September 2011 Friends Not Fans Newsletter!

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THIS MONTH'S CONTENTS:
1) Honoring Troy Davis
2) Latest news and photos!
3) Road trip out West with ANNE FEENEY!
4) "Never Surrender" to appear in new film, "The Heist!
5) Just Announced: SUMMER 2012 TOUR OF EUROPE!
6) #occupywallstreet
7) Upcoming Shows and Tours

IMMEDIATE DESTINATIONS:
SEP 28: Grand Forks, ND
SEP 29: Grand Forks, ND
SEP 30: Grand Forks, ND
OCT 2: Rapid City, SD
OCT 3: need a show in Montana!
OCT 4: Butte, MT
OCT 5: Missoula, MT
OCT 6: Bozeman, MT
OCT 7: Spokane, WA
OCT 8: Spokane, WA
OCT 9: Spokane, WA
OCT 11: Winona, MN
OCT 13: Washington, DC
OCT 14: Washington, DC
OCT 20: Oberlin, OH
OCT 21: need a show in DETROIT!
OCT 22: Ann Arbor, MI
OCT 23: Buffalo, NY

HOW TO FIND ME ON THE INTERNET:
E-Mail: evangreer@gmail.com
Website: www.evangreer.org
Collective: www.riotfolk.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/evan.greer2
Bandcamp: evangreer.bandcamp.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/evangreer
Buy CDs with PayPal: www.evangreer.org/products.html
Buy CDs From CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/evangreer
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/evangreer1

1) Honoring Troy Davis
On September 21st, 2011, the state of Georgia executed another black man. Troy Davis should be honored as a hero and a martyr. The latest casualty of a racist, classist, sexist, homophobic, and tortuous "justice" system. Much has been said and written about Troy's very likely innocence. 7 of 9 of the non-police witnesses in the case recanted their testimony and said they were coerced into testifying against Troy. There are far too many historical examples of the police framing black men for this to even raise an eyebrow for most.

To me, Troy's innocence is not even the question. The death penalty is a tool of the state to kill poor people and people of color while the wealthiest members of our society, who are responsible for the most violence, go unpunished.

Before he was murdered by the State, Troy Davis wrote these words of encouragement to his hundreds of thousands of supporters from around the world:

To All:

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.

So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.

I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing,

“I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”

Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!

2) Latest News, Videos, and Photos!




























Saoirse is walking. That's pretty much the big news on the home front. I still can't really believe it! He took his first 5 steps in Albany, NH at the World Fellowship Retreat Center during a wonderful and intimate concert on the eve of Hurricane Irene. My baby has taken to sitting sitting on "stage" with me and crawling around to play various instruments during the show. He's quite the accompanist but tends to steal the show a bit. Wonder where he got that from?

Summer has been busy but lazy at the same time and as I look at my calendar and realize the shear amount of touring we're about to be doing, I feel simultaneously scared and excited! Can't wait to get out there singing, meeting new friends and seeing old ones. Plus Saoirse loves tour, though each one becomes more challenging as he gets older and more stubborn. ;-)

2) Road Trip Out West With Anne Feeney!

We're delighted to be leaving on Tuesday for a two week stint in the Midwest and beyond with our dearest friend and one of my biggest influences and mentors, legendary labor singer Anne Feeney. This will be our 6th tour together! Anne and I make a pretty dynamic duo and we're planning to bring all Saoirse's favorite instruments from drums and ukelele to the banjo and the mandolin!

We start out at the 100th Anniversary of the North Dakota AFL-CIO in Grand Forks, ND and then head South and West a bit to Rapid City, SD for a punk rock gig and then off into Montana for a few dates in Missoula, Bozeman, and Butte, we make a U-Turn at the Federation of State Workers Convention in Spokane, WA and then high tail it back through Winona, MN. Then we'll fly back East in the hopes at performing for the brave souls who will be occupying Washington, DC for human needs NOT corporate greed! Check out: www.october2011.org

3) "Never Surrender" to appear in The Heist!
Meanwhile, Anne and I are both excited that our songs are being used in a hot new political documentary called Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?

From their website:
"The collapse of the U.S. economy is the result of conscious choices made over thirty five years by a small group: leaders of corporations and their elected allies, and the biggest lobbying interest in Washington, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To these individuals, the collapse is not a catastrophe, but rather the planned outcome of their long, patient work. For the rest of the country, it is merely the biggest heist in American history."

My song, "Never Surrender" will play during the ending credits and they will be using Anne's fantastic song "War on the Workers" as well.

The film premiers at the Mill Valley Film Festival this October, check their website for a screening near you!

4) Just Announced: SUMMER 2012 TOUR OF EUROPE!

When baby Saoirse was 6 weeks old we took him on tour in Europe. This summer he'll be turning two and to celebrate we're going back to Europe, this time for TWO MONTHS! That way we can go all the places people have asked us to come play but we've never had time for!

We also want to go to Italy and study anti-authoritarian pedagogy in Reggio Emilia! Want to help fund this amazing trip? DONATE!

OR, if you are in: SWEDEN, DENMARK, POLAND, CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SPAIN, GREECE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, IRELAND, ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES, pretty much ANYWHERE else in EUROPE

get in touch NOW and we can book something! E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com


Here's a little throw-back photo from my very first tour of Europe about 6 years ago (with Mark Gunnery, Ryan Harvey, and Christa Daring.) Here's the Riot-Folk! tent at the G8 Protests near Stirling, Scotland. We camped out with 8,000+ people in an impromptu squatted eco-village and I got some of my first hands on experience as a medic at a major demonstration.
We also got to play a huge show during which Oi Polloi opened for us. it was a historic riotfolk moment, i'd say!


5) #OCCUPYWALLSTREET
Last week I was able to get down to NYC to do some recording with spiritchild for our Back to the Roots CD, coming November 2010. We were lucky enough to get the chance to go perform for the good folks who are occupying Freedom Plaza (formerly Zuccotti Park) near Wall Street in New York City. It's a rag tag group indeed coming from all walks of life and all over the country.

Here's a livestream video showing some direct democracy style decision making. About 6 minutes in spiritchild and I do a sweet Back to the Roots style unplugged performance for a few hundred excited people. It devolves into some interesting "discussion" on the role of denouncing police in the movement, but it's a cool video nonetheless. To clarify: the NYPD is a racist, classist, sexist, trans-phobic, white-supremist and capitalist-defending institution and I don't support them one bit. That direct enough?

Watch live streaming video from globalrevolution at livestream.com

Get over to www.occupywallst.org to stay up to date on what's happening down there and get to Liberty Plaza if you can! The biggest thing they need is reinforcements. You can donate online too or order some delivery for them like people from all over the world have been doing!

6) Upcoming Shows and Tours!

September 28, 2011: GRAND FORKS, ND
100th Anniversary Celebration for the North Dakota AFL-CIO!
Details TBA! with ANNE FEENEY

September 29, 2011: GRAND FORKS, ND
100th Anniversary Celebration for the North Dakota AFL-CIO!
@ Empire Arts Center
415 DeMers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND 58201
7:00pm. FREE and open to the public!
With: ANNE FEENEY, a one act play: “In Case of Emergency, Strike Glass,” film screenings and more!

September 30, 2011: GRAND FORKS, ND
100th Anniversary Celebration for the North Dakota AFL-CIO!
Details TBA!
With: ANNE FEENEY

October 2, 2011: RAPID CITY, SD
Anne Feeney & Evan Greer do Punk Rock
@ Skullets
157 1/2 E. Main North St., Rapid City, SD
7:00pm. $5. All ages!
With: ANNE FEENEY

October 3, 2011: NEED A SHOW!
we need to stop somewhere between Rapid City, SD and Butte, MT. Anyone in Billings or elsewhere want to set up a last minute house concert for me and ANNE FEENEY?!

October 4, 2011: BUTTE, MT
Details TBA with ANNE FEENEY
Pub appearance sponsored by some local unions.

October 5, 2011: MISSOULA, MT
Details TBA @ University of Montana

October 6, 2011: BOZEMAN, MT
@ The Filling Station

2005 N Rouse Ave, Bozeman, Montana 59715
Call: (406) 587-0585 [map]

Price: $7 - 15 sliding scale
7:30pm. 21+, sorry!

October 7, 2011: SPOKANE, WA
Washington Federation of State Employees Convention
@ Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA 99201
Details TBA! w/ ANNE FEENEY

October 8, 2011: SPOKANE, WA
Washington Federation of State Employees Convention
@ Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA 99201
Details TBA! with ANNE FEENEY

October 11, 2011: WINONA, MN
Details TBA! with ANNE FEENEY
Contact Polly Gower for info: pollygower(@)hotmail.com

October 13, 2011: WASHINGTON, DC
Freedom Plaza! Human Needs Not Corporate Greed!
http://october2011.org/
Details TBA! with ANNE FEENEY

October 14, 2011: WASHINGTON, DC
Freedom Plaza! Human Needs Not Corporate Greed!
http://october2011.org/
Details TBA! with ANNE FEENEY

October 20, 2011: OBERLIN, OH
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
@ Oberlin College
Details TBA!
Contact: acivian@oberlin.edu for info!

October 21, 2011: NEED A SHOW!
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Just had a show fall through for this date! would love to play in DETROIT, TOLEDO, etc.! get in touch: evangreer@gmail.com

October 22, 2011: ANN ARBOR, MI
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
@ University of Michigan
Hosted by the F-Word (feminist group) and more!
Details TBA soon!

October 23, 2011: BUFFALO, NY
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
house show, tentative!

November 4, 2011: BOSTON, MA
Back to the Roots CD RELEASE PARTY w/ spiritchild
details coming soon!

November 5, 2011: PROVIDENCE, RI
Back to the Roots CD RELEASE PARTY w/ spiritchild
details coming soon!

November 6, 2011: WORCESTER, MA
Back to the Roots CD RELEASE PARTY w/ spiritchild
Hosted by the Toxic Soil Busters.
More details TBA!

November 10, 2011: INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
@ Butler University
Hosted by Demia, ECO, and more!
More details TBA! Contact: mszymans@butler.edu

November 11, 2011: NEED A SHOW!
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
somewhere between Indianapolis and Oswego, NY! contact: evangreer@gmail.com with ideas!

November, 12, 2011: OSWEGO, NY
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Social Action Conference
@ SUNY Oswego
Details TBA!

November 25, 2011: BALTIMORE, MD
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Details TBA!

November 26, 2011: RICHMOND, VA
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
@ Strange Matter
929 W. Grace Street, Richmond, VA
$5. All ages. More details TBA!

January 28, 2011: LAWRENCE, MA
People's Music Network Winter Gathering!
www.peoplesmusic.org

January 29, 2011: LAWRENCE, MA
People's Music Network Winter Gathering!
www.peoplesmusic.org

February 1 - March 5, 2012: SOUTHEAST
EVAN GREER & FRIENDS NEW CD RELEASE TOUR!
I'll be releasing a brand new full-length CD and touring the entire Southeast to celebrate! Booking NOW for shows all over the country. E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com if you want me to come to your town!

April 1 - 30, 2012: WEST COAST
TINY FISTS TOUR w/ BONFIRE MADIGAN
So excited to be touring the entire WEST COAST from CANADA to MEXICO with legendary cellist / composer / activist / riot-grrrl mama Bonfire Madigan Shive. We are booking now so get in touch! We are touring together with our partners and babies as two families full of riot-folk fury!

May 4 - 6, 2012: CHICAGO, IL
@ Labor Notes Conference
Details TBA!

July 11, 2012: GIANT TWO MONTH TOUR OF EUROPE!!!
When baby Saoirse was 6 weeks old we took him on tour in Europe. This summer he'll be turning two and to celebrate we're going back to Europe, this time for TWO MONTHS! That way we can go all the places people have asked us to come play but we've never had time for! SO, if you are in: SWEDEN, DENMARK, POLAND, CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SPAIN, GREECE, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, IRELAND, ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES, pretty much ANYWHERE else in EUROPE, get in touch NOW and we can book something! E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com