Shawn Otto’s book The War on Science provides a new lens to explain science’s place in the founding of America and in the preservation of its democracy. Musician John Gorka will join Otto for this online Science and Song event. Both are nationally-known and they are St. Croix Valley residents!

In his remarks, Otto will outline how we can bring evidence-based solutions to difficult problems facing our country and how citizens can ensure civic leaders (on both sides of the aisle) are not ignoring or, worse, discounting science. Otto is a screenwriter and novelist, who wrote and co-produced the Academy Award-nominated movie House of Sand and Fog. He is co-founder of ScienceDebate.org, the US presidential science debates. Otto speaks worldwide on the critical role of science and truth in free societies.

Gorka will add his signature songs to this online event. When Gorka received the 2016 IAP Best Singer/Songwriter CD of the Year award it was remarked, “John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential iconic singer-songwriter of the 80’s folk scene. Hailing from New Jersey, but forged in the Greenwich Village Fast Folk scene, he honed his craft and persona into an unmistakable image.” Gorka is known for insightful observations and subtle, wry, layered approach to contemporary folk music.

During our initial Big Read planning, the team was inspired to hear from Shawn Otto. A sign seen at the March for Science expressed it all.

“At the Beginning of Every Disaster Movie There Is a Scientist Being Ignored.”

Now, living through this pandemic and inspired by another quote (by children’s book illustrator Mo Willems, below), we worked with Otto and reconnected him to Gorka to create a NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley exclusive presentation: Science and Song.

“Science will get us out of this and the arts will get us through this.”

An ASL interpreter will be provided for this event.

This event is offered as part of ArtReach St. Croix’s NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.  In August 2020, we are encouraging everyone to read Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren and join St. Croix Valley neighbors in a month of programs and activities related to themes found in the book. More information at artreachstcroix.org/bigread/.