NEWBURYPORT — Social justice music maker Crys Matthews celebrates Juneteenth on Sunday, June 16, at 3 p.m. as part of the Belleville Roots Music Series at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport.
Her mission is “to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice.”
Already hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music makers. A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls “the poster child for intersectionality.”
“I believe in hope,” Matthews said. “As a social justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.”
Her new, hope-fueled, love-filled social justice album “Changemakers” does just that all while tackling some heavy topics like immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter and gun safety, to name a few.
For tickets, schedule updates or to join the mailing list, go to www.bellevilleroots.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Belleville Congregational Church has long-standing roots in the community as a gathering place and supporter of local service organizations.
Founded in December 2010, the Roots Music Series mission is to bring a variety of high-quality roots music to the Newburyport area and to raise funds to restore and maintain the historic 1867 Belleville Meetinghouse and adjacent Fiske Chapel complex.
The Belleville Roots Music Series committee includes Joe Carper, Donna Wilson Irwin, Ken Irwin, Shawna Kelley, Patsy Nelson, Lisë Reid, Garry Roy, Marcia Shoemaker and Pastor Ross Varney.