Instruments For Peace is a network of musicians who apply much-needed talents and skills in support of peace, justice and sustainability worldwide.
Doing what we do best, musicians together with local grass roots organizations, are having an effect on public dialogue.
By professionally staging and promoting musical and informational events which are always positive and "video-friendly", we are able to get positive media coverage.
We hope more musicians and others will join us in creating an answer to the mega media monopoly on information and ideas.
Bring your instrument. Bring yourself. Be an instrument for peace.
CONTACT US with your questions, suggestions and comments.
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Wavy Gravy will lead musicians on a march from the State Capitol to City Hall on Saturday March 21st. Join Carolyn Wonderland, Guy Forsyth, Shelly King and many others at noon at the Capitol. Director of Instruments for Peace Richard Bowden and Bill Oliver invite you to come on out with your instrument and join the parade.
Million Musician March from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.
WHAT: The Million Musicians March
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2009 from Noon-4 PM
WHERE: 12 Noon at the State Capitol
1PM Parade begins , march to City Hall
1:45 til 4:00 PM Musical rally at CIty Hall
( featuring Carolyn Wonderland , Shelley King, Guy Forsyth )
WHY: To remember the 6th anniversary of the Iraq occupation.
Because “everyone can be an instrument for peace”.
See the calendar for information about this year’s march.
Quoted on The Riff Blog on the website of Mother Jones Magazine.
“Democracy is a mass movement. If we don’t take a stand, and take democracy back, it will be taken from us. We need a major movement, and a plan to grow,”
–Richard Bowden, founder, Million Musicians March, Austin.
Local Press
Internet Coverage
Senseless or sinister, five years of military and mercenary violence in Iraq have caused nothing but disaster, for the people of Iraq and America. Iraq has suffered hundreds of thousands of children, women, and men killed, many more wounded, and millions made homeless. America has suffered thousands of dead and wounded soldiers…and grave damage to our personal safety net of constitutional guarantees to freedom and justice.
The only ones celebrating victory are war corporations, reaping record profits from the American taxpayer, driving our nation deeper and deeper into debt. These same corporations use these same profits to control politicians who cooperate with them. These same corporations control the national dialogue through their monopoly of information media.
It’s time to rally the forces of peace! We are the forces of peace! The forces of peace are the majority of Americans who want the disaster to end. But they need to be activated.
Musicians, we can do this. We know how to inspire and encourage people. We can neutralize the propaganda of despair.
The musicians of Instruments For Peace invite you to be part of the solution. Please join thousands of other citizens and musicians in a positive demonstration in support of peace and citizen action. Join the
Million Musicians March! Austin, Texas, March 15, 2008. Noon: Capitol…
1:00: March!… 1:30-4:00: City Hall.
Rally the forces of peace! Be an instrument for peace!
We ain’t dead yet!
Richad Bowden, fiddleplayer.
Look for future announcements and upgrades to this site in the coming weeks.
Monday, November 5, 2007, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Momo’s on West 6th Street
Musicians, sound engineers, club owners, fans of live music, fans of liberty…decisions are being made on your behalf. Here’s a chance to have your say.
The city government of Austin is considering lowering the volume of our music, from 85db to 75db.
Also, possible changes to our rights of public assembly, and of public solicitation.
Thanks.
Richard Bowden
…from the City of Austin website:
Austin Music Commission
Notice of Meeting
Monday, November 5, 2007, 6 p.m.
Momo’s, 618 West 6th Street
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Citizen Communication
4. Discussion and possible action regarding Music Memorial Project
5. Discussion and possible action regarding Music Commission annual goals and work plan
6. Discussion and possible action regarding temporary use permits and public assembly issues
7. Discussion and possible action regarding solicitation issues
8. Town Hall meeting for discussion and possible action regarding city ordinance on amplified sound and live music venues
9. Industry Report
10. Staff Report
11. Member Reports
12. New Business: Next meeting a Monday, December 3, 2007
13. Adjourn
Saturday, September 15, 2007, Noon-5:00pm
Austin, TX
See the website for details.
Walk For Peace
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Monday, October 1, 2007, Noon-5:00pm
You are invited to submit artwork for a show to be held at Austins Dougherty Arts Center, beginning November 1, 2007 and ending November 27, 2007. The show is titled WAR-Artists Respond.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 7:00pm-11:00pm
Threadgill’s WHQ
Saturday, June 23, 2007, 10:45am-Noon
Lowell, MA
Richard Bowden speaks on “The Role of Music in Community Activism”.
See the website for details.
April 25th on PBS stations nationwide
The marketing of the war in Iraq by the administration has been much examined, but a critical question remains: How and why did the press buy it? The new Bill Moyers Journal premieres with a documentary that explores these very questions.
Bill Moyers and his team piece together the reporting that shows how the media were complicit in shaping the “public mind” toward the war, and ask what’s happened to the press’ role as skeptical “watchdog” over government power. The program features the work of some intrepid journalists who didn’t take the government’s word at face value, including the team of reporters at Knight Ridder news service whose reporting turned up evidence at odds with the official view of reality. Buying the War includes interviews with Dan Rather, formerly of CBS; Tim Russert of Meet the Press; Bob Simon of 60 Minutes; Walter Pincus of the Washington Post; Walter Isaacson, then president of CNN; editor-at-large of The New Republic; and author Peter Beinart; and talk show host Phil Donahue. Noted media critics Eric Boehlert and Michael Massing are also interviewed.
Click here to view a preview of Buying the War
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Kngf803dQ
Saturday, April 28th
12noon – 2pm
Zilker Park – (Open Field near Disc Golf Course across Barton Springs from the Botanical Gardens)
Bring your family, a blanket and a picnic lunch…. wear your anti-Bush t-shirts and spend an afternoon with other Austin families working towards Peace through IMPEACHMENT!! We will be spelling IMPEACH with our bodies across the field of Zilker. This will be filmed!!
Bush & Cheney have not listened to their Generals, they have not listened to the Iraq Study Group AND they have NOT listened to the American People. The only way to stop this war is to IMPEACH both Bush & Cheney and hold them accountable for their crimes.
For more information, to volunteer, OR to let us know you will be there – email Laura Hitt – laurahitt@austin.rr.com
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE EVENT with Spell IMPEACH Events happening in hundreds of Cities!!
On Wednesday, April 25, you can host An Evening with Bill Moyers house party to watch his newest documentary, “Buying the War,” broadcast live on your local PBS station. Just before the screening, Moyers will be available to answer your questions during an exclusive conference call with media reform and anti-war activists around the country. The house parties are being organized by the media reform group Free Press.
Hosting a house party is surprisingly easy.
Here’s what it takes:
Click here to learn more or sign up to host a party:
action.freepress.net/freepress/events…
Click here to find a house party in your area:
www.freepress.net/content/partysearch
Saturday, March 17, 2007, 11:00am-3:00pm
Austin, TX
Million Musicians March, March 17, 2007
Check out our Gallery for more photos and video.
Local Press
Internet Coverage
Rallied at State Capitol at Noon, Marched to Austin City Hall via Congress Avenue and the 6th Street entertainment district. March was followed by a concert and speaches at Austin City Hall.
St. Andrews Acoustic Coffeehouse
Saturday, February 24, 2006, 7-9pm
“A Mix of Americana, Persian and Arabic Music”
Free and Open the the Public
Click to Download PDF of the poster
5:30 PM, Sunday, Dec. 31
Crawford, TX
in remembrance of the 650,000 Iraqi civilians killed since March 20, 2003
Speakers include: Alan Northcutt, MD
Giving a summary of the Lancet report documenting the deaths
Rev. Robert Flowers
Cindy Sheehan
If you cannot come to Crawford, please join with us in consciousness of shining the light of truth on the horrific acts perpetrated on an undeserving populace, by those who represent us. We the People, must stand for peace and justice. We the people are our own best hope.
… to commemorate the lives lost in Iraq, on the occasion of the 3,000th U.S. military fatality in Iraq
Please bring your families and friends and join in the event. Musicians are welcome to bring their acoustic instruments. Bring candles and paper plates or cups to catch wax (bring extra to share!).
Parking available across Cesar Chavez in the old Cedar Door parking lot, in the 4th-6th Streets and Lamar area, and in the City Hall garage at Cesar Chavez and Lavaca.
799-5117 or contact@austinpeacecenter.org for info
Monday, November 6th, Election Eve
6:30-10:30pm
Threadgills World Headquarters
Free To The Public
Normally, we perform for our supper…now, we perform for your vote, no matter whom it is for.
The Hot Greezy Gonzo Gang and Instruments For Peace:
This show is supported by the League of Women Voters of Texas and the League of Women Voters Austin Area. The League will be on site making available their non-partisan, unbiased Voters Guide, which includes candidates’ responses to questions on Immigration, Taxes, Energy and other issues that affect TEXANS.
The editors of ‘HACKED! High Tech Election Theft in America, 11 Experts Expose the Truth,’ Abbe DeLozier and Vickie Karp, and Contributor Kathleen Wynne will speak on electronic vote fraud, stolen elections and solutions between sets during the Instruments For Peace portion of the program. They will have copies to sign available at the show.
For more information: Cleve Hattersley at cleveandmary@austin.rr.com and/or Richard Bowden at richbowden@aol.com 512.751.8583
Sunday, October 15, at 4pm
Cafe Caffeine
909 W Mary St @ 5th St
Free Event
About: Music and Movies with Instruments for Peace and The UnEmployed Democrats. Music at 4pm and Movies starting around 6pm:
Iraq for Sale followed by Doolittle’s Raiders.
Musical information, please call Richard Bowden: 751-8583.
Venue information, please call: 477 WIRE(D), www.cafecaffeine.com
Monday, Oct 16, 2006, 7:30pm, $7
Help Butch celebrate the release of his first record in 10 years!
The Cactus Cafe
About:
The Cactus Cafe, one of Austin’s great acoustic music traditions, is an intimate live music performance venue, showcasing the top local, regional, national and international acoustic music acts since 1979.
The Cactus Cafe is on Guadalupe Street across from the University Co-op and is located in the southwest corner of the Texas Union building. The Texas Union, at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe, is on the University of
Texas campus.
For Fans of: Steve Earle, Flatlanders.
Find It, Listen:
Butch Hancock fanpage
with YouTube videos, music clips, links to info about Butch Hancock.
Sunday October 1, 2006, 4-7pm
Cafe Caffeine, 909 W Mary St.
Depleted Uranium Munitions Mini-Information Conference & Music/Dance with Special Guests, including Dennis Kyne re Depleted Uranium munitions
Featured Speakers:
Nick Travis, Veterans for Peace, (Event MC), Thom the Worldpoet, Dennis Kyne, speaking about Depleted Uranium munitions. myspace.com/DennisKyne, Jesse Dyen, Margarent Hayes, speaking about current conditions on the ground in New Orleans, recovery and rebuilding operations, and continuing immediate needs for the area.
Featured Music:
Monday, September 11, 2006, 6PM until closing
Cafe Caffeine, 909 W Mary St.
Featuring:
Harry Bodine Band: (Harry Bodine, Matt Ryan, and Nick Travis), Guy Forsyth, Sofia Grey, Fared, Aunt Rubys’ Sweet Jazz Babies: (Ryan Gould, Tartan Purry, & F. L. Devine), Thom WorldPoet, Barbara K., Richard Bowden, Frank Myers, Steve Brooks
From Austin With Love To Lebanon
Friday Aug 25 to Sunday Aug 27
Instruments for Peace will be marching in the heart of South Austin
Saturday, August 26, 1:30pm-2:15pm to support the 105 E. Annie, Austin, TX 78404 drop-off location.
ADC Austin, Central Texas American Lebanese Association, Austin Instruments for Peace, and Various religious organizations, businesses, and concerned citizens are organizing a humanitarian emergency relief drive to help the people and children of Lebanon.
Read More and Find List of Needed Items:
From Austin With Love To Lebanon
Donate Money Thru the Red Cross:
RedCross.org/Middle-East-Crisis.html
Camp Casey 3 Jam: Make Music, Not War
Saturday, August 12, 2006, 8pm
Camp Casey 3; Crawford, Texas
Featuring : YOU & Several Austin musicians, including Sumner Erickson, Karen Abrams, Richard Bowden, Frank Myers, and musicians arriving from around the Nation.
‘Drum For Peace’ Drum Circle, the evening of August 12th! The world has heard the drums of war. Now let’s show the world what the Drums of Peace sound like!
Featuring: The good people of Austin…
Instruments For Peace (a network of Austin musicians and other creative people) invites your participation on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge,
1st Street and Lamar, Austin, Texas.
Instruments for Peace is calling for everyone to come and protest the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the rising tensions in the Middle East.
Please bring musical instruments, banners, home made signs, American flags, etc. and/or costumes. Part of the marching brass band from the Million Musicians March are assembling to play.
Featuring: Southpaw Jones, Bob Livingston, The Texas Sapphires, Michael Fracasso, The Ginn Sisters, Colin Gilmore, Sophia Grey, and Owen Egerton (MC).
Featuring: Slaid Cleaves, Eleanor Whitmore, Michael O’Conner, Kim Deschamps, Tish Hinojosa, Guy Forsyth, Southpaw Jones, Leeanne Atherton, Michael O’Connor, Frank Meyer, Sharon Bousquet, Bill Passalacqua, Edge City, Richard Bowden, Sofia Grey, Kim Miller, Barbara K., Him and Her, Freddie Krc, Karen Abrahams, Bill Oliver, Steve Brooks, Marvin Dykhuis, Brian Cutean, Nick Travis.
On the third anniversary of the US-led war in Iraq,
Austin musicians marched to the capital in the rain to protest a war that has cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $250 billion and claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians and 2,300 U.S. soldiers.
Many thanks to Special Guests Carolyn Wonderland, Guy Forsyth, and all the musicians that marched and played together.
© 2007-2010 Instruments For Peace
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee 
Gold Star Families for Peace
Crawford Peace House