There was a meeting in Tucson not too long ago of artists who are part of The Sound Strike — that nationwide effort to boycott Arizona over SB 1070.
Among those attending was a member of Ozomatli, the Los Angeles Latin band that had, until Sound Strike, been a near yearly visitor to Tucson.
Speakers representing business and music told these musicians that Sound Strike didn't really work in Tucson. Who benefitted from a band skipping us because of politics played out mainly in Phoenix, they argued. Besides, wouldn't it be more effective to use your stage as a pulpit, get your opinions out, unfiltered, to your fans?
We're not sure if anyone was listening, but we can tell you that Ozomatli is heading to Casino del Sol's AVA for a show Nov. 1. I guess they could argue that they will be on Native American land, a sovereign nation that is legally not really a part of Arizona. Frankly, their fans won't care. The fact they will be here is good enough.
Tickets will be $20 to $40 when they go on sale, possibly as early as Saturday. Ozomatli is sharing the stage with a handful of local acts: The Jons, Salvador Duran, and Los Gallegos and Mezzo Forte.
This is the second time this year that Ozomatli has broken the strike. They came here back in March to play the inaugural Tucson Concert for Civility, started by Jan. 8 Tucson shooting victim Ron Barber to promote more civilized discourse in our public life.
