Michael Franti Leads Middle East Delegation

Spearhead frontman Michael Franti is currently in the Middle East with a delegation of artists, peace workers, musicians and filmmakers. The group will travel to Israel and Iraq from June 2 through June 15, making a documentary film about its experiences. Though no concerts are planned, Franti and others would like to meet with as many Iraqi musicians and artists as possible.

Regarding the trip, Franti said he intends "to go there with an open mind, an open heart and a guitar, to experience as much as I can in our limited time. I hope that upon our return all of us on the trip will become more effective communicators for those whose voices are going unheard."

The delegation is looking for donations to cover some of the costs of the trip, as well as the production of the film. Anyone interested can go to www.spearheadvibrations.com to contribute to the Power to the Peaceful fund, as well as view Franti’s Middle East diary.

Franti and Spearhead will spend the rest of the summer touring, with stops at the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival and the U.S.’s Lollapalooza Festival. On July 13, an acoustic collection from Franti, Songs from the Front Porch, will be released.

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