NYS Music 202​0

Tag: Lift Every Vote 2020

  • Lift Every Vote Campaign Asks Musicians to Join Together in Encouraging Voter Turnout

    Lift Every Vote Campaign encourages musicians to join together for one last push in voter turn out before election day on November 3, 2020. Musicians that have already joined include Lizzo, Tank and the Bangas, Robert Glasper, and many more.

    The Lift Every Vote’s mission is to expand the electorate and work to ensure that every U.S. citizen has both the right and ability to vote.  They try to accomplish this in three  different ways.  Firstly, they support local, 501(c)3 voting organizations with labor, consulting, and donations.  Secondly, they use non-partisan framing teaching voters, legislators, and activists how voting is currently regulated and administered in the U.S.  Thirdly, they find high-quality, accurate, peer-reviewed voting studies and research. Overall they hope to propose solutions-based, non-partisan activities to move our country towards our goal of universal suffrage.

    Lift Every Vote’s 2020 campaign was inspired by the summer-long grassroots efforts led by The Blacksmiths and the Wide Awakes, which organized peaceful rallies infused with music and art around New York City fighting for social justice after the murder of George Floyd. Jazz musician and double bassist Russell Hall led a ‘second line’ marching band at marches, rallies, and peaceful protests with the direct intention to bring joy and music to the movement.

    As the campaign reaches an end with the election rapidly approaching the Lift Every Vote Campaign is making a final call to all creators and performers—musicians, dancers, poets, visual artists, and others—to harness their talents, organize, and present pop-up performances that inspire the country’s greatest ever voter turnout. 

    In the course of just over 3 weeks, the campaign has seen over 3 million impressions on Instagram and over 1,000 submissions, with the momentum continuing to ramp up exponentially as the election countdown reaches its conclusion. The Lift Every Vote Campaign encourages people to participants by streaming and sharing their performances and events on social media using the hashtag #lifteveryvote and to nominate peers to take part in the challenge. 

    For more information on the Campaign visit Lift Every Vote’ website.

  • NY Musicians “Lift Every Vote” Before Election Day

    As Election Day looms closer, musicians and cultural workers across the country are taking part in Lift Every Vote 2020. A daily sunset series meant to inspire voters, LEV 2020 began on October 3 in New York’s Washington Square Park. Performers at the inaugural event included Carmen Rodgers, C. Anthony Bryant, and the Blacksmiths Band, with contributions from activist collective the Wide Awakes.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF7dIrRJEuQ/

    The idea for LEV 2020 came about after George Floyd’s murder, when The Blacksmiths and Wide Awakes organized peaceful rallies in New York City. Jazz musician and double bassist Russell Hall led a second line marching band, combining music and joy with activism.

    Music has a magical way of bringing people together. We want this thing to really take off. We hope artists will take this challenge seriously, not only driving voter registration and turnout with the beauty of music, art and performance, but also energizing communities in all fifty states.

    Russell Hall

    Musicians, poets, dancers, and other artists are encouraged to share their sunset performances with the hashtag #lifteveryvote. The movement now has 80 ambassadors, including record producer Arthur Baker, actor Gina Belafonte, and visual artist Hank Willis Thomas. Besides the Wide Awakes, LEV 2020 is also partnering with Headcount, Black Rock Coalition, and Rock the Vote.

    The name “Lift Every Vote” is a play on “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem. Composed by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, it was performed during week 1 of this year’s NFL season for the first time in the league’s 100-year history. Considering its message of hope, liberty, and progress, it’s a natural choice for encouraging democracy.

    Lift Every Vote

    “With the pandemic crushing live entertainment and performing arts, one critical step in its resuscitation is using the power of music and art to ensure that we can get back on track in our society,” said Simon Rentner, LEV 2020 co-founder. “We hope this challenge will motivate all creators — from any genre, medium, or creative sphere — to safely amplify the importance of a functioning democracy, not just through the echo chambers of our social media.”

    For more information, visit LEV 2020’s website.