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Taken from JamBase (Oct 05, 2004)
FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
WARRIORS OF PEACE
by Casey Flanigan
Michael Franti :: PTTP 2004
By Casey Flanigan |
2004 has been quite an extraordinary year for the band Spearhead, especially for its frontman Michael Franti. Spearhead and Franti enjoyed co-headlining a national tour with Ziggy Marley as well as numerous worldwide tour dates including two performances at the UK's famed Glastonbury Festival. Additionally, Franti performed on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry for HBO, ESPN's Cold Pizza, and The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. In addition, Franti spent time in the Middle East this summer where he and a delegation of peace workers, musicians, artists and film makers traveled to Iraq, Jordan, and Israel to see first-hand the affects of the war on all those involved, from activist groups and civilians to men and women in uniform. A documentary film on their experiences overseas will be released in the next several months.
Franti's Power To The Peaceful Festival has been produced in San Francisco as an annual open-air series of free, community music and arts festivals since 1999. The first festival was on September 11, 2000 in Dolores Park and gathered an audience of 6,000 people from the community, and grew to more than 10,000 people in 2001. In September 2002 the popularity and capacity of the festival attracted an international audience of more than 20,000, and was moved to Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Last year's PTTP Festival drew an exceptional crowd of 30,000 people in the lush square mile of Speedway Meadow, with positive support and lasting community impact. Previous festivals have been graced with inspirational performances by Saul Williams, Alice Walker, Ram Das, Talib Kweli, KRS-One, Keller Williams, The Coup, Digital Underground, Woody Harrelson, and Jello Biafra, among others.
This year's PTTP Festival was held on September 11 and was a tremendous success, drawing an international audience of 50,000. Highlights included amazing performances by Michael Franti and Spearhead, The String Cheese Incident, Gift of Gab, John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, and Amy Goodman, which inspired the crowd. The DJ Tent, Eco Village, Art Gallery, Social Justice Organizations, Kids Zone and Healing Arts Tent provided something for everyone. As promised, the 6th annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival was an enlightening and inspiring event.
When it comes to touring and spreading positive energy through music, Michael Franti and Spearhead "don't stop," much like a lyric from "We Don't Stop" off last year's Everyone Deserves Music. Don't miss your chance to catch one of America's most captivating live acts.
Spearhead dates are as follows with more expected to be added soon:
10.25 | Mateel Community Center | Redway, CA
10.26 | Ashland Armory | Ashland, OR
10.27 | Commodore Ballroom | Vancouver, BC
10.28 | Commodore Ballroom | Vancouver, BC
10.29 | The Showbox | Seattle, WA
10.30 | Roseland Theater | Portland, OR
10.31 | McDonnell Theater | Eugene, OR
11.26 | The Fillmore | San Francisco, CA
11.27 | The Fillmore | San Francisco, CA
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