Free beer. Free truth. Free participation.A diverse array of artists, activists, elected officials and community people will come together Saturday, June 22 from 2-5 p.m. at the projects+gallery at 4733 McPherson Ave in the Central West End to participate in a free event to read excerpts and summaries of the Mueller Report and offer related commentary through song.
“Many well-known local theatre people have signed up to read or sing and more are signing up every day.
“It has been two months since the Mueller Report was released. No one in St Louis has created an event around this. We are doing one June 22. Events have taken place in LA and NY, said Joan Lipkin, artistic director of That Uppity Theatre Company, who is producing the event.
“While it is true that the report is available both online and for purchase, it is unreasonable to expect the average person to read a 455-page report that is annotated and full of redactions,” Lipkin said.
“Our traditional news
sources and cable outlets are also not always reliable or accurate, so we have
decided to bring the findings of the report directly to the community in the
belief that, as the Washington Post says, ‘Democracy dies in darkness.’”
“What we do know is
that Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded at the end of an almost two-year
investigation “If
we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the
President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so
state,” Mueller wrote.
“We are sharing information but also significantly, providing an
opportunity for people to share their voices and to speak up,” Lipkin
said.
At the event, people will read approximately 5-minute excerpts to accommodate more participation.
Confirmed readers
include Susan Barrett, Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green, Rep Ian Mackey, Harper Barnes, Adelia
Parker, Rosalind Early, Roseann Weiss, Edward Coffield, Jennifer Wintzer, Stephen Houldsworth, Matthew Kerns, David
Wraith, Ann Lemons Pollack, Lisette Dennis, Kathleen Sitzer, Don Crozier, Tom Ray, Scott Intagliata,
Kathleen Dunne, Michele Mallette Sherman, Donna Postel, Carol Swartout Klein, Sara Taylor, Sabrina Tyuse, Kim Lee, Michelle Wilson, Marty
K. Casey, Linda Jo Smith, Jill Maguire, Pam Schneider and more.
There will also be
opportunities for people in the audience to read.
“Art is the ultimate
expression of freedom of speech. Because we know that art is a verb, we are
proud to host this event in support of democracy,” said Susan Barrett, founder
and president of Barrett Berrera Projects.
The event will also
include voter registration in partnership with St. Louis Voter Registration
Group, refreshments, a selfie station and the debut performance by the St Louis
chapter of Sing Out, Louise, a New York social activist group founded in 2017
that writes parodies with political commentary of iconic songs ranging from
ABBA and Queen to Rogers and Hammerstein and more.
Free stickers, Stag Beer, and water will be provided.
“Stay as little or as long as you like, although we suggest you come at 2 p.m. for the kick-off. But there will be singing and opportunities for involvement throughout the afternoon” Lipkin said.
“We hope you will join us. As democracy is under threat and continues to unravel, we need to come together as a community to make our voices heard and find mutual support,” she said.
That Uppity Theatre Company is an internationally recognized
company that was founded in 1989 to put the principles of cultural diversity into innovative
theatrical practice and to promote civic engagement and related activities.
For over 25 years, Uppity has boldly stepped into conversations about the
pressing issues of our time including reproductive choice, gender equality,
LGBTQIA rights, racial justice, disability, climate change, immigration, gun
sense advocacy and more.
Projects+gallery is a commercial art space designed to feature
contemporary exhibitions and artists that blur the boundaries of traditionally
understood artistic disciplines and practices. In conjunction with Barrett
Barrera Projects, a consulting company founded by Susan Barrett in 2014 and
specializing in arts, culture and contemporary fashion, projects+gallery
features regional, national and international artists working in a variety of
mediums.
Contact: Joan Lipkin joan.lipkin@gmail.com
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.