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The New Midwest releases a new CD kicking off a year-long philanthropic project

23 January 2010 ~ Ladies Literary Club ~ Downtown ~ Photography by: Tim Motley

The New Midwest launched a year of concerts with proceeds that go to charity, their first one on the 23rd of January, with an admission fee of food for a local food bank.

Their new CD, "The Commonweath", is about the belieft that what we have in common is changing. Music is changing. The economy is changing. Culture is changing. Rather than release songs in a standard way, their hope is that they will help create a Commonwealth.

The members of the New Midwest are creating an awareness called the "commonweath". People with common interests; a group of people linked by something they all have in common. Members of this Commonwealth take serious interest in the local, those that live in our community, work towards sustainability, justice, freedom, knowledge, and action;

By buying the CD you enter into the Commonwealth; plus 50% of the proceeds from the record go to culture helpers in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Chris Smit, band member, is also busy organizing a disability and arts conference that he hopes will take place in Grand Rapids in 2012 involving disabled artists, scholars and advocates.

Smit loves talking about stuff. Especially with his students. He's a professor at Calvin College. He has taught classes on gender and sexuality in popular music; cinema and disability; and a class all about Elvis.

The New Midwest understands that dialogue is stronger than monologue. So, join their commonwealth. Tell people about the record. It's your town, do something. Their website, visit.