OCR Text |
Show WWW.NETXNEWS.NET MONDAY • FEBRUARY 13 • 2006 *\ * <• ' . " v $ V vagina: not a dirty word Michelle Walker Life Editor Local, Matt Harding, to perform with Kalai in biggest concert yet Matt Harding, Orem native, will open for Kalai right here at home at the McKay Events Center. To read more about the upcoming show see the Five Things to Do, A9 Billboard's Top 5 Albums I I do, however, offer this disclaimer: the monologues are not for everyone. The topics discussed are very real, very painful and often hard to swallow. The language is R-rated, but the issues are powerful and the means by which they are expressed are absolutely necessary. The Greatest Songs of the Fifties- Barry Manilow 2 The Breakthrough- Mary J. Blige } Amore- Andrea Bocelii «| Unpredictable- Jamie Foxx 5 Given the recent scrutiny surrounding censorship of the production's title and its supposed reflection on UVSC's (not-so) squeaky-clean image, it was refreshing to see a full house last Wednesday at the 3rd annual presentation of The Vagina Monologues. For those of you who are unfamiliar with The Vagina Monologues, or maybe just scared away by its title, you are definitely missing out. So, what is it exactly? It is a collection of monologues interspersed with stories, quotations and quips. It is a celebration of womanhood; touching on a variety of subjects ranging from the phenomena of periods to the miracle of childbirth, to the painful, destructive realities of domestic abuse and rape. All of the monologues encompass the all-important theme: ownership of self. gry Vagina," two of the many monologues that provided some much-needed comic relief. My favorites were Noelle Madsen and Julie Crapo's moving "My Vagina Was My Village1' and Julkenen-Pedersen's chilling "Comfort Women." Both monologues are true stories of brutal, government-sanctioned abuse and rape in third world countries. The production ended with Pilar Sorensoirs hilarious Meg Ryan-reminiscent monologue, "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy." Erin Donahoe-Rankin closed the evening, as was done last year, by requesting all audience members who had been a victim of abuse, all who knew a victim of abuse, and all who planned to join the fight against abuse, to stand in turn. Errin Julkenen-Pedersen started off the evening with a moving tribute to this year's Vagina Warriors: the late Jennifer Galbraith and Blake Donner. Galbraith was an integral part of the tn My Mind- Heather Headley top Ion production last year a n d vegorPedcr.cn/NetxNcws ,\ P ° Amy Wilson playinq The Flood in the 3rd annual presentation of The i J \ ' -^ ,-, Vaqina Monoloques. y a Ruth Barney, Car. mell Hoopes-Clark, and Most of the room was standing after the second Meaghan Taylor began the production and broke prompt. It was a powerful reminder of the realthe ice by reciting a stream of vagina synonyms, ity, proximity and reaching effects of violence. some of which I hadn't heard since middle I strongly urge everybody to attend (or at least school and some of which I'd never heard before read) The Vagina Monologues whenever, wherat all. It was a perfect light-hearted opening to ever possible. After all, the goal of the creators an evening that would delve in and out of much and everybody since involved has been to spread darker areas. awareness. And sharing these women's stories, The audience seemed to respond well to the whether through humor, shock, or horror is the varying tones of the different monologues, laugh3 first step toward change. To learn more visit ing (however nervously) at times, remaining rewww.vday.org. spectfully silent at other times, and often nearly coming to tears (hopefully that wasn't just me). Hopefully you too will learn, in the words Crowd-favorites included Kristin Dowley's "Vaof Donahoe-Rankin, that "Vagina is not a dirty gina Workshop" and Cherly Runyan's "My Anword." this vcir U.S. Presidents 10 George Washington Those guys who sang that song about peaches 9 David Palmer 8 John F. Kennedy 7 6 5 George "Spanky" McFarland 5 Martin Sheen George W. Bush (Just kidding) You go girl Lorenzo Snow s . Shantelle Jones businesses and even more successful business habits. Some of the topics presented for track one include: Organization. Motivation. Self-determination. These are "Where Do I Go From Here... Can I Mapquest it?" "The all things women can look forward to gaining by attend- Way You Look Can Change Your Life" and "Have You ing the "You Go Girl" Women's Conference this Wednes- Ever Considered." Featured in track two are: "How the day February 15th. Power of Image Can Increase Your Success," "Creating Organized by Women in Technology, this conference a Winning Professional Reputation" and "Simplify Your has two main target audiences: young women just starting Spaces, Free Up Your Life". out and already established career women. The two tracks This conference is an excellent opportunity for everyone, are called "Get Me Started" and "Rev Me Up" and they but especially for students. According to Melissa Draper, each have different themes throughout the day. The "Get Assistant Director for Women in Technology, "This conMe Started" track is for those women who are students ference is good for students because it emphasizes setting just starting in their careers, or who are already in a career goals in both career and personal life. You can actively but considering a change. "Rev Me Up" is designed for take a step in choosing and designing your career, rather those who are currently working in their careerfieldbut than end up doing something you may not love." Women need organizational or professional and personal develop- in Technology is also a club on campus that students can ment. join. More information is available at www.uvwomeninThere are several speakers assigned to each track, in- technology.org. cluding an image consultant, an IT Manager and keynote The conference is all day and includes continental speaker Barbara Jackson. Jackson is founder and the Vice breakfast, a luncheon and dessert social. In addition, it is President of Professional Development for Makau Cor- an excellent deal for students costing only $20. For busiporation. Makau is a training and distance learning orga- ness professionals it is only $85. (And it's deductible!) nization located in Orem, Utah and Rhode Island. Con- The conference will take place in the Sorensen Student ference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Center and registration begins at 8 am. The conference women such as Jackson who have developed successful will run until 4 p.m. Life Writer Abraham Lincoln I Bill Sederburg (ahhh...) f: Box office top 5 movies I W h e n a Stranger Calls '-''••'• JE. 6'9 Momma's House 2 J Nanny McPhee i | Brokeback Mountain 5 Hoodwinked U - - • - • - — - • -J |