Eveline MacDougall presentation (Social Justice in the Arts and Media series)

Eveline MacDougall grew up in a family of professional musicians and social justice activists. Those two activities tended to happen separately, but MacDougall yearned to bring them together. At age 23, she founded the Amandla Chorus--now known as Fiery Hope--bringing messages of social justice and community building into schools, prisons, homeless shelters, elder residences, and public gatherings of all sizes. In smaller groups, the singers also bring songs of comfort to people in hospice and other end-of-life settings. MacDougall has worked with and performed for Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Malala Yousafzai, and Cesar Chavez. She had longtime collaborations with the folk singer Pete Seeger, and with right livelihood activists Wally and Juanita Nelson, whom she considered her second set of parents. MacDougall is the author of 'Fiery Hope: Building community with the Amandla Chorus,' released in 2020 by Haley's Publishing. Audience members may purchase copies of her book at the presentation.

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MacDougall will share stories and songs from her work, including about ways the pandemic inspired her to shift the way she rehearses and performs, taking the music exclusively outdoors for a time. With "Soulful Serenades," MacDougall brings songs to the porches, yards, and driveways of folks who request musical visits. She will take questions from the audience and--depending on where we are in the pandemic--may lead attendees in singing.



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Part of LAVA's Social Justice in the Arts and Media series. Details on the series: https://localaccess.org/social-justice-in-the-arts-and-media/

Seating will be limited. You can reserve a seat for the presentations with a donation or your choice ($1 minimum), or see it for free if there are seats available the day of. Everyone who comes into The LAVA Center to see a play or presentation must show proof of Covid vaccination upon entry. Click here to reserve your space: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-justice-in-the-arts-and-media-eveline-macdougall-presentation-tickets-261390244257

Major funding provided by The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice, and the Greenfield Cultural Council, with additional support from Deerfield Cultural Council, Montague Cultural Council, Shelburne Falls Cultural Council, and Bernardston Cultural Council. All cultural councils are local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.