 "The Powers of Peace!" Sat. Sept. 9, 2006, Noon – 5:00 p.m. Scoville Park, Oak Park, IL  Peace Fair '06 - Performer/Speaker Bios Performers Bulky Halker (labor folk singer) has been a performer/songwriter for more than 30 years and has more than a dozen recordings, with 3 featuring American labor protest music. Bucky also holds a Ph.D. in American labor history and has taught at the University of Minnesota and the Newberry Library. Since 1990 Bucky has presented more than 300 musical programs on working-class protest music in America. His two most recent CDs are, "Don't Want Your Millions" and "Welcome to Labor Land." Michael Levin / Donald Neale Ensemble (virtuoso performance jazz) Michael Levin (PhD) has performed and/or recorded with The Temptations, Clark Terry, Oscar Brown, Jr., Charlie Musselwhite, Jim Post, The Supremes, David Amram, David Bromberg, Nell Carter, and many others. His work was called "Impressive to behold," by the Chicago Tribune. This pianist, composer and arranger has release four CD's and was recently nominated for Song of the Year by the Black Theater Alliance. Too Much Fun (drum music of West Africa) is a women's drumming group which plays traditional compositions from West Africa. These six women use traditional African drums to create a polyrhythmic soundscape. They have played most recently at Molly Malone's in Forest Park, Club Rhythm in Chicago and at various rallies and private events. Their reason to play is because it is just "too much fun." VOICES (progressive vocal world music) is a Chicago-based, award-winning ensemble that sings music of struggle, hope, and joy to promote a more just and compassionate world. The Chicago Peace Museum honored VOICES with the 1998 Community Peacemaker Award for art. The group performs original compositions and music from around the world, as well as gospel and contemporary folk songs. Organic Flow / Reverend Funk (rock/funk band) This two rock/funk band combines the best of two Oak Park River Forest High School student performance bands. These talented young artists have performed rock/rap/blues/pop music in a jazz medium at the House of Blues as well as to the delight of their enthusiatic fans. Dave Martin (peace guitarist/singer/activist) has led songs at peace marches and rallies, nonviolence trainings, churches, coffee houses and festivals for over a decade, and performed with Pete Seeger He is a co-founder of both the West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition and the DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition. Nina Corwin (poet and performance artist), author of Conversations with Friendly Demons and Tainted Saints, has performed at venues from Ground Zero to LA and shared the stage with Gwendolyn Brooks and Kahlil El Zabar. Host of the unique Word Gourmet reading series, she has worked in the area of prison reform and addictions, and gained a national reputation for her work on behalf of victims of violence. Lubriphonic (soul/rock/pop/blues/funk band) was born in 1999, when guitarist Giles Corey was backing Chicago harp-master Billy Branch and drummer Richard King was anchoring blues singer Koko Taylor's rhythm section. Recruiting some of the best musicians in Chicago, the group gigged regularly throughout the city, crafting its original material and honing its sound. Lubriphonic's self-titled debut CD skillfully blends wry lyrics with infectious hooks. Live, the band expands these songs into lush, diverse improvisations, attracting growing audiences everywhere. Speakers Don Harmon, Illinois State Senator for the 39th District including Oak Park, is an attorney, married (wife Teresa), with three children. Sen. Harmon is a long time friend of the concerns of the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice. Hon. Karen Yarbrough is State Representative for the 7th District and the Democratic Committeeman for Proviso Township and author of HJR0125 President Bush-Impeachment bill in the Illinois legislature. Karen was president of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce for 8 years, and was a board member of the United Way of Suburban Chicago and the Oak Park YMCA. She is a founder of Maywood's live theater, a member of the Maywood Youth Mentoring program, and a supporter of scholarship programs. Georgia Stilwell has been active in Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) since she saw the condition of her son when he returned from Iraq after serving from 2003 to 2004 as an Army Airborne MP She has been part of Operation House Call to bring attention to what staying the course looks like and spoke on the National Mall on Mothers Day. Ms. Stillwell lives and works on the Menominee reservation in Northern Wisconsin where over 65 children out of a population of 3200 serve in the Armed Forces. Emcees Dick Kay, Political Editor for NBC-5 TV (retired) James Thindwa, Executive Director, Illinois Jobs with Justice Larry Spivack, President, IL Labor History Society
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