Sixth & Third – | Rock+Paper+Music |

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times… How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? That, to me, is the definition of an artist.”
~ Nina Simone

It’s been a while since I’ve written here, so I hope this finds you enjoying spring and successfully making your way through 2024, a year that promises to be fierce and controversial for many of us, while offering up countless opportunities to get involved in shaping our own futures… in other words: it’s election year in the U.S. of A!

I realize that, as an artist, some don’t expect/like me to step outside that role to reveal my perspective on social and political issues, but as I explain in “The Outspoken Artist: Let Candor Be Your Brand,” I’ve never been one to separate my art from my worldview, and, in fact, believe that art and creativity are powerful tools with which to express ideas, facilitate change; inspire activism, even uplift and empower.

I bring all this up because, as illustrated by the photograph at the top, I began this year with a hearty dose of political activism when my band, Sixth & Third, organized a fundraising event at a private home, performing a 90-minute concert to a lovely crowd who enjoyed some food and drink while rocking to our music and donating a very tidy sum in support of the Biden/Harris re-election campaign. Afterward, there was much enthusiastic discussion about, “what a wonderful way to get people together, everyone involved and contributing while enjoying a great night of music!” (Thank you!) And it is, indeed, fabulous to combine political and social concerns in a format that’s entertaining, doable, and effective.

SO…

I throw this out there as an invitation and suggestion: More of these! “House Fundraisers” are not only vibrantly social and lots of fun, they’re an uncomplicated, easy way to gather likeminded people who care about essentials like democracy and decency, and want to do more to help preserve it. All that’s needed is a house or facility with space enough to set up a band/duo/combo (backyards, big living rooms, good-sized meeting spaces, etc.), a list of people you can invite, and a way to collect donations (we collected checks this time but you can set up an ActBlue donation portal, as well). I hope those of you from around the country will consider the idea, particularly as the weather gets predictably warmer and people are more apt to get out and about.

As for readers here in Los Angeles County: Sixth & Third would be delighted to play for your fundraising event if schedules allow. We always love the opportunity to perform, and you’d be hosting a wonderful night of friends, food, and music while raising funds toward saving the nation… win/win! Give it some thought; there are many months ahead in which the election will be the top story, so I hope those of you inspired by this idea will reach out to make it happen.

As for the rest of my creative endeavors: there is book stuff percolating. I’m currently putting together a compilation of short stories, essays, and other “word assemblages” to be published by early summer, and at least one of my two novel manuscripts is moving in the direction of publication (how’s that for vague? 😊). More as things unfold.

Until then, have a great spring, please stay healthy and active, and let’s do all we can to keep integrity and decency in our leadership… because Gloria Steinem’s right: “The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day.”

Visit www.lorrainedevonwilke.com for details and links to LDW’s books, music, photography, and articles.

I can’t tell you how many articles I’ve started recently, on one political rant or another, that have never made it past the third paragraph. Even the second. Sometimes I can’t even get beyond the headline. For a person who used to crank out up to four articles a day, this is very odd. A conundrum. It’s wreaked havoc on my freelance writing business and certainly my readership in that market. But I can’t seem to change it at the moment

The problem? The noise, the sheer level of noise out there. The thousands (millions?) of voices venting on social media, writing articles for news media, sharing stories on various blogs and platforms, creating a deafening roar of feedback, coverage, and outrage, so loud it’s hard to be heard over the cacophony. And, let’s face it: given the glut of scandals, horrors, and endless corruptions streaming from the swamp of this particular administration, there is endless fodder for those thousands (millions?) of voices, to the point that at some point I say to myself: “What do I have to add to this conversation that’s not already being said?!”

That’s what usually stops me at paragraph two.

But since I remain outspoken, deeply invested, fairly loud, and enthusiastically opinionated, and truly believe one needs to get beyond words to evolve into ACTION anyway, an outlet needed to be clarified. I mean, besides Twitter. Which compelled me to turn my attention to one of my other Muses: MUSIC. Political activism in the form of performance. Yes! Set in a scenario in which I could put that skill set to work and invite others who share my rage and frustration to join me and my cohorts to make the political statement of raising funds for 2020 Democrats. THAT is doable. That is fun. That doesn’t require a third paragraph.

So that’s what I’m doing… what we’re doing:

“Words. Music. Potluck. Politics: A Fundraiser for 2020 Democrats”
Saturday, August 17th, 7:00pm-10:00pm
The Hiner House, 4757 N. Figueroa Avenue, Los Angeles
Donations: $20.oo (min.) per person.
All details in the flier below...

My band, Sixth & Third, comprised of me and five grand fellows—Tom Amandes, Jeff Brown, Erik Krogh, Ben Amandes, and Jeffrey Brown—are all of the liberal/Democratic persuasion, all outraged by our current political culture, and all enthused by the idea of putting our music to meaningful purpose. Joining us, and, in fact, hosting this event at his historic home in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, is my dear friend, and actor/storyteller extraordinaire, Troy Evans, who you might know from ER, Veep, and most recently, as “Barrel” of the hilarious cop team, “Crate & Barrel,” on Amazon’s hit series, Bosch. Troy has often performed his iconic one-man show, Montana Tales in and around Los Angeles, and for our event, he’s going to present a few of his most salient, theme-appropriate stories, which you won’t want to miss. We are joining him on a double-bill, adding a few new songs to the roster to soundtrack the evening’s theme.

We want you to join us. We want as many of you as possible to show up to not only enjoy the show, but to help us raise as much money as possible to send to ActBlue. All the information is in the flier below; download it if you like and send it out to your like-minded family and friends. They’re all invited. And if you would, pop over to our Facebook Event page to RSVP so we make sure we’ve got the venue properly set up for the headcount; that would be much appreciated.

In a particular moment in time when so little feels within our control, this is something we can do: we can gather, share music and storytelling, and pool our resources in support of the candidates we’re entrusting to change the political trajectory. Let’s do that in glorious numbers. See you on the 17th!!