Rovics鈥� music serves as a lyrical examination of historical and contemporary struggles for justice, weaving together themes of class struggle, climate change, capitalism, racism, Indigenous resistance, and Palestinian liberation. His work has earned high praise, with Democracy Now!鈥檚 Amy Goodman calling it 鈥渢he musical version of Democracy Now!鈥� Blending sharp wit with profound insight, Rovics uses humour to inspire critical thought and action 鈥� evident in tracks like those from his latest album, Deport the Billionaires.

The show will also feature opening act Hawa, an experimental folk ensemble featuring Palestinian-Lebanese vocalist Alexandra Saddi, Destanne Lundquist on synthesizer, mbira, and effects, and Jesse Gentes on tombak and percussion. They will be playing what they call "Levant garde" music, exploring the sounds of the West Asian diaspora. Hawa (Arabic for 鈥渨ind鈥�) promises a mesmerizing blend of tradition and innovation.

The event is a fundraiser that will support Sara Kashawi, a Palestinian-Canadian student and activist from Gaza who has faced disciplinary action from Vancouver Island University (VIU) for her advocacy for Palestinian liberation. 

"Despite graduating with a degree in sociology, Sara was handed a two-year suspension 鈥� retroactively barring her from accessing her transcripts 鈥� after participating in a 110-day pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. VIU has also filed a civil lawsuit against her, a move she believes is retaliatory and rooted in racial profiling," the release says.