“Nasty Women” and “Stop the Pipelines, Start the Music” events to raise money for Planned Parenthood, Canadian First Nations group, respectively
By Erasmus Baxter
All art is political, but in the next week it will be especially so. Two benefit shows will combine great music with supporting important causes.
The first, “Nasty Women,” on Thursday, March 9, will feature an all-star, all-female lineup playing a show at the Wild Buffalo to raise money for Planned Parenthood.
The second, “Stop the Pipelines, Start the Music!” on Monday, March 9 features music from Lummi youth and other local musicians to raise money for the Unist’ot’en camp. The Unist’ot’en, a Canadian First Nations clan, have built a camp to resist attempts to build fossil fuel pipelines through their traditional lands. The show will take place at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.
“Nasty Women” will be headlined by Seattle-based band Thunderpussy. It will also feature Vicci Martinez, a singer/songwriter from Tacoma who was featured on “The Voice” in 2011, Seattle-based band Sundries and DJ Little. Marriott has donated hotel rooms for the performers stay in Bellingham.
There will be $10 suggested donation at the door, with people encouraged to give as much as they can. There also be a silent auction with donated items. One hundred percent of proceeds raised will be donated to the local Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood in Bellingham.
“Stop the Pipelines, Start the Music!” will start with a dinner at 6 p.m. that people are encouraged to RSVP for. The main program will start at 7 p.m. and go for three hours.
The Unist’ot’en chiefs and their spokesperson will speak and share stories. Featured local musicians are The Jefferson Sisters, Tim McHugh, Zaia Grace, and The Sheen.
Entrance is by donation, and there will be requests for donations throughout the night. All proceeds will go towards a building a Healing Lodge at the camp.
“With a focus on Indigenous youth, [the lodge] combines exposure to the natural environment and traditional skills, language and culture with personal counselling,” according to the Facebook event.
More information about the Unist’ot’en’s struggle can be found online at http://www.unistoten.camp.