History

Grannies sing at schools, rallies, healthcare and human services events,
legislative forums, marches and other places where we are invited. We
sing at public hearings and places where we are not invited.

 

Past Events:

Regional Gatherings and UnConventions:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Raging Grannies love to get together and sing for each other. These several day gatherings happen every year or so and are great fun and inspiration, as well as learning opportunities.  Historically, Gatherings in the Western and Eastern Regions of North America are the odd numbered years, UnConventions, the even years. In September of 2005 the Seattle and Bellingham Grannies hosted the Western Regional Gathering at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island.(Coincident with Cindy Sheehan's Texas Camp Casey.)  Seventy Grannies representing fifteen Granny Gaggles from North America, Alberta to Arizona, came together for "THIS IS WHAT FREEDOM SOUNDS LIKE".  Presenters: "Blame It All On Victoria", with Alison Acker, co-author of OFF OUR ROCKERS, Raging Granny beginnings, and Anne Moon, who edited the  book. "Using the Media to Get Out the Message" with Gail Sredanovic and Ruth Robertson, organizer and Publicity Chair of the Penninsula Raging Granny Action League and Joan Bazar, recently retired reporter and Newspaper Guild organizer, of the San Jose gaggle. "Reclaim the Media" with Susan Gleason of YES! magazine and Karen Toering, Co-Director of Reclaim the Media and co-founder of the Albuquerque Project. "Songs for the Spirit" with Linda Allen, once Resident Song Writer for the State of Washington, 30 years experience with stories,writing and performing songs plus 7 records to her credit. "The Challenge of Hanford and Health" with Jeanne Sedgly, Hanford Issues Coordinator and former Public Involvement Coordinator for the  Rocky Flats Local Impacts Initiative, now with Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. "Lighten Up with Laughter and Have Fun with Improvisation" with Karen Schneider-Chen, certified Laughter Leader and Ruth Liatos, actress, both Seattle RG's. "Gigs, Gags, Gaggles and Goofs" with Corey Denos, Bellingham RG co-founder, and Caroline Canafax, Seattle RG, former International WILPF officer. "Strategies to End the War and Promote a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence" with Rosy Betz-Zall, member New Society Non-Violence Trainers, and Kay Thode, former Social Worker Lobbyist, both long-time Peace activists and Seattle RG's joined by Marcia Mullins, retired teacher and school administrator, now Co-Chair Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation. "Peace Kites" organized by Rita Selin, tireless worker as Hospital Volunteer, Coalition to end Homelessness, MS Foundation, Circle of Friends for Mental Health, Seattle RG. Taking a cue from the Whidbey Island Kite Festival also happening at Camp Casey on Sunday, we made and decorated and flew them on the shore of Puget Sound with a chance to talk to the locals and tourists. PEACE--NO MORE WAR "Fun-Raising",our Sunday morning Sing-Along with Vern Olson, Seattle teacher, Peace Chorus member since 1988, Music Education Professor,20year resident of Whidbey Island, token male, who wishes there were more men like the Raging Grannies. "It Ain't NIce", Corey Dennos and Gail MacDonald, co-founders of Bellingham Grannies, shared their singng talents at our last meal together Sunday noon with songs and the life of Malvina Reynolds, great activist and songwriter. Angelica Macklin, OPEN HAND REEL, interviewed Grannies representing many of the Gaggles for the feature length Documentary she is filming of the Raging Grannies. She also filmed parts of many workshops and the Saturday night Granny Concert in full costume. Others videoed parts and the final group picture. Co-Chairs of the Gathering, Gail MacDonald,Bellingham, and Carolyn Hale, Seattle, and their Committees were congratulated on their work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

UNCONVENTION June 15-18 2006 Arriving in Windsor, Canada, Thursday afternoon, June 15th with Ruth Robertson and Gail Sredanovic of California's Penninsula Action League, driving from Detroit, we were greeted by Metro Detroit Grannies, hosts of this years UnConvention.

Eva Munro, Halifax, Nova Scotia Raging Granny, arrived soon after to be my roommate, our first reunion since meeting 5 years before at a Dance workshop in Boulder, Colorado. Continuous sunny weather, so most meals were on the patios of our Campus Dorm except for Saturday night's Gala off campus. Most dined in the huge dining room of the local Casino, a few chose an oriental restaurant--after many e-mails on the subject!!!

Friday morning "Bringing In the Voices" was a lovely fquiet remembrance of Grannies passed away.  Carol Hoyt, Seattle, was remebered with the others. Morning workshops, 3 choices, choose one, were: Consensus Based Decision Making, Public Relations/Media Relations, Keeping Our Gaggles(and ourselves) Alive and Well*. 15 minute Break, then Songwriting for Grannies, Fundraising and Travel Equalization,* and Just Who ARE the Raging Grannies?

After lunch, a half hour nap or networking time, a General Session "On What, If Anything, Do All Raging Grannies Agree?", then a choice of 3 different Exercise groups--Tai Chi, Line-Dancing or Sit-Down Exercise, then 3 more   discussions/workshops.  Raging More Effectively, Civil Liberties: When the FBI Comes Knocking,* and Problem Solving Theater. After dinner Gaggle Show and Tell (Part I) in costume, of course and in a huge lecture Hall with excellent acoustics. All singing was filmed by Magnus Isaacson and French speaking assistant, joined by Carole Roy, published author of "The Raging Grannies--Wild Hats, Cheeky Songs, and Witty Actions for a Better World". This filmaker also showed the film he made of the New York Grannies who were arrested for blocking the entrance to the recruiting office and later found not guilty. (Our Seattle DVD was also shown and very well recieved along with several other short films from other gaggles.

Saturday had more workshops in the morning. Conflict Resolution:Transforming Hostile Confrontation, Civil Disobedience, and a repeat of  When the FBI Come Knocking*. Ater was our new CD Release Party.  (Our gaggle had ordered 60, but was only able to carry 30 home and others were shipped.) There waas a Granny Auction and a Photo Shoot, then a rehearsal and Rage after a wald to the Park in very warm weather. After the off-Campus Dinner, another Gaggle show and Tell for the rest of us to perform.  Pictures of these performances and other events at the Unconvention can be seen at raginggrannies.net.

Sunday morning included "Honoring Other Women" where I presented the name of Gerri Haynes, former President of WPSR, leader of many trips to Iraq and Israel, WA State Chair of Dennis Kucinich for President, and recent Chair of Veterans for Peace National Conference in Seattle. She is also active in the Department of Peace Campaign. "Honoring Ourselves" was also part of the morning session. At the Biennial Business Meeting, the decision was made to have the Grapevine on E-mail. The closing Spiral Dance gave us all an opportunity to see and speak with everyone we had met the past days. I realized how many familiar names from reading e-mails on the E-vine had now become familiar faces, too.  A VERY successful unconvention.  My special thanks to Motoko for housing me in her charming home in Detroit before I flew off, to Vicki for all her work on this big event and the CD, to Ruth Roberts and Gail Sredanovic for meeting me in Detroit and keeping me entertained on the trip to Windsor with their scrappy, friendly, patter!!! Of Course, it was a pleasure to renew my friendship with Halifax' Eva Munro.  Keep on Raging!!! *Workshops I facilitated or attended.                       

Peace--Shirley Morrison