Joe Strummer Memorial Hall

“Its up to you not to heed the call-up

You must not act the way you were brought up
Who knows the reasons why you have grown up?
Who knows the plans or why they were drawn up?”
- Joe Strummer

The Joe Strummer memorial Society for Youth (JSMSY) was formed in early 2006 as a response to Calgary’s void in live music and arts venues for youth. Our goal is to have an all ages live music venue and community centre that can be home to organizations and individuals to hold classes, meetings, special events, workshops, host a community kitchen, a café, jam space, a production studio, a broadcast station, a resource centre, and a support network for a wide cross-section of Calgary’s youth, local artists, musicians, and artistic special interest groups. Currently the most important goals of the society are awareness, fundraising, networking and acquiring a location for the hall.

Seeing Strummer Hall become a reality relies on both private and public sources of funding, through fundraisers, donations, sponsorship, grants, and ideally through support of the city of Calgary as well as the Province and Federal government. JSMSY thus far has been supported generously by Uprise! Promotions and a large number of local musicians through all-ages benefit shows.

The society members are working on funding and promotion and are seeking support both financially and from the volunteer community. If you can help out, even a small gesture like linking us to your webpage could make a big difference. If you are interested in creating your own benefit event, helping with promotion, donating time, energy, or funds, please contact us.

Why Joe Strummer?

Joe Strummer, the lead singer of the Clash, was one of the most influential, innovative, and socially conscious rock musicians of the twentieth century. Not only was Joe Strummer a prolific composer and vibrant live performer, but he was also highly active in various campaigns for social justice; he has played benefit concerts for striking workers and loaned his voice to organizations such as the Anti-Nazi League, Rock Against Racism, and Class War. The Joe Strummer Memorial Hall will serve as an active monument to the legacy of this dynamic and creative individual and it is hoped that his namesake might help inspire others to be fearless and creative.

If you would like any more information on the Joe Strummer Memorial Society, please contact us at info@strummerhall.org.