Sounds Like a Revolution trailer

“Sounds Like a Revolution is a feature documentary about the new wave of protest music sweeping across America.
The film features dozens of new protest songs and uncensored commentary from some of the most political artists of our time, Michael Franti, Pete Seeger, David Crosby, The Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, Ani DiFranco, Anti-Flag, Fat Mike (NOFX), Jello Biafra, Henry Rollins, Ice T, Rage Against the Machine and more.”

Look for screenings in your area, check back here for more info and for a Minneapolis screening in the coming months.

www.soundslikearevolution.com

Jared Paul and friends are back in town for a night of punk rock, hip hop, and getting smart.

Featuring:

BUILDING BETTER BOMBS – http://www.myspace.com/buildingbetterbombs

Prayers for Atheists – http://www.myspace.com/prayersforatheists

Jared Paul – http://www.myspace.com/jaredpaul

Les Gavels – http://www.myspace.com/lesgavels

Plus local spoken word artists & activist groups presenting throughout the night!

@ 7th St. Entry, downtown Minneapolis

Tickets & Info: http://www.first-avenue.com/event/2010/07/substance-presents-building-better-bombs-or-marijuana-death-squad

facebook event here

$7 | Doors: 8pm | 18+

An extra special thank you to all the artists for their wonderful submissons to RAN • ART!  It was fantastic to see everyone’s artistic interpretations of the Problem with Palm Oil.

After much deliberation, the winner of the contest is…

Whipper-Snapper MPLS!

Andii Bunaag and  Nick Pyper-Holz collaborated on the piece. Pyper-Holz explained “We felt that a haunting visual would show how horrified we are at the situation. It does seem like the general public doesn’t know enough about the actions of the giant corporations. To be feeding our nations children on the ashes of our rain forests and the blood of endangered animals is repulsive.,” He went on to express “I personally feel betrayed by this company from my home state and am glad to have a hand in helping to stop them.”

Prints are available for sale at  Tarnish&Gold Gallery for $30 a piece.

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We would also like to thank The Lagoon Theater, The Riverview Theater, The Red Stag Supper Club, ComedySportz, Wet Paint, Chakra Kahn, Brave New Workshop, Pizza Luce, Blackdog Cafe, and Common Roots for their generous donations to RAN • ART.

However, we did have a considerable amount of money stolen during the show.  We have setup an anonymous drop spot for anyone to return the funds and/or information at no consequence.  Click here to view the announcement regarding the incident and our call for any information that could lead us to recovering the funds.

Our workshops went great.  Thanks to everyone that attended them and thank you to Guante for a great job as co-facilitator.  We developed an email list and will help keep that group connected to our network of political/activist artists.  We appreciated this opportunity.

Rosa Clemente was awesome, speaking of the politics of hip hop, the hip hop political conference, and how hip hop got Obama elected, but we have to keep working to advance real progressive change.  There was a ton of talent at the community gathering Sunday and it was inspiring to see.  There was so many more great things that happened during the weekend.

Thanks to all the people that volunteered for the show, as well as all the performers who participated.  From the break dancing performance to start, Ill Chemistry’s charged set, through the Tru Ruts showcase, to Dead Prez killin it, it was a great show with a great crowd and amazing energy.  Thanks to everyone that made it happen.

Great work to Voices Merging at the U of M for organizing such an amazing weekend of events.  These students did an incredible job and we hope to help keep the energy generated moving, progressing the movement for justice via the arts and any way necessary.

More information, video and photo coverage, and follow-up information at:

www.vicestoverses.com

Minnesota Daily coverage – U celebrates hip-hop culture – 4/11/10

From Vices to Verses Hip Hop Conference this April w/Dead Prez

Again, to assist in recovering our stolen funds, go to:

Attention attendees

What would Nolan do without Buffalo Exchange?

Funding through programs that don’t restrict an organization’s programming is crucial in that it allows the organization to be flexible in operations and stick with the agenda. And, for a small organization like Substance, assistance like this is critical in keeping our virtual doors open.

So, if you’re looking to get your fix of recycled flannels, or trade in your hot pants, take a gander at the Buffalo Exchange.

The overturning of this decades old law by conservative activist judges seems inappropriate and unjust.  With this decision, corporations now have more freedom to influence elections than an average citizen, plus an obvious economic advantage.

See more on the story here:  minnesota.publicradio.org

Substance would like to encourage everyone that believes in democracy to step up and let it be known that corporations should not have unhindered ability to manipulate elections.  We also would like to cheer on pro-democracy activists like those at Democracy Matters and Common Cause for fighting for election reform; now is a more important time for this work than ever.

Check out www.democracymatters.org for more.

Many of our friends and allies – including a group of youth delegates through the Will Steger Foundation, The Uptake, Indigenous Environmental Network, and Rainforest Action Network – are on the ground participating in actions as well as formal meetings to influence the creation of a strong, binding and equitable climate treaty. So far, a lot of hope and energy have been mixed with warning signs of rich countries abusing their elite positioning. Denmark got a head start by drafting speculative agreements and letting the secrets slip through their fingers.

Follow along with Will Steger Foundation’s “Expedition Copenhagen” and other Midwestern coverage of COP15, and check out 350.org’s upcoming weekend of action.

Good luck out there,
Erick

Recent actions include a call-in to Cargill’s CEO asking to halt Palm Oil expansion that generated over 4,000 calls and an action outside of Cargill’s downtown office.

For the 350.org international day of climate action on October 24, Substance and RAN teamed up to promote the campaign and recruit at the POS show at 1st Avenue, downtown Minneapolis.

To get involved with RAN-TC, join the Facebook group and/or MeetUp page.
For information on the national campaign, click here.
Also check out theproblemwithpalmoil.org

Erick with RAN activists Hillary Lehr (left) and Ashley Shaeffer (right) at 1st Avenue

Substance’s Ripple Effect, which featured Anti-Flag, Michael Franti, Dead Prez, Wookie Foot w/Matisyahu, I Self Devine, and a special appearance by Rage Against the Machine had a huge impact (or “ripple effect”) that is still felt today.  Look back at our videos and press to see coverage of it.  We have also added a new highlight video from Ripple Effect made by Twin Cities Indy Media below.

At this was a free event, Substance took a large financial loss to make sure this important event happened.  As we build, we are still working to pay off our debt even a year later.  To support, please click here.

September 2nd also marked Substance’s second birthday.  In our short time we’ve seen a lot of success but we are not even close to satisfied.  We have a long journey ahead and we appreciate everyone that has supported us thus far.