics. It is from this personal place that I write my songs." This workshop is called "Your Voice, Your Story: Tools for Keeping a Conversation Alive."
the time, the movement was heavily influenced by folk and informed by lefty politics and, primarily, lesbian. The "women's music" rubric has more of less disappeared or evolved - Ferron was the Canadian singer-songwriter who crashed (some version) of the mainstream in the '80s - and the riot grrl punk bands of the '90 picked up on the ideals but added, anger, chaos, rock-as-contact-sport and electric guitars. Near remains the godmother of all this and she's giving an intimate workshop Thursday May 1 at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe Institue for Advanced Study. 