Writing The Resistance with Erin Frisby

Writing the Resistance with Erin Frisby is a five-session songwriting workshop about using music to confront injustice and speak truth to power. Participants will develop at least one original song through writing exercises, prompts, listening assignments, guided discussions, and peer shareouts. No previous songwriting or instrumental experience is required, and participants may collaborate, join an open-mic outing, and contribute to a class compilation if they choose.

The workshop examines protest-song traditions and arts activism while helping participants explore their own motivations and creative perspectives. Topics include the purpose of protest music, strategies used in arts activism, personal calling, lyric techniques, and song mapping.

When: Saturdays, November 21 through December 19, 2026

Showtimes: 1:30–3:00 p.m. each session

Schedule: November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, and December 19

Tickets: $125 for all five sessions when paid in advance, or $30 per session at the door. Advance registration guarantees a place in the workshop.

Format: Participants will complete at least one original song, receive weekly assignments and a playlist, take part in discussions and shareouts, and be invited to at least one group outing to an open mic.

Topics: Protest songs and their social role; arts-activism strategies; finding a personal creative calling; lyric techniques; and song mapping.

Instructor: Erin Frisby is a veteran of the DC music scene who grew up singing Appalachian and Ozark folk music, studied opera, and has toured the United States with their original songs. They currently lead the rock band Ammonite and have created music and songwriting programs for Chicago Public Schools, The Luce Center, The Millennium Stage, Hirshhorn Gallery Talks, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Instructor background: Frisby completed 15 weeks of intensive training in arts activism and community arts through The Sanctuaries DC and co-founded This Could Go Boom!, a grassroots nonprofit supporting women, nonbinary, and gender-expansive voices in music. Their protest songs and music videos have received recognition from RockMommy, Alt Q Radio, and LA Taco, while their work has also been praised by Washington City Paper, Sound Opinions, No Depression, and Country Queer.

Venue: Rhizome DC

Experience level: No prior songwriting or instrumental experience is necessary; the workshop offers alternatives for participants who do not play an instrument.