DENVER—Public Enemy’s manager says the pioneering rap group has no plans for a free show during the Democratic convention in Denver next week, contradicting an earlier announcement by a protest group.
Dan Lugo of BTN Eastlink said in an e-mail Thursday that two members of the group, Chuck D and turntablist DJ Lord, will give a short performance at a health-care rally on Wednesday.
Glenn Spagnuolo of the protest group Recreate 68 had said the original lineup of Public Enemy would perform a free show at Civic Center park on Tuesday.
“While they are grateful to be invited, Public Enemy will not be performing at the Recreate 68 event,” Lugo said.
In an e-mail, Recreate 68 said it had been assured by two young promoters that they had signed a contract with Public Enemy and purchased airline tickets for the group to come to Denver.
One of the promoters, Carlo Garcia, declined to comment but said he and his partner might have an announcement later.
Wednesday’s health-care rally will also include performances by DeVotchka and Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. Radio commentator and author Jim Hightower will also appear.
The rally, at Sunken Gardens Park near the Pepsi Center, will start at 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. It’s sponsored by the Service Employees International Union, the National Education Association and others.
Chuck D told the Rocky Mountain News he is coming to Denver in connection with BET and Air America.
“We’re at a transition point where we have a black man who might be president. You’re starting to see all the ugliness come out, the lies and stuff,” he told the newspaper. “My position is to be at the DNC in support of change.”
