You know something’s wrong when a fleet of disparate celebrities hold a summit to address an issue of great social and political import. It’s kind of like The Avengers—just with more guitars.
Natalie Merchant
The issue at stake for Natalie Merchant, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Citizen Cope, the Felice Brothers, Joan Osborne, Tracy Bonham, Toshi Reagon, Dan Zanes, Ida, the Horse Flies, Tamar-Kali, Carl Hancock-Rux, Meshell Ndegeocello, Marc Anthony Thompson, John Sebastien and the Ahkwesasne Women Singers is hydrofracking—that last-ditch effort by energy companies to harvest fossil fuels by pumping water and chemicals into bedrock. The battle is on right now over whether New York state will allow the practice, proven in some cases to render drinking water flammable. (It does sound a bit like the act of a comic book supervillain, right?)
Leading the charge will be the Incredible Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo, who will co-host the evening’s entertainment along with actress Melissa Leo. Proceeds will benefit the environmental organization, which will hold a rally at 4:30 PM on the West Capitol Lawn.
The New Yorkers Against Fracking benefit concert will be at the Egg (Empire State Plaza, Albany) on Tuesday (May 15) at 7 PM. Tickets are $40 to $150. Call 473-1845 for more info.
