“Revolutionary Love: A Concert to Benefit Thistle Farms,” a night of song, stories at the Ryman featuring the Fisk Jubilee Singers, will be presented at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in honor of International Women’s Day. Thistle Farms is an international nonprofit justice enterprise serving women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.
“Our story of revolutionary love began almost 30 years ago with a single house to provide sanctuary and safety for women survivors – and challenged ourselves to do it lavishly,” said Becca Stevens, Founder and President of Thistle Farms. “Today, we are an international movement for women’s freedom rooted in the belief that love is the most powerful force for change in the world. That is what revolutionary love is all about, and this gathering will be a celebration of that idea.”
In addition to the Fisk Jubilee Singers, there will be special performances from Ruby Amanfu, Mary Gauthier, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Brenna Macmillan, Cristina Vane, and Marcus and Levi Hummon. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased through the Ryman Auditorium’s website at: ryman.com or by visiting: thistlefarms.org. Seats are available starting at $75, with all proceeds to benefit Thistle Farms.
“We invite the community to join us on March 19 at the Ryman Auditorium and share in song and story,” said Tasha Kennard, CEO of Thistle Farms. “Guests will experience uplifting performances by the Fisk Jubilee Singers and special guests, hear stories from graduates of Thistle Farms’ residential program, and explore what it means to practice revolutionary love in support of survivors of trafficking and exploitation.”
A Nashville-based, international justice enterprise, Thistle Farms has been on a mission since 1997 to change the way people see, understand, and support systems that exploit women – including addiction, incarceration, poverty, and trafficking. Thistle Farms does this by ensuring access to safe and supportive housing, meaningful employment, and a lifelong community of support.
Their two-year residential community offers women survivors of trafficking and prostitution the space to heal and thrive. They house up to 36 residents at a time in a therapeutic setting that offers healing and transformation through housing, healthcare, counseling, employment, and community building. Five years after program completion, 75% of graduates are living healthy, independent lives. Broken relationships have been restored. Hopelessness has been replaced with hope.
The Café at Thistle Farms is a restaurant, tea service, and event space located at 5122 Charlotte Pike in West Nashville open to the public. A social enterprise, the Café heals, empowers, and employs women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. Enjoy lunch on the shaded back porch, settle in on the couch, or set up your office at the counter. Come whenever you are thirsty for tea, coffee, and a good story. Wherever you sit, you feel at home.
The Café is open Mondays 11AM – 3 PM, Tuesdays – Saturdays 7AM – 3PM. The Shop is open Mondays 10AM – 4PM, Tuesdays – Saturdays 8AM – 4PM, and Sundays 9AM-2PM. Call the Café at 615.953.6440; and discuss Events at 615.465.0563. For more information, visit: thistlefarms.org.
