HOLLY NEAR CELEBRATES THIRTY FIVE YEARS
OF SOCIAL CHANGE MUSIC AND A NEW CD: SHOW UP


SEBASTOPOL, CALIFORNIA – The song, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, flourished on the airwaves during the height of the Vietnam War. It’s hard to forget Pete Seeger’s haunting refrain—When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn? These words demonstrate the power that an artist and a song can wield to help end a war. But can today’s popular music bring about a similar cultural and political change—one that will help end the war in Iraq? If so, what are the songs and who will sing them?

Holly Near—an outspoken activist, singer, teacher, and recording artist—has spent nearly 40 years working for progressive political and social change. Over the years, Holly’s powerful anthems have captured the mood of many movements and now her voice and messages are no less urgent han when she began her work in the social change community. As one Holly Near fan put it, "She is a divine mix of Pete Seeger and Judy Garland!"

Her latest recording, Show Up, is a pointed and provocative look at where society sits today—in a new millennium and going into the fourth year of a U.S. led foreign war. From her poignant treatment of Jackson Browne’s scathing indictment of the big business war machine in Lives in the Balance to an ironic rewrite of Laura Love’s I Want You Gone, no topic is sacred to Holly Near. War, peace, love, family, corporation, government, addiction—they all come under her scrutiny on Show Up. But Holly is not merely an observer. She invites audiences to take a stand—to take the higher road of vision, peace, perspective, and leadership—and to Show Up.

A superb mix of original songs and covers, Show Up showcases Holly’s extraordinary talent. Her songs Family Band and Somebody's Jail have the multi-layered poetry that do for a song what a high-powered lens does for a camera. I Am Willing is a healing balm in this time of great discouragement and despair; and she celebrates the environment in Jane Siberry’s Bound by the Beauty. Addiction gets a long hard look in Holly’s reworking of the old sea shanty Drunken Sailor, accompanied solely by Jackeline Rago’s driving percussive rhythms.

This new recording is a launch pad for a tour by this powerful singer and delightful storyteller. Holly brings history alive as she relates her work as a singer/songwriter and social change activist. And history meets the present as she takes on the opportunities and challenges facing the peace and justice movements of today. Whether out on her own or uniting with other contemporary activists, such as Gloria Steinem, Cindy Sheehan, and Medea Benjamin, Holly Near is keeping the political song tradition alive.

Show Up, was recorded on Holly’s own label: Calico Tracks Music. Visit www.hollynear.com to learn more about Holly.

To inquire about an interview, more information, or to request an advance copy of Show Up, please contact: Alison de Grassi, 707-485-1084 or alison@hollynear.com.

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ACTIVISTAS POR LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS, TRABAJADORES/AS DE LA SALUD Y ARTISTAS CHILENOS HOMENAJEAN Y RECIBEN A HOLLY NEAR EN CHILE

"No separo mi música de mi corazón, como tampoco separo mis ideas de mi vida cotidiana. Soy un alma abierta a descubrir todo lo que pueda sobre la humanidad y esta misteriosa experiencia de vida, mas no me vinculo con el trabajo político como una serie de "causas". Movimiento a movimiento, voy integrando lo que aprendo en mi vida personal, personalizando mi política. Escribo mis canciones desde un lugar muy personal."

-- Holly Near


Diciembre 2007 es la fecha de la histórica visita de Holly Near a Chile. Desde hace más de 30 años, esta cantautora/trovadora/activista ha trabajado con artístas por el cambio social de América Latina para protestar en contra del respaldo de Estados Unidos a las dictaduras y estados policiales. Holly Near, una reconocida lider cultural, visibiliza con su voz temas que escasamente llaman la atención de los medios dominantes. Como reconocimiento a este trabajo Holly Near ha sido invitada a Chile a una serie de conciertos y actividades de derechos humanos que se llevarán a cabo en diciembre. Holly Near estará viajando con el grupo Emma's Revolution, la fotógrafa Donna Korones y la fundadora de EPES, Karen Anderson.

Después del golpe de estado de 1973 en Chile, Holly Near conoció a muchos artistas chilenos -incluyendo a Inti Illimani, Joan Jara y Quilapayún- en sus viajes por el mundo. Trabajó con el Centro Cultural La Peña en Berkeley (California) para mantener vivo el espíritu de la resistencia chilena y para educar al pueblo de Estados Unidos sobre la dictadura de Pinochet. Estas colaboraciones inspiraron a Holly para escribir la canción Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida, la que se ha convertido en un himno de solidaridad para las audiencias en Estados Unidos.

Holly Near volverá a unirse con Inti Illimani en Chile el 7 de diciembre en un concierto en el Estadio Lo Blanco en la comuna de El Bosque en la zona sur de Santiago. El concierto está siendo organizado por la Fundación EPES (Educación Popular en Salud), una organización sin fines de lucro que trabaja por la salud y la justicia social. El concierto, que marca la celebración de los 25 años de EPES, también es un tributo a las tres décadas de solidaridad internacional de Holly Near.

El concierto, auspiciado por la Casa de la Cultura y la oficina del Alcalde de El Bosque, reunirá a Holly Near e Inti Illimani con 1.500 personas en esta celebración de canciones y solidaridad. El concierto también marcará el re-lanzamiento del disco compacto que Holly Near grabara con Inti Illimani en 1984.

El 9 de diciembre, Holly se reunirá con los activistas por los derechos humanos y los familiares de los detenidos desaparecidos en el Parque por la Paz -más conocido como Villa Grimaldi- en la ceremonia de cierre de la iniciativa de un año en honor y memoria de las mujeres desaparecidas por la dictadura de Pinochet. Alrededor de 4.500 personas fueron detenidas en Villa Grimaldi, centro de detención entre 1973 y 1978, la mayoría fueron torturados y 226 están entre las personas detenidas desaparecidas.

Holly Near también participará de la conmemoración de los 100 años de la matanza de Santa María de Iquique, donde alrededor de 3.000 mineros en huelga y sus familias fueron asesinados por tropas del ejército en la ciudad puerto de Iquique, Chile. En 1907, los trabajadores de las minas del salitre del norte iniciaron una huelga por las deplorables condiciones laborales. Las autoridades del gobierno local enviaron las tropas para enfrentar a los huelguistas congregados en la Escuela Santa María, quienes dispararon contra los desarmados trabajadores y sus familias. Este horrible hecho ocurrido el 21 de diciembre, es ahora visto como un catalizador que finalmente obligó al gobierno de Chile a mejorar la legislación laboral y los programas sociales.

En memoria de este hecho, el reconocido compositor chileno Luis Advis creó la Cantata de Santa María de Iquique, que fuera interpretada por primera vez en 1970 por conjunto Quilapayún. El 21 de diciembre de 2007, Quilapayún se presentará en el acto final del 100 aniversario y ha invitado a Holly para que se una a ellos en el escenario. Ella ha adherido con su firma, junto a cientos de otros artistas y activistas por el cambio social internacionales, a los actos del 100 aniversario.

"Me siento honrada con tan generosas invitaciones por parte de los activistas y artistas por los derechos humanos en Chile", dice Holly.  "Espero con mucho entusiasmo este viaje. Y estoy muy agradecida del trabajo de Karen Anderson y Rosario Castillo, fundadoras de EPES, organización por la salud de las mujeres ubicada en Santiago. Ellas han sido mis contactos claves para con las organizaciones responsables de la planificación de la visita. Espero ver el trabajo de EPES, y unirme nuevamente con Inti Illimani y Quilapayún. Hace ya mucho tiempo que no hacemos música juntos."

Foto de prensa
Para mayor información hollynear.com
Para mayor información sobre EPES www.epes.cl


SOBRE EMMA'S REVOLUTION/PAT HUMPHRIES & SANDY O:

"Audaz, profundo, conmovedor, gracioso y transformador," emma's revolution es un duo de las multipremiadas músicas activistas. Pat Humphries y Sandy O que componen canciones que se transforman en tradiciones. "Si doy tu nombre", su balada del sufrimiento silencioso de los familiares de trabajadores no documentados que murieron en las torres gemelas el 11-S fue otorgado el Gran Premio en la Competencia de Escribir Canciones John Lennon. "Paz, Salaam, Shalom" se canta por todo el mundo y se dice que es el "himno del movimiento anti-guerra" en los Estados Unidos (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/audio/peacesalaamshalom.mp3). "Sigamos paZlante" (Keep on Moving Forward") inauguró el Foro ONG de la Cuarta Conferencia Mundial de la ONU sobre Mujeres en Beijing en 1995, siendo el tema no oficial de la Conferencia (http://www.pathumphries.com/Never_Turning_Back.mp3).

Siguiendo el espíritu de lo que se atribuye a Emma Goldman, "Si no puedo bailar, no quiero ser parte de tu revolución" emmaZs revolution con su levantamiento por la verdad, la esperanza y un cacho de impertinencia saludable, a los conciertos y eventos por la paz y justicia por todo Estados Unidos (inclusive el Campamento Casey con Cindy Sheehan, la protestas contra la Escuela de las Américas en el Fuerte Benning en Georgia y la Marcha del UFPJ (Unidos por la Paz y Justicia) en Washington el 27 de enero del 2007.) Ellas han presentado conciertos por invitación en el World Culture Open (Evento de Cultura del Mundo) en Seoul, Korea y el Festival de Política del Parlamento Escocés. ¡Júntese a la revolución! http://www.emmasrevolution.com

 

 

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Chilean Human Rights Activists, Health Workers and Artists to Honor and Host Holly Near in Chile

"I do not separate my music from my heart, nor do I separate my ideas from my daily life. I open myself up to learning as much as I can about humanity and this mysterious life experience, but I do not relate to political work as 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."

-- Holly Near


December 2007 is the date for the historic visit by Holly Near to Chile. For over 30 years, this singer/songwriter/activist has worked with Latin American artists for social change to protest US-backed dictatorships and police states.   A recognized cultural leader in the United States, Holly Near gives voice to issues that seldom get mainstream attention. In recognition of this work, Holly Near has been invited to Chile for a series of concerts and human rights events this December. Holly will be joined by the duo, Emma's Revolution, photographer Donna Korones and EPES founder, Karen Anderson.

Following Chile's 1973 coup, Near met many exiled Chilean artists - including Inti Illimani, Joan Jara and Quilapayún -- in her travels around the world. She worked with La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley (California) to keep the spirit of Chilean resistance alive and to educate people in the US about the Pinochet dictatorship. These collaborations inspired Holly to write the song Hay Una Mujer Desaparecida, which was to become an anthem of solidarity for US audiences.

Holly Near will reunite with Inti Illimani in Chile on December 7 for a concert at the Lo Blanco stadium in the El Bosque sector of southern Santiago. The concert is being organized by the EPES (Educación Popular en Salud) Foundation, a not-for-profit group working for community health and social justice. The concert, which marks the celebration of EPES 25th anniversary, is also a tribute to Holly's three decades of international solidarity.

Sponsored by the Casa de Cultura  (Cultural Center) and Mayor's office of El Bosque, the concert will gather 1,500 people to join with Holly and Inti Illimani in this celebration of song and solidarity. The concert will also feature the re-launching of the CD Holly recorded with Inti Illimani in 1984.

On December 9, Holly will join human rights activists and relatives of the detenidos-desaparecidos at the Parque por la Paz - better known as Villa Grimaldi -- for the closing ceremony of a year-long initiative to honor and remember the women "disappeared" by the Pinochet dictatorship.  Some 4,500 people were imprisoned in the Villa Grimaldi detention center between 1973 and 1978; most were tortured and 226 are among the desaparecidos who have never been seen again.

Holly Near will also participate in the 100th-year commemoration of the massacre of Santa Maria de Iquique, where some 3,000 striking miners and their families were killed by government troops in the Chilean port city of Iquique. In 1907, workers from northern desert nitrate mines went on strike against deplorable working conditions. Local government authorities sent troops to confront strikers occupying the Santa Maria School, opening fire against the unarmed crowd. This horrific event, which took place on December 21, is now viewed as the catalyst that eventually forced the Chilean government to improve labor laws and social programs.

In memory of this event, renowned Chilean composer Luis Advis wrote the Cantata Santa Maria de Iquique, first performed in 1970 by Quilapayún. On December 21, 2007, Quilapayún will perform at the final concert of the 100th year anniversary and has invited Holly to join them on stage. She has signed on in support of the 100th anniversary events along with hundreds of other social change artists and international activists.

 "I am honored by such generous invitations from human rights activists and artists of Chile," says Holly.  "I look forward to this visit with great enthusiasm. And I appreciate so much the work of Karen Anderson and Rosario Castillo, the founders of the Santiago-based women's health organization EPES. They've been my key link to the organizations responsible for planning this visit. I look forward to seeing the work of EPES, and to reuniting with Inti Illimani and Quilapayún. It's been a long time since we've made music together."

More about Holly Near

A peace activist and advocate for human and civil rights, Holly has linked the multitude of issues refusing the idea of separate "causes."  As part of her work for peace and human rights, Holly is a consummate singer and entertainer.  As both participant and leader, she bears personal witness to the enormously important role that music plays in political action movements.

In 2004, Holly joined Eve Ensler in the Mexican city of Juarez  to march against the uninvestigated killing of hundreds of young women. In Toledo (Ohio), she sat as a witness to the testimony of women reporting rape and other violence against women. Holly helped raise funds for 10,000 Kites, a collaborative anti-war project between young people from Israel and Palestine who, in the spring of 2005, flew kites over the wall that separated them.

In 2006, and once again in 2007, Holly will be among thousands of protesters in Columbus (Georgia) to demand the closure of the infamous School of the Americas, where military police from around the Americas are trained in the methods -- include repression and torture -- used to undermine democracy around the region.

Near's portrait hangs at The Freedom Center in Cincinnati (Ohio) along with those of other social change artists, including Paul Robeson, Marion Anderson, Pete Seeger, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, and Woody Guthrie. She has received numerous awards for her work for social change, including honors from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Lawyers Guild, the National Organization for Women (NOW), NARAL, Ms. Magazine's Woman of the Year Award, and the Legends of Women's Music Award. She was also among the 1,000 PeaceWomen   nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Press photo
For more information see hollynear.com
For information on EPES see www.epes.cl

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Sing To Me The Dream: Un Canto Solidario

More information and sample tracks . . .

In conjunction with my long awaited trip to Chile I have reissued the 1984 live recording SING TO ME THE DREAM with additional material that did not fit on the original “record” and some special bonus tracks that represent solidarity work with Central and Latin American artists.

The concert tour with Inti Illimani was an ambitious coalition project spearheaded by Redwood Records and Jeanne Bradshaw Rizzo from The Great American Music Hall.  Organizations in many cities across the US came together to produce the concert tour. More importantly, the fact the Inti Illimani and I crossed boundaries to work together encouraged organizations to do the same and unusual coalitions were formed that had a long lasting affect on solidarity work in the United States.

The music on this recording reflects the raw, spontaneous nature of the tour. High energy, vibrant emotion, divine creativity, and a united focus on ending the deadly reign of US backed Pinochet leap out of this recording.

A few additional tracks are added to round out this tribute to the influence Central and Latin American artists have had on my life and work.


Live Concert with Holly Near and Inti Illimani 1984

1. TINKU — Traditional
2. GYPSY — Holly Near and Jose Seves
3. TE DOY UNA CANCION — Silvio Rodriguez
4. SING TO ME THE DREAM — Holly Near and Jorge Coulon
5. COLIBRI — Jose Seves
6. EL ARADO — Victor Jara
7. WATCH OUT* — Holly Near
8. LA PAJITA — Gabriela Mistral and Horacio Salinas
9. LA MARUSA — Jorge Ball
10. WE’RE NOT ALONE — Holly Near
11. SHE * — Holly Near
12. MEDLEY: HAY UNA MUJER DESAPARECIDA / VOICES /
IT COULD HAVE BEEN ME * — Holly Near
13. SAMBA LANDO — Horacio Salinas, Patricio Manns and Jose Luis Seves
14. GRACIAS A LA VIDA — Violeta Parra

Studio Recording, 2000

15. HAY UNA MUJER DESAPARECIDA — Holly Near

Live Concert with Holly Near & Mercedes Sosa, 1989

16. THEY DANCE ALONE — Sting
17. TODAVIA CANTAMOS — Victor Heredia

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