She is so Near
Social activist Holly Near to present concert to benefit Unitarian Church
BYMARYLANCASTER INDEPENDENTWRITER
Seasoned activist and legendary singer Holly Near will perform in concert at the Unitarian Church this weekend to raise funds for restoration of the historic structure that turns 200 next year. The concert, on Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m., will include performances by Emma's Revolution, a duo who were formerly honored with the grand prize for an original folk song entered in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Holly Near (center) with Emma's Revolution.

South Church Preservation Fund board member Craig Spery explained that the church hopes to raise $3.5 million to cover the cost of a number of restoration projects which will take place in phases. The projects were identified through a historic building report and named as one of the most urgent is moisture seepage into the building's masonry foundation.

Plans call for trenching along the foundation, applying a waterproof membrane to the stone and routing water away from the foundation to dry wells. An allocation of $250,000 for FY09 from the Community Preservation Committee will be used for the foundation work. The Holly Near concert and upcoming benefits will fund additional projects including making the clock tower and sanctuary water resistent and restoring the sanctuary murals painted in 1846.

Holly Near, considered an ambassador for peace, began singing publicly at the age of eight and started her professional career in her early 20s. She was cast in the Broadway musical "Hair," and in 1971 at the age of 22 she joined the Free the Army Tour with Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and others performing for soldiers resisting the war from within the military. Near has won several awards for her dedication to social change from organizations such as the ACLU, the National Organization for Women, the Legends of Women's Music Award and was among 1,000 Peace Women nominated in 2005 for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Emma's Revolution is comprised of partners Pat Humphrey and Sandy Opatow who have performed at peace, justice and environmental events across the country. They led 10,000 people singing their composition "Peace, Salaam, Shalom" in New York City shortly after the attack on the World Trade Center. Their songs have been featured on Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman.

Tickets for the concert are $25 for general admission. High school and younger students will be admitted at no charge. Reserved seats including a meet-theartists reception at the church at 6 p.m. cost $50. For ticket sales information call 228-1993 or Spery at

228-7892. I