Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31 anniversary and thirteenth 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 milestone at two 13th Annual Celebrations of WIRT, held as benefit performances and potluck gatherings in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho, with provided pizza, requested snacks and beverages, a background slide show of WIRT and allied activism, and updates on six Northwest campaigns.  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 lively music, spirited conversations, invigorating camaraderie, wholesome food and drink, and creative works offered by north Idaho and regional residents.  At each of these free, public events, we eagerly anticipate community members sharing their admired talents and participating as volunteers and/or sponsors.  These yearly festivities not only strive to raise awareness and funds supporting relentless, earnest, WIRT climate activism, but also seek to further attract and involve cross-cultural and youth diversity in the climate justice movement in Idaho and the Northwest.

Thursday, March 28, 7 pm: Community Open Mic & Desiree Aguirre

Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street, Sandpoint

WIRT encourages poets, writers, musicians, creative peers, and allied groups to participate in an open microphone and potluck meal, at one of the last community events at the Gardenia Center, a beloved gathering place currently for sale and as endangered by development as the Earth [6].  A local poet will host reading and sharing of odes and tributes to the decades of community service bestowed by and through the Gardenia.  Multi-instrumentalist, roots musician Desiree Aguirre will sing stories and play banjo and maybe guitar for 30 to 45 minutes, and organizers will “pass the hat” for donations covering event publicity and travel.

Friday, March 29, 7 pm: Campaign Updates & the Eclectrix

The Attic, 314 East Second Street (rear, second story), Moscow

During this year’s celebrations in both Sandpoint and Moscow, WIRT and allied group representatives plan to lead discussions about resistance campaigns and upcoming events, including Northwest tar sands mining and refining megaloads and Alberta tailing pond breaches, southwest Idaho oil and gas extraction and waste injection wells and plant emissions, Paradise Ridge highway construction through wetlands and rare native habitat, Idaho Panhandle fossil fuels and hazardous freight trains and railroad infrastructure and wrecks, Lake Pend Oreille-adjacent timber sales, and Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress pipeline expansion.  The high-energy Eclectrix duo of Jessica Amy Cowitz and Fiddlin’ Big Al Chidester will also play a variety of folk, blues, and country music as well as original compositions on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. Continue reading →

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 (WIRT) is celebrating three March 31 anniversaries during recent, pandemic years, as a regional, activist collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions, in solidarity with frontline communities and grassroots networks of fossil fuels resistance [1-5].  We invite and welcome everyone of all ages to share this decade-plus milestone at two Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Annual Celebrations of Wild Idaho Rising Tide, held as outdoor, COVID-19-safe gatherings in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho.  Please join dirty energy resisters for an afternoon voyage on Lake Pend Oreille and two evening celebrations, all full of well-deserved, reinvigorating, shared camaraderie, spirited conversations, good food and drink, and talented performances.

Saturday, June 11

Lake Pend Oreille Voyage: 12 to 3:30 pm, Kramer Marina, Hope

Celebrations start at 11 am to noon on Saturday, June 11, with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises’ most popular, 3G tour exploring the various islands, coves, cliffs, mountains, and birds and wildlife of the beautiful, southern arm of Lake Pend Oreille.  With history and geology commentary, the 3.5-hour voyage available to all ages views Garfield and Green bays and especially the Green Monarch range planned for imminent, massive, clearcut logging by the Buckskin Saddle and Chloride Gold “restoration” (aka deforestation) projects [6, 7].  Please see the cruise company’s website for information about minimum passenger requirements, boat ride fares, and optional, on-board lunches and drinks [8].  Contact WIRT via text at 208-301-8039 for carpools departing Sandpoint at 11 am, for the 12 pm launch from the Kramer Marina in Hope, of this last 3G excursion of the spring 2022 season.

Saturday, June 11

Open-Mic Potluck Gathering: 6 to 9 pm, City Beach Park pavilion, Sandpoint

Saturday, June 18

Open-Mic Potluck Gathering: 6 to 9 pm, East City Park picnic shelter, Moscow

On two successive, Saturday evenings, WIRT invites and extends our hearty thanks to the remarkable, core activists, board members, friends, allies, and musicians who have coordinated and shared the successes of ongoing, citizen challenges of the corporate and government sources of climate chaos.  Under the light of the almost-full, Strawberry super moon, rising over Lake Pend Oreille at 5:40 pm on Saturday, June 11, and reaching peak illumination at 4:50 am on Tuesday, June 14, WIRT is converging from 6 to 9 pm on Saturday, June 11, at the City Beach Park pavilion in Sandpoint, with provided pizza and requested, potluck snacks and beverages, to enjoy open-mic performances of music, poetry, talks, and other creative works offered by north Idaho and regional residents [9].

After hosting an information and outreach table at the Moscow Farmers Market, from about 9 am until 1 pm on Saturday, June 18, WIRT eagerly anticipates another lively, open-mic and jam session, potluck gathering between 6 and 9 pm, at the East City Park picnic shelter in Moscow.  At all of these free, public events, we welcome organizers, musicians, and businesses to share their admired talents and to participate 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.

For further event and issue information and responses to your questions, and/or to contribute toward WIRT’s ninth, tenth, and eleventh anniversary celebrations and travel expenses, please visit the WIRT website and facebook pages, contact us via phone, text, email, or facebook message, and print and post the color Ninth Tenth Eleventh WIRT Celebration Flyer [10, 11].  If you cannot participate in these upcoming opportunities, but would like to uphold WIRT endeavors, please arrange a visit or send a donation to our Sandpoint office.  Physical and fiscal contributions assist the dedicated, determined work of WIRT and partner, environmental justice groups confronting new and expanded, fossil fuels production, transportation, and related infrastructure throughout the Northwest. Continue reading →

Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31, eighth anniversary as a regional, climate activist collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions.  We invite and welcome everyone of all ages to share this milestone at two Eighth Annual Celebrations of Wild Idaho Rising Tide in Moscow and Sandpoint.  These benefit concerts offered by north Idaho poets and musicians feature potluck snacks and beverages and a background slide show of WIRT activities at both locations.  Come and enjoy our yearly festivities that raise awareness, involvement, and funds supporting our #No2ndBridge lawsuit and relentless, volunteer, WIRT activism, in solidarity with frontline communities and grassroots networks of fossil fuel resistance [1, 2].

WIRT activists, members, friends, and allies eagerly anticipate these lively musical and social gatherings.  Suggested admission donations of $5 or more at the doors to these otherwise free, public events assist the dedicated work of WIRT and allies to banish new and expanded, fossil fuel infrastructure throughout the Northwest.  Please join dirty energy resisters for a well-deserved, reinvigorating evening full of shared camaraderie, spirited conversations, exuberant dancing, good food and drink, and live music of multiple genres, played by talented, visiting, and resident songwriters and performers.

Moscow: Friday, March 29, 7 to 10 pm at The Attic, up the back stairs of 314 East Second Street

Fiddlin’ Big Al & Guests

KRFP Radio Free Moscow DJ and board member and core WIRT and Standing Rock activist, Fiddlin’ Big Al Chidester of Moscow plays ragtime, honky-tonk piano, fiddle, and guitar, singing old-timey, country blues and original, socio-political satire songs.  Al started the practice of playing traditional, phase-shifted, electric viola, adding to his multi-instrumental, experimental Americana repertoire 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 [3].

Sandpoint: Saturday, March 30, 7 to 10 pm at the Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street

Open-Mic Poetry

Everyone who would like to read or perform their creative work can sign up starting at 7 pm for a five-minute spot on the stage mic opening at 7:30 pm.

Kevin Dorin

A one-man band who performs folk, rock, and blues, Kevin hales from his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, as a soulful blues traveler influenced by the music of Ryan Adams, Feist, Jack Johnson, and Maticulous. He plays electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, and sings covers and original songs [4]. Continue reading →

Anniversary concerts benefit climate activist collective

Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31, seventh anniversary as a regional, climate activist collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions.  We invite and welcome everyone of all ages to share this milestone at two Seventh Annual Celebrations of Wild Idaho Rising Tide.  These benefit concerts offered by two bands and one musician feature potluck dinner and desert in Moscow, snacks in Sandpoint, and beer and wine for purchase and a background slide show of WIRT accomplishments, at both locations.  Come and enjoy our yearly festivities that raise awareness, involvement, and funds supporting relentless, volunteer, WIRT activism in solidarity with frontline communities of fossil fuel resistance and an international, grassroots network of activists.

WIRT activists, members, friends, and allies eagerly anticipate lively musical and social gatherings between 7 and 11 pm on Friday, March 30, in the 1912 Center Great Room at 412 East Third Street in Moscow, Idaho, and on Saturday, March 31, in the Little Panida Theater, 300 North First Avenue, across the street from the downtown, WIRT office in Sandpoint, Idaho [1-3].  Suggested admission donations of $5 or more at the doors to these otherwise free, public events assist the dedicated work of WIRT and allies to banish new and expanded, fossil fuel infrastructure from the Northwest.  Please join dirty energy resisters for a well-deserved, reinvigorating evening full of shared camaraderie, spirited conversations, exuberant dancing, good food and drink, and live music of multiple genres, played by these talented, visiting, and resident songwriters and performers from the Tri-Cities, Washington, and Sandpoint.

* John Firshi

Acoustic guitarist and singer John Firshi is opening both WIRT celebrations in Moscow and Sandpoint this year, with his unique style of eclectic, original music played around the region for ten years [4-6].  As part of many diverse projects, he has provided guitar accompaniment and production assistance for other Northwest recording artists.  Drawing on a wide range of musical influences from his experience as a supporting musician, John enjoys musical styles that have a certain familiarity, yet still create the opportunity for fresh, exciting improvisation of the “ever-evolving conversation” of music.

* Los Caipirinhos

From the Tri-Cities, Washington, Los Caipirinhos is headlining the Moscow celebration at 9 pm, playing dozens of mostly original and some favorite, cover tunes in Español and English [7, 8].  The seven-piece band has fused elements and rhythms of Spanish ska, reggae, and Latin rock, with their voices, guitars, drums, trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, across the inland Northwest since 2014.  Regional audiences who appreciate and miss the amazing performances of Landrace, the Pullman-based band of Washington State University students, will enjoy the enthusiastic, authentic, danceable music of Los Caipirinhos, with former Landrace members.

* OWULL

Starting at 9 pm on the seventh WIRT anniversary, OWULL is sharing their hard rock music, as WIRT catalyzes community uprisings on the Sandpoint, fossil fuels frontline.  The left-handed band, composed of Jeremy Kleinsmith on drums and vocals and Brandon Watterson on guitar and vocals, has been playing their intricate, hard-driving sounds throughout the region [9]. Continue reading →