Get ready for the Staunton music festival August 14th through the 21st. Concert highlights include: Dancing with the Devil – Sunday, Aug. 14 Enjoy an evening of devilish music at the Blackfriars Playhouse featuring music by Mozart, Saint-Saens, Wadsworth, Gesualdo and culminating with a staged version of Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” from the Starr Foster modern dance company….
JAN 24, 2014 – Do elections matter? JTMP thinks so, and to prove the point just look at Virginia's 2013 Attorney General election. By 900 people going out and doing their civic duty of voting, thousands of gay Virginians will not get their inalienable civil right to pursue happiness trampled on by a conservative Attorney General. The new progressive Virginia Attorney General, Mark Herring, has announced that he will not defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Mark Herring won his election by a mere 907 votes, which shows one not only needs to vote, but also pay attention to your local elections. The Governor often appoints State Supreme Court Justices FOR LIFE, and Attorney Generals can trample all over the rights of gay people if the wrong one is elected. So, JTMP reminds everyone to register to vote, vote in primaries and local elections, and pay attention to these rascals. You would be surprised at how much they influence your life. Read more about Mark Herring's startling announcement on NPR.org here.
OCT 15, 2013 JTMP strongly recommends that Americans pay extra close attention to local elections, such as state delegates, state representatives, city council members, board of education members and especially Governorships. Governors in some states appoint state supreme court justices, that serve for life in some instances, that will rule on issues such as forced ultrasounds on women to voting hurdles erected by state politicians. Virginia is one of those states that is very important when it comes to progressive values, and today is the last day to register to vote in Virginia's 2013 Gubernatorial election. JTMP recommends EVERYONE registers to vote, but especially if you live in Virginia please register to vote and take part in democracy; it is not a spectator sport. Register to vote in Virginia HERE, and if you live elsewhere find out how to register to vote HERE. For more information on the candidates running, start at Wikipedia here.
OCT 23, 2012 – Bruce Springsteen, and the bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, were in Virginia today, helping to Get Out The Vote.
Ralph Stanley is a bluegrass legend, having a career of over 60 years with songs like, "Ridin' That Midnight Train" to his work with "O' Brother Where Art Though?". He has always been involved with politics, and played at a John Edwards rally, and later endorsed Barack Obama for President. He is a TRUE, old school "Southern Democrat". Currently Mr. Stanley is helping Wayne Powell with the "O'Cantor Where Art Thou?" tour, who is challenging Eric Cantor for the 7th Congressional District seat in Virginia.
Read more on NBCWashington.com here, and here is a great video by jbf3t of Bruce in Virginia below singing an AWESOME acoustic guitar version of "Thunder Road". Below that is a 30-second AD for Ralph Stanley's "O Cantor Where Art Thou?" tour, showing how Cantor is never in the state of Virginia helping out Virginian constituents. (photo credit: CC/Ralph Stanley)