Fallen Friends for cousin Peter

Fallen Friends for my cousin Peter

On April 4th 1989 my cousin Peter VanderPutten lost his life to AIDS.  I lived with him in his wonderful guest house The Cypress House in Key West.  Like so many of the people around me, we were all consumed with the loss and devastation.  Today I especially like to remember Peter and want to share my song Fallen Friends with you. As we remember let's not forget that AIDS is still ravaging the world. 

It's a free download.

Fallen Friends_Cathy_Grier.mP3 

FALLEN FRIENDS words and music by Cathy Grier SESAC singerfish publishing 

 

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Fallen Friends Words/Music-C. Grier Sesac Singerfish Publishing

Where Have My Friends Gone

They Have All Fallen

Where Are My Many Fallen Friends

I keep Thinking

I Hope They Are Somewhere

Where No Anger Resides And There's No Hate

Where No One Decides What's Wrong Or Right

Before Its Too Late

 

Where Have My Friends Gone

Last I Looked They Were Healthy And Funny, But

Where Are My Many Fallen Friends

I Keep Looking Again

 

And They're Falling

My Falling, Falling Friends

My Falling, Falling Friends

 

Some Saw Denial

And Their Lifestyles On Trial

Some Tried To Say

Why Has The Government Looked Far Away

Numbered Days Are All Gone

 

And They're Falling

Falling Falling Lovers, Falling Men

Falling Women, My Falling Friends

 

And What We Are Missing

By Not Taking A Stand

Are The Many Numbers Too Afraid To Lend A Hand

And There's Such A Demand

Lives That Are Cut Short

And It Doesn't Make Sense

Why Can't We, Why Can't We Rise Up

And Help Find A Cure, Others Aren't Sure

 

And They're Falling, Falling Lovers, Falling Men

Falling Women, My Falling Friends 

And They're Falling Children

Falling Lovers, Falling Men, Falling Women, My Falling Friends

 

Will The Falling Ever End

"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" - A Tribute To Marriage Equality.

I met Sarah Kilborne and Ryder performing last night at a benefit in Hudson NY for Child Advocacy.          

They sang Yes Sir That's My Baby and shared their desire to "Kiss Inequality Goodbye" 5 days from now the Supreme Court will begin a historical debate. One I believe will come down on the right side of history ending DOMA, allowing equality in marriage for all. Nothing like the power of song to say it best.  

video made of Sarah and Ryder of Missy Mister by Johannes Courtens

Read Sarah's writing I discovered on Huffington Post:

by Sarah S. Kilborne Writer (author American Phoenix), historian, musician (Missy Mister) and editor

The Supreme Kiss: Let's Kiss Inequality Goodbye

In the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." But not all Americans are at liberty to live their lives openly or pursue happiness to its furthest and fullest conclusion,

We can help change that.

Much has been written about the history of marriage, and soon much more will be added. Five weeks from now the Supreme Court will begin to consider marriage equality in this country. March 26, 2013, inaugurates a historic moment in the history of the United States when, for the first time, the highest court in the land will hear arguments on the constitutionality of marriage rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

These will be groundbreaking days. A generation ago America was not ready for marriage equality, but today is a different story, with a November 2012 CBS News poll showing that 51 percent of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage.

Let's show the Supreme Court that we are indeed ready to evolve and embrace another chapter in civil rights. While the lawyers are making their cases, let's make our own.

On March 26, kiss someone you love, and share your kiss with the world. Text it, tweet it, post it. Tell everyone, "I kiss for equality!"

Throughout time and across borders, giving a kiss has been a symbol of support, love, friendship, peace, respect and union. Couples unite at the altar with a kiss. Heads of state kiss to show understanding and accord. Adversaries kiss to "make up" and restore harmony. Friends kiss to greet one another "hello."

On March 26, kiss your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, lover, partner, son, daughter, mother, father, colleague or friend, and do so with a consciousness that you are supporting equal rights for all.

Kisses are free. Civil rights should be too.

In his second inaugural address, President Obama said something profound: "We are made for this moment." And we are!

On March 26, show the Supreme Court that you believe in equality for all.

Kiss for peace. Kiss for justice. Kiss for history.

Gay rights are civil rights, and love is a universal right.

Together, let's kiss inequality goodbye!

join my newsletter for all the latest news 

 

"Comin' Back to Me" w/ Dan Kleederman live at Club Helsinki

I invited bassist Dan Kleederman to join me for the wonderful opportunity to support a great cause, a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity in Hudson, NY at Club Helsinki. Dan and I were the opening act. It was a great night that featured great musicians who also call Hudson home: Tommy Stinson, Melora Creager, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Melissa Auf der Mauer. Hence the name for the benefit Home Bass: 4 Strings, 4 Hearts. It was fun performing with another musician on stage.

 

Comin' Back To Me words and music by Cathy Grier SESAC singerfish publishing

10 years ago

10 years ago today we went to war in Iraq.  Under false pretenses, under fear of weapons of mass destruction, since proven never existed as a threat.  I was against it all, still am.  I wrote, I sang, I joined New Yorkers Say NO To War.  I marched.

Today even through my cynical and sad eyes, I can still honor all the fallen, all the victims on all sides, all the heros. men, women, the National Guard members who were swept up into the non-debate of a non-draft country and government which remembered what happened when it's citizens rose up against another misbegotten war in Vietnam. I saw through the slick, tricky, slippery slope creation of "Military Contractors" who were making more money in 1 year than countless US soldiers combined.  And the corporations who really are the  financial "winners" in this human tragedy never could be won war.

I still believe our US entitlement throughout the world is hurting us all.  I continue to support efforts of diplomacy in the name of peace.  You may say I'm a dreamer, but without dreams what's life for?

Here's a song for today.  My song "Dedicate"

10 years ago today peace was still an option, download free Dedicate,  I dedicate my life to peace. Can you dedicate? 

 

E-Waste events in NYC this Spring

Spring Electronic Waste Recycling Events

Spring (cleaning) is here and the Lower East Side Ecology Center is helping you clear old and unwanted electronics out of your closets without trashing the environment! Drop-off your tech gear at locations in all five boroughs during March, April and May to have it responsibly recycled.

A list of acceptable materials can be found here and we accept electronics from households, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses. We do not accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, or air conditioners and we also do not accept carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

We know that data security is important to, well, everyone and you can find out more about which recyclers we work with and how we handle data-containing devices in our FAQs.

All events will be held rain or shine.

Spring 2013 Events

March 16, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

5th Avenue between Douglass and Sterling Streets, Brooklyn, NY 11217

March 17, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Sephardic Community Center, 1901 Ocean Parkway (at Avenue S), Brooklyn, NY 11223

April 06, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Tekserve, 119 West 23rd Street (between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenues), New York, NY 10011

April 07, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY 10306 

April 07, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Delancey Street (north side) between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets, New York, NY 10002

April 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Maria Hernandez Park, Knickerbocker Avenue between Starr Street and Suydam Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

April 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Habana Outpost, Fulton Street between South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

April 14, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Landmark Courthouse, Third Avenue and Brook Avenue, Melrose, Bronx, NY 10451

April 14, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway between Manhattan College Parkway and Post Road, Bronx 10471 

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Old Stone House/JJ Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Poly Prep Country Day School, 9216 Seventh Avenue (b/w 92nd St and Poly Pl), Brooklyn, NY 11228

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

St. George Day, Victory Boulevard and Bay Street, St. George, Staten Island 10301

April 21, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Amsterdam Avenue between West 74th and West 75th Streets, New York, NY 10023

April 27, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

P.S. 101Q, Standish Road between Slocum Crescent & Childrens Lane, Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375

May 19, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Stuyvesant Town, 14th Street Loop, enter at 14th St & Ave A, New York, NY 10009

Special Offers

Tekserve is offering recyclers a "Green Karma" Coupon worth between $5 and $500 off any products or services from Tekserve and entry into a raffle to win a MacBook Air.

Zipcar is offering existing Zipcar members a $15 driving credit for bringing electronics to these events.

The spring 2013 events are sponsored by Tekserve.

 

We would like to thank the following partners for being involved in the spring 2013 collection events:

Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Bushwick Eco Action Network (BEAN), Councilmembers Gale Brewer and Rosie Mendez, Department of Parks and Recreation, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Habana Outpost, Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Nos Quedamos, Park Slope Civic Council, Poly Prep Country Day School, P.S. 101Q and the P.S. 101Q PTA, Sephardic Community Center, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, Tekserve

 

Here's a clip I made from a trip to an E-Waste drive:

NYC Recycle tips + E-Waste events

 

  
Throughout the year the Lower Eastside Ecology Center sets up E-Waste drives at multiple NYC locations. The next Electronic Waste Recycling Day is April 06, 2013 10:00am - 4:00pm  
at Tekserve  119 West 23rd Street (between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue), New York, NY 10011  
info@lesecologycenter.org
Here's a link to find out what you can bring to these events. 

 

Remember the 3 R's Reduce, ReUse and ReCycle

I love the Broadway Green Alliance and what they are doing little by little to make a huge effort in not only how theatrical sets are recycled, but how to change day to day habits, helping to reduce the enormous amount of waste we produce in NYC and beyond. Read more below and consider joining (it's free).  also connect with Rebekah Sale, rsale@broadwaygreen.com who can fill you in on all you need to know and how to become an active recycler. It will change your life.

I've been saving chip bags wondering where I can recycle them, read on.  Corks? you bet. Batteries?  No one should consider throwing into waste bin.  EVER! So here's the deal, yes it takes a little effort and maybe a visit to one of the drop off locations, but BGA is working hard to make it easy for us all. Boradway Green Alliance office is located at W. 46 St., #1312, 13th Fl.. I love their newsletter so much I want to share it, so read on.....

Dear friends of the Broadway Green Alliance,

  • Trying to find a better way to dispose of batteries, corks, toner cartridges, or old makeup containers? The BGA operates more than a dozen collection bins for items like these to make sure they get properly recycled or even up-cycled. We also operate a binder exchange and twice yearly electronic waste and textile collections in Times Square.  See below for a complete list of our collections.

Broadway Green Alliance Collections

Batteries 

Rechargeable: Recycled through the 4th Bin (4thbin.org).  Collected at the Gershwin (242 W. 51 St.) and Minskoff (200 W. 45 St.) Theatre Stage Doors.

Regular: Recycled through WeRecycle! (werecycle.com)  Collected at our twice yearly E-waste events in Times Square (January and July) or at the BGA office (165 W. 46 St., #1312, 13th Fl.) year-round.

Binders 

All kinds and sizes are accepted at this exchange; great for readings and workshops! You can drop off or pick up as many as you need.  Collected at the BGA Office and soon at Actors' Equity too (165 W. 46 St. -- 15th Fl.).

Bottle caps, plastic

Recycled through Aveda (aveda.com).  Accepted at the BGA office or at any Aveda store.

(Please note: metal bottle caps are recyclable through NYC Residential recycling or by all theater waste haulers)

Candy wrappers 

Upcycled through Terracycle (terracycle.net). Collected at the Majestic Theatre (247 W. 44 St.).

Individual candy wrappers, large candy bags and multi-pack candy bags.

Chip bags 

Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Majestic Theatre.

Any size, brand, style of chip bag.

Cleaner Packaging

Upcycled through TerraCycle (see terracycle.net for complete list of accepted items). Collected at BC/EFA (165 W. 46, Suite #1300, 13 Fl.).  Pumps, triggers, pouches, and flexible cleaner product packaging.

Corks

Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Gershwin, Majestic, and Minskoff Theatres

All natural or synthetic corks as well as cork stops.

Electronic waste (e-waste) 

Recycled through WeRecycle! Smaller items collected at the BGA office year-round or wait for our twice yearly drives.

Inkjets

Upcycled through TerraCycle. All Inkjets accepted. Collected at BC/EFA.

Makeup containers  

Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Imperial (249 W. 45 St.) Theatre.

See terracycle.net for a complete list. Includes most tubes, bottles, jars, cases and old makeup.

Stuffers --cast change notices for Playbill insertion.

Upcycled into scrap pads through Genie Printing by the BGA. Contact the BGA to drop off boxes of stuffers.  

Textiles 

Recycled by Wearable Collections (wearablecollections.com).  Collected at the BGA office, at Actors' Equity--14th Floor Credit Union, and Local 764 Wardrobe Union year-round. Or bring to our twice yearly Textile Drives in Duffy Square (March and September).

Toner Cartridges 

Upcycled through TerraCycle.  See terracycle.net for a full list. Collected at BC/EFA. 

Some Brother, Canon, Dell, Panasonic, Xerox, Apple and all HP types of toner cartridges accepted.  

Writing Instruments 

Upcycled through TerraCycle. Collected at the BGA office.

Pens, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, permanent markers, and all related caps.

Thank you for being a member of the Broadway Green Alliance!

Please contact us with any issues, questions, or green ideas.

Rebekah Sale, rsale@broadwaygreen.com

 

  

annual Music Under NY applications due 3/20

Just a reminder to musicians interested in applying for the Music Under NY program. The auditions are held once a year and applications are due postmarked no later than March 20th.

For more information

Here's a clip I made from judging last years auditions.

Save the date for the 2013 audtions held in Grand Central Monday May 13th 9am-3:30pm, it's a wonderful event worth attending.

American Music Project

I;m giving this space to the American Music Project created by Eric Santagada and Marie Sullivan. I met Eric at a concert I performed in in Hudson, NY to benefit Habitat For Humanity.  He talked about this project and I was intrigued.

I look forward to following Eric and Marie on their musical journey and I hope you will too.

from Eric Santagada and Marie Sullivan:

We are travelling across the country, documenting the best music scenes in America.  The American Music Project - Every city has a sound.

We made this video for our Kickstarter fundraising campaign –  It explains what we are doing.

 

We will spend one month in each city, living out of the AMPmobile (our  van converted into a studio), documenting festivals, popular venues, street performers, and more.  We will produce videos, photographs, and the AMP Blog to tell our story. Our content will be shared using social media.

Everything will be available, for free, on this webpage.

We have successfully raised $9,000 for our first installment -  Nashville, New Orleans, and Austin TX.  We are using the money for our vehicle expenses, additional recording equipment, and for baseline living expenses.  We hope that merchandise sales and sponsorships will allow us to become self-sustainable.

Our content will take four forms:

Videos

To make you feel like you are there.    ”Welcome to Nashville,” “SXSW,” “Street Performers of New Orleans,” etc.

Photography

Concerts, Portraits, Cityscapes, Behind-the-scenes, etc. to give you a closer look.

The AMP Blog

To chronicle our adventures and insights.

Social Media

We will connect you to our journey, in real-time, using Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, etc.

In the future, we hope to cover more cities, building a rich resource and community for music lovers across America.  Consider following us on Facebook and Twitter, or signing up for updates to the right!

If you know any music lovers in these cities that may be interested in talking to us, please connect us!   We may also need an occasional couch to surf on.

Feel free to email us any time at  info (at) americanmusicproject.org.

Welcome to the American Music Project!

Harry Belafonte

From Democracy Now February 18, 2013

Along with his rise to worldwide stardom, the musician and actor Harry Belafonte has been deeply involved in social activism for decades. One of Dr. Martin Luther King’s closest confidants, Belafonte helped organize the March on Washington in 1963. On Friday, the NAACP awarded Belafonte their highest honor, the Spingarn Medal. "Numerous strategies in the quest of our freedom have been played out at all levels of the social spectrum," Belafonte says in his acceptance speech. "What is missing I think from the equation in our struggle today is that we must unleash radical thought... America has never been moved to perfect our desire for greater democracy without radical thinking and radical voices being at the helm of any such a quest." 

more Harry

My One Billion Rising

15 years ago Eve Ensler's play the Vagina Monologues turned into V-Day, a campaign to end violence against women and girls. 15 years later she created One Billion Rising, proving 1 person can get 1 billion people to rise up and say stop it, no more violence.  Today we pledge to do something to make non violence a reality. I am proud to have been there 15 years ago and proud today as the movement continues.

I performed on the steps of ABC carpet + home as a One Billion Rising flashmob arrived.  Deepak Chopra spoke passionately about the importance of this movement.  A truly amazing moment for me to be sharing his energy and wisdom. Later I went to Hammerstein Ballroom for the big 4 hour NYC event.  It was videoed and you can watch it here. My performance comes in at 3:12. 


Deepak Chopra excites the crowd saying "a new revolution for humanity," on the steps of ABC carpet + Home before I sang my song Rise Up

flashmob outside ABC carpet + Home

Hammerstein Ballroom One Billion Rising event

photos by Nousha Salimi

tonight in Hudson NY 1 Billion Rising

Tonight another One Billion Rising event will occur @8pm for my friends in Columbia County NY, I'll be performing my song at Stageworks 41 Cross Street, Hudson, NY during a fund raiser for The REACH Center  and One Billion Rising. The event features the play The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. I will be also perform musical interludes throughout the play. For tickets please call the Stageworks box office at: 518-822-9667 or use the link here to directly purchase tickets 

Yesterday was a perfect day in NYC with One Billion Rising.  I sang in Grand Central then rushed to Hammerstein Ballroom for my sound check where I had an amazing dressing room vocal slam with the incredible Myah Azucena. Then I stood on the steps of ABC Home as a flashmob led by brass instruments and drums and dancing people surrounded us.  Deepak Chopra spoke a deeply heartfelt and empowering blessing and then I sang my song Rise Up. The energy was fantastic. Then off to Hammerstein for the big event.

Happy V-Day One Billion Rise UP!

Happy Valentine's Day, Happy V-Day Happy One Billion Rising Day to end violence around the globe. 

Today something extraordinary is occurring. Today will be amplified by the power of the people uniting. You might be a part of it as I am, or you might hear about it in the news or from a friend, but what is happening is tangible, it's the connected energies of people globally expressing an intention. To end violence. Stop abuse. 

I am honored that V-Day.org has featured my song today on the One Billion Rising website.  You can listen and download here

15 years ago I was on the crew at the first V-Day event at Hammerstein Ballroom NYC.  Back then we had no idea how Eve Ensler's poignant and culture shifting play The Vagina Monologues would turn into a global movement.

15 years ago. V-Day.org was born and has since raised more than $90 million to end violence towards women.

15 years ago I met the love of my life and so we  too celebrate 15 years. Celebrating One Billion Rising is a wonderful way to honor our 15 years and Eve Ensler who introduced us.  Happy Anniversary!

Tonight I'll be performing my song 'Rise Up' on the same stage that 15 years ago helped release the first V-Day out into the world.

Tony award winning playwright Eve Ensler says "We cannot keep working day after day when millions of women and girls are battered around the world. this is the moment when we escalate and amplified by our efforts, where we get bold and dangerous and disruptive and say no more.  Where we celebrate the fact that we are women and we have bodies and we have a right to walk and be anywhere on this planet anytime and be safe and free." 

Watch the clip I made of Eve and what Inspires her.

Megan Sparkman - logo - risenyc.jpg
Megan Sparkman - logo - I_love_NY.jpeg

poster + logo by Megan Sparkman

Rise Up One Billion Rising song

I wrote this song about Eve Ensler and the One Billion Rising movement Thursday February 14th

  • Breaking news I'll be performing onstage at Hammerstein Ballroom for the One Billion Rising event Thursday link to tickets

You can listen and download here

2012-02- CG V-day t-shirt image_2.jpg

Rise Up, One Billion Rising words and music by Cathy Grier

Join me Thursday in NYC and in Hudson NY on Friday 15th where I'll be the musical guest at Stageworks + REACH Production of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues

Megan Sparkman - logo - I_love_NY.jpeg

 logo by Megan Sparkman

One Billion Rising February 14th! What's it all about?  

Mariachi Flor de Toloache

A recent member of the "Music Under New York" community, Mariachi Flor de Toloache is the only female mariachi group in NYC! They are awesome! Check them out at http://www.mariachinyc.com/.

Intro and Outro music by C. Grier "Comin' Back to Me" and "Noodle #1(Question of Desire" singerfish publishing SESAC

edited by Dan Kleederman

2013 MUNY applications due March 20th

It's that time again for the annual Music Under New York auditions held once annually.  

Follow the information and applications postmarked by March 20th

Music Under New York

Auditions

Every Spring, Music Under New York (MUNY) presents a day of auditions in Grand Central Terminal to review and add new performers to the MUNY roster. This year, MUNY held its annual auditions in May on the Northeast Balcony of the Grand Central Terminal. Here are some photos captured during the audition.

Application Process

To obtain an Audition Application Form, which is available January through March, please contact MUNY at 212-878-4678 or print it from the MUNY website.

To join MUNY, musicians and performers must apply for the auditions and submit a package of information, which includes the MUNY Audition Application form. To obtain an Audition Application form, which is available January through March, please contact MUNY at 212-878-4678 or print it from the MUNY website. For consideration, please prepare a package with the completed Application Form, a sample of your performance on CD or DVD and/or optional items such as a bio, resume, press clippings or reviews and mail it to:

MTA MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK

341 Madison Avenue, 5th Fl.

New York, NY 10017

The Audition application packages are due in the MUNY office no later than March 20th.

All performers are welcome to apply for the audition. Packages will be reviewed and approximately 60 eligible performers will be contacted and invited to perform at the auditions, which are held live, one-day only, and open to public. A panel of professionals, consisting of representatives from the music industry, cultural institutions, MTA station operations, fellow musicians and others, will judge each of the five minute performances during the audition based on the criteria of quality, variety, and appropriateness for the mass transit environment.

here's a clip I made of the 2011 auditions:

One Billion Rising 02-14-13

The ONE BILLION RISING campaign began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, V-Day’s 15th anniversary, activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities and women and men across the world will come together to express their outrage, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.  

"Dancing insists we take up space, and though it has no set direction, we go there together. Dance is dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive, and contagious and it breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere, at anytime, with anyone and everyone, and it's free. Dance joins us and pushes us to go further and that is why it's at the center of ONE BILLION RISING," said Eve Ensler, V-Day Founder and Artistic Director. “With beautiful music and infectious lyrics from Tena Clark, amazing vocals by a talented group of V-Girls, and Debbie Allen’s bold choreography, Break The Chain is sure to inspire women and men worldwide to rise.”

The campaign is growing every day in the lead up to February 14, 2013, with women and men around the world signing on. To date, thousands of activists, over 13,000 organizations around the globe, and 176 countries have committed to participate and hold events.  From the International Rescue Committee, to NOW to the AFL-CIO, to OXFAM Australia, to Sangat South Asia and Lila Pilipina, to Amnesty International USA, thousands of organizations are spreading the word amongst their millions of members in an effort to make the campaign the largest volunteer mass action ever.

V-Day’s short campaign film ONE BILLION RISING, shot and edited by South African filmmaker Tony Stroebel, has been viewed and shared over 170,000 times since launching this fall. Celebrities including Jessica Alba, Connie Britton, Anne Hathaway, Donna Karan, Jennifer Lawrence, Dylan McDermott, Riley Keough, Thandie Newton, Yoko Ono, Laura Pausini, Robert Redford, Charlize Theron, Lily Tomlin, Kerry Washington, Ruby Wax, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Monique Wilson, and Zoe Kravitz, are all actively working to raise awareness about the campaign and recording PSAs to inspire others to sign on.

Ensler kicks-off a multi-city tour with stops in Mexico City, Lima, and Guatemala City to meet with officials and activists. Governments and politicians around the world are already supporting ONE BILLION RISING. From the First Lady of Nepal to the Mayor of Lima, from the Los Angeles City Council to British MP Stella Creasy, from officials in Santa Fe to France, around the world leaders are joining the campaign.

Regional coordinators are working around the clock, building grassroots coalitions. From Iran to Fiji, from Hong Kong to Guatemala, the reach of the campaign is already upwards of hundreds of millions of individuals. Renowned writers and thinkers including Alice Walker, Adam Hochschild, Naomi Klein, Dr. Denis Mukwege, and Christiane Northrup are supporting the effort. Every day the campaign grows, and more women and men are committing to rise together on February 14, 2013.

Individuals and organizations can get involved with ONE BILLION RISING by:

V-DAY’S ONE BILLION RISING CAMPAIGN SONG AND MUSIC VIDEO:
“BREAK THE CHAIN”

Written by Renowned Producer Tena Clark, Featuring Dancer and Choreographer Debbie Allen, and Directed by Tony Stroebel, New Video to Spread Awareness of Global Campaign

ONE BILLION RISING Campaign Escalates with 176 Countries and Over 13,000 Organizations Signed on to Support Global Day of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls

NEW YORK – V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls, unveiled an exclusive new song and music video to support its ONE BILLION RISING campaign.  “Break the Chain,” written and produced by Tena Clark with music by Tena Clark and Tim Heintz, debuted world-wide (November 19, 2012).

Directed and shot by South African filmmaker Tony Stroebel in New York City, “Break the Chain” spotlights a cast of V-Girl dancers and activists from around the City, led by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen (“So You Think You Can Dance,” “Fame”).  The song features moving vocals by Liz Byrne, Shelea Frazier, Ashley Juedy, Dana Kluczyk, Jenny Mollett, Jenna Brooke Scannelli, Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa, Naomi Walley, and Caitlin Witty. 

“Break the Chain,” aims to raise awareness around the world about V-Day’s fastest escalating global campaign to date, ONE BILLION RISING.  V-Day will create a “how to” video, featuring choreographer Debbie Allen, and accompanying curriculum outlining the steps and lyrics, so that activists around the world can hold their own flash mobs using “Break the Chain” on February 14, 2013.

About V-Day

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler's award winning play The Vagina Monologues and other artistic works. In 2012, over 5,800 V-Day benefit events organized by volunteer activists in the U.S. took place around the world educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $90 million; educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it; crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns; reopened shelters; and funded over 13,000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. Over 300 million people have seen a V-Day benefit event in their community. V-Day has received numerous acknowledgements includingWorth Magazine's 100 Best Charities, Marie Claire Magazine's Top Ten Charities, one of the Top-Rated organizations on Philanthropedia/Guidestar and Great Nonprofits. www.vday.org

 

Here's my clip of the song I wrote honoring Eve Ensler and the One Billion Rising campaign and why I'm Rising on February 14th

 

One Billion Rising Campaign

In response to more than a billion women who experience violence on the planet, playwright Eve Ensler and her amazing V-Day organization have created One Billion Rising. On February 14th, I'm joining V-Day in a global strike to demand an end to the violence. I honor Eve Ensler, she inspires me everyday. She travels the globe in pursuit of ending violence towards women and girls. V-Day contributions create safe houses, schools, education and much more.

Inspired by Eve and One Billion Rising I wrote a song called Rise Up. It is featured on the One Billion Rising website

On the 14th, I'll be performing in NYC's Grand Central Station mezzanine 12-3pm (above 4/5/6 platforms + near shuttle corridor). At 6:00 pm I'll join a group in Union Square march towards ABC Home and perform my song on the steps of the shore. Later at Hammerstein Ballroom an amazing party 8pm-12am will take place (more info here). 

Also on Friday the 15th @8pm for my friends in Columbia County NY, I'll be performing my song at Stageworks 41 Cross Street, Hudson, NY during a fund raiser for The REACH Center  and One Billion Rising. The event features the play The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. I will be also perform musical interludes throughout the play. For tickets please call the Stageworks box office at: 518-822-9667 or use the link here to directly purchase tickets 

 

words and music by Cathy Grier

One Billion Rising

I'm here to tell a story

something precious and fine

about a woman who made a difference in our lives

She's got a new plan

we're gonna make a stand

one billion rising up to end violence across the land

Rise. Rise Up   

Rise, One Billion Rising

mothers fathers, sisters brothers 

sons and daughters rising up, we're gonna rise up high

lifting our heads, waving our hands 

making a choice to raise our voices across the land

Rise. Stand up    

Rise, One Billion Rising

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The ONE BILLION RISING campaign began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, V-Day’s 15th anniversary, activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities and women and men across the world will come together to express their outrage, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.  

"Dancing insists we take up space, and though it has no set direction, we go there together. Dance is dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive, and contagious and it breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere, at anytime, with anyone and everyone, and it's free. Dance joins us and pushes us to go further and that is why it's at the center of ONE BILLION RISING," said Eve Ensler, V-Day Founder and Artistic Director. “With beautiful music and infectious lyrics from Tena Clark, amazing vocals by a talented group of V-Girls, and Debbie Allen’s bold choreography, Break The Chain is sure to inspire women and men worldwide to rise.”

The campaign is growing every day in the lead up to February 14, 2013, with women and men around the world signing on. To date, thousands of activists, over 13,000 organizations around the globe, and 176 countries have committed to participate and hold events.  From the International Rescue Committee, to NOW to the AFL-CIO, to OXFAM Australia, to Sangat South Asia and Lila Pilipina, to Amnesty International USA, thousands of organizations are spreading the word amongst their millions of members in an effort to make the campaign the largest volunteer mass action ever.