DanceAfrica Chicago presents FREEDOM!, which explores the critical role that African-inspired dance and music play in the global movement for cultural expression, liberation, human rights, and dignity. In Africa, the struggle for freedom is at the center of the struggle for life. There are many events, including Oct. 17-19, FREEDOM!, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, $36, $30, $24. Featured artists: Prophets of da City, Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti, Coyaba Dance Theatre, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, and poet Staceyann Chin. For tickets Ticketmaster (312) 902-1500 or www.danceafricachicago.com.
Also: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., DanceAfrica Chicago presents poet Chin @ Guild Complex/Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division.
Eve Ensler of The Vagina Monologues Honored at Heartland Alliance Ball
The Women’s Board of Heartland Alliance will honor Eve Ensler’s work to stop violence against women and girls at its 63rd annual black-tie Celebration Ball Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Hyatt Regency. Ensler is the founder and artistic director of V-Day, a global movement devoted to stopping violence against women and girls.
V-Day funds anti-violence organizations throughout the world, and raises public attention to the larger fight to stop this gender violence. In six years, V-Day has raised more than $20 million and was named one of Worth magazine’s ‘100 Best Charities.’
‘I am thrilled to be honored by Heartland Alliance,’ said Ensler, writer of The Vagina Monologues. ‘At V-Day, we are committed to ending violence against women and girls around the world and we support and applaud crucial and creative organizations like Heartland Alliance in their work with survivors of domestic violence and with immigrant women seeking protection from violence such as genital mutilation, ‘honor’ killings and forced marriages.’
Like Ensler and V-Day, Heartland Alliance has made contributions to stopping violence against women and girls from across the globe. Heartland Alliance’s domestic violence program was started in 1979 and last year helped 1,746 women and children.
Pro bono attorneys at Heartland Alliance’s Midwest Immigrant and Human Rights Center help poor immigrant women and girls who face abuse in their home countries seek asylum. In 2000, an asylum case handled by Heartland Alliance was instrumental in setting the legal precedent that expanded asylum protection to women fleeing forced marriages. Last year, Heartland Alliance kept 562 women safe from violence such as genital mutilation, ‘honor’ killings, and slavery.
Ron Magers of ABC7 will emcee the Celebration Ball. Mary Morten, who received the 2001 Celebration Award for her work as the first Director of the Office of Violence Prevention at the Chicago Department of Public Health, will serve as Honorary Host of a VIP reception for Ensler before the gala. Morten has also hosted V-Day events. Call (312) 660-1313.