Christopher Anderson is speaking out, and getting people together for a cause the best way he knows how - through music.

“I'm against the war. We just wanted to get active,” Anderson said. “I have a friend who was sent to war, so I support the troops, not the war.”

He is the brainchild behind the politically-charged music rally Friday night at the Auburn Public Theater.

The concert will include music from several local bands, including Anderson's band Sarkis-Scalzo, Ayurveda from Ithaca, Caroline's Curse and the U.S. Funk Team from Philadelphia. Though it's a rally against the war, not all the music will be focused directly on that issue. Instead, the music is more of a way to get people of all ages together who believe in the same cause.

There will be microphones set up so anyone can say what they wish to say between sets, Anderson said. There will also be music that was banned after 9/11, literature, deception dollars with the face of George Bush on them and a list Web sites about the war and buttons will be on sale.

“It started with just a show, then I just started thinking, what else?” Anderson said. So he set up arrangements for the venue and started promoting his event.

The Auburn Public Theater was ideal for a concert such as this, but for Anderson, the fact that all ages could attend was a definite plus.

“There are hardly any opportunities for younger kids to go listen to good music, because its mostly at bars,” he said.

Caroline's Curse and Ayurveda are expected to perform songs that reinforce the theme of the rally,

and it is Anderson's hope that the public too will show up ready to share their thoughts on current events.

Staff writer Laura Boyce can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 236 or at laura.boyce@lee.net