Concept
SOCIAL COLLAPSE HAS NEVER BEEN SO FUN
In a (sadly possible) near future, art of all kinds has been censored and banned. In a secret venue in Minneapolis, an underground troupe has organized a performance of some of the banned songs.
They are songs of resistance, protest, hope, social healing. They are songs that resist the authoritarian mythos of fear and hatred.
They also point out how we got where we are - and serve as a warning to our past selves: tyranny wins by attrition. We need to keep helping each other while we fight, stay enthusiastic for what we need, not just angry about what we’ve lost.
Format
10 songs with a finale. R.Hill will be MC. Combination of solos, duets, and group numbers. Number of songs to learn varies for musician. Open to swapping out numbers and creating backup numbers to switch things up.
Singers: Looking for a minimum of three, but open to doubling up on some songs in case performers are not available for a given performance.
Five piece band: keyboard, drum kit/percussion, cello/bass, guitar, trumpet.
Rehearsals: Three rehearsals with the full band. Singers at at least two of the rehearsals.
Compensation: Everyone will be paid a fee based on the numbers they need to learn and perform, plus rehearsal fee.
Performances: Current plan is three.
Location: Scouting possible venues now, possible each performance is at a different venue around the Twin Cities.
Current Song List
The Future: Leonard Cohen at his best upbeat nihilism.
Is That All There Is?: What do you do when everything goes to shit? Break out the booze and have a ball.
All You Fascists (Bound to Lose): Woody Guthrie protest song still resonates.
Personal Jesus: Re-imagined to be about your mobile device and social media. Arranged into a gospel number.
A Policeman Needs a Riot: Malvina Reynolds protest song still resonates.
Lola: Give ‘em something they recognize. And probably never realized was about trans love.
As the World Caves In: Big crooner duet.
Glad to be Gay: Classic gay resistance anthem. Sing-alongable.
Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple): Lesser-known John Lennon. Upbeat and fun.
Easy to be Hard: Full group singing. The emotional climax of the night.
After this, the event will be “raided” by authorities. Lights out. Chaos and noise in the darkened house to set up…
Last Dance: A surprise finale lip sync by a drag performer. Mirror ball, hopefully some dancing and celebration of resistance.
Dates, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tickets: $xx
Location address
