Gerber/Hart hosts Artemis Singers virtual panel Sept. 26

Artemis Singers www.artemissingers.org, will celebrate 40 years as Chicago’s lesbian feminist chorus with a free virtual discussion and Q & A, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26.

Gerber/Hart Library & Archives, Chicago, is hosting this online event.

The non-profit Artemis Singers specializes in performing music written
or arranged by women. The Sept. 26 Gerber/Hart program will spotlight
Artemis Singers' four decades as a resource for the lesbian feminist
community. "We will share stories, photos and music from the early
years through to the present and discuss future plans," said Diana
Clegg, president, Artemis Singers and panel moderator.

"Saying we are a lesbian feminist chorus was a bold statement in 1980
and still is today," said Clegg. Artemis Singers provides the
opportunity to meet, to learn, to share and to sing. Right now, the
chorus communicates and socializes via Zoom and email until the time
comes when Artemis Singers can once again sing together in person.

This virtual panel discussion enables people to participate even if
they are not geographically in Chicago. The event is free, but
registration is required by Friday, Sept. 25, at
https://www.gerberhart.org/eve...

In lieu of a ticket price for this panel event, Artemis Singers
encourages people to donate to the Black Lesbian Archives (BLA)
https://blacklesbianarchives.w... The BLA was created in
2017 by Kru Maekdo to “bring awareness, build our community, educate
and preserve our culture, while bridging intergenerational gaps.”
Donations can be made through PayPal to: krumaekdo@gmail.com

Clegg noted that before the internet, finding community might have
taken longer for those who did not go to the bars. "We often hear from
folks how amazing and empowering it is to come and see women singing
lesbian feminist music," noted Clegg. “And for some new members
joining Artemis Singers, it is still a revelation to be in community
with a group of ‘out’ lesbians.”

In championing lesbian visibility, Artemis Singers plans to have a
virtual concert in the spring of 2021 that continues the 40th
anniversary celebration. “And then, when we can be together live,
in-person, Artemis Singers will present ‘Leaping Lesbians,’ a concert
that will feature a story-telling section, reflecting individual
experiences in the community,” said Clegg. Artemis Singers member
Loraine Edwalds is gathering these stories now from individuals.

Artemis Singers is actively involved in the Sister Singers Network
(www.sistersingers.net) a national cooperative of feminist choruses,
ensembles, singers, arrangers and composers dedicated to the women’s
choral movement. “Sister Singers Network is where we do a lot of music
sharing and how we commission women artists to write choral music that
speaks to us,” said Clegg.

Jen Dentel, communications and programming coordinator, Gerber/Hart
Library & Archives is host of the panel, which includes Artemis
Singers members Meta Hellman, Elise Dunham and Ruth Clark. “We are
excited to be featured by Gerber/Hart archives,” said Clegg.

Gerber/Hart collects, preserves, and makes accessible items related to
LGBTQ history and culture. Gerber/Hart is dedicated to promoting
research, learning, exploration, and discovery in a safe atmosphere.
Focused primarily on the Midwest, Gerber/Hart has grown to become one
of the larger independent LGBTQ libraries and archives. As a cultural
center, Gerber/Hart makes its collection active and accessible to the
public through displays, talks and lectures, workshops and classes, as
well as performance, video, and film.

In addition to the panel discussion and interactive Q & A, the Sept.
26 program will feature historic photos, posters and video clips of
Artemis Singers. Anyone with photographs, early concert flyers or
video is invited to share them for possible inclusion in the program.
Email them to photos@artemissingers.org with "Artemis archive" in the
subject line.

Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in Chicago
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 comprised of women with diverse backgrounds who are
dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward
women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political
and personal events common to women.

Artemis Singers is a non-audition chorus open to all women singers,
regardless of experience level or music reading ability. Each singer
should be able to hold a melody and be excited to sing with a lesbian
feminist chorus that performs music written or arranged by women.
Artemis Singers provides creative opportunities for women interested
in all aspects of choral production: conducting, songwriting and
arranging, performance lighting, choreography, audio, artistic
direction, stage management and vocal instruction.

Artemis Singers is on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. For more
information on Artemis Singers, email info@artemissingers.org or call
(773) 764-4465.