Gateway Green Alliance/Green Party of St. Louis


David Rovics Concert,
Wednesday, May 24, 2000

David Rovics will appear in concert at the Gateway Green Center.

Folksinger/songwriter David Rovics' songs of social change span the gamut of activism--from labor ballads of the early 20th century and protest/antiwar music of the 1960's to modern environmental songs of oil spills and tree huggers..

When: 7:30 pm, Wednesday, May 24, 2000.
Where: Gateway Green Center, 6101 Delmar (at Rosedale, by the Delmar Metro Station)
Cost: $5. This is an all-age non-alcohol event.
Sponsor: Green Party of St. Louis/Gateway Green Alliance
Information: For more information, please call the Gateway Greens at 314-721-3192 or 314-727-8554.
Photos/Interview: Photos of David Rovics are available at his web site: www.davidrovics.com For an interview, e-mail: DRovics@aol.com



Folksinger David Rovics at Gateway Green Center

by Don Fitz, Gateway Green Alliance

On Wednesday evening, May 24, St. Louisans will have a one time opportunity to hear folksinger/songwriter David Rovics. David's songs span the gamut of social activism--from labor ballads of the early 20th century and protest/antiwar music of the 1960's to modern environmental songs of oil spills and tree huggers.

"I believe in music as a force for social change, and as a tool for education," he writes. "It seems to me that no gathering of activists is quite complete without music (and food). The heart and stomach must be fed as well as the brain."

David is a collector as well as a write of songs. He puts a modern touch on icons such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Jim Page, Christy Moore, and Phil Ochs. Like these immortals of protest music, he has performed throughout North America in folk clubs, coffeehouses, pubs, union halls, at festivals, and on campuses and sidewalks.

New David Rovics recordings include a collection of original topical ballads called "We Just Want the World" (1998) and old work, labor and hobo songs called "Pay Day at Coal Creek" (1998). David has also produced "Make It So" (1996), which is a blend of the traditional and contemporary.

David believes that song is essential to creating a new culture. "During the civil rights movement," he notes "people sang as they marched towards the police lines with their german shepherds, clubs and firehoses. Many people have said that if not for the songs, they would surely have turned and ran. And in the modern era, I have encountered countless people who have said that they were first politicized by their parents' Phil Ochs records, or by their exposure to the punk rock or rap scene, to the Dead Kennedys or Public Enemy. In the Earth First! movement today, music plays a pivotal role in keeping people going…"


The May 24 David Rovics concert will begin at 7:30 pm at the Gateway Green Center, 6101 Delmar (a block east of the Delmar "Loop"). Beginning the second year of its existence, the Center has hosted meetings and festivities of the labor, civil rights and environmental movements David sings about. Decorated with displays supporting native Americans at Big Mountain and challenging genetically engineered food, the Center is home to 8 foot tall puppets which have frequented environmental demonstrations in St. Louis. To order $5 tickets for the concert, call the Gateway Greens at 314-727-8554.



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