"Unvarnished and intimate (...) but then sounds like she's about to part the Dead Sea"
The Boston Globe
THANK YOU to everyone asking how they can help artists in this time of uncertainty. There are six things you can do.
1. Keep listening to music! Listen as much as you can then... stream the album on mute on repeat... all night! This helps us with streaming revenue.
2. Buy music direct from the artist. Send me an e-mail and I'll hook you up,
celiawoodsmithlessons(at)gmail(dot) com
3. Donate to relief funds for artists. (MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund, BBU Covid-19 MUSE fund, Passim's PEAR Fund)
4. Stream our shows online and please tip if you do! We cannot continue to stream shows if folks always access them for free.
5. Take lessons from artists! There is literally no better time.
6. WEAR A MASK. Music will not return until we get this virus under control. Please, this is the least you can do.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
A Note for my white fans and friends.
If you are white this is an important time in history for you. Please take this time to listen, learn, donate, and act. Fighting about the nuances of racism or how people are "supposed" to express frustration and deep anger is not helpful. If you do not live in a black body you have a lot of learning to do, and that statement should not make you feel offended. We have a lot of changes to make as a society and country.
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LISTEN: Before you jump into the fray, take the time to listen to BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) in your community. If you are having a hard time finding someone to listen to, give Tamika Mallory, Toni Morrison, or Trevor Noah a listen. REALLY LISTEN without involving yourself and your possibly bruised ego.
LEARN: Follow black women on Instagram, Twitter, Patreon or Facebook. Rachel Cargle and Layla F. Saad are two examples of women I follow.
DONATE: Open your wallet. Black Lives Matter, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center or better yet direct to BIPOC teachers and activists. There are many more that are easily found.
ACT: Talk to your friends, talk to your alma matter, companies you buy regularly from, your workplace. You can help make changes in these spaces so that BIPOC can live and breathe without fear. Attend a protest if you can do so safely.
READING LIST:
Between The World and Me, Ta Nehisi Coates
Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad
The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander
White Fragility, Robin D'Angelo
Born a Crime, Trevor Noah
Respectfully yours,
Celia
*Please write to me to start up a conversation if you would like more resources or would like someone to talk to about all this.