D'LO from Los Angeles & LOCAL COMEDIANS, Danielle Radford & Solomon Georgio…

WILL HAVE YOU IN TEARS!!!  Come Join in the good times and be ready to laugh your a** off!  Tell all your friends this is a night you can't miss!

========================================

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2008

– LADIS FIRST special event – D'LO's COLORIFIC COMEDY NIGHT

@ Hidmo (20th & Jackson) – Doors open at 7:30pm

$5.00 (more donations welcomed!)

Come join in the good times and be ready to laugh your a** off! Tell all your friends this is a night you can't miss!

Ladies First, a project of Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) (cara-seattle.org),  will be closing out their 2008 season with joy and laughter by sponsoring and promoting "Colorific Comedy Night" hosted by D'Lo (dlocokid.com) from Los Angeles, California and local comedians.  D'Lo is "a queer Tamil Sri Lankan-American, political theatre artist/writer, hip hop performer, and music producer, born in Queens and currently causing the most trouble in Los Angeles. D'Lo has been known to cause uproarious laughter with audiences while acting like a fool," especially as she kicked off Seattle's 5th Independent South Asian Film Festival (IFAFF) in 2006.  

Local comedians & other hilarious performance artists will be participating in this comedy night include Danielle Radford and Solomon Georgio.  Danielle is "adorably neurotic, naively cynical and occasionally vegan, she is like some kind of candy that is both sweet AND tart." Solomon "maintains a constant level of extraordinary flair and mystique, his creative semi-homoerotic humor is embraced by even the politically correct."

This event will be happening at Hidmo and is co-sponsored by Hidmo Entertainment (hidmo.org), Tasveer (tasveer.org), and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio (kbcs.fm).

==========================================

For more information about ARTISTS:

D'LO - www.myspace.com/dlocokid & www.dlocokid.com

DANIELLE RADFORD - www.myspace.com/danielleradford

SOLOMON GEORGIO - www.myspace.com/solomongeorgio

For more information about SPONSORS:

TASVEER: tasveer.org

Hidmo Entertainment: www.myspace.com/hidmo & hidmolove@gmail.com

KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio: http://kbcs.fm/

For information about Ladies First & CARA:

Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter (Lulu) - lulucar@gmail.com

www.cara-seattle.org/ladiesfirst.html

myspace.com/seattleladiesfirst

www.cara-seattle.org/

FLYER:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=149562106&albumID=1212002&imageID=26305101

TUESDAY, November 16, 2008" />

SUBJECT:   Come be with Ladies First (a project of CARA) to close out 2008!

On December 5, 6, & 16, 2008 for Voices Rising featuring THEESatisfaction & Mikeya Jackson Harper, Ladies First Showcase with the Naked Truth on Stereotypes (with after party), and Colorific Comedy Night with D'Lo!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   
December 2, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter (Lulu)  lulucar@gmail.com;

Ladies First Coordinator & CARA Administrative Assistant

LADIES FIRST CLOSES OUT 2008 WITH A BAM!

Seattle, WA----On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Ladies First, a project of Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) (cara-seattle.org),  will be closing out their 2008 season with joy and laughter by sponsoring and promoting "Colorific Comedy Night" hosted by D'Lo (dlocokid.com) from Los Angeles, California and local comedians.  D'Lo is "a queer Tamil Sri Lankan-American, political theatre artist/writer, hip hop performer, and music producer, born in Queens and currently causing the most trouble in Los Angeles. D'Lo has been known to cause uproarious laughter with audiences while acting like a fool," especially as she kicked off Seattle's 5^th Independent South Asian Film Festival (IFAFF) in 2006. 

Also, Danielle Radford and Solomon Georgio, local comedians will be performing. Danielle is "adorably neurotic, naively cynical and occasionally vegan, she is like some kind of candy that is both sweet AND tart." Solomon "maintains a constant level of extraordinary flair and mystique, his creative semi-homoerotic humor is embraced by even the politically correct."  This event will be happening at the community and cultural hub, Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine (2000 S. Jackson Street) with the co-sponsorship of Hidmo Entertainment (hidmo.org), Tasveer (tasveer.org), and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio (kbcs.fm).

Before the end of the year, Ladies First will be sponsoring "Voices Rising: LGBTQ of Color Arts & Culture" on Friday, December 5, 2008 at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center featuring some Ladies First performers, such as THEESatisfaction and Mikeya Harper along with other queer youth of color artists (brownpapertickets.com).  Ladies First will also be holding their last monthly show of the year.  The monthly all women & gender non-conforming showcase will be on the first Saturday of the month, December 6, 2008 with the Stephanie Hazelrigg & Becky Renfrow's innovative and original production of  "The Naked Truth on Stereotypes" starting at 7:30pm sharp with an after party beginning at 10:30 p.m. to show gratitude to all Ladies First and CARA participants, artists, volunteers, members, supporters, allies, family, past featured organizations, and sponsors at Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine (2000 S. Jackson Street) in the heart of the Central District. 

"The Naked Truth on Stereotypes, is an innovative original theater production & thriving community that bravely acts to: Expose & debunk socially constructed myths of identity & stereotypes; Deepen understanding of self and others; Grow community in both conception and connection; Practice art to expand & amplify the collective creative power of the community; Inspire & incite radical action to uproot systems of domination & dehumanization; Celebrate our stories: all of them."

Ladies First has had a phenomenal and inspiring season and has highlighted some of the best local artists in the city of Seattle and featured some of the best nationally and internationally known artists, including GoodSista/BadSista (Portland, ORG), SKIM (Los Angeles, CA), Invincible (Detroit, MI), and Climbing PoeTree (Brooklyn, NY) bringing their self-produced show, "Hurricane Season National Tour: The Hidden Messages in the Water." 

Ladies First has highlighted national and international campaigns by various organizations such as the New Jersey 4/7.  "On August 18, 2006, seven young African American lesbian women from Newark, New Jersey came to Manhattan's West Village for a night out. Although they were all familiar with harassment about their sexual orientation, none of them anticipated their night out would end as a nightmare. A male bystander harassed and assaulted the young women, making sexist and homophobic comments to them as well as lewd advances and telling one of the women that he would "F—k her straight." When the women defended themselves, a physical altercation ensued. It ended with all the young women being arrested. After a hellish year-long trip through the legal system, three women (Chenese Loyal, Khymesha Coates, Lania Daniels) took plea bargains and the other four were convicted of crimes and given shocking prison sentences in April 2007.
Terrain Dandridge (20) was setenced to three and a half years behind bars; Venice Brown (19) five years; Renata Hill (25) eight years; and Patreese Johnson, who is only 19, was sentenced to an unbelievable 11 years." (http://www.fiercenyc.org/index.php?s=128) 

Mix this with a multitude and variety of local known and unknown artists, including Laura "Piece" Kelley-Jahn, BeLoved 01, DJ B-Girl, Southern Komfort (SoKo), DJ Kylea (of Beyond Reality), onesevennine, Onion,  Melany Bell, DJ Luying, Onion, Jourdan Imani Keith, Verbal Oasis, Drummer Té, Mukai, Rogue Pinay (of 1^st Qtr. Storm), El Dia (of 1^st Qtr. Storm), Lioness (of Canary Sing), Ispire (of Canary Sing), Akua, JusMoni, Felicia Loud, DJ Miss A, Amber Flame, Ela Barton aka eLa, THEESatisfaction, Cristina Orbé, and supporting/sponsoring events like Kaleidoscope, an all people of color cabaret show, directed and produced by La Chica Boom.  These artists have blended culture, art, and activism to make a blend of beauty rarely witnessed and when made visible creates community, challenge, and cultural change that is needed to undermine oppression, abuse, and rape culture.

Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) founded in 1999 is an organization "led by communites who are marginalized from the mainstream criminal justice-based response to sexual and domestic violence.  A multi-racial, multi-gender, intergenerational organization led by women of color.  CARA creates spaces for [their] constituencies to invest in the power of collective action, critical dialogue, and community organizing to undermine rape, abuse, and oppression and to build safe, peaceful, and sustainable communities."

Ladies First is the grassroots expression of this mission and has built overtime to even hold educational sessions and forums, like the "Gentrification & Displacement" Dialogue and Forum that featured films, "Locusts" by Invincible (Detroit, MI), "Finding Common Ground New Orleans" by Walidah (of GoodSista/BadSista, Portland), and "Hidmo Gentrification" documentary by Donna Denina.

The main sponsors for Ladies First include Hidmo Entertainment, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, B-Girl Bench, and Creative Oasis Designs.  Ladies First has not limited it self, but has featured organizations includes JusticeWorks, Langston Hughes Underground Railroad Series, and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, NW Passages, NAPAWF, Pinay sa Seattle, Seattle N.O.W., Tenants Union, The Service Board (TsB), Urban Wilderness Project, YouthSpeaks Seattle, and 206 Zulu Nation.

Ladies First is a must see in 2009 and beyond and has made Seattle shine, especially for the Central District area as gentrification rears its head and has challenged the arts, music, and Hip Hop scene from Capitol Hill to the Southend areas.   People have taken note of its creativity, survival of three years, spirit, and development of connections and community, but most importantly just the good vibe when they walk into the room.   With CARA members, staff, and board members, like Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter, Onion Carrillo, Georgina "Gigi" Frazier, Sylva Jones, Katrina Pestano, Heidi Jackson, Asmeret Habte, Rahwa Habte, Mikeya Harper, Chelsea Staples, Angela Dy, Mako Fitts, Moni Tep, Eboni Colbert, Sabrina Roach, Mia Beardsley, and newly committed members, Kierra Stowers, Melany Bell, and Madeline Crawford.  Ladies First has changed the face and the form of artistic expression and organizing.  They will be planning a 2009 Spring and Fall Season beginning December 10, 2008 at their monthly strategy meeting.

Ladies First started by Onion and carried on by Georgina Frazier and now Luzviminda "Lulu" Carpenter and a solid group of women and allies is powerful.  These women, along with a multitude of Ladies First supporters, have made this monthly event something to recognize and stand up for.  As momentum builds, don't miss the tides or you will miss all the new waves of sound to come in 2009.  Ladies First has been and is a project of Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) since 2002 to showcase women's talents, crafts, and arts and now evolving understanding of gender to include gender non-conforming, two spirit, transgender, and gender queer people.  

Strong sponsoring organizations, including B-Girl Bench, Hidmo Entertainment, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and Creative Oasis Designs promote every first Saturday of the month to honor these women, listen to their voices and bring the noise to break the silence.  Kick Off for 2009 will be on February 7, 2009 with special mentions and updates at Hidmo Eritrean Restaurant's 2^nd Anniversary (January 9, 2009) which includes Mystic's Seattle visit (January 9-11, 2008) and JusMoni's CD Release Party (January 10, 2009).

So save your first Saturdays of every month (and the dates below) or you will miss out on these monthly shows that have welcomed over 200 people per show!!!

"Ladies First is the grassroots artistic expression of CARA's mission"

Provides women, trans, gender non-confirming, two-spirit, queer women space to be center stage, practice and hone their skills, and share their knowledge with each other.

Focuses on creation, hip hop or other genres, to empower individual struggles, in a collective, supportive, and community space that centers marginalized voices.

Build partnerships, so that more people are brought into this safe space, regardless of gender to celebrate these voices on stage.

Meet people were they are at and prioritize their experiences.

(Re)create and (re)define visions of possibilities for love, family, unity, and respect.

Change the way we view ourselves, our bodies, safety, state violence, and sexual violence.

For information about Ladies First: Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter (Lulu):

www.cara-seattle.org/ladiesfirst.html

myspace.com/seattleladiesfirst

lulucar@gmail.com

For more information about Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) visit:

www.cara-seattle.org/

For more information about onesevennine (the creator of the logo):

www.onesevennine.com/

www.myspace.com/onesevennine   

For more information about B-Girl Bench visit:

www.bgirlbench.com

For more information about Hidmo Entertainment visit:

www.myspace.com/hidmo or email hidmolove@gmail.com

For more information about KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio:

http://kbcs.fm/

More articles about Ladies First:

"Ladies First Spotlights Seattle Hip-Hop's Best Femcees" Seattle Weekly by Erica Hobart (December 26, 2007)

http://seattleweekly.com/2007-12-26/music/ladies-first-spotlight-s-seattle-hip-hop-s-best-feemcees.php

"Seattle MC Brings Hip-Hop to the Classroom: And it all started in ... Wisconsin?" Seattle Weekly by Erika Hobart (March 18, 2008)

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2008-03-19/music/nursery-rhymes.php

"Ladies First offers provocative spoken-word, hip-hop performances"  Seattle Gay News by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid (November 7, 2008)

http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews36_45/page24.cfm

"Soul Food: Hidmo Is an Unlikely Hiphop Mecca" Stranger by Charles Mudede (February 20, 2007)

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=161460

"Last Night: Ladies First at Hidmo"  Seattle Weekly SLOG by Sara Brickner (November. 3, 2008)

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2008/11/last_night_ladies_first_at_hid.php

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"CARA TODAY! CARA TOMORROW! CARA NOW!"

Help CARA move into the next 10 years!!!!!! 

FIND OUT HOW BY CONTACTING US! info@cara-seattle.org; 206-322-4856; www.cara-seattle.org

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2009

1. CARA BLOG!
2. CARA NEW & IMPROVED NEWSLETTER!
3. CARA GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS!
4. CARA NEW MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE!

CARA MEMBERSHIP & COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Contact: Sylva Jones, Membership Committee at cara.intern@gmail.com

CARA has revamped their membership structure.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

* Every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30pm @ CARA Offices (801 23^rd Avenue S. (Suite G-1))

• December 9
• December 16
• December 23 (special time 4:30-6:30pm)
• January 6
• More information to come in January 2009

CARA'S SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY CUPCAKE PARTY!

Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 4:00-8:00 pm

@ CARA offices (801 23^rd Avenue S. (Suite G-1)

"Hello sweethearts, do you want sweet tarts?" 

(Source known, but will not out them, 2008).

Bad pick up lines and more! 

Come and celebrate a year of successes, challenges, changes, eat little sweet cakes with us, KICK OFF & CELEBRATE our MEMBERS!!!

& learn about our FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES for 2009 including…

ZUMBA Fitness Challenge (Jan) – see info below

"EAT & LICK" Valentine's Sex Positive Event (Feb) – info to come 

2^nd Annual Wine & Roses Dinner & Auction (April) – see info below

2009 Ladies First Season – see info below

"We can see clearly now, the rain is gone… It's going to be a bright, bright, bright sunshine and day…"  Oh yeah, and we will have karaoke!!!!  We'll laugh, sing, reminisce and strategize to take over the world while delighting in the simple hedonistic pleasure of gluttony.  We also have cupcakes on hand for those who are gluten and wheat sensitive.  

ZUMBA FOR Communities Against Rape & Abuse (CARA)

"Start 2009 off right & drop the workout & come join the party!"

Saturday January 17, 2009

Location & Time to be announced!

Contact Sherina James at zumbaworks@yahoo.com to VOLUNTEER & for more information  

For more information on Zumba: www.gottazumba.com

This 2 hour Zumba Dance and Fitness Challenge are guaranteed to be a BLAST! 

Zumba combines high energy and motivating music with unique moves and combinations that allow the Zumba participants to dance away their worries. It is based on the principle that a workout should be "FUN AND EASY TO DO"!

• Everyone benefits - you have fun & burn over 500 calories per hour
• Entry fees will be donated to C.A.R.A (Communities Against Rape & Abuse)
• Think you can make it all 2 hours? Gather some pledges and donations from friends and family.
• Door Prizes and refreshments for all who participate.
• We challenge you to help end abuse in our communities.

This is an event you won't want to miss!! Bring a friend! 

Zumba is for everyone-all ages and genders welcome!

CARA'S SECOND ANNUAL "WINE & ROSES" DINNER & AUCTION

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 – Time to be announced – Location Pravda Studios

For more information & to VOLUNTEER:

Eboni Colbert, Co-Director of CARA, 206-323-4113, eboni@cara-seattle.org

COMMUNITIES AGAINST RAPE & ABUSE (CARA) will be holding its 2^nd Wine & Roses Dinner & Auction and you can be part of it, as we celebrate 10 strong years!  This is a monumental occasion for CARA activists, as they take a new turn in their grassroots fundraising and step away from City of Seattle funding.  As a minimally funded organization, CARA work has had a profound impact in survivors' lives in the greater Seattle area and even reaching all the way to Tacoma, WA.  Their work in the last nine years has benefited and continues to benefit many individuals, communities, and organizations that support the difficult work they do around rape, abuse, and oppression.  The "Wine & Roses Silent Auction" is vital for the continued sustainability of this organization and expresses the need to build momentum within communities of color and other marginalized communities.  This event will help grow their programs, so the impact of their work becomes more wide spread.

"CARA TODAY! CARA TOMORROW! CARA NOW!"

Help CARA move into the next 10 years!!!!!! 

FIND OUT HOW BY CONTACTING US! info@cara-seattle.org; 206-322-4856; www.cara-seattle.org

THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2009

1. CARA BLOG!
2. CARA NEW & IMPROVED NEWSLETTER!
3. CARA GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS!
4. CARA NEW MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE!

CARA MEMBERSHIP & COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Contact: Sylva Jones, Membership Committee at cara.intern@gmail.com

CARA has revamped their membership structure.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

* Every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30pm @ CARA Offices (801 23^rd Avenue S. (Suite G-1))

• December 9
• December 16
• December 23 (special time 4:30-6:30pm)
• January 6
• More information to come in January 2009

CARA'S SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY CUPCAKE PARTY!

Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 4:00-8:00 pm

@ CARA offices (801 23^rd Avenue S. (Suite G-1)

"Hello sweethearts, do you want sweet tarts?" 

(Source known, but will not out them, 2008).

Bad pick up lines and more! 

Come and celebrate a year of successes, challenges, changes, eat little sweet cakes with us, KICK OFF & CELEBRATE our MEMBERS!!!

& learn about our FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES for 2009 including…

ZUMBA Fitness Challenge (Jan) – see info below

"EAT & LICK" Valentine's Sex Positive Event (Feb) – info to come 

2^nd Annual Wine & Roses Dinner & Auction (April) – see info below

2009 Ladies First Season – see info below

"We can see clearly now, the rain is gone… It's going to be a bright, bright, bright sunshine and day…"  Oh yeah, and we will have karaoke!!!!  We'll laugh, sing, reminisce and strategize to take over the world while delighting in the simple hedonistic pleasure of gluttony.  We also have cupcakes on hand for those who are gluten and wheat sensitive.  

ZUMBA FOR Communities Against Rape & Abuse (CARA)

"Start 2009 off right & drop the workout & come join the party!"

Saturday January 17, 2009

Location & Time to be announced!

Contact Sherina James at zumbaworks@yahoo.com to VOLUNTEER & for more information  

For more information on Zumba: www.gottazumba.com

This 2 hour Zumba Dance and Fitness Challenge are guaranteed to be a BLAST! 

Zumba combines high energy and motivating music with unique moves and combinations that allow the Zumba participants to dance away their worries. It is based on the principle that a workout should be "FUN AND EASY TO DO"!

• Everyone benefits - you have fun & burn over 500 calories per hour
• Entry fees will be donated to C.A.R.A (Communities Against Rape & Abuse)
• Think you can make it all 2 hours? Gather some pledges and donations from friends and family.
• Door Prizes and refreshments for all who participate.
• We challenge you to help end abuse in our communities.

This is an event you won't want to miss!! Bring a friend! 

Zumba is for everyone-all ages and genders welcome!

CARA'S SECOND ANNUAL "WINE & ROSES" DINNER & AUCTION

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 – Time to be announced – Location Pravda Studios

For more information & to VOLUNTEER:

Eboni Colbert, Co-Director of CARA, 206-323-4113, eboni@cara-seattle.org

COMMUNITIES AGAINST RAPE & ABUSE (CARA) will be holding its 2^nd Wine & Roses Dinner & Auction and you can be part of it, as we celebrate 10 strong years!  This is a monumental occasion for CARA activists, as they take a new turn in their grassroots fundraising and step away from City of Seattle funding.  As a minimally funded organization, CARA work has had a profound impact in survivors' lives in the greater Seattle area and even reaching all the way to Tacoma, WA.  Their work in the last nine years has benefited and continues to benefit many individuals, communities, and organizations that support the difficult work they do around rape, abuse, and oppression.  The "Wine & Roses Silent Auction" is vital for the continued sustainability of this organization and expresses the need to build momentum within communities of color and other marginalized communities.  This event will help grow their programs, so the impact of their work becomes more wide spread.