Like the eccentric at the beach scouring the sand for quarters with a metal detector, many of us are looking for inspiration anywhere we can find it these dismal days. Phil Ochs was the great topical songwriter of the 1960s and he firmly believed that the future success of democracy was within the grasp of every individual working collectively. Once his grasp lost its grip, he sunk into a fatal depression. As sad as Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune is, the powerful new bio-doc is also filled with passion, humor, idealism, intelligence and perfect songs: all the elements that animated Phil at his best. The kids in Tahrir Square are probably unaware of Ochs, but they're his spiritual offspring. After the film's screening tonight, the Grammy Museum's Robert Santelli will host a discussion with director Ken Bowser, producer/brother Michael Ochs and activist/friend Tom Hayden.

Tue., March 1, 7:30 p.m., 2011

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