Buffalo Gal Productions

PROTEST, THE ALBUM.

PROTEST, A REVOLUTIONARY ROCK OPUS IS A MUSICAL HISTORY OF THE WOMEN WHO KNEW THEIR PLACE: ON THE FRONT LINES OF CHANGE.

EVENTS

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PARKWAY THEATER

Upcoming

Coming Soon

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CHANHASSEN CONCERT SERIES

June 23rd, 2024

Tickets / Information

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM

Now streaming where you listen to music.

RISE UP

PROTEST, a Revolutionary Rock Opus is about the brave women and the movements that have defined them in their communities, in politics and around the world! No matter the cultural issue—gun violence, climate change, civil rights—women have been at the forefront, leading the protests and fighting for change.

As we navigate getting PROTEST in front of audiences, we are continually accepting donations.

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MEDIA

Discover the magic of our show through captivating photography and video! Get an insider's perspective from our creative team, and experience the thrill of live performances by talented Minneapolis-based artists as they bring the songs to life on stage.

THE INSPIRATION

A collection of photos from the events that inspired the music.

Photo Gallery

PRESS VIDEOS

Learn about our show from the creative team & hear songs performed by Kat Perkins and Ashley DuBose.

Gallery

BAUHAUS BREW LABS

Watch full songs performed by local artists from our first ever concert at Bauhaus Brew Labs in Minneapolis.

Concert Gallery

CHANHASSEN CONCERT SERIES

We brought Protest, a Revolutionary Rock Opus to Chanhassen. View highlights or purchase the full concert!

Show Media

ABOUT

ABOUT
PROTEST: A Revolutionary Rock Opus

PROTEST pays tribute to the Women Activists that have made a substantial impact on their communities, politics, and the world! Together, these famous protesters ride the resurrected Freedom Bus to a variety of decades re-experiencing each Protest where they begin to create conversations to help understand one another and begin healing between races, generations, and the reason why we must protest for change.

The exciting NEW original Rock compositions in PROTEST transcend the decades. The songs were created for Protests ranging from the Civil Rights era to Black Lives Matter, Climate Change, Gun Violence, Voting rights and suppression, Women’s rights, Immigrant rights, and War. The inspiration for PROTEST came to fruition in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the upheaval in the Twin Cities that followed. The Covid 19 pandemic left Artists with free time, unemployed, and the urge to help in whatever way they could. Several Artists (composers, lyricists, producers) signed on to help create these exciting new songs. PROTEST a Revolutionary Rock Opus was developed to not only give employment to artists, writers, composers, and lyricists in this time of COVID-19 but to give them an outlet to inspire change in our society through their music!

PAYING TRIBUTE TO:

Greta Thunberg (Climate)

Emma Gonzalez (Parkland Gun Control)

Alice Paul (Suffragist)

Stacey Abrams (Voting Rights)

Malala Yousafzai (Female Education)

Kimberly Jones (George Floyd Activist & Author)

Dolores Huerta (United Farm Workers)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Green New Deal, Politician)

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors & Opal Tometi (Black Lives Matter Co-Founders)

Angela Davis & Elaine Brown (Black Panthers)

Diane Nash (Civil Rights)

Whoopi Goldberg, America Ferrara, Gloria Steinem (Woman's March)

Jayna Zweiman & Krista Suh (Pussy Hat Project)

Winona LaDuke (Standing Rock)

Michelle Cook, Morning Star Gali, Jaslyn Charger, LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (Standing Rock)

Eartha Kitt (Vietnam & Underprivileged Youth)

Jane Fonda (Vietnam)

Marsha P. Johnson (Stonewall & LGBTQ Rights)

MUSIC

Read the lyrics & listen to the musical numbers from the show!

All songs Mastered by Will Link

Buy Merch!

TOGETHER, WE WON'T FALL (Company)

Music & Lyrics by Barbara Cohen

Lead vocals by Barbara Cohen

Produced, Arranged and Vocals by Barbara Cohen

Recorded and Mixed by Barbara Cohen

You never saw us as equal

Just a threat to be kept down

If you’ve gotta share your power

You’d rather burn it to the ground

But were still moving these mountains

Despite what you do or say

You can roll up your sleeves and join us

Or get the hell out of our way

We will not back down

Won’t be pushed around

If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

We will not give in

Fight until we win

If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

Tanks and bullet proof armor

Water cannons and your guns

Still won’t win the battle

Against our voices raised as one

We’re marching by the thousands

Good trouble’s burning through

You can’t contain this fire You can’t put out the truth

We will not back down Won’t be pushed around If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

We will not give in Fight until we win If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

All of your greed All of your lies All the fear you monetize

And all of the outrage Streamed through the night

You can’t conquer If you can’t divide Can’t divide us

We will not back down Won’t be pushed around If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

We will not give in Fight until we win If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

We will not back down Won’t be pushed around If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

We will not give in Fight until we win If we’re standing together, we won’t fall

I SAW VIETNAM (Jane Fonda)

Music & Lyrics by Kat Perkins & Eric Warner

Lead Vocals by Randy Schmeling

Drums by Doug Christianson

Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Guitar/Keyboards by Tim Carrow

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

Fifty-five thousand soldiers died

All in the name of America's pride

And I ain't seen nothin’

I ain’t seen nothing like this

What’s the price of freedom ever worth

I can still smell the napalm burn

I saw something, I never want to see again

I saw Vietnam

And I never want to see it again

How the hell we get in this war

What the hell we fighting for?

Villages burn, shootin’ anything that moves

America's point to prove

Martin Luther King and White House tricks

Violent politics

Send them all home with no bullets in their guns

And listen to them all protest

Listen to them all protest

I saw Vietnam

And I never want to see it again

I saw Vietnam

And I never want to see it again

I saw Vietnam

And I never want to see it again

DRAGON LADY (Dolores Huerta)

Music by Miguel Gonzalez

Lyrics by Nora Montañez

Lead Vocals by Nora Montañez

Backing Vocals by Nora Montañez & Miguel Gonzalez

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Miguel Gonzalez

Dragon Lady, is what they call me

Asi me llaman

Dragon Lady, you’re in insult

Me reclaman

But your palabras don’t threaten me cuz I don’t play

A minute I waste on you is a minute taken away

But I'm not scared con tus palabras porque I will stay

From growers to rich to powerful racist is what you pray

Dragon Lady stay in your place

Ha concinar

Dragon Lady you’re in my way

Haceme pasar

Abusing a worker is to bite the hand that feeds you

But your acciones is what gives me strength cuz I’m through

Abusing a worker is to bite the hand that feeds you

Now step aside and hear me chant what is true

Grita

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Dragon Lady your not my race

Una mojada

Dragon Lady get out of my face

Eres nada

Jamas me ire, I’m here to change the world away from you

I’ll never leave I’m here to shine a mirror too

Jamas me ire, I’m here to be the voice that I always knew

This Dragon Lady brings in power and the truth

Por eso ven ya

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Down with violence, abajo

Down with oppression, abajo

Down with racism, abajo

Down with the isms, abajo

El pueblo unido, jamas sera vensido

The people united, will never be defeated

Abajo!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Yes, we can!

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

Grita

Si, Se Puede

Dice la gente

Si, Se Puede

Nacio en mi mente

Si, Se Puede

Dijo el Presidente

WE ARE WOMAN (Elaine Brown / Angela Davis)

Music by Ben Obi

Lyrics by Ashley DuBose

Lead Vocals by Ashley DuBose

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Ben Obi

Black gloves, black hat and black shoes

Black shades, black guns and black dudes

Images of Freedom Fighters, fists in the sky

Spewing truth that they’ll try to misconstrue with lies

They take away Black Lives

But our seeds survive

Troof-tellas can spark a riot

So they tell us be quiet

I’m a black woman, I’m a child of God

I’m a champion, a winner

Yeah, I beat the odds

Concurrently enraged ultimately inspired

By people and places

Turn of events

Put the story in eternity’s pages

Like Angela Yvonne Davis, Elaine Brown

Fred Hampton, they gunned him down

They can lock us up

But they can’t contain

The power

The magic flowing through our veins

The brilliance, the beautiful black brain

So much opposition

It’s a damn shame

We are woman

Strong, black woman

Speaking out

We won’t listen

When they tell us to back down

Got the world on my shoulders

Still I maintain

I got the faith that moves mountains

So I won’t complain

Justice and liberation is the main aim

Working hard to alleviate these back pains and black pain

It’s time to come together and create a new kinda world

Call up the creator

Tell him, we gon gon get it right

Even if we have to fight

Look I got all life

I won’t stop until we make it

We aren’t here to just sit by and watch

The fire in our hearts is burning hot

We’re taking back our freedoms, one by one

Injustice and hypocrisy must stop

We are woman

Strong, black woman

Speaking out

We won’t listen

When they tell us to back down

We are woman

Strong, black woman

Living proud

Keep on fighting

Lift your voice

Stand your ground

WE ARE ONE (Diane Nash)

Music & Lyrics by Timothy A. Levy

Lead Vocals by Ashley DuBose

Backing Vocals by Ashley DuBose and Timothy A. Levy

Produced by Ben Obi & Timothy A. Levy

Recorded & Mixed by Ben Obi

Under the heavens

Walking this earth

Our lives are connected

And we all have worth

I won't stay silent

When I know I should speak

I’ll be your beacon

When you’re hitting rough seas

I’m fighting for freedom

For a world unafraid

For every inequality

Every color every shade

I won’t be divided

By the pain of the past

I’ll let healing waters flow

Cause the future's in our hands

We are one (Oh-oh-oh)

We are one

We are one (Oh-oh-oh)

We are one

I choose to be civil

And swallow my pride

I want you to know

If your skin ain’t like mine

It doesn’t matter

We’re all in this race

The race to be human

For the rest of our days

I’m fighting for freedom

For a world unafraid

For every inequality

Every color every shade

I won’t be divided

By the pain of the past

I’ll let healing waters flow

Cause the future's in our hands

We are one (Oh-oh-oh)

We are one

We are one (Oh-oh-oh)

We are one

THIS IS HOW WE MARCH (Marsha P. Johnson)

Music & Lyrics by Aaron Gabriel

Lead Vocals & Production by Kasano Mwanza

Background Vocals by Kasano Mwanza

Guitar, Drums, Bass, and Keys by Tim Carrow

Piano by Mindy Eschedor

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

Archival footage and sound clips of Betty Brown and Marsha P. Johnson courtesy of LoveTapesCollective with special thanks to the Lesbian Herstory Archives.

This is for the original Hot Peaches (Hot Peaches)

My girls of Star House both living and dead (Say it loud)

Ms Victoria, ChiChi, Kitty, Alexis, Rusty Mae, Chelsea

Coco, Frances, and dear Sister Sylvia

Let’s show them how we march

This is how we march down Christopher Street

Trolling for a john or someplace to sleep

Workin’ for a dime or something to eat

A day in the life of a radical queen

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we march

Go on say what you want

You can say anything to me

But it’s time you gt taught

Why my they all call me Marsha P

I keep mindin’ my own

I keep sayin’ don’t bother me

But I won’t bite my tongue

If you come for my girls and me

You can call me a welfare queen

You can say that all I want to do is use and abuse

But why should I pay taxes a system

That don’t give me the same rights as you

This is how we march to the Stonewall Inn

Stompin’ past the pigs by the Precinct Six

With day-old cigarettes and a tumbler of gin

This is how we pay for all of your sins

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we march

Come on say what you want

You can say anything to me

You can spit in my face

But that won’t wash away all my dreams

If you give me some love

I will give you my everything

These flowers in my hair

And my heart beating on my sleeve

I learned a lesson when I was young

Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone

So go on try to block out my sun

Honey, even when I’m dead

My life will just have begun

This is how we march down Christopher Street

Trolling for a john or someplace to sleep

Workin’ for a dime or something to eat

A day in the life of a radical queen

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we march to the Stonewall Inn

Stompin’ past the pigs by that Precinct Six

With day-old cigarettes and a tumbler of gin

This is how we pay for all of you sins

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we march

This is how we walk

[Betty Brown: “Why are you here today?”]

[Marsha P Johnson: Darling, I want my gay rights now!”]

This is how we talk

[Marsha P Johnson: “I think it’s about time our gay brothers and sisters got their rights!”]

This is how we we march

[Marsha P Johnson: “And especially the women!]

I learned a lesson when I was young

Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone

So go on try to block out my sun

Honey, even when I’m dead

My life will just have begun

This is how we march down Christopher Street

Trolling for a john or someplace to sleep

Workin’ for a dime or something to eat

A day in the life of a radical queen

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we march to the Stonewall Inn

Stompin’ past the pigs by the Precinct Six

With day-old cigarettes and a tumbler of gin

This is how we pay for all of your sins

This is how we walk and

This is how we talk and

This is how we live

When there’s nothing left to give

So, this is how we walk and ,

This is how we talk and

This is how we march

STAND TOGETHER (Standing Rock)

Music by Tim Carrow & Jimmy Rogers

Lyrics by Tim Carrow

Lead Vocals by Randy Schmeling

Background Vocals by Tim Carrow

Drums by Doug Christianson

Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Guitar/Keyboards by Tim Carrow

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

There is a rising in the North Great Plains

They are fighting for their own remains

Fight suppression with opposition

Desecration of Tribal Nation

We stand together in solidarity

Save the water

Feel the power

Stand together

For the Mother

Save the water

Brave the weather

Stand together, yeah

They wanna come here with their big machines

Make a profit for their company

Tear apart the land for the master plan

Pump the tar sand, screw the sovereign man

We stand together in solidarity

Save the water

Feel the power

Stand together

For the Mother

Save the water

Brave the weather

Stand together, yeah

Save the water

Feel the power

Save the water

Feel the power

Save the water

Feel the power

Save the water

Feel the power

NEW DEAL (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

Music & Lyrics by Kat Perkins and Eric Warner

Lead Vocals by Janely Rodriguez

Drums by Doug Christianson

Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Guitar/Keyboards by Tim Carrow

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

I’m surrounded by such liars who refuse to see the truth

This damaged world’s addiction

You say I rant and rave just like lunatic, okay

You just give me more ambition

We need to save ourselves

Your attention please

I said we need to save ourselves!

OH! Get your head out of the sand

Don’t leave the future left unplanned

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

NO! It’s not a crazy mystery

It’s groundbreaking history

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

I’m surrounded by such oily tycoons in this game

Whose compromise is all conditions

They fuel the fires of a ravenous runaway train

To undermine our global vision

We need to save ourselves

Your attention please

I said we need to save ourselves

OH! Get your head out of the sand

Don’t leave the future left unplanned

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

NO! It’s not a crazy mystery

It’s groundbreaking history

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

The future the future could be

So good

Good for you and me

Tik tok

OH! Get your head out of the sand

Don’t leave the future left unplanned

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

OH! It’s not a crazy mystery

It’s groundbreaking history

Oh yeah

It’s the new deal

HOW DARE YOU! (Greta Thunberg)

Music & Lyrics by Linnea Mohn

Lead Vocals by Linnea Mohn

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Linnea Mohn

This is all wrong

I shouldn’t be up here

This is all wrong

I shouldn’t be up here

I should be back in school

On the other side of the ocean

Yet you all come to us for hope

You all come to us for hope

How dare you

You have stolen my dreams

With your empty words

I’m one of the lucky ones

People are suffering

People are dying

How dare you

You say that you hear, you understand

No matter how sad or angry I am

For so many years the science has been crystal clear

You continue to look away

How dare you

Say you’re doing enough

Fix is nowhere in sight

Still you refuse to act

Ecosystems collapsing

This is mass extinction

How dare you

You talk about money and fairy tales

Business as usual and unending sales

But we are beginning to see a betrayal

Our eyes are on you

And if you chose to fail

We’ll never forgive you

How dare you

MALALA (Malala Yousafzai)

Music & Lyrics by Tim Carrow

Lead Vocals by Tim Carrow

Keyboard/Guitar by Tim Carrow

Upright Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

Hey little girl

Go speak your mind

It is you they are trying to silence

A voice in this world who won’t be denied

They failed to erase you with violence

Hey little girl

With holes in your head

And still you can speak for the weary

When push comes to shove

A message of love

Was sent from the heavens above

Ooh Ma-la-la

Hey little girl

Let’s dance and sing

You are welcome to speak at the rally

The bullets will ring

Piercing you wings

But high you will fly from the valley

Hey little girl

They all know your name

They can’t keep you down in the home

These cards are for you and presents too

To let you know you’re not alone

Ooh Ma-la-la

Hey there young woman

How far you’ve come

Are you still trying to carry the load?

To educate those whom need it the most

It’s a long and windy road

Hey there young woman

You started the fight

You were there when they came for your life

To have no regrets in spite all the threats

You put all the worries to bed

Ooh Ma-la-la

PARKLAND (Emma Gonzales)

Music & Lyrics by Barbara Cohen

Produced, Arranged and Vocals by Barbara Cohen

Recorded and Mixed by Barbara Cohen

Musicians - Barbara Cohen & Nipun Nair

I am standing here to say their names

I am holding back the tears of grief and rage

I am crouching taking cover on the floor

My life's just blood-sport for the politicians war

Thoughts and prayers won't bring them back

Your empty words ring cruel

Thoughts and prayers won't bring them back

Blood that's shed's on you

I am waking from this nightmare everyday

I am the screams from those that could’nt get away

I am your conscious as it gasps for its last breath

And shuts its eyes to the bleeding and the dead

Thoughts and prayers won't bring them back

Empty words ring cruel

Thoughts and prayers won't bring them back

The blood that's shed's on you

America, can you hear me

Listen clearly now

America, let's break the fever

Before the fever breaks us all

Thoughts and prayers won't bring them back

Your empty words kill

WHAT'S NEW PUSSY HAT (Pussy Hat Project)

Music & Lyrics by Linnea Mohn

Vocals by Linnea Mohn

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Linnea Mohn

Grab your pussy hat

Put it on

And just like that

We’re at this intersection

Where handsy dudes feel apprehension

No-no-no-no

I insist

We resist

She persisted

Nevertheless, they never miss their chance to say

“Only we represent the USA”

It’s not brave to demean

I mean the laugh indelible in the mind

It’s not weak to be kind

They’re just blind

To this moment in time

So I’m going to do the work that I need to

To figure out what I should say

Claw back the rights they took away

Walk beside you

You walk beside me too

Let’s work together

To make everything better

Crochet can you see

A sea of pink, on the horizon

And we are millions

Side by side

We’ll abide

He/him, she/her, they/them

Past, present, future

You know that dignity is all and everything

We need in word and deed

The people have the power to succeed

So I’m going to do the work that I need to

To figure out what I should say

Claw back the rights they took away

Walk beside you

You walk beside me too

Let’s work together

To make everything better

Take a step

Take just one step

One step to make enduring change

Take a step

Take just one step

One step to make enduring change

So I’m going to do the work that I need to

To figure out what I should say

Claw back the rights they took away

Walk beside you

You walk beside me too

Let’s work together

To make everything better

MARCH LIKE A GIRL (Women's March)

Music & Lyrics by Dina Maccabee

Lead Vocals by Linnea Mohn

Background Vocals by Dina Maccabee, Kat Perkins, Annie Fitzgerald

Drums by Doug Christianson

Upright Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Guitar/Keyboards by Tim Carrow

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Some of us can still remember

The day the future seemed to die

Some of our heroes have been murdered

You know our faith it has been tried

But we wil not be quiet

We will never be controlled

Cause’ we know we are forever connected, yeah

And our truth cannot be untold

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Those who would demonize the stranger

And hide behind a wall of stone

Use deadly force instead of justice

How can I fight all this alone?

Those who imprison and impoverish

Who deny the right to love

Who pretend that abuse is a punchline

We’re not laughing when push comes to shove

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Who are we?

We are the mothers and the daughters

Where do we come from?

All around the world

What do we want

Not to be forgotten

How do we march

March like a girl

I know exactly what you’re thinking

That you alone are not as strong

As Rosa Parks and Justice Ginsburg

And to be honest you’re not wrong

But this is why we come together

So let a new resolve take hold

It’s on us to keep the time from rollng backwards

A better future for all will unfold

Yesterday the street was just an empty road

The faces drifted by with silent hearts

But today they beat together like a thousand drums

And I know this crazy whole is so much bigger than each part

Who are we?

And what do we want?

Who are We?

We are the sisters and the grandmothers

Where are we going?

All around the world

What do we want?

Not to be divided

How do we march?

March like a girl

HOW CAN WE WIN (Kimberly Jones)

Music & Lyrics by Timothy A. Levy

Lead Vocals by Kymani Kahlil

Background Vocals by Kymani Kahlil

Guitar Keyboard by Tim Carrow

Electric Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Electronics (Drum Programming) by Doug Christianson

Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by Tim Carrow

How can we win

Feels like I’ve been fighting my whole life

Trying to get a piece

Just one slice

Of this American dream

But America don’t give a damn about me

Life is what you make it

Yeah, that’s true

Depends on who’s lense you’re looking through

We just continue to be

Shot down cold and heartless in the street

It feels like all the walls are closing in

How can we win when the game is fixed

How can we win?

It don’t make no sense

All of the lies and the promises

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win?

Yeah, we’ve had enough

How can we win ‘cause there ain’t no trust

Four hundred years and fifty more plus

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win

Patience is a virtue that’s what I hear

So how long do wait

What’s fair is fair

All we keep hearing is trust

But it feels like we’re still in the back of the bus

Our history is written

It’s in the books

But it keeps on repeating

So take a look

Oppression continues to surge

We come so far but we’re still on the verge

It feels like all the walls are closing in

How can we win when the game is fixed

How can we win

It don’t make no sense

All of the lies and the promises

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win

Yeah, we’ve had enough

How can we win ‘cause there ain’t no trust

Four hundred years and fifty more plus

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win

How can we win when the game is fixed

How can we win?

It don’t make no sense

All of the lies and the promises

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win?

Yeah we’ve had enough

How can we win ‘cause there ain’t no trust

Four hundred years and fifty more plus

Tell me how can we win?

How can we win

VOTE! (Alice Paul & Stacey Abrams)

Music by Tim Carrow

Lyrics by Perrin Post

Lead Vocals by Kymani Kahlil, Janely Rodriguez, Kasano Mwanza

Background Vocals by Kymani Kahlil, Janely Rodriguez, Tinia Moulder, Perrin Post

Guitar by Tim Carrow

Bass by Jimmy Rogers

Drums by Doug Christianson

Spoken lines by Tinia Moulder, Randy Schmeling

Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Tim Carrow

Vote

Women of America tell you

America is not a democracy

We women of America tell you

We don’t work for the aristocracy

We women of America tell you

We won’t be denied our right to vote

We women of America tell you

Women of America tell you

We are here, hear our voice (Vote)

(“The Woman's Party is made up of women of all races, creeds and nationalities who are united on the one program of working to raise the status of women.”)

This fine suffragist Alice Paul

Earned degrees in economics and the law

She found her drive by protesting in Britain

Head held high, she knew she’d found her mission

Paul made her voyage across the sea

Not knowing what her destiny would be

But Alice was convinced she carried the key

To piss off, America’s ‘stocracy

Organized protest to gain the women’s vote

Went straight to the big house

In uniform (White coat)

Put each suffragist to the test

She was a pain in his ass, she self-confessed

I knew to be heard, I’d have to be a pest

Politicians only took my words for jest

Until one day they saw in the distance

Women marching heading a resistance

President Wilson was warned we were comin’

His celebration speech, well, it was a-bombin’

We were a pain in his partys ass

And Woody, well, he was really tense

We stood at the fence, signs up in the air

The crowd abuse and insults, spit everywhere

Our silent protest lasted days into weeks

Our journey, simply stated, not for the meek

They put us all in a wagon

Police called our bluff

They came to arrest us

Put us all in cuffs

Politicians announced

(“Their Cause Is Violent!”)

Wilson Announced

(“They’re starting a riot!”)

Shipped off to jail refusing any bail

For a while we thought, we had terribly failed

But to Woody’s dismay

Papers printed our story

Claims of riot uplifted our glory

Women of America tell you

America is not a democracy

We women of America tell you

We don’t work for the aristocracy

We women of America tell you

We won’t be denied our right to vote

We women of America tell you

Women of America tell you

(“Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Inez Mulholland, and Carrie Chapman Catt were arrested for blocking traffic. Refusing to pay their fines or accept bail, all were imprisoned in the Washington, DC Jail. Considering themselves political prisoners, Paul began hunger strikes; their tactics were met with the brutality of feeding tubes forced down their throats. Paul was considered the ringleader and was removed and held separately back in DC. Alice Paul was later brought to a psychiatric ward in DC where an attempt was made to declare her insane.”)

We women of America tell you

America is not a democracy

We women of America tell you

We don’t work for the aristocracy

We women of America tell you

We won’t be denied our right to vote

We women of America tell you

Women of America tell you

(“Are they capable of bearing the sanctions that will be placed upon them?”)

We are now in the present, a new century

Where Congress recites a directory

At the height of amoral, political delusion

Voting rights divided, still an illusion

Believe your eyes, what the future holds

Watch your voting rights unravel at the polls

Past is prologue as history repeats

Hold on to your seats, ‘cause I’m about to preach

Get on the bus (Women of America tell you)

(“Thirteenth Amendment!”)

(“Emancipation Proclamation!”)

(“Abolition of Slavery!”)

(“Fourteen Amendment!”)

(“Ratified, life, liberty & freedom!”)

(“Fifteenth Amendment!”)

(“Black men get the right to vote!”)

(“A citizens right to vote shall not be denied or abridged in the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”)

(“Still talking about only men voting!”)

(“In 1890 Mississippi’s political Congressman quotes!”)

(“We create a poll tax to insure poor blacks cannot vote. If that doesn’t do it a literacy test will surely deter. But incase they press on, we create…”)

Minor offenses put black men in jail

Loitering! We know they can’t afford the bail

Laws go on for decades, foundation to be laid

Threatened at the polls, watch their voting rights fade

But the icing on the cake, if they break the law,

It’s forever on their record, bad luck of the draw

Confederates were forced to accept their fate

They refused and found ways to segregate

One vote in congress is all it took

Reconstruction for blacks, gone, forsook

So begins a hundred years of Jim Crow

Dr. Kings’s vision helps our forces grow

Hollywood enforces with Birth of a Nation

Empowering the Klan’s fenzied celebration

Colored Only- signs on all the eye can scan

Violence, bloodshed and the Ku Klux Klan

Get on the bus

(Women of America tell you- Vote)

Get on the bus

(Women of America tell you- Vote)

Get on the bus

(Women of America tell you- Vote)

(“1920, The Nineteenth Amendment!”)

White women can vote, thanks to Alice Paul

Black women still wait, standing proud and tall

Politicians can finally recognize our plight

We can make change, turning wrong into right

Get on the bus (Women of America tell you-Vote)

Vote

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE - (Black Lives Matter)

Music by Ben Obi

Lyrics by Ashley DuBose

Lead Vocals by Ashley DuBose

Produced by Ben Obi

The rich get richer

The broke stay poor

We keep fighting

But what for

Police keep killing

No justice served

But Black Lives Matter

Just like yours

When did we stop being human

Turning our hearts into diamonds

Giving ourself these excuses

Why we shouldn’t be more concerned

Do unto others as you’d want

Done unto you and your children

They are the next generation

This is their world we’re creating

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We cry for those who can’t speak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We are the strength for the weak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We march for those six feet deep

Oh-oo, oh-oo

Who died at the hands of police

The ones in power

To make the change

Suppress the voters

So they maintain

A fascist system

Devoid of hope

All lives can’t matter

If black ones don’t

So, we are the voice of the people

Screaming no justice, no peace

Over lies that the media feed us

The futures of black babies need us

Standing together united

State of the Union divided

This is the new revolution

Together we are the solution

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We cry for those who can’t speak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We are the strength for the weak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We march for those six feet deep

Oh-oo, oh-oo

Who died at the hands of police

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We cry for those who can’t speak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We are the strength for the weak

Oh-oo, oh-oo

We march for those six feet deep

Oh-oo, oh-oo

Who died at the hands of police

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Dive into the buzz surrounding our show with exclusive quotes from rave reviews, in-depth podcast interviews, and featured articles from top publications. Explore what critics and audiences are saying, and experience the impact firsthand.

QUOTES

Explore the highlights from those who have seen us on stage!

“Protest, a Revolutionary Rock Opus is powerful, energizing, and informative! It’s the kind of show you want to see with your community – be that your sisters, daughters, mom, friends, or book club.” - Ann Treacy (Mostly MN Music Music Reviewer)

"PROTEST reminds us that every one of us has the power to make our voice heard, stand up for what's right, and change the world for the better.” "The songs are written by a collection of talented local songwriters, each one telling the story of a different activist, both of today and from history." - Jill Schafer (Cherry & Spoon)

"It's a show paying tribute to the many strong women who've helped lead protest movements throughout America's history. The songs are inspiring and thrilling. Talking to these talented music professionals was also a real treat. -Gary Bingner (Hold Tight Video)

“The performer’s voices full of meaning and soul carry these messages beyond our minds and into our hearts.” - Rob Dunkleberger (Stages of MN Podcast)

I saw a concert of PROTEST, billed as "a revolutionary rock opus," back in the fall of 2021, and it was a healing and inspirational experience. We were coming off of a pandemic period with no live performances (during which time I understand the concept was born and developed), plus the tumultuous political and social movements of 2020, and it was such a balm to gather, listen to music, and celebrate women who have stood up to injustice in all areas throughout history. The album has since been released, and it's fantastic and brings back memories of that night. The songs are written by a collection of talented local songwriters, each one telling the story of a different activist, both of today and from history. A lot of them, sad to say, I'd never heard of, so it's not just a celebration but an education, elevating the voices of these women we all should know. Women working for women's rights, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, environmental justice, and more. The concert, and the album, was performed by a lot talented artists from the local theater community (Janely Rodriguez, Kasano Mwanza, Nora Montanez, and Randy Schmeling to name a few) as well from the music scene, making it a great collaboration. The songs vary in musical style, each one the perfect music to highlight that specific activist. The album is a great listen, but the live experience is even better. I remember at several points it turned into a singalong, even though most of us had never heard these songs before. If anything, we need these songs even more in 2024, facing another divisive and tumultuous year. PROTEST reminds us that every one of us has the power to make our voice heard, stand up for what's right, and change the world for the better. - Jill Schafer (Cherry & Spoon)

“I'm so inspired by those speaking up and speaking out with passion. I found the original songs in PROTEST to be both moving and motivating! "This collection of singer/songwriters have captured the moment in their songs and they, along with a powerful cast of singers and musicians, have absolutely let that moment soar!” - Sue Scott. Actor, Creator/Host of "Island of Discarded Women Live Show & Podcast

"It's not just a celebration but an education, elevating the voices of these women we all should know. Women working for women's rights, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, environmental justice, and more. - Jill Schafer (Cherry & Spoon)