FEBRUARY 9, 1996 GAY PEOPle's ChroNICLE 25
EVENINGS OUT
Longer party, shorter show set for Womyn's Variety Show
Like Darla, Spanky and Alfalfa of The Little Rascals fame, putting on a show has become familiar business for the women's community in Cleveland. Every year for the past 20 years, Cleveland women have gathered to exhibit their talents, catch up with old friends, cruise the party for a new love, or just be seen at the annual Womyn's Variety Show.
Over the years, the event has become the the biggest party of the year in the women's community, drawing over 1,000 women annually from all over Ohio and beyond. Recognizing that their lesbian friends sure know how to throw a party, there have always been men who have expressed a desire to attend the annual fundraiser, but as always, the Variety Show is a women-only event.
This year's Variety Show will take place on Saturday, February 17 at the Civic, 3130 Mayfield Rd. in Cleveland Hts.
"Plans are going great, the show is coming along, and it looks like a super show this year." said the show's coordinator, Marcia “Swamp" Sindelar.
The show is the annual fundraiser for Oven Productions, a collective of women dedicated to bringing women and lesbian-themed entertainment to the greater Cleveland area. "With the money from this show, we're able to put on concerts and other woman-identified shows during the year," Sindelar said. In 1995, Oven brought lesbian comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer to a Cleveland nightclub, and sponsored a lesbian-themed play, The Scent of Tulips, at Cleveland State University.
In response to feedback sessions about previous Variety Shows indicating that many women felt the show ran too long, organizers are trying a new concept this year. "The show will start at 7:30 instead of 8:00 as in previous years," Sindelar said. The doors will open at 6:00 and music will be playing in the party room for those who want to hit the dance floor
before the show begins.
"We decided to start [the show] earlier, and to continue right through and have no intermission. So the show will last approximately an hour and a half, and without the intermission, we will be able to get to the party sooner. This year we have D.J. Karen Lovell who currently spins at Dr. Dans in Akron and used to spin at Isis, Tracks and Toos." Sindelar said.
In addition to adjusting the show's length and starting time, Oven sought the help of a local attorney, Rose Fini, to successfully obtain a variance from the city of Cleveland Heights to stay open till 2 am. Last year, police tried to close the after-show party and dance at 1 am, which, because of the long show, did not leave enough time for many women to relax and enjoy the once-a-year opportunity to mix and mingle with over a thousand other dykes.
Over 60 women are already working on the show, including stage manager Magan and this year's emcee, Judith Angelo. Although things are running smoothly, more volunteers are always welcome as are new members for Oven Productions.
"Oven is looking good," Sindelar said. "It's growing and we've added some new members. And we're really looking ahead to making some changes this year and to trying some different things."
Getting involved with Oven is easy, according to Swamp. "[Women] can call the office and express a desire to be a part of Oven and then they could work with us on a show. Through that interaction we see how they're committed and how they work with us and what kind of a worker they are. And we're always looking for new members."
In addition to the show and party, vendors will be set up downstairs in the gallery, selling everything from books and gifts to leather works, jewelry, bakery, and woodworking items. Oven will also be selling T-shirts and
caps this year with the Oven Productions logo on it. And as an added bonus, in addition to exhibiting her work downstairs in the gallery, photographer Virginia Morgan will be set up in the party room to take photographs. Women will be able to purchase photographs which will be placed in a frame that commemorates the 21st Annual Womyn's Variety Show. Morgan will donate part of those proceeds to Oven.
Tickets for the Variety Show can be purchased at Gifts of Athena, 2199 Lee Rd., the Bookstore on West 25th Street, 1921 W. 25th St. or Body Language, Lorain Ave. at W. 115th. Tickets are $16, but as always, a sliding scale and work exchange is available for women
CAMPUS
who otherwise would not be able to afford the cost.
"[Ticket prices] have stayed the same for at least the past five years, even though our costs go up every year," Sindelar said. She added that she is excited about the new format and looking forward to record-breaking year. “I believe [the Variety Show] is the largest event for women in our community," Sindelar said. "We always bring in close to 1,300 to 1,400 women, and they come from all over. We get calls from as far as California about the show.”
Oven Productions can be reached at 216321-7799
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