Think politics is boring? Not this election. In an effort to light a fire under the collective asses of apathetic voters, artistic and fringe communities are organizing all manner of strange, enlightening and entertaining anti-Bush events. From local David Livingstone’s titillating Babes Against Bush calendar (babesagainstbush.com), to the numerous anti-Bush rock fests popping up across country, humor and artistic commentary are playing a large role in anti-Bush campaigning.
Detroit is no exception: this weekend, Laura’s Bush, a play by Jane Martin, opens at 1515 Broadway. This political farce chronicles a prudish librarian who discovers Laura Bush is blinking “HELP ME” in Morse code, and then enlists the help of a Kansas prostitute to rescue the first lady. Bill and Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Donald Rumsfeld all make appearances along the way. The show is being produced by NoSuch Group, a local nonprofit founded by locals Chris Hazlett and Darren Locke. Playwright Martin gave theaters across the country permission to produce the play free of royalties, as long as it premiered before Nov. 2. Hazlett jumped at the opportunity.
“It was the best gift a politically minded theater artist could have asked for,” he says.
Warning: This show may not be appropriate for minors or Bush supporters! Laura’s Bush runs Sept. 30-Oct. 3 and Oct. 7-10 at 1515 Broadway, Detroit. Tickets are $15 or $10 with student ID, and Thursdays are “pay what you can” night. Visit nosuchgroup.org and laurasbush.com for more info. All proceeds go to MoveOn.org, a national electoral activist group.
The good folks from MoveOn.org have also endorsed another Detroit Bushwhacking gala: the Anti-Bush Film Festival, playing Oct. 7, at the Majestic Theatre (4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; call 313-833-9700).
If Fahrenheit 9/11 merely whetted your appetite, then check out this night of cinema dedicated to the unmasking of Dubya. The one-night-only event will feature several short films — among them We Wuz Robbed, Spike Lee’s 10-minute documentary on the infamous 2000 elections and a selection of entries from MoveOn.org’s recent anti-Bush commercial contest. Michael Moore has endorsed this event. There will be two screenings: 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $5, and all proceeds from the festival go to the Michigan Democratic Party.
Go forth and whack mightily, friends.
Sarah Klein is Metro Times associate arts editor. Send comments to [email protected]
