Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / March 1, 1994, edition 1 / Page 35
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Joan of Arc returns for women's history month March1994 ▼ PAGE 35 Q-Notes Lesbian history is continually being an nulled. Take Joan of Arc for example. Why was one of history’s most gutsy lesbians recorded as a simple-minded peasant girl and pious heterosexual virgin saint? The true story and reasons behind the historical coverup are revealed in the award-winning, nationally touring play, The Second Com ing of Joan of Arc, written by Carolyn Gage. In Honor of women’s history month, Les bian Avenger Theatre presents Paula Arden of Yemaya Productions performing the one- woman show for women audiences March 18 and 19, at 8pm at the Community Church of Chapel Hill. At 17, Joan of Arc led French armies to victory. At 18, she arranged the coronation ofaking. At 19, she challenged the Catholic Church in court, and was burned at the stake as a witch. Now she retiuns to tell her story to contemporary women: “My story is not a sidelight of history, some piece of local color, optional reading. My story is the story of all women...My trial is the trial of all women.” Gage’s play reveals the anorexic teen- aged Joan who ran away from her incestuous, alcoholic father. She donned men’s clothing to be taken seriously. She slept with women. She survived rape. More clever than her judges, she was irreverent, unrepentant, and unfailingly true to her own visions. Joan of Arc’s trial was carefully tran scribed by notaries. Yet for centuries, only the male clergy had access to the transcripts because they were in Latin. Upon their translation into English, VitaSackville-West wrote a biography of Joan which inspired Gage’s work. All of the details of the play are historically accurate to the trial transcripts. “When I saw Arden perform the play at the East Coast Lesbians’ Festival, I knew I had to bring it to North Carolina,” says producer and Lesbian Avenger Lauren Birke. “Joan shows the teenage lesbian rebelling against the gender roles and sexual oppres sion that contemporary women still struggle with today. Her herstory empowers lesbians and survivors ofall forms of violence against women. It powerfully exposes rape and sex ual violation as the overriding strategy for female oppression, while reclaiming a lesbi an heroine.” Originally published in 1988 in the lesbi an/feminist Journal Sinister Wisdom, the work won Oregon’s highest literary award. The Oregon Playwright’s Award. Gage has toured with the show throughout the US and Cana da, including a 1991 performance at the National Lesbian Conference in Atlanta. In 1993, Arden performed Joan at the East Coast Lesbians’ Festival, and in Saint Au gustine and Gainesville, Florida. Arden vis its the Triangle en route to open the show in Philadelphia. Paula Arden Tickets for The Second Coming Of Joan of Arc are available from White Rabbit Bookstore in Raleigh, Southern Sisters in Durham, and the Internationalist Bookstore in Chapel Hill. Admission is $9-13 in ad vance and S10-14 at the door. The play will be followed by a reception with the actor. Any proceeds will go to the Lesbian Aveng ers for promoting lesbian visibility through theatre. ^ya["^amUy" requests your presence in the Queen City! Charlhtte, 9^ One day, or the weekend, this getaway has the lifestyle you want... carefree, relaxing and a party! 2301 Freedom Drive 704-373-9124 3217 The Plaza 704-339-0500 Quality Inn 2400 Wilkinson Blvd. 704-377-6961 $34.95 per night (1-4 persons) Subject to availability. Call for reservations 704-377-6961 We're waiting for you. 2 step, line dance, clog or cruise in Charlotte's only Country & Western Bar! Doors open @ 9 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Charlotte's Premier Entertainment Metroplex. Music; from retro to techno with the hottest laser light show, dance, live shows, comedy ... we've got it all! Doors open @ 9 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Opens daily @ 4 pm featuring live continuous dancers. Enjoy the free hot taco bar, free pool til 7, or cruise in Charlotte's only video night club. Order from our new expanded menu. You'll find one or more that's sure to please!! Quality Inn Central features 114 beautifully decorated rooms, meeting facilities, exercise room, restaurant, lounge, Olympic size pool and complimentary shuttle to airport. Convention Center and Apparel Center. 1 Just Say SCORPIO Men's and Women's Haircuts $ 10.00 With This Ad Only The Only Natural Product - Aveda 375-6234 2444 Park Road ^ay Ormed and Operated BILL GAREAU, MHDL 704/347-0037 NATIONAL CERTIFIED COUNSELOR (BOARD ELIGIBLE) — • Individual, Couplas. Counseling • HIV / AIDS Counseling • Grief Counseling • Substance Abuse / Recovery / Counseling — * Spiritual Growth and Development — • Trainings, Retreats, Workshops MEMBER AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION Sliding Fee Scale
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