A Festival Of Joyous Rebellion This Weekend At The Hideout

By aaroncynic in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 18, 2014 9:30PM

On Saturday the Hideout plays host to The Festival of Joyous Rebellion, a celebration of civic engagement and politics via music, art and spoken word.

The festival features populist political commentator and radio personality Jim Hightower, renowned author and editor of The Nation John Nichols and Chicago’s own poet/spoken word artist Michael Reyes. Reyes has combined poetry and hip hop fused with activism to tell stories of social justice for more than 12 years. Earlier this month Reyes teamed up with DJ-Ozone to collaborate on a song addressing youth violence called “In Search For The Light.”

“At the same time that we’re serious about politics, we believe that any movement worth its salt includes music, art, poetry and humor,” said George Goehl, executive director of the National People’s Action Campaign, the organizers of the festival.

In addition to performances, food, art and beer, the event will also have a soapbox for attendees to speak out about the issues most important to them. “It’s a chance for everyone to show what kind of politics and what kind of world they want to see,” said Jacob Swenson, Communications Lead for NPA.

Also among the half dozen speakers and performers is Ai-Jen Poo, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, who was among this year’s MacArthur Fellows for her work in organizing and fighting for the rights of housekeepers, caregivers and other domestic workers.

“The Festival of Joyous Rebellion is a celebration of the growth of this new kind of people powered politics and an attempt to live out the positive values and movement culture we’re working so hard to create,” said Goehl.

Tickets for Saturday are $25 each and the event runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.