Artemis Singers ( www.artemissingers.org ), Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus, will present a winter solstice concert, "A Midwinter Night's Journey," at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, and at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Ethical Humanist Society, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie, Ill. ( south of Howard St., west of Skokie Blvd. )
The chorus will perform "A Midwinter Night's Journey" on two nights because the chorus' Jan. 19, 2013, concert at this venue sold out.
"For winter solstice, the longest night of the year, we will evoke our ancient primal past—a time when only natural sources illuminated the dark: stars, moon and fire," said Ruth Clark, Chicago, artistic director for this concert. "In those times, the changing length of day and night was very evident. The solstice heralds a time of rebirth and the concert program reflects this. In the depth of winter, we celebrate the return of the sun, as days begin to lengthen."
Founded in 1980, the 35-member Artemis Singers specializes in music written or arranged by women.
"A Midwinter Night's Journey" features pieces by composers and lyricists from the U.S., Finland, Estonia, Persia, Venezuela and Sweden. Some songs will be sung in Spanish. The program includes the "Birth/Winter Solstice" movement from Kay Gardner's "Ouroboros: Seasons of Life-Women's Passages."
Artemis Singers will perform "Seven Principles," a Kwanzaa song by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, founder of the African-American a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock. One of the Spanish language songs is Maria Elena Walsh's "Como La Cigarra," popularized by Grammy-award winner Mercedes Sosa.
The chorus will present "Ode to Women," by Venezuelan-American composer Josefina Benedetti. "Ode to Women" was commissioned for the 2006 Sister Singers Network Choral Festival. Sister Singers Network is a national cooperative of feminist choruses, ensembles, singers, arrangers and composers dedicated to the women's choral movement. Artemis Singers has been a Sister Singers Network member for 30 years.
Drawing on her personal family history, Artemis Singers member and poet Loraine Edwalds, Chicago, has supplied new lyrics to the melody "Autumn Days," by Swedish composer Eva Toller, resulting in "Lament From the Land my Grandfather Left Behind."
In addition to the full chorus, the program includes small group and solo performances as well as spoken word pieces. The concert features upbeat songs such as Dar Williams' "The Christians and the Pagans" and other contemporary views of the season.
Laurie Lee Moses is Artemis Singers' piano accompanist. Holly James is production manager for the December performances.
Visit artemismidwinter.brownpapertickets.com to purchase tickets online. Tickets for "A Midwinter Night's Journey" 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.
Tickets are available at Women & Children First bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets also are available from any Artemis Singers chorus member. Tickets may be purchased by mail with a check payable to Artemis Singers, P.O. Box 578296, Chicago, IL 60657.
Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. Inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008, 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.
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. The chorus also provides creative opportunities for women interested in aspects of choral production: vocal instruction, songwriting and arranging, choreography, audio, performance lighting, artistic direction and stage management.
For concert information, email info@artemissingers.org or call 773-764-4465.
The concert venue, near Oakton Community College, is one-half mile north of the Touhy Avenue I-94 ( Edens Expressway ) interchange. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Ethical Humanist Society or on the street. The building is accessible. The concert will take place in the auditorium. Artemis Singers is on Facebook.
www.artemissingers.org
