EVENTS
PARKWAY THEATER
Upcoming
Coming Soon
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.
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.
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
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HOW DARE YOUHOW 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 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 How dare you How dare you 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 You continue to look away How dare you 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 How dare you How dare you 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 How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you
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MALALAMALALA (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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la 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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la 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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la
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PARKLANDPARKLAND (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
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WHAT'S NEW PUSSY HATWHAT'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
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MARCH LIKE A GIRLMARCH 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
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HOW CAN WE WINHOW 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 How can we win 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 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 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 How can we win How can we win
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VOTE!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 Vote 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) We are here, hear our voice (Vote) We are here, hear our voice (Vote) 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) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you) 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) 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) 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) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you-Vote) Vote
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VOICE OF THE PEOPLEVOICE 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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HOW DARE YOUHOW 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 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 How dare you How dare you 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 You continue to look away How dare you 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 How dare you How dare you 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 How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you How dare you
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MALALAMALALA (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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la 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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la 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 Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la Ooh Ma-la-la
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PARKLANDPARKLAND (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
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WHAT'S NEW PUSSY HATWHAT'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
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MARCH LIKE A GIRLMARCH 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
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HOW CAN WE WINHOW 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 How can we win 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 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 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 How can we win How can we win
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VOTE!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 Vote 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) We are here, hear our voice (Vote) We are here, hear our voice (Vote) 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) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you) 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) 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) 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) Get on the bus (Women of America tell you-Vote) Vote
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VOICE OF THE PEOPLEVOICE 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
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
AS SEEN IN...
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)
WATCH OUR SONGWRITERS IN ACTION
Home
Ashley DuBose - Be You
Miguel Gonzalez - INSOMNIA (Ft. Josh Meader)
A Part by Linnea Mohn
Rogue Valley - Iceland Airwaves 2015
Kat Perkins "Fearless" MUSIC VIDEO
Ashley DuBose - Boy Crazy (Official Video)
The Rooster for Violin and Voice by Dina Maccabee
The Alpha Centauri - Electrostatic
FAR AWAY - Kat Perkins
Ben Obi CW Interview
Ashley DuBose - Life Goes on
LISTEN
INTERESTED IN BRINGING PROTEST TO THE STAGE?
Other Credits:
Logo Design by: Sue Luehring | Poster /Website Design: Bridgette Karl
Videography: Gary Bingner | Photography: Regina Marie Williams & Rick Spaulding