For decades now, Simply Living has been a unique activist group, spreading the idea that few other organizations espouse.  In a nutshell, that theme is —  We’ll all be happier and the Earth will be healthier if we stop buying so much “stuff” and we focus on more meaningful parts of life — friends, family, nature, art, music, social justice, and more.

If you’d like to see that theme converted into a musical concert, I invite you to attend our Black Friday concert, “Songs of Gratitude.”  Instead of joining the hordes of shoppers who flock to the malls as soon as Thanksgiving Day is over, you can come to this entertaining and inspiring alternative, where the music will spark us to celebrate and be thankful for the non-materialistic aspects of our lives that often bring us truer and longer-lasting joy than the latest new cellphone, computer, or big-screen TV.  Details follow:

Bill Cohen’s “Songs of Gratitude” Concert 

Friends.  Freedom.  Food.  Music. Children.  Pets. Laughter.  Emotions.  And dozens of other things.  We all have so much to be thankful for., despite political turmoil and our divided nation.

So join me (Bill Cohen) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday November 29 as I sing a unique concert of songs that express gratitude for all that we have.  It’s our 11th year for this Thanksgiving-themed concert.

Playing piano and guitar, I’ll sing songs written by, made famous by, or inspired by a wide variety of folks — John Denver, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Louis Armstrong, and Don McLean.  Even the early Civil Rights Movement, Johnny Appleseed, Jiminy Cricket, and the TV show, “Golden Girls.” 

On several songs, Ann Fisher will add beautiful flute accompaniment, David Maywhoor will add percussion, and Joe Lambert and Joanne Blum will add soothing vocal harmonies. 

Besides the music in the gratitude concert, we’ll hear some thoughtful quotes, reminding us of our many blessings.  No sermons here but words of inspiration and emotion from sources as varied as Albert Schweitzer, Rod Serling, Gandhi, Einstein, and Buddha.

This is a free concert, but if you appreciate the songs and the message, we’ll be welcoming donations for a non-profit charity, International Medical Alliance of Tennessee.  That’s the group that my wife Randi goes with to the Dominican Republic every February.  The all-volunteer group of doctors, nurses, and medical students provides free medical care to impoverished, disenfranchised Haitians who live and work just inside the D.R. border.  

Randi serves as the group’s interpreter, bridging the language gap between the Spanish-speaking patients and the English-speaking medical workers.  

WHEN:      Friday November 29 at 7 pm.

WHERE:   Maple Grove Methodist Church

                                             7 W. Henderson, Columbus 43214

                            (free parking in back church lot, enter from Aldrich Rd)