Further to #TooMuchGoingOnInNYC, this is a perfect example. For the past 6 years, multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter-producer-activist Toshi Reagon has put on the Word*Rock*&Sword Festival which takes place September 23-25. There are a bunch of events connected with the Festival, including film screenings and panel discussions. And, of course, there’s a big musical celebration each year. In a statement, Toshi noted that she
. . .started the festival with the intention of, “responding creatively, showing our lives, our work, our activism and our talent. We struggle in a political climate that still tolerates and actively encourages systemic discrimination against women–from the workplace to the doctor’s office. We witness Congressional attacks on funding for Planned Parenthood; the harassment and murder of abortion providers; the denial of access to affordable health care; the constant vulnerability of women and girls to violence and sexual abuse; the daily struggle of women to hold families together in our ailing economy. We will come together to share our gifts and focus our intentions for the 21 Century.”
The performance highlight is the big Saturday night concert, which is, basically, three hours of musical roof-raising. I mean, look at the lineup:
Toshi Reagon, Tamar-kali, Martha Redbone, Morley, Joan As Police Woman, Judith Casselberry, Marcelle Davies Lashley, Allison Miller, Ganessa James, Lyris Hung, Juliette Jones, Christelle Durandy, KimberlyNichole, Climbing Poetree, Mal Devisa, Nona Hendryx, Pri The Honeydark, Be Steadwell, Imani Uzuri, Julie Wolf, DJ Mursi Layne & MC Karen Williams
Good news is that there’s still time to get advance $20 tickets via the LPR boxoffice. Also, check out the other events associated with this year’s Festival here.
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