Keepin’ the Song: A Rock Concert for Pasaquan

From the venue:

[http://omniupdate.com/XSL/Variables”>Pasaquan, Columbus State University’s visionary art environment in Buena Vista, Georgia, will host an afternoon of post-punk and garage rock on Saturday, March 22. The concert will feature Georgia bands Pylon Reenactment Society, Subsonics, W8ING4UFOs and Token Hearts. 

‘Keepin’ the Song’ will celebrate the intersection of music with the wondrous artistic creations of our beloved Southern saint and Pasaquan founder, Eddie Owens Martin,” said Annie Moye, who chairs the Pasaquan Preservation Society. “We are especially pleased to present Georgia rock bands with strong female presences.”

Mike McFalls, Pasaquan’s director and faculty member in the Department of Art, credits the Georgia Council of Arts, through its Vibrant Communities Grants, with making the concert possible. These grants aim to increase the arts’ reach throughout Georgia, especially in rural or underserved communities that lack such programs.”

Known worldwide as a prolific visual artist, Owens—St. EOM to his devotees—was also an amateur musician. He often donned his colorful homemade costumes for ritual dancing in Pasaquan’s sandpit, led improvised music sessions with visiting friends and fans, and spoke in his own brand of spontaneous singsong spoken-word poetry.

“St. EOM even spoke of his philosophy at times in musical terms,” McFalls explained. “He would say: ‘Keep kindness in your heart, and go on along, keepin’ the rhythm and keepin’ the song.’ It seemed only fitting we’d borrow from that philosophy when naming this concert.”

“Keeping the Song” taps into Pasaquan’s long history of musician support. This includes the Tedeschi Trucks Band, which included a track titled “Pasaquan” on its 2022 “I Am the Moon I: Crescent” album. Pasaquan has been the site for performances by local musicians Col. Bruce Hampton and Jake Fussell, and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe visited in the mid-80s. 

“Keepin’ the Song” performances begin at 3 p.m. Eastern time on March 22. Because of the GCA’s support, admission is free; donations to fund Pasaquan programs and maintenance will be accepted at the door.