I’m sure far more articulate and fitting tributes to Houston will appear over the next few days. But I wanted to leave you with the most indelible memory I have of Ms. Houston: the video she made for her cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”. Pregnant as hell, with appearances by Ms. Khan, Houston’s mom, TLC and a chorus of adorable tweens rocking out to the perfect pop update of a disco classic.

Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman

Update: Okay, I couldn’t resist one more.. Whitney singing at Top of the Pops in 1987. The host’s amazement she actually sings live = priceless.

Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Live TOTP ’87)

More updates:

Daphne Brooks writes for The Nation: I’m Every Woman: Whitney Houston, the Voice of the Post–Civil Rights Era

Performance artist Diamanda Galas on Whitney Houston.

POWFest, our sister from another mister, is next month! Tara Johnson-Medinger and her team just announced the 2012 line-up and have once again put together a spectacular event. Highlights include:

+The Silent Truth (pictured) – An extremely powerful documentary about a family’s search for justice after their daughter, U. S. Army Private LaVena Johnson, is assaulted and murdered by fellow Army personnel.

+Five Shorts programs!

+A tribute to our national treasure: Barbara Kopple. Shut Up and Sing is a film she co-directed with Cecilia Peck about the blowback the Dixie Chicks received after an off-hand comment criticizing President Bush at the beginning of the war in Iraq.

+The debut of Jacqueline Gault’s long-gestating Dinner Party series

+Any my personal favorite: Panel discussions on film financing and new distribution models for filmmakers with an emphasis on local programmers, funders, artists which should provide an excellent state of our union.

So the heiress turned YouTube sensation turned SNL disaster turned internet meme, Lana Del Rey’s, record finally came out last week to much hand-wringing and whatever the music blogger dude-equivalent of pearl-clutching is. Jody Rosen and the Slate CultureFest team nailed it in their breakdown of the backlash, if pop music is about polished perfection — people will lose their ever-loving minds if they are confronted with what is essentially a work in progress.

Nevertheless, I love the song “Video Games” and I’m cheering for LDR.

The luminous Maura Johnston’s latest piece in the Village Voice, dovetails nicely into this discussion:  How Not To Write About Female Musicians: A Handy Guide.

If you missed anything or have photos you’d like to share, check out the Siren Nation Flickr Pool!

]]> http://www.sirennation.org/2011/11/2011-sn-festival-a-total-success/feed/ 0 http://www.sirennation.org/2011/09/laura-gibson-performs-at-snf/ http://www.sirennation.org/2011/09/laura-gibson-performs-at-snf/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:22:15 +0000 Beth Olson http://sirennation.org/?p=1013 Be sure to check out this video for the song  “Milk-heavy, pollen-eyed” from Laura’s upcoming (january 2012) album La Grande. With her voice as hauntingly beautiful as ever, keep your eyes peeled for about the 1:18 mark where the video’s cinematography takes a subtle and cleverly planned turn. If you want to see Laura Gibson perform live be sure to check her out along with a fantastic line-up of other female performers at the Siren Nation Festivalcoming in November!

Laura Gibson – Milk-Heavy, Pollen-Eyed from Mason Jar Music on Vimeo.

Live Art Demos | Silent Auction | Art from 50+ artists, all under $100

Location: Secret Society, 116 NE Russell Street, Portland, Oregon, 97202
When: August 18th, 6-9 pm
6-8:30 pm — Silent Auction and Art Demos.
Free Admission – Event is all ages

Paint Your Art Out is Siren Nation’s annual celebration of visual art, including live painting demos, silent art auction and a showcase of art by over 50 Northwest artists which all wall art is under $100. Other activities include free swag bags for the first 50 attendees, DJ, and cash bar.

Siren Nation’s mission is to inspire and empower women of all ages to create their own art and to highlight the many achievements of women in the arts. Siren Nation promotes and showcases the original work of women artists by creating year round performance, exhibition, and educational opportunities.

Participating Artists:
Alison Gayne
Ameila Opie
Amy Grennel
Angel Roman
Anita Spaeth
Anna Magruder
Anne Price Yates
April O’conner
Boni Beldon
Brett Superstar*
Cheryl Eugenia Barnes
Chris Haberman*
Christine Ortez
Christine Swanson
Colleen Patricia Williams
Donivee Finnell
Emily Bludworth
Enaya Jane
Erika Lee Sears
Jenna Genio
Jennifer Cox
Jennifer Feeney*
Jennifer Kapneck
Jessica Van Stappen
Joan McGinnis
Joanne Licardo*
Kayenne Garofalo
Kelly Williams*
Kristina King
Laura Hippensteel
Lavonne Russel
Lea Peace
Lisa Valle
Lisa Wilde
Liv Rainey-Smith
Mitsuko
Molly Gochenour
Nathalie Equall
Nina Divine
Nina Frayne
Robin Ator
Robin Phillips
Robin Urton
Roxanne Patruznick
Sara Fagan
Sarah Hessigner
Stacie Howard
Suzanne Elizabeth
Suzy LaRuffa
Theresa Weil
Vicki Stone
Viktoria LaPaz
Zeretha Young

*artists are demoing artists participating in the silent auction.

Check out the images from the show (which are still rolling in from community members all over the city!)

Alley 33 Flickr Pool

images by Beth Olson Design

images by Greenup Images

images by Travis Tanner

and some of the lovely things being posted about the show online:

Portland Mercury recap

Portland Mercury Street Style

EcoFashion World

Jitterbuggin Blog

Radish Underground Blog

Little Paper Cities Blog

Website: www.sirennation.com

If you would like to apply, go here http://www.sirennation.com/info/ and find the application under the 2011 Art & Craft Sale – Call for vendors section.
Please email your applications to: artsale@sirennation.org
OR mail your applications to: Siren Nation, PO Box 12110, Portland Oregon 97212

This is a juried showcase. We will contact you via email soon if you are accepted.

Please feel free to spread the word to others who you think might be interested.

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
33rd Ave. Alley/ SE Hawthorne Blvd
doors at 4pm- show at 6pm
Tickets are $10. Available online or at the door.

Emceed by Alicia Wood

Featuring: R.A.W. Textiles, Make It Good Clothing, Una Rose Clothing, J. Calderon, Amai Unmai, Hello Amelia Designs, Carolyn Hart, Clair Vintage Inspired, Layers Squared, Lazy Lolita Designs, Michelle Is Well, Celeste Sipes, Sylvania, Moonwoods Eyewear, Jitterbuggin’ Designs, She-She Designs, Dress Up Alice Designs, and Sweet Cycle Clothing.

This is an all ages event with a separate Beer Garden provided by Gold Dust Meridian.

Music provided by DiscJockey Gregarious.

Please come join us as we re-shape the alley of 33rd Ave. into an urban runway, bringing high fashion to public space.

Purchase tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/180803

Featuring performances by:

Trolly Jane
Ruth Oliver
Annie Bethancourt
Heather Perkins
Lauren Sheehan
Dolly Partners
Huck Notari
Flash Flood
Calico Rose
Mary Flower
Sara Jackson-Holman
Audie Darling
Laura Ivancie
Ashia Grzesik

8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. Show. 21 and over
$10 advance, $12 day of show.
Come on out for a wild night of Dolly Parton Songs, in support of the Siren Nation Women’s Music and Arts Festival, taking place in November.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/search/Movie?location_id=63