FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2020
Fourth and FINAL “UnNaugural” Concert on January 18
On January 20, 2017, five musicians (headlined by Sweet Honey in the Rock) performed at an “UnNaugural” event as the new Administration was celebrating at Inaugural balls. Over 500 activists attended for music and inspiration while raising funds for five progressive advocacy groups threatened by the incoming Administration. The concert was repeated with five different beneficiaries in 2018 and 2019.
(Rockville, MD- January 6, 2020): For the fourth and final time, an “UnNaugural” Concert featuring five performers will raise funds for five nonprofit and advocacy organizations. The event will be held at Montgomery College in Rockville on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
“When I created the UnNaugural Concert, it was supposed to be a one-time only event,” said Executive Producer (and Maryland State Senator) Cheryl Kagan. “But progressive activists, disturbed by the hateful, dangerous, and divisive policies of the Trump Administration, kept asking for the chance to gather each year for inspiration and assurance.
“This will be the final year, because I believe that voters will chose a more thoughtful and reasonable leader to be our Chief Executive. Next January, I hope to be celebrating at an INAUGURAL rather than an UnNaugural!” Kagan said. “In the meantime, we’ll get together to laugh and sing one more time.”
As in past years, five singer/songwriters will perform. Headliner and veteran Hudson Valley artist Tom Chapin(NY) has been called “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music” by the New York Times. David Roth (MA) is a beloved singer and songwriter once described as “think James Taylor meets Jon Stewart.” Crys Matthews (VA) blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk and was the winner of the 2017 NewSong Music Competition. Singer, comedian, and author Cynthia Kaplan (NY) inspired Time Out New York to write “if you’re lucky, Cynthia Kaplan will sing and play guitar, and then you’ll laugh until you can’t breathe.” And Rod MacDonald (FL) was described by the Boston Globe as “a poet with a lot on his mind who has never allowed himself to make points at the expense of making music.”
Profits from the concert will be donated to five local and national advocacy organizations. The Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County provides mediation, youth services, conflict management workshops, and training to our local community. VisAbility, a Rockville-based nonprofit, provides arts for people with disabilities. The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy promotes literacy services and helps adults gain skills needed to reach their potential. Death with Dignity advocates for nationwide improvements in end-of-life care. And Americans United is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the separation of religion and government.
The concert will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the Theatre Arts Arena at Montgomery College in Rockville. Free parking is available. Tickets and more information can be found at www.UnNaugural.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @UnNaugural. General admission tickets are $85 (with opportunities to sponsor and attend a VIP reception with the performers); and $20 for students with a valid ID.
Those who cannot attend but wish to support the UnNaugural’s beneficiaries are encouraged to donate through the website.
(301) 858-3134
Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us