A short compilation from the AMN’s online SONG CIRCLE series. Enjoy!
About the Event
There’s nothing that brings people together better than singing our favorite songs. It recalls summer nights around the campfire: someone strumming the guitar and all singing a mix of folk music, familiar songs we heard on the radio, and occasional new songs that someone shares.
Join us the second Monday of the month for Song Circle at The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way in Berkeley.
Nobody has to worry about whether you know the songs or can sing like a pro. This is our chance to share the joy of singing simply for the fun of it.
Date and Time
SONG CIRCLE RETURNS THIS FALL!
Second Monday of the month | 7:00 p.m. Pacific
Sep 14 | Oct 12 | Nov 9 | Dec 14 | Jan 11 | Feb 8 | Mar 8 | Apr 12 | May 10 | Jun 14
Who should attend?
Everyone who wants to sing favorite songs and learn some new ones, too.
How should I prepare?
No preparation is required! Just join us for an hour of musical fun with friends.
Is there a cost?
Pay what you can!
($10 suggested)
How do I attend?
Register in advance – or just show up and sign in at the door.
Meet the Mentors
Cary Sheldon is a singer, songwriter, and beloved Berkeley voice teacher with 30 years’ worth of grateful students. She has been playing and teaching in the Bay Area for the last 40 years. Her love for R & B music led her to be part of Zazu Pitts Memorial Orchestra in the 1980’s. Other affiliations include The Henry Kaiser Band, The Henriettas (a recreation of DeZurick sisters, a popular country music duo from the 1940’s), who appeared on Prairie Home Companion, and most recently her band DanceChant, a joyful community-inspired R&B band that encourages audience participation. She continues to be inspired by her love of singing in community. “Singing together with others is one of the greatest joys in my life.” Now in her 60’s, she returns to influences from her early life. Her grade school music teachers included John Langstaff, creator of the Christmas Revels, and the repertoire was based on the American folk tradition, including old English ballads, spirituals, freedom songs, and the popular folk and protest songs of the 1960’s. She hopes to inspire others to explore the depth of this material and rediscover the joy of community singing.
Photo by Jeanette Yu
Song Circle features a rotating crew of wonderful Guest Artists who join Cary (and sometimes even take over for a session).
All our guest artists bring their expertise and love of community to inspire us to join together in singing. We explore multiple genres and styles, all grounded in creating an hour of fun in song.
Check out some of our regular guest artists!
In September, Cary will be joined by singer-songwriter David Gans, whose infectious love of singing with others is sure to inspire you. David is known to Grateful Dead fans the world over for his encyclopedic knowledge of the band and their history. David is the author (or co-author) of five books and host of the nationally-syndicated radio programs The Grateful Dead Hour and Tales from the Golden Road.
Workshop Materials
Access song lyrics at the Song Bank
These are the songs we’ll be singing at next Song Circle. We might not get to all of them, we might bring in some others.
Note that sometimes the key of the recording or YouTube is different from what we will sing together. This is because not all these recordings are in keys that are ideal for all voice parts, and we want everyone to be able to join in.
Thank you to our partner!
