Dream A Better World Fest

Unfortunately and fortunately- welcome back to the 70s, where we fight for a better world and civil rights... again! Dream A Better World Fest is Sunday, August 24th at Warehouse XI from 2-9 PM in Somerville. Dream A Better World Fest is centered around the idea that we need to respond to the current times not just as a knee jerk reaction to the current administration but by actually brainstorming and sharing ideas and visualizing how we could create a better world (ie supporting immigrants through their transition to the US, protecting LGBTQ+, POC, and minority communities, combating isolationist-motivated ignorance through exposure to diverse communities, increasing mental wellness, increasing individual sense of purpose, taxing the rich and decreasing poverty, revamping our healthcare system, creating sick days for musicians or gig workers, overcoming authoritarianism patterns and indoctrination, addressing gentrification and how it affects lower-income/creative communities, creating community, ending endless wars, decreasing imperialism abroad, etc!)The event will feature live music as well as speeches from musicians, activists and organizations engaged in community activism or wellness, poets, and visual artists who have created art, fashion, or other materials that respond to these times.

Speakers/presenters include:

Mass Peace Action, Fight For The Future, Art Stays Here, Willie for Somerville, Meredith Blankenship (arts), Victor Infante (poetry), Somerville for Palestine, and the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center.

Multi-genre music lineup:

Evan Greer, Ruby Grove, Lonely Leesa and the Lost Cowboys, Why Try, Chris Walton, Linnea’s Garden, and Songs of Liberation (a music group focused on songs from or advocating for Palestine)

Speeches will be focused on sharing ideas and inspiring the interdisciplinary audience, and will be focused on something the speaker is distinctly passionate about, or on a few good ideas they'd like to share with the interdisciplinary audience that might inspire someone to do something better for the world or to collaborate with others.

Host or Publisher The Backyard Music Salon Series (hosted by Melissa Lee Nilles, LMHC)