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Oven Productions:

Gay Peoples Chronicle

Celebrating Its Tenth Year

February 1, 1985

that were producing records. Production refusal to let us stop. In discussions companies are part of a network of artists with women in the community--who are which also include recording units. really the basis of our support-we'd explain that we were getting rather

by Charles Callender in part from the lack of women's culture, according to another seaber, Monica Shinn. This month Oven Productions celebrates Oven Productions was established to provide its 10th Anniversary. A collective of alternatives and seans of self-expression feminists who are particularly concerned for women, lesbian or nongay feminist, "That network, along with the evolution tired of this, and that maybe we'd like with encouraging women's culture in the who rejected traditional subjection to of music festivals, created a whole supporto move on and do some other things. Cleveland area, Oven members promote an oppressive society. It provides opporsystem that made it possible for us to And they would say 'You can't stop! their overall goal primarily through tunities for women, not limited to oven thrive. When you feel that you're part We have to have what you provide. Me sponsoring concerts by women musicians members, to do some of their own things. of a national movement, and that other need our own music, we need our own culwho specialize in the genre of women's very exciting things are going on all ture." That was wonderful. It was a ausic and similar art forms. Another member of the collective explainaround you, it's a lot easier to continue. real indication that we had some very ed, "My motivation for being in Oven "There were times when Oven was down strong support. So that was another During the ten years of its existence is the importance of community: a community to its last couple of dollars, and we reason to keep on. I know that personally, Oven Productions has produced more than that feels politically comfortable, gives literally had to beat the bushes to raise for me, that support kept me involved." 50 cultural events, including music, me a place to express myself and to know the money to continue. It has been films, theater, art, dance, poetry, and that I can share with others the largest long, slow process. I think the flexibilSince 1981 Oven Productions has been crafts. The collective works with both sense of myself. Because of the role ity of our collective has been one of housed with several other women's groups local and out-of-town artists. that being feminist and gay plays in our strengths. But it has also been in the Civic. The Women's Building Proay life, all this 15 very political. Concerts are probably the events that a weakness, in that you can't always ject, an umbrella organization that organfind the people you need, with the re-izes space for these groups, provides Cleveland people most often associate "Oven exists for a community. We provide quired skills and a commitment to the office space, telephone and staff person, with Oven Productions. These number a medium that I think extends the motivawork, to really keep on going at the besides subsidizing rents through fundthree or four each year, planned according tion I described as my reasons for being level we would like to. raising drives. to the availability of artists and their in Oven. There is something about the touring schedules. music and the culture that come out of women's community that I find very upliftThe feminist artists produced by Oven ing. It challenges the rest of the world have included Wallflower Order Dance to be open. It also generates a spirit Collective, Kay Gardner, Linda Tillery, and an energy that unite those of us Ferron, Rhiannon and Mini Fox, Holly who share this common bond. And I think Near, Meg Christian, Chris Williamson, that's part of what we're about." and Sweet Honey in the Rock.

The Oven Productions members interviewed The next production, featuring comedienneagreed that the concepts of women's culture Kate Clinton, will be presented by Oven and of gay male culture share similarities as part of the Fourth Annual All-Ohio as alternatives to mainstream oppression. Lesbian/Gay/ Feminist Conference in April. The Oven Productions collectives members Concert audiences, averaging about see themselves and their activities as 200, include women, gay people, students, strongly linked with feminist culture. and liberal people. Audience composition They define their political position depends in part on the type of ausician as positive and multicultural, one that and her material. includes supporting other oppressed groupsConcerned with the racial composition Oven concerts are partly subsidized of Oven performers, they strive to work by a series of fundraising events whose with a variety of different cultural proceeds make it possible to offer tickets socio-economic perspectives. And concerned at prices substantially lower than would with accessibility for differently abled otherwise be charged. Tickets are into people. Oven uses performance facilities the $6 to $7 range. accessible to handicapped people and see the incorporation for signing for The fundraisers include the January the hearing-impaired in their productions Women's New Year's party, partly sponsored as important. by Oven Productions, the Women's Building Project, the North Coast Lesbian Alliance, and other organizations.

They define their collective and their activities as part of feminist culture, in the larger sense, and favor political activism on the part of the entire gav community.

In February Oven Presents its largest and most important fundraiser, the Women's Variety Show. Drawing about 400 women, the Variety Show also marks its tenth Monica Shinn pointed out. "I have no year this month. Members of the collective problems with people promoting gay culture assemble the performers, produce and or with anyone promoting feminist culture. stage the Show, and hold a disco party There are all kinds of ways to support afterward.

Oven also

gay politics, and be a part of that process, especially in terms of numbers. sponsors a summer picnic Oven is part of that larger picture and that's definitely to my advantage."

as a social event.

The collective currently includes eight The belief fairly common among gay women who weet weekly to discuss Oven men in Cleveland that Oven Productions activities, exchange information about concerts are open only to women is a ausicians, and keep track of new talent. misconception. This has never been the Structured non-hierarchically, the collect-case. ive makes decisions by general agreement of the entire group.

During Oven's earlier years, about half its productions were for women only. Members of the collective provide partic-At present the only production restricted ular kinds of expertise that they have to women is the annual Nomen's Variety developed in other contexts or acquired show. as part of the collective. These include administrative and public-information work as well as such production skills members hope to increase their audiences as lighting and sound.

Men are welcome at the concerts. Oven

by attracting new persons and turning them on to the type of music and culture Oven represents.

Susan Woodworth, a founding member of the organization states that as far as producing concerts goes, we've learned this by doing it. The people who started Oven Productions really didn't have any butes its longevity to several factors, specific experience except that a couple including hard work.

of thes were performers and so had some

As one of the original members of the Oven collective, Susan Woodworth attri-

feeling about how a concert should be "I think you could see us as part of produced. So it has been a learning a real cultural movement. This includes experience for all of us."

production companies like Oven all over The concept of a feminist collective, so-called women's music industry businesses the country. At the same time the entire centering on women's music, developed

"But in the face of all the problems, we have continued for ten years. I think this is really a testament to the nature of what we're doing. "Another factor

Welcoming the support and cooperation of others in the community. Oven Productions may be reached c/o The Civic. 3130 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights 44118, or P.O. Box 18175, Cleveland Heights, was the community's Ohio 44118: or called at 321-3054.

Gay?

Lesbian?

Alcoholic

by Alex Liberacki

How do I locate Gay AA in my community?

Technically, there is no organization called Gay AA. However, there are gay and lesbian meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous as there are meetings for non-smokers or women or individuals who don't speak English. I am making this distinction because gay men and lesbians are welcome Sexual to attend any meeting of AA. orientation is generally not an issue in a meeting--sobriety is. If you would like to locate gay men and lesbian meetings of AA, phone the local AA office in your area. They will have a list.

Isn't Alcoholics Anonymous a religion? My friends who joined AA are always talking about God.

Alcoholic Anonymous Preamble clearly states that 'AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution." It is, however, a spirit ual program. As part of the program, individuals learn to turn their will and their lives over to a higher power. Although many people choose to refer to this higher power as God others find the power to be the strength they get from the fellowship of other recovering alcoholics.

Where can I obtain information on alcoholism in the gay community?

Bay

CompCare Publications publishes "The rinking Problem ($1.25) "Sober, Gay! ($1.25), which can be calling 1-800-328-3330).

Clean,

ordered

Hazelden

ic) MA's

*The Homosexual Alcoholof Hope ($.70) which can be ordered by calling (1-800-329-9000). Question or comment, write

923-6431.

(In the cleveland area, gay and lesbian ines of Alcoholics Anonymous held at St. Luke's Church, West 28th Lake Avenue. Call 961-2130 or the Cleveland Gay Hotline 651-7111.