The Church of Stop Shopping performs radical “retail interventions� of political theater cloaked in evangelical fervor.

Just back from actions in Barcelona, Spain, the Church has fought Starbucks, Disney and Walmart in support of independent businesses and the survival of our neighborhoods. They will perform in Santa Cruz for a couple of hours on their tour from the Walmart invasions in L.A. to proposed Big Box Store developments in Northern California.

Reverend Billy and the Stop Big Boxes Gospel Choir are on a singing and preaching tour from L.A. to Humboldt County April 17 to 24, performing for citizens, activist groups and union locals who are resisting the predatory influx of transnational chain stores. Fourteen events over the course of the week include a Los Angeles screening of Playloud! Productions documentary “Reverend Billy�, a live concert for tree-sitters near Arcata and the finale performance at the 1400 seat Castro Theater in San Francisco.

Some performances take place in theaters, others are “retail interventions� –unannounced, unpermitted appearances that take place in “contested space� supercenter lobbies, sweatshop dressing rooms and strip mall parking lots. Throughout its seven year existence the OBIE-winning Church of Stop Shopping has fought Starbucks, Disney, Walmart (to name a few) promoting independent businesses and gift, thrift and barter economies; encouraging the survival of our neighborhoods; and giving a voice to countless sweatshop workers worldwide.

Location:

Pacific Avenue. Starting near the GAP proceeding to Urban Outfitters.