| Short Newsletter Description | Womansong is
a 75-member community chorus dedicated to:
Womansong is known for high energy, pure entertainment, and unusual variety. Their eclectic repertoire is accompanied by a wide variety of instruments, and features songs, dances, drumming, and instruments from around the world - and our own backyard, with many of the songs composed by members of the group. Based in Asheville, Womansong's singing and community efforts are founded in the common spirit of women working and singing together. Their music proclaims unity and honors cultural diversity in song, and spans an almost infinite array of themes celebrating women's lives - empowerment, spirituality, relationship with the Earth, healing, and humor. www.womansong.org |
| Press Release
July 2008
|
WOMANSONG BENEFIT CONCERT:
“BIG LEGGED WOMEN”
Special guests: THE RIGHTEOUS
MOTHERS from Seattle Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC-Asheville Friday and Saturday, August 15
and 16, 2008, 7:30 p.m. ASHEVILLE (July 2008) - Womansong, Asheville's premier women's chorus, presents “BIG LEGGED WOMEN”, an evening of dynamic, entertaining song. Sharing the stage will be The Righteous Mothers, four creative, funny and philosophical female folk-rock musicians from Seattle. The concert will be Friday August 15 and
Saturday August 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lipinsky Auditorium on the UNC-Asheville
campus and is co-sponsored by the UNC-A Department of Music. The Righteous Mothers have been one of the
Northwest’s foremost musical performing groups for the past 26 years and
are the creators of Womansong's most requested song – “Big Legged
Woman.” Their set of zany original music, witty theatrics, and
intricate vocal harmonies surprise and delight audiences young and old, gay
and straight, male and female, with quirky humor and sometimes poignant
social commentary. Womansong will perform several songs with the
Righteous Mothers and will also feature a set of music with a few original
compositions by members and a swing version of "Stray Cat Strut."
Womansong's old time band, Latin combo, and swing band will accompany the
set. For 22 years, Womansong has been a
"village" of women providing a place for emotional, creative and
spiritual nourishment, healing and support. Womansong celebrates the unity,
diversity and empowerment of women through music while serving the community
and promoting social change. Proceeds from the concert will benefit
Womansong’s “New Start Program” which provides financial assistance to
women in transition. Tickets are available from Womansong members,
online at www.womansong.org
or at the door. The cost is $15 in advance, $18 at the door and $7 for
children and students. For more information, please visit www.womansong.org . Press contact: Marilyn Hubbard
828-686-9010, hubbardcea@ioa.com Womansong Photos: links to download photos are below
Righteous Mothers photo download link for press: http://www.righteousmothers.com/pages/promoters.php (high res photos)
Press accolades for the
Righteous Mothers (www.righteousmothers.com)
“They’re a band of mothers, voices
raised together in sometimes poignant, sometimes piercing social
comment, in tender tributes and naughty humor…” -- Susan Paynter,
Seattle Post Intelligencer.
“Weavers + B. Midler + The Roches = The
Righteous Mothers” -- Seattle Weekly
“I can never decide what I like best about this group: Their songwriting, their dynamite performance…their firm grasp of social issues, or their non-stop sense of humor.” -- Mary Loveless, Victory Review, Tacoma WA.
“The Mothers open hearts with their zany physical comedy. The harmonies throughout are taut with an easy feel and the ideology slips unencumbered into consciousness, buoyed as it is by hummable melodies, gentle tone and caressing vision.” -- Laura Post, Sing Out!, Bethlehem PA. “If you google ‘progressive feminist folk’ you will come up with only one band – The Righteous Mothers. Simply put, this progressive feminist folk band is a one of a kind musical experience that defies conventional folk music with biting humor and philosophical overtures.” -- Tony Engelhart, Weekly Volcano, Tacoma WA. |
| Press Release |
CONCERT: “WALKING AMONG YOU” WOMANSONG TO PERFORM 20th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Nov 17 & 18, 2006 ASHEVILLE (Oct 8, 2006). – Womansong, Asheville, NC’s oldest and largest women’s community chorus presents an evening of fun and spirited music Friday and Saturday, November 17th and 18th, at 7:30 pm. at the Diana Wortham Theatre. This concert, directed by Debbie Nordeen, will feature songs from Womansong’s CDs, along with classic favorites and original music by Womansong members. Other highlights include a reunion choir, Womansong’s own Percussion Ensemble, directed by Sue Ford, presenting a Yemaya Medley featuring life-size puppets created by Lisa Sturz. Songs will be eloquently signed by renowned interpreter, Shiner Antiorio. For 20 years Womansong has lifted her collective voice to benefit charitable causes and to celebrate the spirit of humankind. Womansong is dedicated to celebrating the unity, diversity, and empowerment of women through song. This village of women creates a place for emotional, creative and spiritual nourishment, healing and support. Womansong serves the community and promotes social change through song and also through its own New Start Fund, which provides assistance for women in transition and making a new beginning. Womansong’s efforts are founded in the common spirit of women working and singing together. |
| Quotes | "We sing because we love to... and we sing because we
can... and we sing for those who can't... and we sing to honor the beauty
of life within and around us!" -Althea Gonzalez
"Womansong demonstrates womanhood at it's finest! I am so impressed with the quality of performance and dedication as well as the kindness, support, encouragement and love shown to all by this group of women.... You all are truly demonstrating your highest self!" "goodness gracious that was a soul-stirring, world(s)-changing incredible beyond-the-beyond experience last night." - Deb Roberts "Hearing your concert tonight makes me the happiest I've ever been to be a woman!" (Our Director's) greatest gift to me is that she reminds us of the gift we give others and each other by singing… reminding us that we are transforming the world with music!" "The Womansong community is the most loving, committed, talented (and sometimes eccentric!) group of women I have ever been a part of." "...what a wondrous experience it was for everyone involved, both the audience and the performers! Every single soul present was touched by the enormity of the event." |
| Photo links: in .jpg format | Photos by Diane Hammar: www.PicturesByDiane.com
Whole Chorus:
Womansong Logo (black & white): www.womansong.org/womansongbw.jpg Directors: Debbie Nordeen
and Althea Gonzalez:
Instrumentalists:
CD Covers:
|
| Video clips |
From Womansong's 20th Anniversary Concert: |
| Articles & Reviews |
Asheville Citizen-Times,
May 12, 2006: "I Am Woman, Hear Me Sing: Independent, all-female chorus
gives concert this weekend" Mountain Express, June 12, 2002: "Unity despite diversity: Choral group shares message of love and acceptance" Mountain Express, June 2, 1999: "Healing with harmony: Womansong hosts two nights of singing at the Diana Wortham Theatre" |
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