The Sound of Solidarity: Intergenerational Concert at La Peña

Join us for an inspiring evening of live performances and intergenerational dialogue hosted by Holly Near, celebrating and empowering feminist / femme / gender fluid musicians in the Bay Area. Experience the transformative power of music as artists from diverse backgrounds come together to share their stories and talents. It will be a night of music, community solidarity and empowerment, offering meaningful conversations that will inspire change and foster unity throughout the night.

Friday, July 12th, 2024 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Doors Open at 6:30 PM)

Tickets:

• Pre-sale General Admission: $25
• Door General Admission: $30
• Student Discounts Available!

Get Involved: Sign up to volunteer and enjoy the show for FREE!

Featured Musicians:

(she-her): Diana is a singer, guitarist, pianist, composer, songwriter, music instructor and social justice activist, based in California. She was born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, México and immigrated to the United States as a teenager to study music in Michigan. Over the last decade in the Bay Area she has released two albums of original songs written in Spanish and English, and Mexican classic songs. In 2014 Diana received the Emerging Leader Award by the Chicana/Latina Foundation. In 2015 she was named one of YBCA’s 100: creative minds, makers, and pioneers that are asking the questions and making the provocations that will shape the future of American culture. NPR Music gave Diana an honorable mention to Arrullo in best Latin albums of the year in 2017. Diana was named one of SF Magazine’s 100 Artists: Artists Putting The East Bay On The Map, in 2018.

Website: dianagameros.com

Djérae Lucas (he-him): DjeRae is a dynamic and insightful artist who uses his music, composition, lyricism, and creativity to explore themes of love, identity, grief, and healing. As a Black Gender Transcendent person, DjeRae believes it is his responsibility to use his work to create opportunities that support the holistic freedom of Black Queer People. He uses his organization the Underground Rainbow Group to help creatives reframe and embrace their creative processes.

Watch Djérae's performance at La Peña's Empowering People of Color Open Mic (2023)

(she-her): Mia Pixley is a clinical psychologist, mother, composer, and musical artist who uses her cello, voice, and performance to study and represent aspects of self and other, community, and the natural world. Mia has performed on GRAMMY award-winning albums (Fantastic Negrito), off-broadway musicals (Futurity), and in national tours (Windham Hill Winter Solstice), among many others. Mia’s discography includes a full length album (Margaret in the Wild, 2021) and two interdisciplinary EP projects (Spar Suite, 2020 and Passage, 2022), and her newest release, Sound of the Reef: Coral Enneagrams (2024) which was just co-released as a two sided vinyl with composer Sami Freeman. You can find all of her music on streaming platforms and bandcamp.

Website: miapixley.com

(she-her): After 50 years of bold work, Holly Near is still one of the most consistent and well informed voices for change. Her work is loving, challenging, funny, thought-provoking, and remains rooted in the global community. As an outspoken singer and ambassador for peace, Holly brings a unique integration of world consciousness and self-evaluation, always growing and sharing experience humbly and boldly. A recipient of dozens of awards from organizations such as the ACLU and the National Organization of Women, Holly was one of Ms Magazine’s Women of the Year recipients and has been nominated for Grammys as well as the Legends of Women’s Music Award.

Website: hollynear.com

is one of the most in demand pianist in northern California.  Ms. Hall holds leadership roles in major music organizations such as at SF Jazz, Stanford Jazz Workshop, Zellerbach Foundation, Yoshi’s and many more. She has traveled and performed extensively in Japan, Europe, Mexico, Uruguay, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. She is a co-minister of Music at Heart and Soul Center of Light in Oakland. Tammy is an instructor/lecturer/mentor with several schools and non-profits arts organizations dedicated to making music and theater accessible to under-funded inner-city children. She has curated high level musical events at Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage including a celebration of Pete Seeger’s music performed by contemporary jazz, folk and classical artists and presented a family matinee at SF Jazz celebrating Mary Lou Williams and Tania Maria. Tammy Hall is highly appreciated for her sensitivity to vocalists and currently works with Linda Tillery, Holly Near, Rhiannon/Alive, and Rhonda Benin to name a few. Ms. Hall received the award for Best Musical Direction from the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle for her work in Pamela Rose’s “Blues Is A Woman”. Her solo recording “Blue Soul” was remastered in 2023 and is available on her web site at tammyhall.com/music

Jan Martinelli: Jan Martinelli is a bass player and pianist who currently hails from Cotati, California. She was an original member of the early women’s band, Wild Mango. She works with acoustic and electric bass as well as fretless. Jan has recorded with a wide variety of musical artists including the Motown singer Chris Clark, Montclair Women’s Big Band, Adrienne Torf & June Jordan, Robin Flower & Libby McLaren, Emma’s Revolution and Holly Near.  She is currently working in a French ensemble SonoMusette featuring Mimi Pirard as both pianist and bass player. Jan has worked with Holly Near for over a decade.  She manages Holly's charts, tours with her in the capacity of pianist and/or bass player and contributes to her recordings as a player and composer. 

Host or Publisher La Peña Cultural Center