All events scheduled for March 8. For additions and updates, visit www.femaleartistcollective.com.
What: Castaway Cabaret presents Gathering of the Goddesses with live music by Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands, featuring singer Banana Lazuli, burlesque performers Jolly Roger and Pearl VanDammit, aerialist and contortionist Katrina Blose, tap dancer Lauren Starr, belly dancer Caitlin Carroll and lyra hooping by Sabrina Woods.
When: 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: The Blind Tiger, 1819 Spring Garden St., Greensboro
Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 day of show
Information: 272-9888, www.theblindtiger.com
What: Excerpts from “Pearl,” an opera by Amy Scurria, featuring soprano Elena DeAngelis
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Recital Hall, Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St.
Admission: $10-$20 suggested donation
Information: elena@elena deangelis.com
What: Women Speak Out: Spoken-Word Group Poet.She
When: 8-9 p.m.
Where: Elsewhere, 606 S. Elm St., Greensboro
Admission: $10-$12 suggested donation
Information: 549-5555, shelleys@iquest.net, poetshe7@gmail.com
What: Recording artist/poet Thia Ziel
When: 9 p.m.
Where: The Flatiron, 221 Summit Ave., Greensboro
Admission: $5 cover charge
Information: 272-7774
What: Singer/pianist Jessica Mashburn
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Potent Potables, 115 E. Main St., Jamestown
Admission: Free
Information: 882-9463
What: Janine Clarke and J9 Acoustic
When: 9-10 p.m.
Where: Sessions, 1820 Spring Garden St., Greensboro
Admission: Free
Information: 617-3960
What: Female Fronted Bands of the Carolinas
When: 7 p.m., Screaming By Me; 8 p.m., Cold Hit Ruby; 9 p.m., Forever Chained; 10 p.m., Ethereal. 11 p.m., Dreamkiller.
Where: Somewhere Else Tavern, 5713 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro
Admission: $5
Information: 833-4034
What: Big Bump and The Stun Gunz with Shiela Klinefelter
When: 7-10 p.m.
Where: Southern Roots, 119 E. Main St., Jamestown
Admission: Free
Information: 882-5570
What: Music, poetry and dance with singer/songwriters Laila Nur, Nascimento & Kelcy of Dalton Village, poets Aleks Babic, Jodie and Teresa Warren, and modern dancer Kayla Hocker
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Glenwood Coffee & Books, 1310 Glenwood Ave., Greensboro
Admission: $3-$5 suggested donation
Information: 525-1646
What: Art exhibition and sale, performances by acoustic musicians
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Center for a Better Greensboro, 930 S. Chapman St., Greensboro
Admission: Free
Information: 210-5530
What: Paintings and other art by female artists
When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: The Creative Center, 900 16th St., Greensboro
Admission: Free
Information: 617-3328, www.thecreativecenter.net
What: Music by A Mad Affair featuring Valerie Wood
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Turntable, 209 W. Main St., Jamestown
Admission: $7
Information: 937-7578, www.turntablenc.com
GREENSBORO — On a cold February Sunday, 20 female visual and performing artists gathered in The Creative Center’s gallery to explore the question: Is it possible to make a living in Greensboro?
“I couldn’t do it with just dance,” said a performer who goes by the stage name Jolly Roger.
At 23, trained in ballet and modern dance, she works as a burlesque dancer, fire performer, choreographer, cabaret producer and filmmaker.
“I don’t know anyone my age who is doing it with just one art form,” she said.
Others understood. They talked about the challenges of explaining and selling their art form — and getting paid enough to do it. Continue Reading
Two local artists — musician/actress Stephanie Lindley and photographer Bonnie Stanley — had brought these women together because they want to help.
They have created the Female Artist Collective of Greensboro to encourage and support local female artists.
On International Women’s Day on March 8, the collective will bring more visibility to female artists by showcasing their talent in a new way.
On that Friday, the first Female Artist Takeover will feature musicians, singers, spoken-word artists, dancers, theatrical performers and visual artists presenting their work in Greensboro and Jamestown venues.
“It’s been wonderful to know that I am part of something that is going to help female artists pursue their dreams and continue their creativity,” Stanley said.
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Stanley, 48, and Lindley, 43, understand the struggles.
Lindley becomes frustrated when she sees actors and artists from other states hired to work locally and when she sees musicians performing for free.
“Why is it that this town is full of brilliant artists who are struggling financially?” Lindley asks. “There’s not enough opportunity for us to make a living.”
Women in particular, Lindley and Stanley say, juggle other jobs with caregiving duties and feel they don’t have time to create art that might not sell.
The Female Artist Collective aims to address such issues.
In June, Stanley hopes to start “Misbehavin’ Women,” a quarterly online and print publication focusing on local female artists.
Lindley and Stanley also want to raise sponsorships and money, as well as offer financial assistance to artists.
They hope that the 2014 Female Artist Takeover will be even larger and that the idea spreads to other cities.
“There needs to be more support and more emphasis on art than just First Friday,” said Stanley, referring to the night each month when downtown shops and galleries stay open late with special entertainment.
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Lindley began the Female Artist Collective as a Facebook group, which has grown to more than 160 members.
Last summer, local singer/songwriter Laila Nur posted a query: When are these ladies going to get together and do a show?
Lindley posed another idea: Why not ask Greensboro venues to feature a female artist on March 8, International Women’s Day?
Lindley and Stanley, with help from male friend Atiba Berkley, spread the word.
Susan Sassmann, director of The Creative Center, provided advice and contacts.
Christy Johnson was among those intrigued.
A singer with the Greensboro-based band Dreamkiller, Johnson had started a Facebook page, “Female Fronted Bands of the Carolinas.” There, 83 bands organize and promote shows, find members and trade information.
She jumped on board for the Female Artist Takeover, organizing a show at Somewhere Else Tavern.
Five female-fronted bands — three from Greensboro, one from Gibsonville and another from Roseboro — will perform.
“I wanted to participate to further promote and encourage the presence and growth of women in the industry,” Johnson said. “Those that are already involved should do our part to act as role models.”
At the Greensboro Cultural Center, Elena DeAngelis will offer another musical art form: opera.
Across town at the Blind Tiger, Jolly Roger will produce an evening of adult performance art, featuring acrobatics, belly dance and burlesque performances choreographed to live music.
It’s the latest of the Castaway Cabaret vaudeville shows that she started in 2011.
“I am supporting musicians and other artists by doing these shows,” Jolly Roger said. “And it gets them out to a crowd who might not otherwise see them.”
Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 373-5204, and follow @dawndkane on Twitter.