Explore 'Art.Music.Politics' with Create:Fixate

These days, it's hard to stop talking, viewing or reading politics. But it's important to take a break from the testy talking heads on CNN (or the links on Talking Points Memo) and be convivial with fellow rabble-rousers. To that end, hipster presenting group Create:Fixate is staging an exhibition and mini music fest all about progressive thought and action.

More than 30 artists will join in the fun, including Obama portraitist Shepard Fairey, agitprop elder Robbie Conal, the archivists at the Center for the Study of Political Graphics and graffiti star Mear One, who will be painting live.

As for music, the DJ list is impressive. The Bodyrock crew works its Ninjaskills; Henry Strange provides blips and bleeps. Valida diverges from her weekly gig at the downtown Standard Hotel, and Slash Fiction, pictured above, brings its mysterious disco to the tables. Violinist and found-sound enthusiast Janice Markham, the event's co-curator, also performs with her "kitchen sink" performance group Somnambulist.

That's just a start. For the full lineup, go here.

-- Ann Powers

"AMP (Art.Music.Politics)" takes place Saturday at the Premiere Events Center, 613 Imperial St., downtown. The official event starts at 7 p.m., but there's a preview period beginning at 4, during which children will be admitted free and can make their own art in the Kids Creativity Zone.

Photo by Alejandra Guerreo