Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 19, 1993 TAG: 9303180167
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
ARE YOU IN A MILITANT MOOD?
Those of us who have been confined to the house with two kids and one Nintendo Entertainment System for a long, drawn-out week are suffering from acute cabin fever.What about you?
If you're in a militant mood, here's the ticket:
The Guerrilla Girls, that group of famous feminists who call themselves the "conscience of the art world," will visit Virginia Tech Saturday to wage their campaign against sexism and racism in America's art markets.
The Guerrilla Girls work anonymously, wearing hairy gorilla masks to safeguard their identity. They frequently sport hot-pink nail polish, miniskirts or lace stockings with the masks.
They have a sense of humor and they have a point:
should be appraised by what they say rather than by how they look.
Since 1985, the Guerrilla Girls have made it their mission to call attention to what they call "elitism" in the art world. The group was formed to protest an exhibition of contemporary painting at New York's Museum of Modern Art in which only 19 out of 169 artists invited to participate were women.
They have continued to monitor sexism and racism in museums and galleries across the country, organizing a "hit-and-run poster campaign" that has raised eyebrows and public consciousness.
On one of their posters, a photocopied $1 bill is divided by a line at the two-thirds mark. The caption reads: "Women in America earn only two-thirds of what men do. Women artists earn only one-third of what men artists do."
Another poster throws darts at Sen. Jesse Helms: "Relax, Senator Helms," it reads. "The art world is your kind of place! The number of blacks at an art opening is about the same as at one of your garden parties."
The Guerrilla Girls' appearance at Tech is part of the Women's History Month and 12th Annual Women's Week celebration going on through March 31. A complete listing of events will be published in Sunday's New River Current.
Saturday's performance begins at 8 p.m. in Squires Student Center's Colonial Hall. It's co-sponsored by the Department of Art and Art History, the Women's Week Committee and the Women's Undergraduate Network. Admission is free.
For more information, call Mariann Caine at 231-7615.
\ FIRST THINGS FIRST: It would be hypocritical to go see the Guerrilla Girls without first seeing Kabuya Bowens.
Bowens, a nationally known artist originally from southern Florida, has several of her works on display in Virginia Tech's Black Cultural Center at Squires Student Center. The works, in paint and ink, are images reminiscent of the cultural and mythical heritage of Africa, particularly Egypt. They represent Bowens' personal journey from childhood as an African-American woman.
Bowens' art focuses on people, religion and dreams. She uses geometric symbols and vivid colors in much of her painting.
Bowens will present a slide lecture and talk on her work today at 6:30 p.m. in Colonial Hall. A reception for the artist will be held afterward in the Black Cultural Center, 126 Squires Student Center.
Her works will remain on display at the center through April 3. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
\ ARMED AND DANGEROUS: D.L. Hughley is armed with a sharp wit and impeccable timing. His jokes are dangerous.
You could split your sides laughing.
The young comedian began his career four years ago and quickly became a mainstay on Los Angeles' black comedy club scene. For the past two years, he has worked in theaters and comedy clubs all over the country.
Hughley also has appeared on a slew of cable TV comedy shows and is currently the star of Black Entertainment Television's new hit, "Comic Review."
He has been called the "young, handsome Richard Pryor minus all the personal tragedy and offstage reckless abandon."
D.L. (which stands for "Damned Legit") will perform tonight, starting at 8, in Squires Student Center's Colonial Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. Tickets are $3 for Tech students and $5 for others. They are on sale now at the box office in Squires Student Center.
For ticket information, call 231-5615.
\ A FIRST! A world premiere of David Baker's "Shades of Blue" is the big treat at the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's performance Tuesday at Virginia Tech. The composer is visiting the university as part of the 1992-93 Jazz Composer Residency sponsored by Virginia Tech and the Roanoke Symphony.
In addition to Baker's new work, the orchestra also will perform two works by Ludwig van Beethoven. Piano Concerto No. 3 and the Lenore Overture No. 3 are featured.
Awadagin Pratt, winner of last year's Naumberg International Piano Competition, will perform the concerto solo. Victoria Bond will conduct the orchestra.
Tuesday's concert begins at 8 p.m. in Burruss Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance at the box office in Squires Student Center. Call 231-5615.
Admission is $10 for adults or $5 for students and senior citizens.
The New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony is sponsoring the event along with Virginia Tech. The patrons have organized a buffet meal and reception to precede the concert at the Donaldson Brown Center.
Called the "Complete Evening" package, tickets are available for $25. The package includes a reception, buffet dinner, bus transportation between the Donaldson Brown Center and Burruss Auditorium, a concert ticket and preferred seating at the concert. In addition, David Baker will be at the dinner to talk about his composition.
For more information about the "Complete Evening," call 231-6138.
\ RELAX AND ENJOY: Gabriel's Psaltery at Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg offers some of the best local talent.
The coffeehouse is the site of a concert to benefit the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley tonight. It starts at 7:30 p.m.
Simple Gifts, a folk quartet featuring Jack Webster, Marya Katz, Peggy De Wolf and Charles Bostian, will play Old and New World folk music during the first part of the program.
Guitar and harmonica music by Randy Walker will fill the second set.
The cover charge is $3.50 and pastries, coffee and tea will be available.
Christ Episcopal Church is at Church and Jackson streets. Call the church office at 552-2411 for more information.
\ SHE TELLS THE TRUTH: That Dr. Ruth!
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the psychosexual therapist who became a household name through her radio show, "Sexually Speaking," will speak at Radford University Tuesday. Her talk on sex literacy and awareness begins at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium.
A graduate of the New School of Social Research and Columbia University, Westheimer also is the author of five books and is working on another entitled, "A Guide to Sexual Self-Help and Skills."
Admission to Tuesday's talk is $5 for the public and $3 for Radford University students and staff.