Award-winning activist and musician Tom Morello has joined forces with Occupy Austin to rock SXSW Occupy style. Morello has opened up his official showcase at the festival as an Occupy SXSW show. This event will take place beginning the evening of March 16th, at the Swan Dive (651 Red River Street). The show will continue into the wee hours of March 17th, with Morello's performance beginning at 12:30 AM.
Occupy Austin plans to start a flash mob dance party march from an undisclosed downtown location at 9pm. This style march has been successful in the past at gaining followers by creating a fun, celebratory atmosphere while still raising awareness about different issues. The march will conclude with the crowd Occupying the surrounding area of the Swan Dive, where Occupy Austin will be projecting Morello's performance.
All are welcome to come out and Occupy SXSW.
While speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Morello stated, "SXSW has a lot of specialty shows — record companies, vodka companies, promoters and things like that. I thought it was important that at a music gathering of that size, to have a place where the rebels, revolutionaries, rockers, rappers and the 99 percent could gather and have a mighty SXSW throw down." He continued, "Due to the fact that it's an official SXSW show, a lot of the space inside is reserved for badge holders, but there will certainly be a healthy Occupy presence in the venue, and also a contingent outside the venue. I promise you, they will all be served musically."