Fall of Females

Sept. 12, 2010

The Fall of Females: Celebrating Women at the Dennos
By Erin Crowell
This fall, the Dennos Museum introduces its exhibition Celebrating
Women, a photography exhibit by Paola Gianturco, featuring festivals
that honor women’s roles, rites of passage, attributes,
accomplishments and spiritual lives. Accompanying the exhibit will be
a series of lectures, luncheons, artist workshops, demos, concerts,
films and other events that honor women in all capacities of life.
“I am excited about this project,” says Gene Jenneman, director of the
museum. “It has involved many people internally and externally to make
it all happen and I think it will be an exciting experience for the
community with much to offer.”
The project is not confined solely to the museum, but rather is a
community-wide celebration, with events happening throughout the
Traverse City area, including a guide of works by women artists
featured at the Michigan Legacy Art Park, in Thompsonville; and a
showing of films by female directors at the State Theatre every Sunday
in September. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to see in the
upcoming weeks:

THE EXHIBIT
“Celebrating Women”
September 19-January 2, Dennos Museum Center
See the photos by Paola Gianturco that inspired the community-wide
project. Images include the following celebrations: India’s Kali Puja,
celebrating women as warriors; Morocco’s Marriage Festival,
celebrating women as initiators; and Swaziland’s Reed Dance,
celebrating women as virgins. Open during regular museum hours:
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

LECTURES & DEMOS
“Cuadros: Stitching Memories”
Sunday, September 19, 2 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Discussion featuring Rebecca Davis, curator of Stitching Stories of
Miracles and Memories—an art exhibition at the museum that features
embroidered and appliquéd fabric pictures called Cuadros—and Barbara
Cervenka, co-director of ConVida, a non-profit dedicated to promoting
the cultures and history of the Americas through popular art. The
presentation on the art exhibit will feature demos by Peruvian artists
Julia Linan Retuerto and daughter Veronica Principe Linan.

“Anita Mayer Luvera: One Woman’s Creative Journey”
Thursday, September 23, 7 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Internationally recognized weaver and fiber artist, designer and
author Anita Luvera Mayer will discuss her work; artist workshop to
follow: “Mud Pies Workshop for Adults with Anita Mayer,” happening
both Sept. 23 & 24, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Workshop features multiple
material and technique stations. Cost, $100 and due at registration.
Call 995-1029.

An Afternoon with Miss Michigan
Sunday, September 26, 3 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Katie LaRoche, current Miss Michigan, will speak about her experience
competing in the Miss Michigan and Miss America competitions and what
these competitions say to us about what we value in women. The
presentation also includes a discussion on her platform issue, human
trafficking of women.

“Body Issues in Contemporary Art”
Thursday, September 30, 7 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Suzanne Eberle will discuss the works of artists like Janine Antoni
and Karen LaMonde who use traditional and contemporary art practices
to explore gender-driven issues of the body, focusing on women’s
personal and psychological discontent with themselves.

“Great Leading Women – and the Men Behind Them”
Sunday, October 3, 2 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Daniel Mulhern, Michigan’s “First Gentlemen,” shares his observations
about the strengths and challenges faced by women who lead and the new
horizons for men. Following the presentation will be a Q&A session,
book signing and the opportunity for a one-on-one discussion with
Mulhern.
“The Art of Henna and Sari Draping”
Sunday, October 10, 2 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Learn about Meh’ndi (a.k.a. Henna or temporary body art) of India, as
well as sari draping and Indian culture with Anshu Varma; workshop to
follow with $10 due at registration. Call 995-1029 for more
information.

“International Affairs Lecture Series”
Thursday, October 21, 6-7:15 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Presentation by Dr. Pauline Muchina of UNAIDS in Washington on the
challenges facing Subharan Africa – which includes AIDS, poverty,
gender-based violence and governance. Cost, $10 (students and
educators are free). Call 995-1700 for tickets.

LUNCHEONS
The celebration begins with the “Strong Women Unite! Luncheon,” held
Sept. 16, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Dennos Museum Center, honoring
the influential and giving women of Traverse City as recognized by
Athena Grand Traverse. Cost, $22. Register online at
www.dennosmuseum.org.

“Celebrating Women as Spiritual” Brown Bag Lunch”
Monday, Nov. 8, noon-1:30 p.m.
Join Northwestern Michigan College religion professor Misty Sheehan
and local spiritual leaders for a discussion/lunch.
www.dennosmuseum.org.

FILMS
Films by Women Directors
Every Sunday in September, 1 p.m., State Theatre
Part of the Cinema Guild Series, see the complete schedule at
statetheatretc.org.

“Independent Lens: Women Who Change the World”
Saturday, November 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dennos Museum Center
Film series presented in partnership with CMU Public Television,
featuring independent documentaries and fictional films throughout the
day. See the schedule with film descriptions at www.dennosmuseum.org.

PERFORMANCES
“The Women of Lockerbie” by Deborah Brevoort
October 8-23, 8 8p.m. (3 p.m. on Sundays), Old Town Playhouse Studio Theater
Dramatic play under the direction of Mychelle Hopkins and produced by
Sheri Wallace about the aftermath of Pam Am flight 103’s crash and the
women who find love over hate. Visit oldtownplayhouse.com for more
information.

“Somi”
Friday, October 29, 8 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
African soul artist Somi performs a concert of seductive, world
rhythms. Tickets are $25 in advance; $28 at the door. Call 995-1553.

“Four Bitchin’ Babes”
Friday, November 12, 8 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
Comedic/musical performance by four women and their visual
performance, featuring social commentary on everything from babes and
boys to Botox. Tickets, $25 in advance; $28 at the door. Call
995-1553.

“Celebrating Women in Jazz”
Saturday, November 17, 8 p.m., Milliken Auditorium
All-woman jazz group featuring Laurie Sears on saxophone and flute,
Laura Caviani on piano, Marion Hayden on bass, Gayelynn McKinney on
drums and singer Claudia Schmidt, performing original music and jazz
standards. Tickets, $25 in advance; $28 at the door. Call 995-1553.