"Social change work goes on with or without an election at hand," she says. "But we are offered a window of opportunity to make a profound change that will not only affect our own lives, but the lives of people around the world."

Near will join MUSE, Cincinnati's Women's Choir, and Cincinnati singer/songwriter Tracy Walker at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Music Hall's Ballroom for Rock the Vote, a concert to encourage voting.

"It's going to be a high-energy, enjoyable, exciting, warm-hearted concert," says Catherine Roma, director of MUSE, who plans to lead her choir in human rights and antiwar songs, as well as humorous ones. "There will be variety, and people will be able to register to vote."

Along with a "concert full of laughter," Near promises music that will "address our fear, our weary hearts and our vigilant participation in social change."

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• Piano work protests foreign policy • String 'Serenade' seeks equality for gays • Moore inspires documentaries, pro and con • Bern brings protest songs to Southgate • Artists for Change set up on square • Two works use the stage as a stump

The League of Women Voters will offer voter registration. Tickets: $25. 621-2787 or www.cincinnatiarts.org.

Rock the Vote! Part II: Roma and MUSE will present "Rock the Vote! Part II" at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Unitarian Church, 320 Resor Ave., Clifton. The concert will star the folk poet and lesbian activist Alix Olson, along with Cincinnati folk artist Katie Laur and her All-Girl Band, Walker and Cincinnati City Councilwoman Laketa Cole and friends, who will perform excerpts from For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Was Enough.

"It's edgy, young, black, white, gay and straight, with a variety of performing artists," Roma says. Plus, you can register to vote.

Tickets: $15; $8 students. 961-1938 or visit www.musechoir.org.

Janelle Gelfand