Dancing for Change is a weekly radio show on OWU Radio: The Line, hosted by Earthdance Ohio producer, David Soliday. This internet-only music program airs Thursday evenings at 9:00 PM Eastern (this fall semester) and plays upbeat tracks promoting peace, justice, and sustainability–plus love, compassion, and other things necessary to achieve such ideals. It aims to have fun by sharing positive music from many genres, many countries, and over several generations. Our country is thirsting for inspiring music like this, and there are musicians and artists making it who need to be heard.
Some of the artists you might hear: Dixie Chicks, Emma’s Revolution, India Arie, John Lennon, Johnny Cash, Mavis Staples,Michael Franti and Spearhead, Michael Jackson, Ruthie Foster, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Sweet Honey in the Rock, or U2.
We try to highlight new music in this vein. Here are some artists that you may not be aware of, who’ve produced socially conscious, perhaps peaceful protest songs in the last year or so: A Tribe Called Quest, Jeff Beck, Kula Shaker, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Paul Simon, Prince, Reba McEntire, and Selena Gomez, Thievery Corporation.
And, occasionally, we also like to play some music that’s just about dancing or having fun. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just to get on your feet and lose yourself to dance. It’s a universal human pleasure. Also, we believe that the means should mirror the ends. In other words, the best way to create the peaceful, sustainable, and just beloved community of our dreams is by living it now. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
And we don’t know about all the inspiring music that’s out there. We’re constantly learning and hearing great songs that are new to us. Let us know what you’re listening to, what sounds rekindle your hope for the human spirit. Please tell us, and we’ll be happy to play it on the air.