Plea From Passim

In the mailbox:

Dear Fellow Harvard Square Neighbors:
The Passim Folk Music and Cultural Center is now 50 years old. And now, more than ever, we need your support. Like many of our neighbors, expenses have risen substantially. I am hoping you will consider taking out an ad in our March 28 Joan Baez benefit concert program book congratulating us on our success and/or advertizing your organization. Your ad can range from a full-page to simply adding your name to the HSBA recognition page (which only costs $100). Please note: Demographic information and ad rate sheet below.
Most of you may be aware that Passim (Club 47 in the 1960s) is celebrating its almost uninterrupted 50th year as the premiere acoustic music nonprofit organization in the heart of Harvard Square. In fact, we are one of the few remaining performance arts organizations of any sort in the Square. During these 50 years we have collected an enormous amount of memories, photographs, letters and tape recordings. For the last fourteen years we have been a serious nonprofit through the creation and implementation of a multicultural, free children's music and crafts program that Passim takes to low income schools in Cambridge and serves more than 2,000 children a year. We have a school of music at our offices at 26 Church Street that serves more than 400 students a year. We offer a number of scholarships in each semester that our Legacy Series at the Club supports. This Legacy Series brings well-known and successful artists back to Passim and they donate the nights profits to the school. With the serious cutbacks in music and arts in the public schools, we are developing a "student teaches students" program to bring Harvard music students into the schools. We hope to be able to introduce that program this coming fall.
Music is a vital part of all our lives. Kids learn better when exposed to the creativity music allows them.
I was part of the original Club 47 years and it changed my life. The exposure to all kinds of affordable music from around our country and world was really a breathtaking experience to a new comer to college. I was lucky. I found a home and friends that have been life lasting and I am not alone. This is a wonderful place and after 11 years as Executive Director the opportunity to be here again, is something I am very proud of: to welcome old friends to sing again and young artists just starting the creative process, whether it's a hobby or a life choice, we continue to be that home, that community.
There are countless kinds of music to choose from, and folk music isn't for everyone, but think of what we have done in our first 50 years, how the world has changed. Music is the soundtrack to our lives. I hope you will consider being a part of our next 50 years. And for anyone who'd like an evening here to see us up close, please don't hesitate to give me a call. I can be reached at 617-491-2382. We are here because there is a true connection to who we are in our culture and history experienced, through our music.
Your support is vital to helping us keep live music in Harvard Square.
With best wishes, Betsy Siggins