THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE FILM & CRYS MATTHEWS MUSIC LIVE

Protesta Productions presents a WOMEN’S REBEL VOICES FILM + MUSIC EVENT, featuring the award-winning documentary THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE, with live filmmaker Q&A, and a special musical performance by the inimitable Crys Matthews.

Local partners Women in Film + Video DC, Smithsonian Folkways, and The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation join us to celebrate the life and work of the long-time jazz/blues and folk singer, activist, and "good trouble" maker, Barbara Dane.

FILMMAKER RECEPTION • 2PM (VIP ticket holders)

Join us before the film for a special filmmaker reception at 2pm, where you can enjoy refreshments and meet the filmmakers – British Academy Award-winning Director Maureen Gosling and Producer Jed Riffe.

FILM SCREENING • 3PM

Who is Barbara Dane? Louis Armstrong discovered her, Pete Seeger mentored her, Bob Dylan called her a hero, and Bonnie Raitt was inspired by her. She launched the career of the Chambers Brothers, jammed with Muddy Waters and Memphis Slim, shaped Jane Fonda's politics, and became the first American performer to break the embargo with Cuba – so why isn't she a household name?

She chose conscience over fame, transforming setbacks into opportunities and blazing her own path through her art. With singular confidence, Dane emanated the people-powered connectivity of folk, the defiance of blues, and the elemental cool of jazz – using music as a force for change and earning a four-inch FBI file along the way. If you have not yet heard of her, you will want to know why.

"Superb – a striking film. 9 Lives is the real deal!"
–Garth Cartwright, THE GUARDIAN

After the film, James Early (Smithsonian Institution) will host a Q&A with Director Maureen Gosling (BURDEN OF DREAMS; CHULAS FRONTERAS; THIS AIN’T NO MOUSE MUSIC!), Producer Jed Riffe (ISHI; RIPE FOR CHANGE; WAITING TO INHALE), and singer-songwriter Crys Matthews. Together, they will explore the state of art and activism today through the lens of Barbara Dane’s example.

LIVE MUSIC WITH CRYS MATTHEWS • 5PM

A troubadour of truth, Nashville resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. An award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times.

Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.” Justin Hiltner of The Bluegrass Situation adds that her gift is a "reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides." In her own words, Matthews says her mission is "to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice.

About the WOMEN’S REBEL VOICES FILM + MUSIC TOUR

Barbara Dane was known for her activism in peace and justice causes, feminist ideals, and unwavering support for fellow musicians. By continuing her example, WOMEN'S REBEL VOICES offers a platform for the award-winning documentary film, THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE, along with live musical performances by compelling activist women artists. The series has added depth and value to the film experience and reinforced the connection between the film’s message and the music it celebrates. Thus amplified, these women’s voices inspire, invigorate, and remind audiences—young and old—of music’s essential role in collective resistance and social change.