Thurs, Nov 12 in Fredericton: Poet Andrea Gibson to perform for Afghan Women’s Rights Group
Poet Andrea Gibson to perform for Afghan Women’s Rights Group
Andrea Gibson, one of America’s most admired slam poets, will be making her first Atlantic Canadian performance on Thursday, November 12 in Fredericton at the Student Union Building Ballroom at the University of New Brunswick. The show starts at 8:00pm with opening acts by local artist Kaylee Hopkins and the NB RebELLEs Gumbooting Troupe. Doors open at 7:30pm. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Afghan women’s rights group – RAWA - the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan. Tickets, $10 each ($7 for students), can be bought now at the Westminster Bookstore on King Street or the Alden Nowlan Grad House on Windsor Street. The event is hosted by the Fredericton Peace Coalition, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, NB RebELLEs, the University Women’s Centre, the UNB Sexuality Centre, the NB Public Interest Research Group and Broken Jaw Press. Sound provided by CHSR 97.9 FM. To register for childcare, email: fredericton.childcare.collective [at] gmail.com Check out Andrea’s poetry at www.andreagibson.org For more information, contact: info [at] frederictonpeace.org
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For Immediate Release
Award winning slam poet Andrea Gibson to perform in Fredericton
November 5, 2009
Fredericton – Andrea Gibson, one of America’s most admired slam poets, will be making her first Atlantic Canadian performance on November 12, 2009 in Fredericton at the Student Union Building Ballroom at the University of New Brunswick. Ticket sales from Gibson’s performance in Fredericton will go entirely to the Afghan women’s rights group, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). The show starts at 8:00 p.m. with opening acts by local artists Kaylee Hopkins and the NB RebELLEs Gumbooting Troupe. Tickets, $10 each ($7 for students), can be bought now at the Westminster Bookstore on King Street, the Alden Nolan Grad House on Windsor Street or by contacting info@frederictonpeace.org
“We invited Andrea Gibson to perform here in a benefit show for RAWA because her poetry deconstructs the foundations of our destructive capitalist culture. Her poetry moves us to contemplate and act against war, gender norms, homophobia and patriarchy,” stated Tracy Glynn, an organizer with the Fredericton Peace Coalition. “The evening with Andrea Gibson in Fredericton promises to be a powerful one with images of the women of Afghanistan and the words of a poet, both focused on generating genuine change.”
“We are delighted to be hosting a performance by Andrea Gibson in our city,” stated Jenn Gorham, coordinator of the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre. “We share her gut-punching poetry on sexual assault with our volunteers every year.”
“The RebELLEs recognize that our identities are eroded as we are taught, from the time we are children, and through television and magazines, that how we should look, dress, and act is determined by our sex. Violence is normalized, sexual abuse eroticized. Our sexual health education is inadequate and our reproductive rights are disrespected,” stated Keri Ryan, an organizer with NBRebELLEs. “Andrea Gibson’s poetic prose delivers this message like no one else can.”
Gibson, with 180 tour dates a year, won the Women of the World Poetry Slam in 2008. Gibson won the DIY Poetry Book of the Year and was nominated for the Pushcard Prize for her first book, “Pole Dancing Gospel Hymns.” Gibson has been showcased on several stations nationwide. Her new album, “Yellowbird”, receiving rave reviews throughout the U.S. and Canada, brings her love of music and lyrical talent together in political harmony.
Gibson’s performance in Fredericton is hosted by the Fredericton Peace Coalition, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, NB RebELLEs, the University Women’s Centre, the UNB Sexuality Centre, the NB Public Interest Research Group and Broken Jaw Press. Sound provided by CHSR 97.9 FM.
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For more information on Andrea Gibson: www.andreagibson.org
Contact:
Tracy Glynn, Fredericton Peace Coalition, 458-8747, info@frederictonpeace.org
Jenn Gorham, Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, 454-0460
Posted: November 5th, 2009 under Afghanistan, Events, Women.
Comments
Comment from Tracy
Time November 10, 2009 at 3:57 pm
We do talk about women’s rights in Canada. At every RAWA Benefit we’ve organized we have talked about the situation of women’s rights in Canada. Scroll down under Categories and you will find a Category called Women. Our coalition member groups and individuals working hard on the issues you mentioned.
Comment from Walt
Time November 10, 2009 at 3:12 pm
If you are talking about women’s rights in Afghanistan, why are you not talking about women’s rights in Canada?? Harper has not only cut funding to most of the women’s programs but has denied them equality in the workplace. And even passed legislation to deny them the right to sue in the courts for that equality!! Why not discuss women’s rights in Canada??