(Dis)orderly Voices Festival scheduled April 8-9

A "(Dis)orderly Voices Festival" sponsored by students in American Studies 376: "Disorderly Women" course is scheduled this weekend on campus.

The two-day event features an April 8 concert by the Screaming Females (9 p.m. in the Spa) and the following activities on Saturday, April 9: 

-1 p.m. at the Spa, "Understanding Your Differences," a children's art workshop;

-2:30 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, "Speak Out, Listen Up!" a video produced by students;

-6 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, performance by Andrea Gibson, spoken word artist. All festival events are free and open to the public.

Lavere Foster '11, one of the students in the class, said that the festival is a way for Skidmore to celebratesocial identity. "Through this festival we hope to rock and roll, listen to and learn more about the make-up of Skidmore's community, and provide avenues to discuss social identity and share personal stories."

 He added, "In this class we study who have been characterized by the larger society as unruly, disruptive, and unfeminine.  They are also known as "disorderly."  As part of an assignment, the entire class has to follow in these women that we study footsteps and do something that has an effect on our community.  So we all put our ideas together and created multiple events that we can put on."

Visiting Assistant Professor Rebecca Krefting teaches the class, which merges theory and practice. She explained, "Each week we examine a 'disorderly' woman (weekly case studies) and consider the terms of this designation, which vary from reproductive rights advocacy to labor unionizing to prison reform to transgender education. Disorderly behavior then is often associated with the struggle for civil liberties, equal rights and social justice. Student projects grapple with course themes to implement a project that foregrounds marginalized voices, advocates acceptance and tolerance, and celebrates diversity--all without apology."

 Added Krefting, "In particular, the video dialogue: Speak Out! Listen Up! was meant to generate conversation about Skidmore's strengths and weaknesses as a community. Interviews with dozens of students, faculty, administrators and staff reveal a host of possibilities for developing positive interactions among the students and point us toward ways we can improve life at Skidmore for all community members. The dialogue is meant to consider some of the issues and complaints raised about Skidmore so we can develop effective solutions." 

The Screaming Females isan independent rock band from New Brunswick, N.J. that has released four full-length albums: Baby Teeth, What if Some Is Watching Their TV?, Power Move, and Castle Talk. The band features Marisa Paternoster on guitar and vocals, Jarrett Dougherty on drums, and King Mike on bass.

Poet Andrea Gibson is the winner of the 2008 Women's World Poetry Slam, and has placed third in two International Poetry Slam stages. According to her website, "Gibson's work illuminates that the personal is political with themes that deconstruct gender norms, sexuality, class, patriarchy, and white supremest capitalist culture."

 Her first book, Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns, was a Pushcart Prize nominee. Gibson has been showcased on Free Speech TV, the BBC, Air America, CSPAN, NPR, and was featured in the documentary Slam Planet.

 The children's art workshop will be staffed by students from the class.