Night Moves: How Art & Music Can Change the World at NEXUS

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Night Moves: How Art & Music Can Change the World at NEXUS

POSTED: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 11:09 PM
Filed Under: Arts | Music | Night Moves

Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

howartandmusiccanchangetheworld
David & Jean, the happy duo/artists/
musicians.

Talk about an optimistic statement — David Lester and Jean Smith think that art and music can change the world as we know it. Part of the lit pop group Mecca Normal, they've been traveling the country  to convince people of their starry-eyed beliefs. Through PowerPoint, speech and performance, they'll discuss how their art has created social change, what it means to be D.I.Y. performers and the nitty gritty of collaboration. Here's a sample of what they'll be discussing:

"In our early years I spoke from the stage," Jean says. "Between fairly literal songs about feminism, poverty and housing issues, to encourage women to start bands with other women, as opposed to being audience members. The social movement known as Riot Grrrl began and its founding members cited Mecca Normal as an inspiration to its inception. We connected with audiences who were encouraged to, in this case, focus on feminist concerns using music and culture. This direct linearity of events inspired us to address the idea that it is not possible to change the world. We did change the world."

Call 'em naive if you want, but — in this climate — I call it refreshing.


Wed., April 22, 8 p.m., $8, NEXUS/Foundation for Today's Art, 1400 N. American St., 215-684-1946, nexusphiladelphia.org.

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