6 April 2001

Celebrate the Women every day

The 2^nd annual Celebration of Women’s Voices at VWC

By Theresa Ann Mucci

Its so easy to talk about males. People shun away from topics about females.” Cara King—Senior

For the longest time women have been overshadowed by men, regardless of any achievements or discoveries made. Women were expected to stay at home, cook, clean, and take care of the family. Now, however, as time passes, women are becoming more and more successful and are making sure their voices are heard. On Friday, March 23, the second annual “Celebration of Women’s Voices” was held at the Hofheimer Theater to raise money for the Samaritan House. There, students and faculty united to share the different experiences women have endured throughout history. “This is the second year I’ve done this celebration,” says senior Cara King. “It’s necessary to celebrate women and not just men. Women are overlooked.” King who performed “I was There in the Room,” from Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, and “Take Me Or Leave Me,” from the musical Rent, found the event a great way to discuss women and what they have been through. “It’s so easy to talk about males,” King adds. “But people shun away from topics about females.” School nurse and advisor, Linda Tisdale agrees. “I think women need to be supported more,” says Tisdale. The celebration, which started at 7:30, held a wide variety of acts, ranging from The Vagina Monologues to original poems and songs coordinated by Professor Sally Shedd, who reported to have a good amount of volunteers as well as a nice turnout. “I try not to expect a big turnout,” said Shedd. “But I was pleased and we raised more money for the Samaritan House.” The Samaritan House, which began in 1983, is an organization that is dedicated to aiding the homeless and ending domestic violence. Throughout Virginia Beach, the Samaritan House has established shelters where families can go to find safety and protection. The Celebration of Women’s Voices was a definite success to those who were involved in the program. Not only did it give the performers a chance to voice women’s opinions, it also gave them a chance to share their own pieces and feelings. “It’s neat,” said Tisdale, who read selections written by her great-grandmother. “I thought they went across time even though they were written so many years ago. I knew people would understand them today.” And it wasn’t just women who shared their opinions. Theater student Matthew Marc Teft shared a few selections,along with Professor William Ruehlmann and Bear Baker. The program left the audience with one conclusion: if silence is slavery, Virginia Wesleyan is definitely doing its part in breaking the chains of injustice.

THE MUSIC BOX

By Amylynn Coddington

The Dave Matthews Band released their new album “Everyday” on February 27th. There has been a lot of controversy among fans about the new sound of the band. What fans might not be aware of is that the band hired a new producer for this record; singer and songwriter Glen Ballard is now the new producer of the band. In an interview on WHRO in February Dave Matthews talked about how happy the band is with their new producer and how much they love their new CD. The band’s new studio is in West Hollywood and it was actually their record label RCA who suggested the band meet up with Ballard and see what they came up with. The band had nine days allotted to them to produce their new CD and Dave managed to write six new songs in 2-3 days. “When we got into the studio with Glen it was peddle to the medal”, said Matthews. “It was high speed creative and we had never been in this kind of environment before.” Ballard convinced the band that their live shows with 20 minute improvisations were not as listener friendly on the studio CD, and that the songs needed to be tighter and shorter; he also stated that the band needed more discipline. For years the band has been playing literally by ear, for the first time ever the band read from sheet music while making this CD. The band stated in the interview they feel like professionals now. The CD features Dave playing the electric guitar for the first time as well as a song featuring Carlos Santana and their new hit single “I Did It.” Wth Dave’s recent marriage to his longtime girlfriend, the arrival of Glen Ballard and the new surroundings in Hollywood the band is rejuvenated and optimistic. The tour for this year begins with a show in Charlottesville, Virginia on April, 21.

By Susan Robertson

Carbon Leaf kicked off the release of their new CD in Richmond on Saturday March 31st at Alley Katz. After working with In Your Ear Studios of Richmond on their first three CD’s, the band decided to contact John Morand at Sound of Music Studios when the time came to release another album. Morand, who has worked with artists such as Agents of Good Roots, Fighting Gravity, Bio Ritmo, River City High and Cracker, produced the bands fourth CD Echo Echo. Echo Echo expands on the Celtic influence that came into play on the bands last CD, Ether-Electrified Porch Music. This latest musical project showcases many of the bands talents on instruments such as acoustic and electric guitar, electric and double bass, mandolin, harmonica, and even tin whistle, as well as featuring Carlos Chafin on accordion and Butch Taylor, who toured with the Dave Matthew’s Band, on piano. Carbon Leaf has merged many traditional aspects of music with the modern sound of rock to create their new sound. “I think in the past two years our sound has really tightened up, and our song writing and arranging have gotten smarter. And the most important part is we’re having a lot of fun,” said band member Terry Clark. An all ages show took place from 7 P.M. until 9:30 P.M. and after a fifteen-minute break, the band returned to the stage to perform for the 18-and-up audience. Until nearly 10:15 P.M., a number of fans waited in the rain on Walnut Alley, the line wrapping around onto 18th Street as they waited to be let in. Lead singer, Barry Privett, and band members, Terry Clark (electric and acoustic guitar), Carter Gravatt (electric and acoustic guitar and mandolin), Scott Milstead, (drums and percussion), and Jordan Medas (bass) all took the stage for both shows with great energy. They put on a wonderfully entertaining show,even interacting with the crowd at times between songs. The band travels to Farmville on April 12th and then heads to The Jewish Mother in Va Beach on April 13th as they kick off the beginning of their tour.