Christchurch activists take to the stage to sing against climate change
From Bruce Springsteen to Billy Bragg, The Cranberries to Pussy Riot theres a rich history of protest music. Now a group of Christchurch singers and poets will come together to lend their voices to the fight against climate change. Nga Reo o te Ao Marama: Voices of the Earth will be held on Saturday evening at Aldersgate Centre, in Durham St, Central Christchurch. The free concert brings together activists in a bid to inspire action to care for the environment and one another, said Christopher Musgrave, co-director of the activist singers group Singing For Our Lives . READ MORE: * Lucy Gray - leader, climate change activist, schoolgirl * Rise Up: Young climate change activist's anthem for student strikes * Christchurch pupils to strike as part of global climate change action * Pitch Perfect musical director sings praises of Christchurch choir Vocal Collective This event is something we do in protest of the status quo. We want to raise awareness of the small things we can each be doing every day to make a difference for our planet. The evening was a chance to fall in love with nature all over again, he said. Well also consider the seriousness of the climate and ecological emergency and of social justice issues we face, and be inspired by words and music to care for ourselves and the climate. Among those taking to the stage will be Christchurch student Lucy Gray , singer/songwriter and a leader of the School Strike 4 Climate Change protests. There will be poetry from 9-year-old environmentalist activist Evangeline Casey and co-director Valerie Wycoff said the lineup would also include Lisa Tui, Global Voices and Women in Harmony. Local poets, including Erik Kennedy, will appear, along with filmmaker Kathleen Gallagher, and music from Geoff Low, who plays taonga puoro, and cellist Nicole Reddington. Singing really empowers us and connects us with whats important to us [...] like caring for the climate, social justice issues and a lot of the problems that we face. That gives me courage to make changes in my life and courage to work with others for the sorts of things we need at this time. The event will be held from 7pm and free tickets are available at Eventfinda .