A special showcase at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) film, media, and music festival will feature performances by musical artists from the seven terror-prone countries listed in President Donald Trump’s stalled executive order on immigration.
Billed as a “call to action,” the new showcase called “Contrabanned: #MUSICUNITES @ SXSW,” will “send a message to” and “give voice to global artists, especially artists from often misunderstood and misrepresented Muslim-majority countries.”
The politically-charged show is being produced by music company and non-profit globalFEST, Public Radio International’s news program “The World,” music PR firm rock paper scissors, and Tamizdat, a non-profit that helps coordinate artists’ visas.
President Trump’s executive order temporarily suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, but was later blocked by federal judges. However, Trump is expected to sign a new refugee executive order later this week.
A Kickstarter campaign to raise $15,000 for the SXSW showcase has been launched.
Artists from various countries, including Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, have been confirmed to perform.
The showcase is currently scheduled for March 17 at The Palm Door in Austin, Texas.
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @JeromeEHudson