In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), Seattle Women’s Chorus (SWC) goes global with “A Woman’s World,” for four performances March 17-19th at the Cornish Playhouse. This celebration of women everywhere really focuses on the greatness and brings our the best of our local women’s chorus.
In the past two months, women all over the world have stepped up to support women’s rights. Hundreds of thousands of women, children, refugees, and gay rights activists marched in harmony to stand up for equality. Hand-knitted pink pussycat hats swept over the world in a massive display of support, not only for women’s rights, but for the human rights of all.
SWC’s new Artistic Director, Paul Caldwell shares and celebrates uplifting stories of trailblazing women who have leaned forward and shattered glass ceilings around world. This empowering multimedia concert features pieces about Muslim refugees, Rwandan orphans and Liberian women in protest. There are familiar pieces by Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand and the Eurythmics, as well as the premiere of Eric Lane Barnes’ song suite, “Unsung: Women Who Shaped Society,” dramatizing the accomplishments of seven women. Each of these seven women has “the right stuff.” They have made significant contributions on behalf of women’s rights. Learn about some of the celebrants below. As a surprise, the seventh woman to be celebrated in the song suite will not be revealed until opening night.
from Unveiled, 2016 photo by Conrado Tapado of eQuality Images
Everyone knows that Susan B. Anthony lead the campaign for a woman’s right to vote, and we are still celebrating her courage. Comedienne Margaret Cho uses her celebrity status to speak up for women, often criticizing social and political issues.
President Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who worked for NASA alongside several African American women recently celebrated in the film “Hidden Figures.”
Queen Lili’uokalani reigned as Hawaii’s last monarch (January 29, 1891 to January 17, 1893), but she was also its first queen. She was forced to abdicate her throne and did so to spare her people bloodshed.
Tennis champion Billie Jean King played the infamous match against Bobby Riggs, and changed the landscape of women’s tennis, as well as women’s sports in general. As a Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg continually champions women’s rights, and all human rights. She has earned the title of “The Notorious RBG.”
While there are those who would abolish women’s rights and banish women to the kitchen, the spinning wheel and the harem, SWC stages a musical protest by celebrating and honoring their champions of the past and present.
FYI: The chorus made its debut in 2002, and has grown to be the world’s largest LGBT in the world (250 members), as well as one of Northwest’s most prestigious singing ensembles.
Seattle Women’s Chorus’ “A Woman’s World” runs March 17-19 at Cornish Playhouse (201 Mercer Street); tickets $15-$58, available at www.seattlechoruses.org or via phone at (206) 388-1400. The Seattle area box office is open Monday through Friday, 11am – 6pm.
About Paul Caldwell
Prior to moving to Seattle,Paul served as the artistic director for Windy City Performing Arts in Chicago. As such, he provided renewed leadership and vision for both the Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire. He also served as artistic director for the Youth Choral Theater of Chicago, a community-based after-school program enrolling 200 young people in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Paul’s work with youth garnered national recognition, receiving the Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.
Paul composes and arranges music collaboratively with Sean Ivory. Their choral works have been telecast on PBS and A&E and performed at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Legendary guitarist Steve Vai recently collaborated with Caldwell and Ivory to create a choral-rock fusion song, “Book of the Seven Seals.” Paul made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2014, leading concerts comprised entirely of music he composed. He has also been artistic director for the ¡Canta! Costa Rica festival in San Jose. Paul served two terms on the board of directors of Chorus America and his efforts on behalf of the choral field were honored in 2008, when he received the Michael J. Korn Founders Award for Philanthropic Contribution to the Arts.
About Seattle Men’s Chorus/Seattle Women’s Chorus
The internationally renowned Seattle Men’s Chorus (founded 1979) and Seattle Women’s Chorus (founded 2002) comprise the largest community choral organization in North America. Both choruses stand out as the largest LGBTQ-identified men’s and women’s choruses in the world. Along with the small ensembles, Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes, the choruses comprise one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest, most vibrant and successful music organizations, performing in Seattle’s most prestigious venues for an annual audience of more than 30,000 patrons. Flying House Productions is the not-for-profit organization that governs and manages the Choruses. Collectively there are 650+ singing members along with staff, volunteers, and associate members who support both Choruses. They are a leading voice for the LGBTQ community and offer more than 30 outreach events and main stage concert performances annually.
Mission Statement
Our voices transform society through innovative and entertaining programs that build community, illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ people and their allies, expand inclusion, and inspire justice.
Vision:
A more harmonious world that celebrates the unique identities and talents of all people.
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