CHICAGO ─ Artemis Singers www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present "Amazon Women Rise," a Pride concert and dance, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Broadway United Methodist Church, 3338 N. Broadway, Chicago.
Open to the public, "Amazon Women Rise" celebrates lesbian community and culture. "Artemis Singers celebrates women as we begin LGBT Pride month," said Diana Clegg, artistic director. "We will perform songs that evoke the strength and vibrancy of the lesbian community."
Artemis Singers will begin the concert with "Amazon," the Maxine Feldman-classic that has opened each Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. "Maxine's powerful words and music are not only inspirational, they are a call-to-action," said Clegg.
The Cris Williamson song "Shooting Star," about the intensity of one woman's love for another, is on the program. So too is Alix Dobkin's "Crushes," which recalls the exuberance of young love.
The chorus will perform lesbian parodies of two well-known songs. "Favorite Dyke Things" is a twist to "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music." The song, "I Enjoy Being a Dyke" is a take-off on "I Enjoy Being a Girl" from the Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song."
Visit ArtemisAmazon.brownpapertickets.com to purchase tickets online.
Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 in advance and $20 at the door for adults. Tickets for seniors age 65 and older and for children age 12 and younger are a suggested donation of $10. The ticket price includes admission to both the concert and dance. Tickets may also be purchased by mail with a check payable to Artemis Singers, P.O. Box 578296, Chicago, IL 60657.
Artemis Singers will perform "Fishing," a song commissioned in memory of long-time chorus member Michaeline Chvatal (1947—2008). The barbershop-style "Fishing" brings to mind Chvatal, who shared many stories of growing up in Chicago as a dyke, having crushes on the nuns, in the days when being "out" carried significant risk.
Also on the program is the 1982 song, "Shadows," which speaks to a time when women's love for one another was often fearfully hidden in the shadows, rather than celebrated with pride, and to the toll this took on many relationships.
The concert features two social justice anthems that have been embraced by many civil rights groups: "Never Turning Back," the unofficial theme song of the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women and "Something Inside So Strong," inspired by the history of apartheid South Africa.
The fast-moving Celtic-style tune, "Away Ye Merry Lassies," exhorts "It's a girl's night out," and features hammer dulcimer and hand drum.
The dance with live DJ immediately follows the concert.
Midge Stocker is production manager of the June 1 Artemis Singers "Amazon Women Rise" Pride concert and dance.
Broadway United Methodist Church is located on the corner of Broadway and Buckingham in Chicago's East Lakeview. The concert and dance are both accessible.
Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. Founded in 1980, the chorus specializes in performing music written or arranged by women. Artemis Singers is comprised of women with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political and personal events common to women.
Artemis membership is open to all women singers. The group provides creative opportunities for women interested in choral production: song writing and arranging, choreography, audio recording, stage management, artistic direction and vocal instruction. Artemis Singers will hold new member nights August 22 and August 29.
Email info@artemissingers.org for details or to request June 1 tickets be held at the door. For more information, call Artemis Singers at (773) 764-4465. Artemis Singers is on Facebook.
