I’ve done a lot of pontificating on the importance of taking back public space and building community, as a form of radical activism, in and of itself. Varying strategies in engaging communities, of all levels, make for more leverage and accessibility in mass mobilization. Music and art are an incredibly important component of this. Not everyone will have the same motivation to lead a march or organize a protest, but art opens up the door for more people to become activists.
This is where rabble-rousers Evan Greer and Anne Feeney come in.
On their current “Carry it On” Tour in honour of world-renowned protest folk singer, Pete Seeger, they are gearing up to bring interactive and energized activist hymns to cities throughout Cascadia. The pair, who have been touring together for ten years, aim to apply the revolutionary convergence of song and activism, that Pete Seeger is known for, at each venue that they visit.
Evan, who is an LGBTQ parent, organizer and multi-faceted musician, has had songs featured on NPR, college courses, and major independent films. In addition to writing engaging and catchy radical songs, Evan has been facilitating workshops for high school students, colleges, non-profit organizations, and unions about social and environmental justice issues. The menu of workshops is consistently evolving.
Anne, who is the daughter of mineworkers organizers, has helmed her collection of rebel songs and toured with them since 1991, after two decades of perfecting her craft. She has traveled to 42 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Denmark, Ireland, and Sweden. Her song “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?” is well-known in the activist world and has even been recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary twice. Anne has been called “the best labor singer in North America” by Utah Phillips, and Pete Seeger has complimented her “fine songwriting.”
Evan and Anne’s work has notably challenged the conventional notions of folk and political music, whereby one may imagine a stage and a single artist laying out soft tracks to a choir of the converted. Together their repertoire includes an eclectic mix of performances at giant rallies and protests to intimate punk rock shows.
The pair seek to provide an interactive space, for all to sing along, clap, jump, or celebrate resistance in which ever way they may choose. Included on this tour are shows scheduled for B.C. in Victoria, Courtney, Campell River, and Vancouver. Their show last night at Camas Books, Victoria, included a workshop about Queer Liberation and Environmental Justice.
Their upcoming matinee show in Vancouver will encourage any interested local grassroots community groups to come out and spread the word about their projects. It will take place at social justice hub, the Heartwood Community Cafe (formerly the Rhizome), this coming saturday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m.
If you’re in Vancouver, make sure you stop by for a late brunch and an afternoon of fun political music! All are welcome to join!
If you’re on the Island or in Washington, please read below for the full tour schedule.
April 23: Courtenay, BC
7pm @ Courtenay Zocalo Cafe
208 5 St, Courtenay, BC V9N 1J6
Contact: 250-331-0933
Venue: http://zocalocafe.ca/
Presented by MayWorks
April 24: Campbell River, BC
7:30pm @ The Carriage Room – Royal Coachman Inn
84 Dogwood St, Campbell River, BC
Price: donations. All ages.
Contact: [email protected]
Presented by Campbell River Labor Council
April 25: Victoria, BC
8pm @ House Concert
Victoria (James Bay), BC
Tickets $15 – 20 sliding scale
Reservations and directions are available.
Contact: [email protected], or 250 385 1307
April 26: Vancouver, BC
2pm matinee @ Heartwood Cafe
317 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Venue: http://www.heartwoodcc.ca/
Come a little early for a delicious brunch!
April 28: Bellingham, WA (2 events)
Worker’s Memorial day Commemoration
12noon @ Bellingham Public Library Lawn
210 Central Ave, Bellingham, WA 98227
Free & open to the public.
Memorial for workers who lost their lives in 2013.
Anne Feeney & Evan Greer in Concert!
7:30pm @ Union Hall
1700 N. State Street (upstairs)
Bellingham, WA 98225
Contact phone: 360-647-1752
Price: $10-20 suggested
Presented by NW Washington State Labor Council
April 29: Everett, WA
7pm @ Firewheel Community Coffeehouse
2727 Colby Ave, Everett, WA, 98225
All ages! Donations keep us going.
Venue info: http://www.firewheelcc.net/
April 30: Seattle, WA
7pm @ Seattle Labor Temple, Hall #1
2800 1st St, Seattle, WA, 98121
Benefit for local healthcare organizing.
$15 suggested donation.
Presented by WA State Labor Council,
SEIU 1199 NW, MayWorks, PNHP
May 1: Tacoma, WA
May Day! International Workers Day concert!
7pm @ Carwein Hall, UW Tacoma
1754 Commerce St. Tacoma, WA
More details TBA.
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