What is that ominous rumbling sound, far off in the distance but drawing closer every day? That's Rolling Thunder -- and when it comes to Seattle on Saturday, Aug. 24, it will make a joyful noise, indeed!

The Rolling Thunder Down-Home Democracy Tour is a moveable feast of progressive politics, grassroots organizing, ecstatic entertainment, and good food and fun for the entire family.

Guest speakers will include Jim Hightower, Tom Hayden, and Granny D, sharing the stage with Holly Near, Zap Mama, Fishbone, Medusa, and a whole bunch of local activists and performers, at M.L.King County's Petrovitsky Park (16400 SE Petrovitsky Rd., Renton).

This "country fair for consciousness-raising" started out in Austin, Texas, in March, and so far it's already been to Chicago and Tucson.

It's the brainchild of populist pundit Jim Hightower, who decided that what this country needs is an updated version of the Chautauquas of generations past.

These were get-togethers that began in 1874, when people would assemble by the shores of New York's Lake Chautauqua to listen to famous orators, enjoy music and theater, and discuss issues of the day.

Over successive decades, the Chautauqua movement spread all across the country, inspiring thousands of reading circles and debating societies. It was so successful that Traveling Chautauquas began touring the land, bringing participation in the public discourse to citizens everywhere.

Theodore Roosevelt was so enthusiastic about its value for promoting vigorous democracy that he declared, "The Chautauqua is the most American thing in America."

Even in this era of instantaneous global communications, Hightower believes that people still need this sort of face-to-face contact. Feelings of isolation, impotence, and insignificance fade away when you can talk to your neighbors about what's going on in the world -- and about how you can work together to make things better.

In Hightower's words: "For too long progressives have walked fearful of their shadows, whimpering and whining about what's wrong and fighting amongst themselves over crumbs. That time is over. It's time to sing and work and build a new community dedicated to hope and real change. And good beer."

That's why Rolling Thunder's national slogan is "Put the Party Back in Politics." It's not always enough to have serious issues. If you really want to get people involved, you also need to be able to have serious fun.

Dozens of national organizations, such as ACORN, Friends of the Earth, Public Citizen, and Working Assets, have joined with magazines such as Mother Jones, The Nation, and The Progressive, and activists like Jesse Jackson Jr., Michael Moore, Studs Terkel, and Paul Wellstone to get this show on the road.

Musical performers have included Michelle Shocked, Marcia Ball, and Erykah Badu. And you can add to all these national groups and personalities a raft of local participants in each location -- citizens' associations, labor unions, activists, musicians, clowns.

That's important, because the central purpose of Rolling Thunder isn't to bring celebrities to town. It's to bring all sorts of people together (not just lefties and progressives, but everybody) to talk, connect, organize, strategize - ultimately, to take power back from the greedheads and boneheads who think Planet Earth is their own personal property.

We have a tradition around Puget Sound of raising hell when the privileged classes start acting like common folks don't count.

That's why there's a special slogan for the Seattle Rolling Thunder: "THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE." What does it look like? Look in the mirror and see.

Editor's Note: The Carnival of Opression and Fun, part of the Seattle Rolling Thunder Review is seeking creative people to help transform a soccer field into a rollicking and consciousness raising carnival--contact Fred Miller at 206-789-6863 or fredisfree@yahoo.com