THE STOPSHOPPING CHOIR

A "Johnnie-come-lately" to the activist life, She was for many years a conservative wife. But then she fell from her "ivory tower" And now is proud to speak the truth to power. As she joined the Church and its radical crew Her view of the world rapidly grew. We look at her now and what have we got? In one hand a sign... in the other, a jello shot!

Savitri loves to sing, especially in a choir -  on the road she is usually an alto but in NYC she sings tenor. Savitri loves to perform and do actions. She is a commune child and major league tree hugger.  The main thing about Savitri is that she likes to be creative, and will find a way to do that most days. Her kid Lena is the light of her life! Read more here 

Shilpa was irrevocably drawn to the cries of "Strange-a-lujah!" and "Change-a-lujah!" that she heard shouted through the streets of New York City soon after she moved there in 2003; though, at the time, she did not know who the strange preacher man was who shouted them.  After attending a performance of the Stop Shopping Choir in the halls of St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery and witnessing Reverend Billy perform an exorcism on a Starbucks coffee cup, Shilpa could no longer be a stranger to this strange community. Shilpa is a civil rights attorney, representing those seeking to vindicate their rights to live authentically, to work and to enjoy public space free from discrimination. She is a dedicated defender of the First Amendment and a staunch advocate for the emancipation of imagination everywhere. She lives with her partner, her two children, three cats, and a bunch of quail in Brooklyn. 

Sunder is a musician and dramaturg. For many years he was a lead producer at The Foundry Theatre and has worked in the perfroming arts his entire adult life.  He works with a wide range of artists in NYC and elsewhere, including Charlotte Brathwaite, Tareke Ortiz, Justin Hicks and many more.  He also plays viola , embroiders, and likes to read.

Sussana met billy in 2000 during the ny fringe festival.

"Over the years I've marched and leafletted, boycotted and linked arms, shouted and wrote letters, gathered signatures, walked picket lines, broken into buildings, been arrested, interfered with arrests, and even voted, to try and bring about positive change. Singing has been the most fun."

Sylver was singer of the month in 2019. He works with many justice communities  - Picture the Homeless, New Sanctuary Coalition, Justice for Eric Garner and more! He is fluent in ASL and lives on Staten Island. Currently his is working as a union organizer.

Veras favorite food is artichoke. When not singing with the choir, she can be found on the dance floor or watching cartoons.