TICKETS: WHAT TO KNOW
Which Side Are You On?:
A Protest Music Teach-Out
First Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Doors open for dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 8 p.m.
SPECIAL LOCATION!!!
Opera + Community Studios
15 Channel Center Street
Boston (Fort Point)
Sponsored by ACLU of Massachusetts
Reservations are now available for the First Anniversary edition of Which Side Are You On?: A Protest Music Teach-Out. And we’re headed out for this milestone, to a very special location: Boston Lyric Opera’s Opera + Community Studios in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston (15 Channel Center Street).
Reservations are available now at this link.
We are so excited to celebrate our anniversary with you. We know it’s been frustrating that all of our gatherings have sold out so quickly, keeping you from bringing new people. The capacity at the Opera + Community Studio is more that double that of our regular haunt, so please invite your friends!
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT
As always, reservations are pay-what-you-want ($5 minimum, $25 and up suggested contribution). All of your contributions go to the musicians and other direct expenses. Please keep this in mind while picking a price. Special thanks to those who always pay a little bit more, so those who can’t afford as much can have access as well. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
ABOUT THE SHOW - SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS
Our one-year anniversary show features The OG’s (Original Gentlemen), a group formed in prison that features formerly incarcerated and wrongfully convicted people, along with Brandie Blaze, The Rubin Brothers, Todd Thibaud, Melissa Ferrick, and Elisa Birdseye.
They will be backed by the Which Side house band, The Paid Protesters. The 90-minute show will be hosted by James Sullivan and Joyce Linehan and will also feature commentary by various interesting people.
Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out is a concert and discussion series celebrating and exploring protest music. The event uses James Sullivan’s book, Which Side Are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs, as a starting point for the presentation of songs that ask listeners to consider how music gives voice to resistance, advocacy, and change. While the series will anchor itself to the book, collaborators will also contribute 21st-century music, both originals and covers.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
RESERVATIONS: Your contribution is a RESERVATION, and a reservation does not guarantee entry unless you are in the room by 7:30 p.m. If there are people waiting for entry, reservations will be released starting at that time, and money will not be refunded.
ADMISSION is all-ages.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE: *** NO CASH; CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ONLY ***
The Catered Affair has designed a limited pop-up with food, beer, and wine.
MENU:
Cheeseburger Slider with Slaw $10 (available GF/DF)
Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings $10
Veggie Slider with Slaw $10
Loaded Tater Tots $8
Toll House Cookie Bar $5
Chocolate Sinclair $5 (GF)
WHICH SIDE PHOTO BOOTH: Wave our protest banner and have your photo taken! Open from 6:30 to 8PM.
BE PART OF THE ART: From 6:30 to 8PM, Which Side photographer Mike Ritter will be on-site, shooting for "Who Are We?" — his art project re-creating the American flag from 250 individual portraits.
CAKE: We have it on good authority there will be a Which Side anniversary cake for all to enjoy. 🎂
PARKING: Limited non-resident street parking is available near the venue. Please note the signage to avoid tickets. Meters end at 6PM. More parking is available 5 minutes away at the One Channel Center Garage at (116 W. First St.). To reserve a spot in advance & access a special discount, this link.
ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
The ACLU of Massachusetts is working to build a democracy where every person can live freely and with dignity. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is sponsoring the anniversary concert as part of its Beyond 250: Dare to Create initiative, which aims to build people power by sparking conversations on strengthening our democracy and expanding rights and freedoms.
