Lately it’s been the food workers demanding change, but some activists shake up the civic order another way — through their music.

Fair Trade Music Seattle started a little over a year ago, co-founder Jay Kenney tells CHS. The group founded as a musician advocacy group recently drum-rolled towards a musical win, and will commemorate the changes to Seattle music venues with a Monday night celebration at Volunteer Park running from 5 – 9pm. Cue the cymbal crash.

Kenney says problems started after musicians’ encountered issues at some Seattle music venues load-ins while unloading gear only to return and find a ticket on their car. FTMS has been working to change this through a local music workers union, Seattle’s Department of Transportation, City Council members, and the mayor’s office. Kenney now says that change is “imminent.” The loading dock alterations will effect such areas as Belltown and Capitol Hill and come sometime this summer, Kenney said. “It’s a done deal,” he tells CHS. Now, it’s time to celebrate.

“We’ve had meetings before,” Kenney said, but this informal gathering will be a “bit of a celebration too.” The Monday night event hopes to expand their success and get more musicians in the mix. And, of course, music will be involved. “I’m going to bring my fiddle,” Kenney said.

You can visit the Fair Trade Music Seattle Facebook page to learn more about their efforts, and details on the picnic follow:

Please join our Fair Trade Music Seattle members for a picnic and meet and greet.

We’ll gather by the wading pool in Volunteer Park, Seattle. Please bring your own food and beverage along with something to share.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?id=399

Volunteer Wading Pool is one of the “Big Three” wading pools. It’s a large circular pool, located near the Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.