Early in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a young Minneapolis Ukrainian singer was asked by a despairing audience member, “What can we do?” Her reply: “Do not forget us.”

That was the inspiration for “Do Not Forget Us”: Poets, Musicians Against the War (s) on the Earth, poet James Lenfestey and musician Tim Frantzich’s annual benefit for war victims in words and music. This year’s program will be a tribute to the artist/activist legacy of Robert and Ruth Bly that will benefit the Minneapolis Ukrainian-American Community Center and Minneapolis Climate Action.

The Ukrainian-American Community Center sends medical supplies to Ukraine and receives Ukrainian refugees, including those who have lost limbs in the shelling who are fitted with prosthetics here. Minneapolis Climate Action, a nonprofit, aims to bring clean energy to every Minneapolis community.

Musicians Tim Frantzich, left, and Robert Robinson will participate in ““Do Not Forget Us”: Poets, Writers, Musicians Against the War(s) on the Earth, a fundraiser for the Ukrainian-American Center and Minneapolis Climate Action on Feb. 29, at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. (Courtesy of Jim Lenfestey)

Participants in the event include Jamie Andress, Michigan-based Anishinaabe spoken-word artist, magician and photographer; James Armstrong, award-winning poet and naturalist from Winona; musician Tim Frantzich with astrophysicist Mandeep Gill; Sarina Partridge, Community Song circle leader; soul singer Robert Robinson; Minneapolis spoken-word artist Pierre Fulford with musician Abraham Westlund; and Alicia Tovpeko on bandura, national instrument of Ukraine, with Natalia Nowytski, Ukrainian-American vocalist and pianist.

The evening includes a special presentation of poems by Robert Bly, who died in 2021, by Phil Bryant, Mike Hazard, Ezra Hyland, Tim Frantzich, Robert Johnson, Klecko, Jim Lenfestey, Freya Manfred, Dougie Padilla, Joshua Preston, Wang Ping, Thomas R. Smith and Tim Young.

7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls. Donations welcomed.

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