Kent to Celebrate International Clash Day with a Series of Special Events

During a brief but potent run in the late '70s, the British punk band the Clash established itself as a truly influential act. To mark the group's tremendous impact, on Feb. 7, radio stations from around the world will celebrate International Clash Day, an event that began in 2013 when a morning DJ on a Seattle radio station played long sets of the band’s music.

This year, cities such as Seattle, Vancouver, Washington, D.C. and Austin will all celebrate International Clash Day. Kent will also mark the occasion with a series of events and tributes that takes place on Feb. 7.

Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala’s proclamation promises “a day of collective celebration of the ethos and spirit of the Clash, perhaps best captured by Joe Strummer’s inspirational line ‘people can change anything they want to, and that means everything in the world.’” Fiala ends the document by encouraging the citizens of Kent to “Rock the Casbah.”

Among the many events scheduled to take place on Feb. 7, Troppus Projects will present a zine-making workshop from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a presentation on community radio, music and social movements in the Student Center at Kent State University from noon to 1 p.m.

The Zephyr will host a DIY radio station workshop from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center will host a kids’ power chord group lesson from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Two terrific local musicians, Roger Hoover and Ray Flanagan, will perform at 7 p.m. at Tree City, and the Angie Haze Project will play at 7:45 p.m. at the Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center.

At 8 p.m., the Venice Café will host a protest-themed open mic night, and the bands Meanderthal and REvisitor will perform at the Zephyr at 10 p.m. at an event that will be a joint benefit featuring a food drive for Kent Social Services and a book drive for Kent Books for Prisoners.

Find a complete schedule on the event's Facebook page.