Artemis Singers June 9 Pride Concert/Dance "More than Music"

CHICAGO ─ Artemis Singers www.artemissingers.org, Chicago’s lesbian feminist chorus, will celebrate Pride month with "More than Music" concert and dance, Saturday, June 9, at First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago.

"In selecting songs for this concert, we went to the heart of who we are," said Midge Stocker, "More than Music" artistic director. "We chose themes and approaches that express the core of our identity as a lesbian feminist community. The concert and dance provide a meeting place for that community, an opportunity for women to meet, socialize, and politicize."

"More Than Music" begins at 7:00 p.m. The dance, with live DJ Wanda Rodriguez, known as DJ OCD, follows the performance.

Concert and dance are both accessible. Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Tickets for children 12 and younger, students and seniors age 65 and older cost a suggested $10. ID is required for the student and senior tickets. The ticket price includes admission to both events. Visit https://morethanmusic.brownpap... for tickets.

At the June 9 concert, Artemis Singers will present songs ranging from Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" to Alix Dobkin's "Crushes;" and from Toshi Reagon's "Real Love" to Ruth Huber's "Signs: Voices from the Women's March." Also on the program is "We Want to Build a World" by Zae Munn and "I Chose the L" by Artemis Singers member Allison Downing.

The audience will hear a poem written by e nina jay, a Black, Lesbian, Womon Writer who uses poetry as a tool of survival & to break silences around all forms of violence against gurls & womyn, with particular focus on the intersections of race, sexuality & poverty.

The chorus takes its name from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is a symbol of independence among lesbian feminists.

"We sing music written or arranged by women but Artemis Singers is about more than music," said Diana Clegg, "More than Music" production manager. "We also work to effect positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists.

"We work to increase the visibility of lesbian feminists," said Clegg. "In doing that, we explore the roots of who we are as women, as lesbians, as feminists. That, in turn, often leads us to themes of peace, community-building and social justice."

Clegg noted that Artemis Singers will perform many of these songs at the June 27 - July 1 Sister Singers Network Choral Festival in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Artemis membership is open to all women singers. Artemis provides creative opportunities for women interested in all aspects of choral production: song writing and arranging, performance lighting, choreography, audio, artistic direction, stage management and vocal instruction.

Email info@artemissingers.org to request June 9 “More than Music” tickets be held at the door. For more information, call (773) 764-4465. Ample street parking is available near First Unitarian Church because school will be out at the University of Chicago.

Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. The chorus was inducted into the City of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008. Audiences have seen Artemis Singers at the Chicago History Museum, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (Gay Games), at Women & Children First bookstore and at numerous universities.

Artemis Singers is on Twitter and Facebook.