Few community activists have transformed thought and ideal into action and results like Ian MacKaye, founder of Washington, D.C.'s punk label Dischord Records and lead singer of (chronologically) Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, and The Evens. The thoughtful, outspoken screamer will be in Southern California for a string of appearances next week, including Hollywood High School on Sunday, October 26. At each of the engagements, he'll participate in what he calls a “public interview,” but might be better understood in this election year as a town hall meeting — except inspiring instead of depressing.

Mark these events on your calendars. Given the timing of them — ten days before this watershed election — MacKaye's level-headed assessments on today's political and cultural landscape will be a salve against the rash of Big Money Democracy. There will be no advanced ticket sales, but, like all MacKaye-endorsed activities, it will require only a $5 admission (free for HHS students). Doors open at 6 p.m., with the event starting at 7pm. All Ages (of course).

Sun Oct. 19, Riverside Art Gallery, Riverside, CA

Mon Oct. 20, UC San Diego Price Center San Diego, CA

Tue Oct. 21, UC Irvine Humanities Hall 178 Irvine, CA

Wed Oct. 22, Ventura Library Ventura, CA

Thu Oct. 23, Sunken City Skates San Pedro, CA

Sun, Oct. 26, Hollywood High School, Hollywood, CA

Update: Just got off the phone with Mr. MacKaye, and he says the visits aren't specifically timed to coincide with the election, and that the conversations won't necessarily even be about Politics (with a capital P), though surely politics will come into the discussion.

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