Win Tickets to See Holly Near at Sanctuary

The Sanctuary Concert Series present folksinger and activist Holly Near in a rare full-band appearance Saturday.

Near is touring to promote her new double album "Peace Becomes You," which includes twelve original songs plus covers of songs by artists such as Cee Lo Green, Keb Mo' and Irving Berlin.

To celebrate this new album, Near is touring with a full band for the first time in years, according to Sanctuary Concerts Head Scott Sheldon. The band includes Jan Martinelli on bas, David Rokeach on drums, John Bucchino on keyboard and Andre dos Santos Morgan doing back-up vocals.

Throughout nearly five decades as a performer and thirty albums, Sheldon said, "Holy Near has used her gentle wit, big loving spirit, and powerful songwriting to be a tireless voice for peace, justice, and individual dignity."

Near is "a dedicated feminist" and humanitarian, according to the New York Times, who was one of the Thousand Women for Peace nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Duo Kim and Reggie Harris will open the concert. Sheldon said the two "have been described as 'a mini festival of diversity" who combine African-American musical traditions with folk music.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-376-4946, or via email at boxoffice@sanctuaryconcerts.org. Admission includes beverages and desserts at intermission.

The Sanctuary Concerts and Chatham Patch have teamed up to offer two pairs of free tickets to whoever can correctly answer the trivia question below:

Q: Holly Near, who appears at The Sanctuary Concerts this week, has been singing for peace, justice, and equality for more than 40 years. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of 1000 Women For Peace; but she’s particularly proud of being named “Woman of The Year” in 1985. Who gave her that honor?

Think you know the answer? Email Laura.Silvius@patch.com for the chance to win two free tickets to see Holly Near Saturday!