On April 30th if you happen to be in Coventry, England, you can take a walk down memory lane with The English Beat’s Dave Wakeling as he takes a stroll down the 2-tne Trail, a guided tour of the city that gave birth to UK Ska. Bands like Madness, The Specials, The Selector and, of course, The English Beat all came out of the city. Don’t miss out on a chance to listen to Wakeling reminisce. He is quite the raconteur.

Money collected by fans who sponsor this historic walk go to the 2-Tone Museum, which houses memorabilia from the era and he bands. American fans not making the trip have apparently been donating to the cause already.

The tour will hit Coventry University (The English Beat met The Specials’Jerry Dammers there), Central Library (once Tiffany’s Nightclub), 51 Albany Road and the Albany Pub.

The tour starts at 2-Tone Central at 1 pm but you have to have a sponsorship to take part. For info head to www.2tonecentral.co.uk.

And…The English Beat are still touring.

Apr 23 Clapham Grand Theatre London, UK
Apr 30 2-Tone Central Coventry Univ. Priory Street, UK
May 06 Wingfield Park Reno, NV
May 07 Bimbo’s 365 Club San Francisco, CA
May 13 House of Blues Anaheim, CA
May 14 T. Boyle Tavern Pasadena, CAMay 20 T. Boyle Tavern Pasadena, CA
May 21 Brixton Redondo Beach, CA
May 27 Wiens Family Cellars Temecula, CA
May 28 Lake Arrowhead Resort (FREE) Lake Arrowhead, CA
Jun 10 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Jun 11 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Jun 18 Power House Pub Folsom, CAJul 8 Reed Keppler Park (FREE) W. Chicago, IL

A new PSA from Cyndi Lauper’s Give A Damn Campaign (part of Lauper’s True Colors Fund), Just put out the psa about hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Given recent events it is certainly appropriate.

Featured in the PSA are: Ricky Martin, Elton John, Idina Menzel, Rachael Harris and Wanda Sykes.

Among the stats pointed out, one hate crime takes place every half hour of every day (48 a day for the math challenged). One out of six hate crimes are committed based on sexual orientation. Gays and lesbians are the third most targeted group.

Personally? I am appalled this sort of thing happens in the 21st Century, especially in a country that prides itself on liberty and equality. You do not have to like gay people. You do not have to attend your local gay pride parade. But no one has the right to intimidate anyone, especially not on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation.