Freedom Sings

If you are in the Washington, DC area on April 27th, you might want to take part in a magical night; "Freedom Sings - A Celebration of Free Speech in Music" at 7:30pm in the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC.

Mary Chapin Carpenter will receive the “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech in Music Award from the Newseum’s First Amendment Center and the Americana Music Association. "Freedom Sings” will include a conversation with Mary about her music and career, and will feature guest musical performances by Grammy Award-winning artists Judy Collins and Rodney Crowell.

This award recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech through their music and other efforts. Prior recipients include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels and Steve Earle. In the past it has been bestowed during the Americana Honors and Awards; this year marks a departure as it becomes a standalone event in a brand new place.

Tickets for the performance are $25 ($20 for Newseum and Americana Music Association members) and are on sale now at the Newseum website or at their ticket desk. Proceeds support First Amendment education and the work of the Americana Music Association.

Mary Chapin Carpenter is also releasing a new album that day, The Age Of Miracles, which she has been working on since 2007. The CD is a personal exploration of regret and resilience but also a larger, more universal expression of wonder at the times we are living in.

-Music Fog