March 8 is International Women's Day

Although art that is purely agenda-driven doesn't usually do it for me, I believe that the arts do have tremendous power to impact society at large. I like to think that sometimes just hearing diverse voices telling diverse stories will help us all see things in new ways, which may in turn help us see each other in new ways, which may someday lead to global, everlasting peace. I appreciated Forest Whitaker's Oscar acceptance speech, and think his sentiment can be applied to any creative effort:

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.

Hey, a chicksinger can dream, can't she?

So today, in honor of International Women's Day, I'm going to blog against sexism and highlight some women's artistic ventures in the Denver and Boulder area. And also, because the personal is political, I just might be engaging in some self-promotion with this post.

If you -- that is, if there is a "you" out there reading this -- know of something I overlooked that you think should be included in this list, please leave a comment for me. Thanks.

Vox Feminista is a "multi-media, multi-passionate performance tribe of womyn" that is presenting an event this Saturday, March 10. From their website:

VOX RISING! proudly presents their first show "Closet Traumas" Saturday, March 10 @ Nomad Theater1410 Quince Ave, North Boulder at 8:00 pm --- $5-$500 sliding scale --- no one turned away
VOX RISING! is a safe-space theater for passionate youth to speak out on political issues. Through music, spoken-word, and group skits, young people will create dialogue on issues meaningful to them and their future. "Closet Traumas" is more than young people deciding what to wear. It is an exploration into the many dilemmas youth face in their possible futures.

Marin Alsop, Conductor Laureate of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, founded the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship to "foster and encourage women who are studying or training to be orchestral conductors in orchestras or ensembles.” Rei Hotoda, the 2006 fellowship recipient, will be appearing with the CSO and Maestra Alsop in concerts March 9-11.

The Denver Women's Chorus is a lesbian community choir that will be presenting a joint concert with the Denver Gay Men's Chorus on April 13 entitled "A Night of Dark Music" at St. John's Cathedral.

The chorale Safonia is a "women's ensemble dedicated to the synergy of music, passion and excellence." They have concerts coming up April 14 & 15 in Denver based on the theme "The Poet Sings," featuring many works by women composers.

The ASTER Women's Chamber Choir is also presenting a spring concert entitled "The Poet Sings" (April is National Poetry Month) on April 14 & 21 in Broomfield and Boulder. Donations accepted, but tickets are free.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has created the Women’s Voices Fund, an endowment fund "designed to foster the work of women playwrights in the American theatre." There don't seem to be any upcoming events scheduled in the immediate future, but keep your eye on the website for premieres and receptions.

Sunday Studio Talks @ Yoga Workshop

from the Yoga Workshop website:

Richard Freeman will be giving a series of Sunday talks, following afternoon Mysore at the Yoga Workshop, from 5:45 to 6:45 PM.

Dates and topics are:
February 25 - Mulabandha: Whatever that is
March 18 - Yoga Asana as Yantra
March 25 - Pranayama
April 1 - Obstacle and the Six Enemies

These talks are open to all and free. As usual there will be a Dana* bowl. All money collected will go towards the 2007 Yoga Workshop Teachers Endowment.

*dana = generosity; no set fee, by donation only

Tuesday Yoga Sutras Discussion Group @ Bookends

This falls under the "I can't, I have rehearsal" category when it comes to my availability for this activity, but it looks interesting.

Patanjali's Raja Yoga Sutras Discussion Group

A group of dedicated Yoga Workshop students are starting a weekly discussion group on Patanjali's Raja Yoga Sutras. The plan is to discuss one sutra each week. Everyone is welcome. Bring your own translations.

When: Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Where: Bookends, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder

Topics:
Jan 23rd - 1.4. vrtti-sárúpyam-itaratra
Jan 30th - 1.5 vrittayah pañchatayyah klishtaklishtáh
Feb 6th - 1.6 pramána-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrá-smritayah
Feb 13th - 1.7 pratyakshanumánagamáh pramánáni
Feb 20th - 1.8 viparyayo mithyá-jñánam atad-rupa-pratishtham
Feb 27th - 1.9 shabda-jñánanupáti-vastu-shunyo vikalpah

For more information contact Corrie Detweiler at Corrella.Detweiler@colorado.edu or 303-442-2455 or Beth Reninger at halfmoon108@yahoo.com or 720-596-9926

Contact Corrie to be added to the email-update list. If you are not already on this list, contact Corrie or Beth to double check the schedule, as occasionally we may meet at an alternative location.

2-for-1 Thursdays theater tix

Occasionally, in the search for things to do in Denver, one must actually pay for admission. Yes, it's true.* However, there is a happy medium for those of us with a little pocket money to spare: 2-for-1 Thursdays. There are a few theaters in town that offer discounted tickets on Thursdays as a way to pump up attendance on a school night, such as Curious and Theater 13. I saw I Am My Own Wife at Curious last fall in this manner, and paid half-price for my ticket at the box office since I went by myself. I thought that Shadow Theater also offered 2-for-1 Thursday tickets, but I haven't found anything on their website lately to that effect. I'll add more theaters to the list when I locate them.

UPDATE: Thrifty Thursdays at PHAMALy's Our Town Here's a SPECIAL DEAL. For Thursday performances only, YOU CAN GET 2 FULL PRICE TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. It's true, because we want you all to be able to enjoy watching PHAMALy make its dramatic debut. Just contact the box office (303-739-1970) and ask for the Thursday PHAMALy special.

UPDATE: According to a flyer I got, El Centro Su Teatro is offering 2-for-1 Thursdays for its upcoming run of I Don't Have to Show You No Stinking Badges Feb. 15-March 24. The only thing I'm not clear on is if you have to have a flyer in hand in order to get the discount. But it's worth a call to the box office, I'm sure.

UPDATE: The Paragon Theatre offers 2-for-1 Thursday tix, but I don't know if that means solo patrons get half-price tickets or if the offer is only good for pairs. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune opens on Feb. 10.

* Re: paying for my ticket, let me go on record as saying that I can't wait for the day that I can afford to contribute monetarily to local arts organizations. I'm not a permanent mooch, just a temporary one (I hope).