Vespas Bring Musicians, Global Warming Message to Sutra
Singer-songwriters Jason Reeves, Brendan James and Amber Rubarth, who today began a two-week ride up the California coast on Vespas to raise awareness of global warming, make a stop at 7 p.m. Friday at Sutra Lounge, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.
"It seems like back in the late '60s and early '70s, people turned to folk singers and songwriters for inspiration and answers to difficult questions," explained Reeves. "We were very motivated by that idea and hope to influence a new generation to become more environmentally aware as they grow up and take command of their future."
Reeves is a 23-year-old Iowa City native signed to Warner Bros. Records and touring to support his debut album, The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache (and Other Frightening Tales). James, a Decca/Velour recording artist, has also been touring heavily to promote his debut, The Day is Brave. Brooklyn-based Rubarth is now touring the U.S. and Europe for her new CD New Green Lines.
Greenpeace has partnered with the artists to help deliver their message about global warming. Greenpeace volunteers will be at Sutra and other stops urging Californians to act now to protect forests, the coast and farmlands. In between musical numbers by the musicians, attendees will be asked to sign a giant postcard banner, write letters and make phone calls to local representatives urging them to support global-warming solutions in Congress.
The artists' mode of transportation is also making a point. "If the 69 percent of Americans who own two or more cars would just switch one set of four wheels for two, the reduction in fuel consumption, emissions, congestion and cost would be significant-not years from now, but right now," said Paolo Timoni, president and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, Vespa's parent company. "Even if Americans were to switch just 10 percent of their total mileage to scooters, they would consume 14-18 million gallons less fuel per day and carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 324 million pounds per day."
The ride up the coast is being filmed for a future documentary. Tickets are $12 for The Vespa Experiment. For more information, visit its MySpace page.