On Friday, The Occuponics (singer/guitarist Stephen Carl Baldwin and singer/accordionist Paul Stein), singer Athena Soules, and violist Leanne Darling provided live music at the Brooklyn Tech storm shelter. This shelter houses hundreds of special needs evacuees in very spartan accommodations. A wonderful group of volunteers and salaried staff are caring for the displaced Hurricane Sandy evacuees. Their delighted reactions to everything from calypso to show tunes to protest songs to polkas was heartwarming. The photo below shows one location where we played, the gymnasium, which is set up with about 200 beds, although they did not all appear to be occupied. Photo by Aaron Showalter for the New York Daily News.

“Solidarity Forever – The Golden Farm Music Video”  Paul Stein of Occupy/Ocupemos Sunset Park on accordion, Matt Plummer on trombone, and pots and pans percussion accompanying the spirited picket line in Kensington (Brooklyn) on October 20th in support of the Golden Farm market workers who have unionized but are struggling to get the store owner to negotiate their first contract.  The Kensington community, Occupy Kensington, NY Communities for Change, 99 Picket Lines, and OccuEvolv came out to support the workers.  Thanks to Michael Klein for capturing the moment.

Great new Occupy song that challenges the Spectra Pipeline and all fracking. Performed in Manhattan’s Foley Square by The Occupy Guitarmy (including The Occuponics) and Occupy the Pipeline with the inimitable Lauren DiGioia singing lead. “Frack You” (a parody of Cee Lo Green’s “F**K You”) starts 4 minutes into the video. The opener is “This Revolution Is Not Leaving” with powerful singer/songwriter Eve Silber on lead.

The Occuponics and OccupySaxMan have joined the fight against the Spectra Pipeline and all hydrofracking.  Check out the moving words and music of this recent march and rally in Manhattan.  The rain could not dampen the spirits of those fighting for our planet. Thanks to videographer and environmental activist Owen Crowley for capturing the moment.

The Occuponics, with special guest OccupySaxMan and surprise guest singers, will be playing at The Peoples’ Voice Cafe in Manhattan on Saturday, October 13th, 2012.  We are happy to be sharing the evening with The Raging Grannies.

Doors open at 7:30 pm.  The Grannies go on about 8:00 pm.  The Occuponics go on a little after 9:00 pm.  There is a cover charge of $18 but NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY for not being able to pay the full amount.  Please join us for a fun night of social justice-themed musical mayhem.  If you’d like to come, check out our Facebook Event Page.

The Peoples’ Voice Cafe is located at The Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 East 35th St. (between Madison & Park).  Take the #6 train to 33rd St.; or the B, D, F, N, Q or R train to 34th Street. The phone number is 212-787-3903.

Steve led much of the singing on September 28th with his guitar, and Paul harmonized on the accordion and melodica.  Displacement of working people from their homes by eminent domain and the failure of the developer Forest City Ratner to provide promised affordable housing and employment to the community were among the many issues raised.  (Music starts at the 1 minute mark.  Sorry, but unable to delete the opening advertisement.)

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.