April 20, 2008 promised to be one of the biggest, greatest celebration of Earth Day that The District has ever seen. The entire National Mall worked in conjunction with the Green Apple Festival with a call for climate, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming. All of the pieces were in place – the right amalgamation of leaders, community activists, top speakers and A-list talent including Jordin Sparks, Talib Queli, Will I Am, O.A.R., Umphreys McGhee and the much anticipated Roots. Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons, actor Edward Norton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) were also on the slate. But one very important factor truly conquered the celebration – Mother Earth herself.Mother Earth showed up mean and melancholy with an obvious vendetta against The District. Torrential downpours ensued, along with gale-force winds and even reports of hail. But it was lightning from the approaching thunderstorms that really nipped the activities in the bud. Two tornadoes actually touched down in Maryland – one in Hyattsville and one in St. Charles.
Fewer than half the artists performed and even the event headliner – The Roots – failed to take the stage. It really was a sad day for concert-goers and for the organizers of the festivities.
Though, there were other popular ways to spend 4/20 that did not involve venturing outside at all. Wet and downtrodden concert-goers probably came together afterwards to capture the high that they failed to get from the concert.
- Shawn Willis
No comments:
Post a Comment