Anne Feeney memorial concert set for April 3

A special concert celebrating the life of Anne Feeney, the prolific Pittsburgh folk singer-songwriter, has been scheduled for early next month.

The Anne Feeney Memorial Concert takes place online on Saturday, April 3 from 3-6 p.m. and features a host of musicians from across the country.

Feeney died from complications of covid-19 on Feb. 3. She was 69.

The 90-minute concert will include an impressive line-up of local musicians such as Liz Berlin of the band Rusted Root, singer-songwriter Mike Stout and members of his band, Human Union, including keyboardist Laura Daniels and bass player Dan Schlegel.

A lawyer with a degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Feeney co-founded Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. She wrote songs about social justice including “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?,” which was recorded by renowned folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.

She also toured relentlessly, taking the stage for some 4,000 shows by one estimate.

“She was the people’s revolutionary troubadour,” Stout said. “Her countless benefit performances went well beyond organized labor and workers’ causes. She performed at health care rallies, anti-war rallies, environmental rallies, civil rights and women’s rights rallies, pro-democracy rallies, picket lines and conventions all over the country. Her touring was relentless.”

In 1997, Feeney was also elected the first female president of Local Musicians Union 6471 in Pittsburgh.

“She wasn’t just a performer. She was an organizer. She was an activist,” Stout said. “She literally drove around to every show she could to talk to local musicians and get them to join the union.”

The April 3 concert event will include a participatory reception with “breakout rooms” for sharing memories and song.

“People will hear a lot about her life as well as her music,” Stout said.

Register for the event at AnneFeeney.com/memorial.