"A Time to Break Silence" Goes Virtual with Voting Rights / Election Transparency Event

    CASTLETON, VA, November 22, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A Time to Break Silence is going virtual to reduce its carbon footprint by removing the environmental harm caused by travel to in-person events. The virtual format also makes the program accessible to a larger audience.

"We are launching a new website ATimetoBreakSilence.com; our inaugural virtual event, entitled U.S. Election Transparency, Voting Rights and Music to the Messages of Martin Luther King, will take place Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 4:30 pm EST," says Director Orson Maazel. "Themes will include voter suppression, how to make vote counting a public process, and systemic racism. Powerful music will be performed by extraordinarily talented and imaginative artists., punctuated by mind-blowing talks."

Since 2013, A Time to Break Silence has been an annual series of events at Castleton-in-Performance where artists and activists collaborate to raise awareness of social justice and environmental issues globally. The title is inspired by a speech Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave against the Vietnam War and a piece composed in honor of Dr. King. The audience will hear from a group of election experts and activists followed by a Q&A. Among the guest speakers: Paul Smith, Senior Vice president of Campaign Legal Center; Bennie Smith, Shelby County Election Commissioner and nationally known election researcher; John Brakey, AUDIT USA Director. Jawharrah Bahar will tell her own story of disenfranchisement. Performance by WORD BEAT Duo Tom Teasley & Charles Williams will include texts by Langston Hughes and MLK.

Change is inspired through the emotional empathy and imagination found in art and music. The audience experiences various art forms paired with educational talks. Over the years, funds raised have benefited various charities including Darfur Women Action Group, Doctors Without Borders, ArtWorks for Freedom, Mercy for Animals, The Justness Project, and Restore Her Voice.

Memorable moments from past events include Arirang Sonata performed by North Korean escapee Kim Cheol-Woong, a collaboration between Iranian singer Mamak Khadem and the Castleton Chamber Players, activist poetry read by renowned actor Alec Baldwin, We Shall Overcome sung by Davóne Tines, and information presented – and music performed – by journalist and guitarist Elham Karimi who escaped from Afghanistan.

A Time to Break Silence was co-founded by renowned opera singer Davóne Tines and activist Orson Maazel.

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