Local experts and ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State students will explore the connection between music and social movements at a panel discussion at on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.
The discussion, βYou Say You Want a Revolution: Does Music Matter to Todayβs Social Movements,β will begin at 7 p.m. in Room 340 of Franklin Hall at ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ. It is free and open to the public. This event is inspired by the course βRolling Stone @ 50,β taught in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC), which earlier this semester explored the iconic magazineβs legacy and influence on journalism and social movements. The discussion is hosted by JMC and the College of Communication and Information at ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State.
A photo booth will be set up outside the auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite concert tee or clothing that represents a social cause. Students dressed for the occasion will be entered to win a one-year membership to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Panelists include the following:
- Malcolm Abram, pop music writer for the Akron Beacon Journal
- Hana Barkowitz, ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State student, activist
- Madison Indre, ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State student, local music artist
- Jason Prufer, author and ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ senior library associate
- Mike Shea, founder and CEO of Alt Press
- Gene Shelton, ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State professor, former writer and publicist for Motown Records
Associate Professor Evan Bailey, a music and live entertainment expert, will moderate the panel. Stephanie Smith, assistant professor and course instructor for βRolling Stone @ 50β is the event organizer.
βThe music of the Sixties famously captured the countercultures, activism and ethos of those times,β she said. βWhat is music's role in today's social causes and social movements, including Black Lives Matter, immigration reform, gender identity and equality, environmentalism and beyond? The panel will explore whether music still inspires, galvanizes and fuels movements and to what extent contemporary music of any genre frames and spreads key messages for social causes.β