A Woman’s Place Is on the Stage
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This weekend the results are on display: Estrojam is a four-day nonprofit event combining performances by female or female-fronted acts with female-focused film and video screenings and workshops. If it sounds similar to Ladyfest, Cresswell was hoping you’d notice: “Ladyfest resurrected,” proclaims a flyer for the event, and a page on its Web site calls Estrojam a “sequel” to Ladyfest. “What we’re trying to say is that this is going to be like Ladyfest,” Cresswell explains. “Of course, when you say you’re like something, there are going to be some people that feel a little offended or not as supportive because they put a lot of work into the original thing, but I think everyone realizes that no matter what happens this is a positive thing.”
Other than Cresswell, not a single volunteer from Ladyfest Midwest Chicago is involved in the new event. She says she approached some Ladyfest veterans, including all of the core organizers, but no one was interested in dedicating the time to another exhausting festival. “They got out of it what they wanted to, and now they seemed burned out,” says Cresswell. She notes that some had risked their jobs by putting so much of their resources and time into Ladyfest.
All that said, Cresswell’s brought some terrific performers to town: Bahamadia (on the late bill at the Vic on Thursday, August 7) is one of the smartest, most distinctive MCs in hip-hop; Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (who play the early show at Park West on Friday) serve up raucous, James Brown-inspired funk and soul; and when Chan Marshall can actually make it all the way through one of her songs her music is rapturous. All proceeds will benefit two worthy organizations–the Lesbian Community Cancer Project and Women in the Director’s Chair. Tickets for the concerts range from $7 to $20 in advance; the suggested donation for the workshops is $5. A complete music schedule appears under Fairs & Festivals, and a listing of workshops is in Readings & Lectures in Section Two. For more info visit www.estrojam.com.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Jim Newberry.
