Joan Baez | Legendary Artist & Activist

Joan Baez returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs nearly 45 years after she came here to discuss “Human Rights in the Eighties.” She's coming back not for a performance but for an in-depth talk about her personal thoughts and life experiences—the person behind the stardom. Baez has been writing poetry for decades, but she’s never before shared it publicly. Now in her book of poems When You See My Mother: Ask Her to Dance Baez shares poems about her contemporaries (such as Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and Jimi Hendrix), reflections from her childhood, personal thoughts, and cherished memories of her family, including pieces about her younger sister, singer-songwriter Mimi Fariña. Speaking to the people, places, and moments that have had the greatest impact on her art, this collection is an inspiring personal diary in the form of poetry. Join us in-person to hear her discuss how, for the first time ever, she has shared revealing pivotal life experiences that shaped an icon, offering a never-before-seen look into the reminiscences and musings of a great artist. Post live music provided by CHAKANA. Baez photo by Dana Tynan. January 27, 2025 Speakers Joan Baez Artist; Activist; Author, When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance In Conversation with Ben Fong-Torres Music Journalist; Former Editor and Writer, Rolling Stone Hosted by Robert Melton Co-chair, Arts Member-led Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California In addition to the videos🎥 shared here, CCWA reaches it's wide-ranging audiences through these Social media platforms