Guest post re: Among Criminals return to Port tomorrow

Among Criminals' "music with a message" will be wafting on the airwaves this evening at 10 pm, featured on the WXRV, the River's "homegrown music" program, broadcasting at 92.5FM and streaming at http://www.wxrv.com/.

The program is in advance of the band's arrival tomorrow [for local engagements at the Grog in Newburyport (7/10), Chit Chat Lounge in Haverhill (7/11) and Captain Carlo's in Gloucester (7/12) and the Waterside "Jam and Gam" at Market Landing Park on Sunday afternoon, 7/13 (concert begins by 2 pm)].

And so anticipate that their message of community (global, national and local) will once again strike a chord (and accord) during the Waterside "Jam and Gam" on Sunday, 7/13. And to help energize the body politic --- the guys plan to end their first set with one of their amazing percussion jams --- timed with the changing tide at 3:30 pm.

Eye (and ear) witnesses to these events will attest to the inner (and outer) (e)motion it stirs. But as Ryan expressly expresses (as quoted in the Daily News piece "Among Criminals to spread message of peace" http://www.comity.org/NDN092107AC.htm) --- they seek to motivate "peaceful change" in the global, national and local community --- and so we expect that the "gamming," social exchange and conversation that ensues between breaks will be inspired.

And in this instance, particularly citing the landfill situation that the Waterside community now confronts -- especially given the proceedings on the following day (the hearing at Suffolk Superior Court.

NOTE: When the guys were here at the end of May (concluding their national tour round trip New England) -- we briefly discussed what is happening in the Waterside community that might be woven to unfold at the 7/13 gathering.

And of course, mentioned the situation at the landfill --- which a subject addressed when "gamming" at the "Jam and Gam" held October 21, 2007. (Actually, our neighbor Tim Wacker, formerly environmental correspondent at ECN and Boston Globe -- joined in the discourse, expressing his concerns about the course of events surrounding the landfill -- providing background from his own investigative reporting.)

When discussing the landfill with the guys -- we the Dears mentioned the letter to the editor written in December 2005 -- and how often times the landfill (describing its location to the guys as nearby the Route 95 exit for Newburyport) -- because it is somewhat isolated -- it becomes rather "out of sight, out of mind -- or more to the point, rather (coined during that conversation with the guys) "out of smell, out of mind."

Now that the"olfactory factor" that we the Dears had noted in the letter to the editor (see previous post) is not the only factor -- Newburyport will indeed confront this as a community in court. But we should all bear witness in the court of public opinion.

While Ryan is never scripted during these events -- beforehand, he always asks for status of the local community to weave into his "stories" and "music with a message." Will rely on Ry's "perfect pitch" during any"keynote" address. But expect he may well toss in the coined phrase "out of smell, out of mind" when adding a "heads up" (and hearts together) "keynote" about the landfill.

As a "counter call" to bring both citizens and state together for promotion of the common weal.

Forwarded in a Motion of Comity,
The Dears, Ken and Dominique