Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31 anniversary and twelfth year as a regional, climate activists collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of air pollution, water degradation, and resulting climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions, in solidarity with frontline communities and grassroots networks of fossil fuels resistance [1-5]. We welcome everyone of all ages to enjoy this decade-plus milestone at two Twelfth Annual Celebrations of WIRT, held as benefit concerts and potluck gatherings in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho, with provided pizza, requested snacks and beverages, and a background slide show of WIRT and allied activism. WIRT invites and extends our hearty thanks to the remarkable core activists, board members, friends, and allies who have coordinated and shared the successes of ongoing citizen challenges of the corporate and government sources of climate chaos.
Please join WIRT activists on two early spring evenings, for convergences full of musical performances, spirited conversations, invigorating camaraderie, wholesome food and drink, and other creative works offered by north Idaho and regional residents. At each of these free, lively, public events, we encourage and eagerly anticipate organizers, musicians, and businesses sharing their admired talents and participating as volunteers and/or sponsors. These yearly festivities not only strive to raise awareness and funds supporting relentless WIRT activism, but also seek to attract and involve cross-cultural, youth, and community member diversity in the climate justice movement in Idaho and the Northwest.
Thursday, April 6, 7 pm: Monarch Mountain Band
Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street, Sandpoint
As a high-energy bluegrass, newgrass, and folk rock trio, the Monarch Mountain Band has been performing at numerous local and regional venues, halls, festivals, fairs, and clubs for close to 30 years [6]. Their high-stepping, toe-tapping, progressive repertoire includes bluegrass standards along with covers of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Band, Byrds, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and many more. Offering great entertainment for entire families and friends, the Monarch Mountain Band thrills music enthusiasts of all genres, who appreciate the excellent techniques and pure sounds played by this group of musicians.
Saturday, April 8, 7 pm: Fiddlin’ Big Al & Guests
The Attic, 314 East Second Street (rear, second story), Moscow
KRFP Radio Free Moscow DJ and board member and core WIRT activist Fiddlin’ Big Al Chidester performs ragtime, honky-tonk piano, fiddle, and guitar, singing old-time, country blues and original, socio-political satire songs [7]. Al started the practice of playing traditional, phase-shifted, electric viola, adding to his multi-instrumental, experimental, Americana repertoire offered on mandolin, banjo, dobro, and lap steel guitar. He writes humorous, topical songs about peace, freedom, and political hypocrisy, some recorded on his 2004 album Where Were You the Night New Orleans Drowned? and Other Songs for Our Time. Besides performing at Northwest barter fairs and hosting a long-running jam session at the Moscow Moose Lodge, Fiddlin’ Big Al broadcasts several weekly, KRFP, music shows, giving airplay to an eclectic mix of genre-bending music, recorded performances from regional venues, and occasional, live, studio sessions. Continue reading
Wild Idaho Rising Tide 