Live Wire with Hari Kondabolu, Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, and Edna Vázquez

Name: Live Wire with Hari Kondabolu, Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, and Edna Vázquez
Start: 2025-12-11T19:30:00-08:00
End: 2025-12-11T21:30:00-08:00
Location: The Alberta Rose Theatre

Schedule

Thu Dec 11 2025 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

The Alberta Rose Theatre | Portland, OR

Full event information can be found on our website:
https://www.livewireradio.org/live-shows/20251211
Live Wire is thrilled to have guests Hari Kondabolu, Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, and Edna Vázquez join us for our season finale show at Revolution Hall!
Live Wire Radio is an independently produced radio show based in Portland, Oregon. Hosted by Luke Burbank and announced by Elena Passarello, the show artfully blends unpredictable conversation, live music, and original comedy featuring all kinds of cultural talent and creative minds, from emerging artists to established acts. Live Wire champions discovery by producing engaging, spirited, and genuine live and listening experiences for a local and national audience.
About the guests:
Hari Kondabolu is a critically acclaimed comedian, writer and podcaster whom The New York Times calls "one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today." His groundbreaking 2017 truTV documentary, "The Problem With Apu," sparked a worldwide conversation about representation, with The Nation hailing it as "a devastating critique of the ultimate comedic sacred cow: 'The Simpsons.'" His latest special "Vacation Baby" marks his most personal work, documenting his journey into parenthood during the global pandemic. Beyond his acclaimed stand-up work, Kondabolu co-hosts Netflix's "Snack vs. Chef" and previously co-hosted the popular podcast "Politically Reactive" with W. Kamau Bell.
Blending theater, politics, and genuine spiritual calling, Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir is a diverse, radical group that urges action to preserve the earth. Directed by Savitri D., the downtown New York collective debuted at Times Square in 1998, with a protest outside Disney stores and proclaimed Mickey Mouse the anti-Christ. Through arrests and performances, the group became a vehicle for anti-consumerism sermons and neighborhood activism. They have been invited by Neil Young three times to open his Love Earth tour, and are featured in the 2025 documentary "You Need This," produced by Adam McKay. Their weekly radio show Earth Riot Radio, broadcasts from WBAI in New York City and anywhere you get podcasts. The strongest idea of Stop Shopping is that the Earth is alive. All are welcome. Earthalujah!
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, the birthplace of mariachi, Edna Vázquez was immersed in traditional Mexican folk music from childhood. As a teenager, she relocated to Portland, Oregon, developing a bicultural musical style blending folk, rock, R&B, and Mexican heritage. Since 2017, Edna has toured internationally as special guest singer with Pink Martini, performing at Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. She's also performed with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and at the Latin Grammys with Flor de Toloache. Her debut traditional Mexican album, "Te Esperaba," features mariachi, Norteño, and banda genres recorded in Mexico. As a rare woman leading traditionally male-dominated mariachi ensembles, Edna inspires other women to pursue their musical dreams.