FROM A NEWS RELEASE
CHICAGO ─ Artemis Singers ( www.artemissingers.org ) , Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus, will present "Near & Far," a concert of world and local music at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago.
Founded in 1980, the 22-member Artemis Singers specializes in music written or arranged by women.
"Near & Far" tickets in advance are a suggested donation of $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and younger. At the door, tickets are a suggested donation of $20 for adults and $10 for children. Visit www.artemissingers.org to purchase tickets online. Tickets by mail, payable to Artemis Singers, P.O. Box 578296, Chicago, IL 60657, avoid the online service charge.
"Near & Far" will feature many songs about social justice and matriarchal culture. Artemis Singers will showcase choral pieces from South Africa, Japan and Sweden. First Nations ( Aboriginal peoples in Canada ) music; a Jewish song in the Nigun tradition; and a Belgian anti-apartheid song are on the program.
Artemis Singers will spotlight the work of Chicago composers, too. Artemis member Karen Mooney wrote the chant, "Peace in our Time - Obama @ Nobel." Mooney is a chaplain resident for Rainbow Hospice, Chicago.
Artemis Singers is reprising "A Universal Dream," text by suburban Chicago high school English teacher Meta Hellman and Jenni Brandon; music by Brandon. For this piece about freedom and liberty, Hellman researched Jane Addams and developed lyrics based on Addams' writings and speeches. Composer Brandon utilized Hellman's text and combined it with that of the preamble of the U.S. Constitution.
Commissioned by Sister Singers Network ( www.sistersingers.net ) , "A Universal Dream," premiered at the network's 10th National Women's Choral Festival hosted by Artemis Singers at Loyola University, Chicago, in 2010. Sister Singers Network is a national cooperative of feminist choruses, ensembles, singers, arrangers and composers dedicated to the women's choral movement.
Artemis Singers will perform two of Paula Walowitz's songs, "Goddesses' Rage," an upbeat chant, and "Mother Earth," a Gaia awareness piece, at the "Near & Far" concert. Walowitz is a psychotherapist in private practice in Chicago.
The chorus also will sing "Gamba Adisa," about Audre Lorde, a self-described "black lesbian feminist mother poet." Joan Szymko, originally from Chicago, wrote "Gamba Adisa."
Chicago's Loraine Edwalds wrote the chant-style song, "Hold This Pool of Water." The piece is about being asked to do impossible things and somehow finding a way to do it. Edwalds has been writing poetry since third grade, writing stories since high school and writing songs since she joined Artemis 22 years ago.
Artemis member Alicia Case of Evanston, Ill., is artistic director of the "Near & Far" concert. Skokie, Ill.'s Stephanie Larenas is Artemis Singers' piano accompanist. Laurie Lee Moses of Chicago will be guest accompanist for "Goddesses' Rage."
Inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. Artemis has performed at Lincoln Center in New York City, the State of Illinois Building, Chicago Cultural Center, as well as Sister Singers Network festivals throughout the U.S. Audiences have seen Artemis at the Chicago History Museum, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park ( Gay Games ) , at Women & Children First bookstore and at several universities.
The chorus takes its name from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is a symbol of independence among lesbian feminists.
Artemis membership is open to all women singers. Artemis also provides creative opportunities for women interested in aspects of choral production: songwriting and arranging, performance lighting, choreography, audio, artistic direction, stage management and vocal instruction.
Artemis Singers is on Facebook.
For more information, email info@artemissingers.org or call 773-764-4465.
8 p.m. at Irish American Heritage Center
Artemis Singers "Near & Far" concert Jan. 21, 2012
showcases local, world music