Jan. 23, 2008 UC DAVIS

For immediate release
Event Date: January 23, 2008, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Press Contacts: Lexer Chou 530.752.1426 / achou@ucdavis.edu
Sonia Montoya (530) 752-3372/ sdmontoya@ucdavis.edu

SISTER WHAT? SISTERHOOD! WOMYN WORD WARRIORS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
7:00-9:00 PM, FREEBORN HALL, UC DAVIS, FREE

An evening of women’s voices raised in solidarity!

Davis, CA--In their first ever event collaboration, Campus Unions and the Women’s Resources and Research Center present “Sister What? Sisterhood! Womyn Word Warriors,” a spoken word event.

Held in Freeborn Hall, the event showcases four prominent women spoken word artists. Adriana Cabrera-García is a well-known transnational poet between Mexico and “el norte” who performed in 2007 Encuentro Internacional de Mujeres Poetas. and also an activist within the Chicana/o community in San José. Maya Chinchilla is a Central American poet performer, two-spirited diva, and a Renaissance woman filmmaker and activist scholar. She has several films under her belt, and is working on her first book of poetry. Chinaka Hodge is a writer and spoken word artist, and has been published in McSweeney’s anthology, My Words Consume Me and in Newsweek; and has made appearances on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. Finally, Mush is a soulful free spirit spoken word artist from the Bay Area, who sultry style of words that can transform into fierce vocal venom on call. Mush has also appeared on Def Poetry Jam, and will be starring in her upcoming one-woman play titled Regarding Women.

Spoken word is known as performance poetry, a form of literary art or artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry, or stories are spoken. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance. Unlike written poems, spoken word artists are not limited to words – they can also utilize body language and voice tone. While spoken word is often poetic in nature, it is also considered a literary form of storytelling or political commentary. Spoken word is another form of oral tradition as a catalyst for social change, according to internationally touring folk poet and progressive queer artist-activist Alix Olson, “Women, quite familiar with the tenet that ‘the personal is political,’ caught on quickly to slam poetry’s populist notion, and were more than ready to add their truth(s) to the tapestry, contributing invigorating voices of protest, reflection, and resistance…I have witnessed spoken word develop as one of the most undiluted expressions of art available to women, particularly as a vehicle for social change.”

“We hope to expose the Davis community to powerful women spoken word artists. These artists have a voice and they have so much to say about their community, issues in the world, and their own personal stories,” says Lexer Chou, program coordinator for UC Davis Campus Unions.

Campus Unions is the community center of the college that serves the students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. By whatever form or name, a college union is an organization offering a variety of programs, activities, services, and faculties that when taken together, represents a well-considered plan for the community life of the college.

The Women’s Resources and Research Center provides educational programming to the campus community – students, faculty, and staff women about women’s issues and concerns, and promotes an understanding of the role and impact of gender in our lives and our society. The Center creates a creative working and learning environment to help women of diverse backgrounds achieve their intellectual, professional and personal goals; and advocates for women’s full inclusion, equality, and advancement.