Voices United was co-founded by Newton native singer-songwriter Catie Curtis.
VOICES UNITED
We believe music can be a powerful driver of social change and a way to rally like-minded people to an important cause.
has joined forces with
WHY AMERICANS UNITED?
Americans United for Separation of Church and State (www.au.org) is a 65-year-old organization that is the leading defender of the Constitution’s guarantee that America will remain a democracy and not become a theocracy run according to anybody’s religious agenda. Our current efforts include:
- Challenging attempts to define marriage and family based on narrow theology
- Supporting the provision of contraception to all women
- Preventing religious leaders from electioneering from the pulpit
- Insisting that candidates and elected officials support the public good, not a narrow religious agenda
- Defending a strong public school system that welcomes all children
- Opposing the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize discriminatory religious schools and “faith-based” ministries
to engage a series of grassroots concerts across the country, September 28 - October 1, 2012
Boston-area performances include
Medford, MA
September 29, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
$15 suggested donation
Newton , MA
Newton Lower Falls, MA
See http://www.voicesunitedconcerts.com/ for additional regional and national events.
WHY VOICES UNITED?
We believe music can be a powerful driver of social change and a way to rally like-minded people to an important cause.
WHY AMERICANS UNITED?
Americans United for Separation of Church and State (www.au.org) is a 65-year-old organization that is the leading defender of the Constitution’s guarantee that America will remain a democracy and not become a theocracy run according to anybody’s religious agenda. Our current efforts include:
- Challenging attempts to define marriage and family based on narrow theology
- Supporting the provision of contraception to all women
- Preventing religious leaders from electioneering from the pulpit
- Insisting that candidates and elected officials support the public good, not a narrow religious agenda
- Defending a strong public school system that welcomes all children
- Opposing the use of taxpayer dollars to subsidize discriminatory religious schools and “faith-based” ministries
WHAT ARE THE GOALS?
We seek to raise the visibility of church-state separation and rally Americans to stand in support of this threatened constitutional principle. This production will also help raise funds for Americans United, a uniquely valuable and effective organization. It is essential for AU to keep doing what it does best: represent in court persons who are targets of religious oppression by government officials, stand up for individual freedom in Congress and the state legislatures and speak out in the media and other public forums.
WHAT OTHER EVENTS HAS AMERICANS UNITED PRODUCED?
Several years ago, Americans United co-produced a two-hour live audience show in Washington, D.C., then aired it in dozens of movie theaters coast to coast; it is now available on DVD. The program was called “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Separation of Church and State – But Were Afraid to Ask" (props to Woody Allen for the title). It included musicians Roy Zimmerman and Catie Curtis, comedian Marc Maron and actors Kevin Bacon, Jack Klugman, Dan Lauria and Wendie Malick along with interviews by Peter Coyote of AU clients and other religious freedom advocates.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Want to get involved? Great! Here’s what you can do:
Perform: We still need performers! If you’re interested, go here.
Host: Hold a concert in your home or a larger venue. There are a still a few states without concerts, but even if yours isn’t one, we have room for more. Please fill out this form if you want to host.
Attend: Please sign up for our email list. We will be opening concerts for registration in mid-August and we will send RSVP instructions via email. House concerts will each have a tax-deductible suggested donation that will be collected at the door of the event. There are several club concerts that are selling tickets in advance - click the "Get Tickets" button next to your concert to confirm the reservation method.
Create a Video: We want to know why you support church-state separation! Tell us why in a video, upload it to YouTube, email us the link and we may feature it on our website, Facebook and Twitter! Visit this page for more information, examples and sample scripts to use if you are at a loss for words.
Spread the Word: Use social media. Tell your friends. We’ll help you help us by providing talking points.
LOGISTICS
How will performers be matched up with venues?
If you are a performer willing to donate a concert around the weekend of Sept 28-30, email Catie.
Will I get promotional credit?
If you are a manager of one or more artists, we’d like to give your agency credit in all the publicity about the events. If you have multiple venues you have an interest in promoting you’ll also get national credit.
Who is producing all of this?
Singer/songwriter Catie Curtis and record producer/musician John Jennings.
Is this a partisan or political event?
No. Americans United is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization and does not endorse or oppose candidates. There will, of course, be some discussion of the issues we deal with, but there will be no partisan content. We will not accept funding from any PAC or political party.
ABOUT
Voices United
Since the founding of America, singers, songwriters and performers have been a powerful force for social justice. On September 28 - October 1, 2012, Americans United for Separation of Church and State is sponsoring Voices United for Separation of Church and State, a nationwide weekend of musical events to celebrate – and defend – the vital principle of church-state separation. Entertainers in all 50 states will participate in house concerts and shows at larger venues to bring people together on behalf of our First Amendment freedoms.
Americans United
Americans United for Separation of Church and State represents members and supporters in all 50 states. We come from different religious, political and philosophical viewpoints, but we share a common commitment to church-state separation and individual freedom. Americans United wants to share our message through music, bring together artists to perform at house concerts all across the country, and major concert events in at least six cities. For more about Americans United visit our web site at www.au.org.
John Jennings
Voices United's major concert events are being coordinated by musician/producer John Jennings, a guitarist whose decades-long career spans several genres with top performers. John has produced or performed on albums by Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Indigo Girls, Cheryl Wheeler, George Jones, and a host of others. We are pleased that John is joining with Voices United to produce our major events. Look for more information about the events as it becomes available.
Catie Curtis
When the singer-songwriter movement boomed in the mid-‘90s, Catie Curtis was at its forefront. Now a veteran artist with an 18-year career, Curtis has recorded 11 critically acclaimed solo albums and has had songs featured in numerous TV shows, including “Dawson’s Creek,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Alias,” as well as in films such as “500 Miles to Graceland” and “A Slipping Down Life.” She won the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition, several Boston Music Awards and has garnered critical praise along with a loyal fan base. Since the release of her 11th album, Stretch Limousine on Fire, in 2011, Curtis has continued to tour extensively, playing venues ranging from Chicago’s legendary Old Town School of Folk Music to the White House. All this makes Catie a perfect choice for coordinating the more than 50 House Concerts planned by Voices United.
Catie is lending her talents to Voices United for Separation of Church and State because she believes in the cause of freedom of conscience and the right of all Americans to live their lives free from government-imposed dogma. Catie agrees with Americans United that for religion to be meaningful, it must be freely chosen. The right to believe – or not – as you see fit is the cornerstone of American liberty. Through Voices United, Catie is proud to be working with Americans of all stripes, lifting our voices high in a celebration of freedom.
