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Positive Force DC and Revolution Summer at 40

More than a Witness: Positive Force DC and Revolution Summer at 40

July 6–17

Join us for a four-film series celebrating the 40th anniversary of DC punk's Revolution Summer and the birth — and continuing work — of punk activist collective Positive Force DC. During the summer of 1985, the DC punk scene underwent a sea change as a collective of musicians, artists and organizers — centered around Dischord Records and bands such as Rites of Spring, Embrace, Beefeater and Fire Party — came together to challenge the machismo, violence and nihilism that had come to characterize parts of the hardcore scene by the mid-1980s. Reorienting the movement towards social justice, protest and political change, with a broadened, emotionally honest sound in tow, the DC punk community harnessed the power of music to inspire, educate and activate, tackling local and global issues alike, and staging impromptu anti-apartheid “punk percussion protests” at the South African Embassy. Out of what became known as Revolution Summer sprung Positive Force DC, a collective founded by Mark Andersen and Kevin Mattson, which went on to organize hundreds of benefit concerts and protests, inspiring a new generation of punk-propelled activists.

All tickets $8!

Special thanks to Positive Force DC co-founder Mark Andersen and filmmakers Robin Bell, Paul Bishow, Scott Crawford, Joe Gross, Jeff Krulik, Sam Lavine, Joseph Pattisall and James June Schneider.