It’s Time to Hear from the Other Side—Right Here in Cambridge

The Lizard Lounge is about to get a whole lot more musical and meaningful. Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out is back for another round on September 17, and it sounds like a show you won’t want to miss. For anyone living in Cambridge or just looking for a truly unique night out, this is it.

The whole thing is organized by a bunch of locals who believe music can change the world. It’s a concert and discussion series that uses James Sullivan's book, Which Side Are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs, as a jumping-off point. But they aren’t just sticking to the classics. They’ve got a fantastic lineup of local artists ready to perform both songs from the book and their own originals and covers.

The lineup for this go-around is stacked. We're talking about Haasan Barclay, David Champagne, Ezra Furman, Bob Pernice, Veronica Robles, and Ryan Walsh. They'll be backed by a house band called The Paid Protesters, led by Ed Valauskas. Each artist will perform a song inspired by the book and one of their own.

The 90-minute show also features some commentary from Sullivan and others, along with a panel discussion at the end. Sullivan says the audiences have been "visibly moved" at past shows, and he's honored to host. Shows start promptly at 8 p.m. and are for ages 21 and up. The best part? Admission is "pay-what-you-want," with all proceeds going to the musicians and event staff.

So if you're looking for a night of good music with a whole lot of meaning behind it, head to the Lizard Lounge at 1667 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge on September 17. You can reserve your tickets at LizardLoungelub.com.