They come from two different spectrums of art and entertainment. One reins as a poetic folk queen, the other a comic genius. Together, however, they will work as one machine to promote voter registration, political awareness and change within America.

On Wednesday, Ani DiFranco and Margaret Cho will invade campus.

DiFranco, who is currently on tour with her "Vote Dammit!" crew, and Cho, who has been performing her "State of Emergency Tour," have simultaneously been traveling across the country hitting the political swing states, such as Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio and Florida, to rile younger demographics to register and vote.

The two women, who share similar thoughts and ideas on America's political processes, managed to find corresponding dates on their fiery tours that would allow them to perform together, even if it only was for three shows.

When asked why she wanted to climb the stage and spew her hilarious antics with singer-songwriter DiFranco, Cho admitted she's simply a big fan of DiFranco.

"I just love how she works," she said. "I love her music, I love her politics.

"She's just rad and I wanted to do a show with her."

So as it worked out, the two will proceed from Minnesota to Wisconsin and will end their short traveling stint in East Lansing on Wednesday at the Auditorium, with Cho's antic comic style opening the show and DiFranco's one-of-a-kind guitar plucking closing it.

For DiFranco, it was as easy as casting a ballot to select who she thought would be appropriate to wake up the dead votes amongst the nations' youth.

"I choose people to share the stage with that inspire me, and for this tour, of course, people who are politically outspoken," she said. "Margaret Cho is politically brilliant and I'm a huge fan."

Gushing aside, the two women plan to address serious issues regarding the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 2 and hope to inspire young voters, especially women, to implement their rights instead of watching the opportunity slip between their fingers during such a heated political race to choose America's next leader.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 50.7 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24-years-old were registered to vote in the 2000 presidential election, and only 36.1 percent actually cast their ballots four years ago.

Cho said she hopes this phenomenon will change.

"Unfortunately, the people who don't vote in this election are the ones that are going to win," she said. "It's like the people who don't vote have the largest voice, and that's not right."

As for DiFranco, she believes there hasn't been a period when politics weren't viewed as an ugly situation.

"Young people were born into their disillusionment with the political system in this country," she said. "We have never known a time when 'politician' was not synonymous with 'greedy, calculating, liar,' so it is natural and smart to feel alienated from government.

"But ironically, I believe it is a reinvestment in the belief in government that is the solution to our current situation and I hope that we still see a heretofore unprecedented number of young people voting in this upcoming election."

Aside from voter turnout, there are a number of pressing issues surrounding the upcoming election that could in turn shape America, Cho and DiFranco said. Both women said problems are blatantly being skimmed over by the presidential candidates.

"The issue of gay marriage seems to be the one that (presidential candidates Sen. John Kerry and President Bush) are both currently very evasive about and that's sort of gone away a little bit because it's culturally volatile and divisive potentially," Cho said. "The idea that you can give equality out in degrees doesn't make sense."

Cho added, "This atmosphere of homophobia and hatred doesn't work with the constitutional right to be equal."

Also a major issue in the upcoming election is the ongoing War with Iraq, which DiFranco said the United States should be out of, and that the United Nations should take over.

"Kerry is very disappointing in this area," she said. "I think he's skimming because he's a calculating politician, not a hero of our people."

DiFranco, a registered Democrat, added that this election could change the face of American politics, not just the stance on war.

"We must remember we are not electing a king, and beyond the personality contest, the changing over of the guard from Republican to Democratic administrations will mean a whole new cast of characters in all kinds of appointments," she said. "It will mean people of vision will be able to get out of crisis mode and generate more momentum in their work, even if Kerry is not one of those people."

But this tour is not to be seen as a bashing event, DiFranco added.

"This tour and my politics have nothing to do with Bush," she said. "Whether or not we are empowered citizens is an issue much bigger and more eternal than the joker in the Oval Office."

Politics aside, both artists simply want to perform and encourage people to vote.

Cho, who known for joking about anything from raunchy sex to her family life, said she updates her material to reflect daily news.

"That's sort of what I've dedicated part of the show to is sort of what's going on in the news," she said. "It changes week to week, depending on what's going on."

As for DiFranco's career, her trend of self-producing albums has ended as she's been working with producer Joe Henry to put out her new album, "Knuckle Down."

"It's very much a personal exploration, almost on the level of 'Dilate,' (DiFranco's 1996 album)" she said.

Bob Hoffman, public relations director for Wharton Center, said the show will start at 7:30 p.m. with Cho taking stage. He added that tickets for the show are still on sale.

Lindsey K. Anderson is the State News music reporter. Reach her at ander848@msu.edu