CHICAGO ─ Artemis Singers www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will celebrate Pride month with a special concert and dance, "Family of Friends," Saturday, June 17, at First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago.
The Hyde Park concert is meant to be open and inclusive. "We need this kind of unifying message in the country now," said Hilary Marsh, "Family of Friends" artistic director. "This positive, upbeat concert celebrates families and friends. We all have families of origin and choice, with all kinds of connection."
"This concert and dance will make people smile, laugh and maybe cry a little," she said. "We want the music to really move people." Marsh said there still is a spectrum of acceptance. "And whether or not our families know about our relationships or accept our lives and loves, for many of us, our our friends are our families. Everyone at the concert is part of our family of friends." Marsh noted that the dance after the concert will provide a great opportunity to socialize.
"Family of Friends" begins at 7:00 p.m. A dance with live DJ follows the performance. Concert and dance are both accessible. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Tickets for children 12 and younger, students ( with ID ) and seniors age 65 and older cost $10. The ticket price includes admission to both events. Free street parking is available. For tickets, visit family-of-friends.brownpapertickets.com .
For the June 17 concert, Artemis Singers will present songs ranging from Jamie Anderson's "Family of Friends" to Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game;" from Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" to Holly Near's "I Am Willing;" from Therese Edell's "Good Friends Are the Best" to Cris Williamson's "Sister." The audience will hear the five-voice "Queertette" perform Bill Withers' song, "Lean on Me."
Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers is dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political and personal events common to women. Artemis Singers performs music written or arranged by women.
"One of my favorite parts of Artemis is that the chorus members choose the music we sing," said Marsh. Artemis membership is open to all women singers. Artemis provides creative opportunities for women interested in all aspects of choral production: song writing and arranging, performance lighting, choreography, audio, artistic direction, stage management and vocal instruction.
Affinity Community Services is co-sponsoring the Hyde Park concert and dance. Affinity is a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities through collective analysis and action for social justice, freedom, and human rights.
Inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in Chicago's lesbian feminist cultural life. Audiences have seen Artemis Singers at the Chicago History Museum, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park ( Gay Games ), at Women & Children First bookstore and at numerous universities.
For more information about the concert and dance, email info@artemissingers.org or call ( 773 ) 764-4465.
