*All events are 21+ valid ID required for entry*
7 PM – Doors
8 PM – Show
For those who have been following the saga at World Cafe Live over the past year, it has been a harrowing journey. After a spirited Town Hall in July, WCL management gave voluntary recognition to Front of House staff unionizing with Unite Here Philly. Since then, World Cafe Live has lost its liquor license, CEO Joseph Callahan and President Gar Giles have both stepped down, and current management continues to refuse to bargain in good faith with their unionized employees. Workers who had been unjustly terminated were promised their jobs back, but in the subsequent months, none have been given their jobs back. As such, we present to you a special event at Johnny Brenda’s for one night only, Sunday January 11th, to celebrate and support the current and former workers of World Cafe Live. All proceeds from this show will go directly to support the workers impacted by unfair firings and missing pay! Show up and show solidarity for this very important night, featuring Carsie Blanton, Ray Drezner, Izzy True, and Sad13!
CARSIE BLANTON
Carsie Blanton is a songwriter with hooks, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism. Inspired by artist-activists including Nina Simone and Woody Guthrie, her catalog exhibits a wide exploration of genre woven together by humor, a fondness for classic melodies, and the spirit of punk rock.
After two decades spent on the road, Blanton has amassed a dedicated fan base and a small menagerie of viral hits (Little Flame, Rich People, Ugly Nasty Commie Bitch). 2026 will see heavy touring and two new releases, beginning with The Red Album Vol. II. on January 16th.
RAY DREZNER
Renée “Ray” Drezner teaches voice and plays instruments in a colorful and cozy apartment off of South Street filled with houseplants and tchotchkes.
IZZY TRUE
Izzy True is a rock & roll band from Philadelphia. The current lineup includes Izzy Reidy, Lucas Knapp, Phillip Price and Andy Molholt.
SAD13
Sadie Dupuis is the guitarist, songwriter & singer of rock band Speedy Ortiz, as well as the producer & multi-instrumentalist behind pop project Sad13. Sadie heads the record label and journal Wax Nine, and her poetry and prose have appeared in Rolling Stone, the Rumpus, Tape Op, and more. Mouthguard, her first book, was published in 2018 (Gramma); Cry Perfume, a second poetry collection, was released in 2022 (Black Ocean). She is a founding organizer of United Musicians & Allied Workers and its local UMAW Philly.
