davis_square | Songs of Joy and Justice: Holly Near concert in Harvard Square, Sat. 10/2

Holly Near, a world renowned entertainer, teacher and activist, will be featured in a special benefit concert for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee on Saturday, Oct. 2. The performance will be held at the First Parish Church, 3 Church Street, Cambridge, Mass., beginning at 8 p.m.

The special benefit is being presented by the Homegrown Coffeehouse, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary of shows featuring live folk music at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Needham, Mass. Scott Alarik, a Boston-area folk artist and writer, will be a special guest performer at the concert.

Proceeds from the concert will be used to support the human rights work of the Service Committee. Seats are limited so purchase your tickets now, priced at $20/25 for advance purchases and $23/28 at the door, by visiting our online store or calling 800.388.3920. You may pick up your tickets at the concert.

Holly Near’s career as a singer has been defined by her passion for music combined with her passion for human dignity. She brings to the stage a combination of world consciousness, spiritual discovery and theatricality,

Ms. Near was honored by the Unitarian Universalist Association in June by being invited to deliver the “Ware Lecture” at the UUA’s annual General Assembly in Long Beach, Calif. The lecture is one of the most popular highlights of the General Assembly, featuring past performances by Martin Luther King Jr., Reinhold Niebuhr, Linus Pauling, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Norman Lear.

Throughout her career, Ms. Near’s major focus has been music which articulates the social conditions of the world community.

Founded to help rescue victims of Nazi terror, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has battled oppression and promoted human rights and social justice around the world for 65 years.