Social protest music on tap Thursday at WSUV

Whether in the Middle East, Wisconsin’s state Capitol building or, maybe, a no-tolls rally in Vancouver, good music can help carry social protest.

In that context, the Diversity Council and history department at Washington State University Vancouver will present an afternoon of protest music on Thursday, featuring acclaimed folk musician and social movement historian David Rovics.

The event starts at 2 p.m. in Room 129 of the Administration building. It is free and open to the public.

In the folk-singing tradition, Rovics addresses topics of immediate concern: He sings about worldwide struggles and champions ordinary people.

Now living in Portland, Rovics grew up in a family of classical musicians in Wilton, Conn. By the early 1990s, he was traveling the world as a “professional flat-picking rabble-rouser.”

He tours regularly on four continents. His music has been featured on Democracy Now!, BBC, Al Jazeera and other networks.

You can listen to and download Rovics’ more than 200 songs for free at http://www.davidrovics.com.

WSUV is at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3.

For more performance information, contact Laurie Mercier at lmercier@vancouver.wsu.edu.