On Monday, August 8, 2022 in Ballard, community advocates: Shout Your Abortion, along with musicians, breweries & other Ballard businesses, and local sponsors will convene at the Tractor Tavern, the Sunset, and Conor Byrne for a one-night-only single-ticket fundraiser for abortion access & healthcare.  The event will feature Naked Giants, David Bazan of Pedro The Lion, Stephanie Anne Johnson, Brittany Davis, Tsubaki, & Kim Virant + Kathy Moore with DJ Sets by DJ Mike Steve, Troy Nelson, Mikey Moo & Miss Alex White. The night will culminate in an outpouring onto Ballard Ave for a collective SHOUT to show our anger, frustration, and solidarity about the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade and restrict access to healthcare in our country.  Proceeds from this event will benefit Indigeneous Women Uprising and ARC Southeast.  

“When the Supreme Court decision first came out, I felt so despondent about what any of us could do.  It just felt so overwhelming,” says Leigh Bezezekoff, Marketing Manager for Tractor Tavern & Conor Byrne.  “I simultaneously felt like crawling into bed and YELLING from the top of my lungs.”   

That was the original impetus for the event. Since all 3 Ballard music venues have a close & supportive relationship and frequently share ideas and even staffing,  Bezezekoff started talking with Brady Harvey, Talent Buyer for Conor Byrne (Artist Home) about what kind of fundraiser could be put together.  It made sense to bring the Tractor and The Sunset into this conversation and make it a neighborhood-wide event.  

“We wanted the event to be BIG because the decision is so big and affects everyone,”says Adam Prairie, Talent Buyer at the Sunset & Ballard Seafood Fest.

Singer/Songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson is one of the artists participating in the event.  They have wowed judges on NBC’s The Voice and are also the leader of Tacoma’s The Hidogs who have shared the stage with everyone from Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, Ani DiFranco to Cedric Burnside, and Black Joe Lewis.  When the event was announced, Stephanie was one of the first performers to ask to be a part of this event.  “The title of the event really resonated with me,” says Johnson.  “I believe in the ability of people with a uterus to govern their bodies.”

This event attracted artists from all over the region who wanted to help lift this event including headliners Naked Giants who quickly hit the national music scene following their 2018 debut SLUFF and a stint as Carseat Headrest’s backing band, to newcomers like singer/songwriter/producer Brittany Davis who released their debut on Stone Gossard’s label Loosegroove Records, and veteran performers Kim Virant (solo + frontperson for Lazy Susan), Kathy Moore (Kathy Moore Power Trio + she’s been a session and guitarist for Mike McCready, Brandi Carlisle, Duff McKagen & more!), and even a touring artist Rosali who was looking for dates in the area and wanted to lend her voice to the event on her tour.  

“We wanted to make sure that the artists got paid for their participation in this event,” says Brady Harvey.  “Coming off not having shows for two years, so many artists are still reeling and trying to catch up in their careers.”

That’s where the community came in.  It’s intimidating asking for sponsorships and donations for an issue that can be so divisive, but right away there was an outpouring of support from sponsors and local businesses who were wanting to participate in the event.  Long-time Tractor bartender & Vikings for a Cause organizer Shannon Whaley hit the ground running and started calling, texting, emailing, and dropping into Ballard businesses and breweries.  “Everyone has been so supportive!  They were immediately like ‘We’re in! What can we do?  What do you need?’”

Community organizers SHOUT YOUR ABORTION also came on board to support the event immediately.  They will be on site during the event giving out swag and resources and talking to people about how to get involved. 

“The Supreme Court has taken away our right to abortion, but they can’t actually stop us from having them. Abortion access is a community responsibility.” says Amelia Bonow of Shout Your Abortion .  “Events like this one are exactly what we need in order to help people find ways to plug into building a world where people are able to have the abortions they need, no matter what any court has to say about it.”

Long-time event organizer Michael Stephens (DJ Mike Steve, Macefield Music Festival, Seattle Center) will be doing DJ sets as well as acting as emcee for the event. “I’ve been so vocal about my own abortion, and organizations like Shout Your Abortion have helped normalize the discussion around abortion access and supporting those who face that decision.  I am honored to bring my musical world and my advocacy world closer together for this event.”