Jackson Hole Underground

Despite the cold, wind and snow outside, I’m holding out faith for the skies to clear and calm by the time Michael Franti and Spearhead take the stage this evening at Teton Village. If not, we’ll be dancing in the storm.

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At last, it’s time to get psyched for Saturday’s Mountain Festival at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, featuring Michael Franti and Spearhead with an opening set by The Radiators. (Let’s hope the weather will be markedly improved from the slush falling outside right now.)

We are going to take the music one step further. JH Underground, in partnership with the Art Association and Center for the Arts, will present a screening of Franti’s acclaimed documentary, “I Know I’m Not Alone,” on Monday, March 31.

“I Know I’m Not Alone” is the story of Franti’s trip to Iraq, Israel and Palestine in 2004, when he and a group of friends flew into Baghdad armed only with video cameras and a guitar. Franti discovered an Iraqi heavy metal band, jammed with Palestinian hip-hop artists, strummed through the streets and generally met peaceful people wherever he went.

The film views the conflicts through a humanist lens. Franti wrote the songs for his powerful album Yell Fire! during the journey and while editing footage afterward.

The movie will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts theater. Doors will open at 6, and pizza and beer will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $10.

Proceeds will benefit the Middle East Children’s Alliance, a charity Franti supports that is working to treat victims of war in Palestine and Iraq.

Here’s a chance to take Franti’s message to heart and not just make a great party but help make peace as well.

“Revolution never come with a warning,” booms Michael Franti on the title track to his last album, Yell Fire!

In this instance, Franti is giving two months’ notice.

The dreadlocked rocker and his band, Spearhead, will make their highly anticipated return to Jackson Hole on Saturday, March 29, performing a free outdoor concert at Teton Village as part of the Jackson Hole Mountain Festival.

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