A few Saturdays ago, on an absolutely gorgeous sunny day, I had the pleasure of participating in the 2019 Music City Festival: People Music for Peoples Power in Orange, New Jersey. From 12noon to 10pm, the city of Orange revels in the music making of the widest variety of music and musicians, from folk to blues to classical to hip-hop to pop. Supported by local businesses and sponsors, the festival is the brainchild of the Music Department of the University of Orange, a free people’s university designed to encourage the collective capacity of the people to create more a just, equitable and livable cities. For more info on this vibrant community of learners, thinkers and doers, check them out at
