SUUSI is a gathering of all kinds of people, some Unitarian Universalists, some not. SUUSI is the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute, an intentional community of UUs and kindred spirits. I was first invited to perform in 2003. I conceived of and taught a workshop called “Music and Social Change.” Meeting so many people who are actively engaged in the work of social justice brought me back year after year. Then magically, I met my wife, Dianna, there and there was even more reason to keep coming back. For years I have presented some very intense workshops, including one year with Reggie Harris, where we brought two classes (Deeper Than White & Deeper Than Black) together into Deeper Than The Skin. Between performances, teaching for five days, and playing a normal touring schedule, it was wearing me out so, wisely, Dianna suggested that I do something a little less cerebral and a little more fun. So this will be the second year that I’m going to perform a two hour workshop of the singer/songwriter music of the 70’s that taught me how to play. So on Friday afternoon from 2-4pm, I’ll be unpacking a world of great music for everyone to sing along to… or just remember (If you were alive back then). You might hear James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Elton John, etc., etc., etc. None of this is open to the public, you have to be registered for the conference to attend. But, it’s a remarkable coming together of some quite notable musicians and otherwise occupied stellar human beings. And it’s in a beautiful mountain setting at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC.
