Marietta

The recently renamed group, Kennesaw State University Peace and Justice Coalition (formerly KSU campus Greens) sponsored our last stop of the week. This group has a great track record of demonstrating commitment to taking action against social injustice in their community and abroad. They also picked my neighborhood coffee shop, Cool Beans Coffee Roasting Company (www.coolbeanscoffeeroasters.com ), yay!
Cool Beans usually closes at 7pm on Sundays but they agreed to stay open till 10pm just cuz we asked real nice. The weather brisk, but not too cold for our only outdoor show of the week.
Amber, the evening’s emcee welcomed everyone to the show and reminded as all why we gathered for the nights events. Amber introduced the evenings first act, Nerd Queen. Before playing a short set she spoke to the crowd about her fathers experience in the Vietnam war. We then heard a short set by Vivian, a gender rights activist.
The evening brought Contraverse’s most energetic performance yet. Dozens of folks danced as they again impressed crowds with their smart lyrics and skillful flow. Following their set I once again spoke to the crowd about why we gather. Our country continues to spend $720 million dollars a day on death in Iraq, $720 million we could
Be spending on fixing our healthcare system, education programs, social security, man made climate crisis, national infrastructure, or a number of other domestic social problems. Once again I had the pleasure of welcoming Doug Ament to the stage to share his experience as a soldier in Iraq. As usual the crowd was deeply affected. Many there approached Doug after his talk to thank him for speaking out. I had several young people tell that the war never felt so real to them as it did after hearing Doug. We encouraged folks to stand with us and take provocative action to end the war.
Bipolar Bears played a rockin’ set and out several loyal fans of theirs to strenthen the crowd. It all ended with another beautiful set by Hope For Agoldensummer. I usually get tired of hearing even bands I like play multiple shows in a short period of time, not the case with HFAGS. I’ve fallen more deeply in love with this band every night!
STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING STOPS IN MACON AND AUGUSTA!!

Americus!!

Some shows we go into hoping to inspire, others we hope to be inspired by. I honestly didn’t care what kind of turnout we had a Koinonia Farms (http://www.koinoniapartners.org/ ), I was just excited to be at one of the most peaceful spots on Earth I’ve ever been.
The drive to Koinonia was beautiful. We passed blooming cotton patcheds and flat farmland that stretched for miles. When we arrived we were greeted by two lovely smiling faces belonging to Mary and Krista, a few of our local organizers. The youth group that organized our Koinonia stop were by far our youngest. They had us set up in a cozy chapel that still host daily prayer and Sunday services. Loads of people showed up, far exceeding our expectations. It was by far the coziest, friendliest crowd I’ve every set up any kind of show for! As usual Contraverse and Hope For Agoldensummer were freakin great. Everyone loved them.
After the show the folks at the farm had a bonfire waiting for us with marshmallows and all!
After a good night sleep at the guesthouse and a breakfast of peanut butter bumpers and homemade cranberry bread mmmm…, Sarah And her adorable daughters gave us a history and tour of Koinonia that incuded a sampling of the tasty new fairtrade dark chocoate esspresso bean bark YUM!! After a walk on the peace trail and a stop by the gift shop we hit the road Marrietta bound.

Peace,
Tim Franzen
Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition

Atlanta 10-17-08

Atlanta
So the story with the Atlanta stop is that we had a last minute cancellation in another city and only had four days to secure a venue and promote the show. There was serious doubts that we’d be able to get a decent turnout. Dannemans (http://www.dannemans.com/) coffee shop, in the old 4th ward, was nice enough to et us use their lovely upstairs space. By 8:30 the place was packed! Caitlin Barrow, the evening emcee, welcomed everyone to the show and introduced Contraverse to the stage. The crowd immediately connected with Contraverse’s positive message and tight flow. As they rocked the mic several folks asked me, in delight, where we found these guys.
After briefly speaking about the seemingly endless war in Iraq I had the pleasure of introducing Doug Ament for the second night in a row. Again Doug’s talk of his experience as a soldier In Iraq was a highlight of the evening.
Hope For Agoldensummer spun gold for the crowds ears once again, to no surprise.
The evening brought out an overwhelming number of young people who where eager to actively alternatives to violent US foreign policy. The majority of attendees at this event signed to take action with GPJC demand that our government end the war in Iraq and not only bring our troops home, but make sure their needs be addressed once they enter the crucial re-acclimation process. We also had several folks approach us about counter military recruitment material and strategy.
Another successful evening with the State Of Change Tour!!!

Tim Franzen
Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition
American Friends Service Committee

Athens!!! 10-16-08

We rolled into Athens around 9pm for a 10:30 show. The streets of downtown were already buzzing with activity. Word was that tonight there were a lot of shows in town to compete with. With only two weeks to plan we were super lucky to book Athens Cine( http://www.athenscine.com/ ). I was optimistic about turnout because Our local organizers, Laura Estrada and Xavier Kim, did such a great job getting the word out. In addition we got great press coverage from the Athens Banner Herald, NPR, and WUOG.

By 10:30 the room was packed! Laura, our evening’s emcee, took the stage to welcome everyone to the first stop on the tour and welcomed Chien Andalou to the stage to play a few pixie cover songs. After Chiens set Xavier came to the stage to introduce several local activists promoted awareness of a number of issues being addressed locally including Man made climate change, Justice for Palestinians, and economic justice. By the time Hope For Agoldensummer ( http://www.hopeforagoldensummer.com/ ) went on the venue was over packed, people standing and sitting, the room was full of positive energy.

After Hope For Agoldensummer played a amazing set Doug Ament took the stage to share his experience as a soldier during the initial Iraq invasion. As Doug spoke the crowd fell deaf, one could feel the impact of his words. It was as if Doug had brought the human cost of war into the room. As I scanned the room I spotted dozens of eyes welling with tears.
After Doug Spoke Contraverse ( www.myspace.com/substancetheory )went on and blew everyone away. All in all our first stop has made me super excited about the rest of the tour. We are already seeing the fruit of seeds planted as we bring art and activism together.

Tim Franzen

Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition

American Friends Service Committee