Causecast

by MELISSA JUN ROWLEY, Contributing Writer

I woke up Saturday, September 12, to rain and thunder pounding outside my window. This was devastating to me because I was planning on dancing my face off, consuming an abundance of garlic fries, and perusing all the non profit booths and art displays at the 11th Power to the Peaceful Festival, my favorite free San Francisco day of art, music, and social action in the sun.

I figured the crowd would be lean considering the dismal weather. However, when I entered Golden Gate Park I felt a surge of energy, as the ground vibrated from the colorful mash-up of thousands of people dancing, singing eating, signing petitions, and bonding in the damp grass.

I ran backstage where I was supposed to meet the event’s publicist so she could escort me to a press conference with Power to the Peaceful founder, musician, activist, and one my personal heroes Michael Franti, whom I’ve been wanting to interview for the last seven years. When I finally made it to the press tent, I was told the conference was canceled and that Franti wouldn’t have any time for any interviews under any circumstances.

More-than-slightly-bummed I left the main stage area and made my way to the garlic fries. Along the way, I stopped to talk to some of the social justice organizations representing their causes. From Death Penalty Focus to Code Pink Alert to the Thomas Downey High School Environmental Club, the Bay Area nonprofit workers stood their ground in the crisp cold air for eight hours straight.

Inspired and getting full as I chomped on my last piece of garlic-fried goodness, my phone started blowing up. It was my press contact messaging me that I could have 10 minutes with Franti before he went on stage to perform with his band Spearhead (the best live group I’ve ever seen).

Once again, I high-tailed it backstage where Franti shared the story behind Power to the Peaceful and his role as an ambassador for the global poverty fighting organization CARE.

It turned out to be a day of sunshine, after all.

Check out the whole interview.

Photo by look_west, flickr.