Join Meg Wheatley, Tim Merry and Marc Durkee, Iyeoka Okoawo, The Jeff Robinson Trio, Adam Stone and Harlym125 for the second Berkana Institute Rhyming for a Reason, a celebration of the power of the arts to create social change. Held in the spectacular José Mateo's Ballet Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this evening of original poetry and live music promises to be a fun and spirited way to share stories about resilient communities emerging everywhere.

Proceeds from the evening through ticket sales, sponsorship and the silent auction will benefit The Berkana Institute, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with a rich diversity of people around the world who strengthen their communities by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions and environment. As pioneers, we do not deny or flee from our global crisis. We respond by moving courageously into the future now, experimenting with many different potential solutions.

Why did we choose an evening of poetry to celebrate our work? The arts are a natural and universal form of expression that awakens within us what it means to be human and to be connected to one another. When we hear a poem, listen to music, dance, write or act, we open up new ways of seeing our communities, and we create new possibilities for community health, economic self-reliance and ecological sustainability.

Our first Rhyming for a Reason was held in 2006 in Cambridge, MA. 200 people from the Boston area came together to hear powerful poetry and song in an evening that brought people together with the power of the arts to create social change. Read more about the 2006 event.

We expect this event to sell out - buy your tickets in advance now.