CHICAGO—Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present a unique, timely concert, "Samhain - Encounters through the Veil," about the time of year when we reflect on those who have gone before and honor their legacy. The event is 7 p.m., Saturday, October 29, at Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 N. Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois.
"Artemis Singers invites our audience to join us in observation and contemplation, in harmony and hopefulness," said concert co-artistic director Eileen Lynx, who came up with the idea for this concert. Samhain (pronounced sah-wen) means "end of summer" and preparing for the start of the Celtic pagan new year.
"Samhain is the point on the Wheel of the Year between fall equinox and winter solstice," noted Lynx. "Tradition tells us this is the time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest."
Tickets are a suggested donation of $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Tickets for children 12 and younger, students (with ID), and seniors age 65 and older are a suggested donation of $15. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. For more information, email info@artemissingers.org or call (773) 764-4465. Artemis Singers is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation.
Three Artemis Singers members, Lynx, Karen Mooney, and Ruth Clark, are co-artistic directors of the Samhain concert. The nonprofit chorus specializes in performing music written or arranged by women.
Karen Mooney said, "Human beings have watched the sun and stars throughout the ages. Rituals evolved over time to remind us of what is needed in different times of the year. In October, Samhain celebrates a turn toward our ancestors and each other. Darker days in the northern hemisphere herald a need to acknowledge those who stood with us before. This is a reminder that we, too, have the resources to survive - if we reach out to each other."
Lynx noted that many songs on the program were written by Artemis Singers members. The chorus will present the premiere of "Flying to Samhain" by member Allison Downing. Accompanied by drums and dancing, the composition is a trip around the Wheel of the Year.
As part of Artemis Singers' commitment to consciously programming more music by Black, Indigenous and Women of Color (BIWOC) composers, the chorus will present a new arrangement of "She Who Rises," by Ubaka Hill.
The church is located at the southwest corner of Ridge Avenue and Greenwood Street, in Evanston. Parking is available behind the church and on the street. Public transportation is available via CTA buses 201 and 206; CTA Purple Line; and Union Pacific North Metra.
Please check Unitarian Church of Evanston for the building's current mask requirements.
Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. The chorus takes its name from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is a symbol of independence among lesbian feminists. The chorus was inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008. Audiences have seen Artemis Singers at the Chicago History Museum, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (Gay Games) and at numerous universities.
Artemis Singers is comprised of women with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political and personal events common to women. Artemis Singers is committed to creating an organizational culture that actively fosters equity and inclusivity by continuing to engage in the ongoing work of dismantling racism and white supremacy. The chorus works to increase the visibility of lesbian feminists.
Artemis Singers is a non-audition chorus open to all women singers, regardless of experience level or music reading ability. Each singer should be able to hold a melody and be excited to sing with a lesbian feminist chorus that performs music written or arranged by women.
Artemis Singers provides creative opportunities for women interested in all aspects of choral production: conducting, song writing and arranging, choreography, audio, artistic direction, stage management and vocal instruction.
In addition to public concerts, the chorus also performs at private functions and fundraisers by invitation. Follow Artemis Singers on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
