In Denver this week, you might have seen a huge ice sculpture spelling out D.E.M.O.C.R.A.C.Y. Melting in the sun. If you're in Minneapolis next week, you're sure to see it there. It's the work of artist duo Ligorano/Reese.

Forty years ago, at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Wayne Kramer and his band the MC5 played a legendary eight hour performance right in the thick of it all. Kramer's back in the streets of Denver this week protesting another illegal war. What’s changed? You could argue that street protest is no longer as effective as it was in the 1960s. The authorities control the streets in much the same way that they control information. But in the age of the internet, that's a pretty slippery situation.

Anyway, we don't think art and protest have lost their edge. From Tent State, the Rage/Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) concert that turned into a miles long march to the gathering of young people, artists, and activists in the historic Five Points district of Denver there was plenty going on outside of the big tent. Here to discuss the role of art jokes, culture jamming and rabble-rousing with rock are Marshall Reese, Ashara Ekundayo of the Pan African Arts Society and host of The Activist Studio, singer/songwriter Jill Sobule, and Wayne Kramer, guitarist of the legendary MC5.

Some of these folks are headed to Minnesota...Take Back Labor Day in St. Paul on Monday . . .