Page 18 HIGH GEAR

entertainment

Near speaks about speaking out

By Rob-Davis

"Out of loving ourselves, we create a revolution." Holly Near shared her political ideal as she spoke to a small group of people prior to her March 14 concert in Columbus. She spoke of how our supporting and caring for each other can create more of a revolution than guns or bombs ever could. A common element in her involvements is a strong commitment to helping society change in its way of viewing

women and men.

Her concert, sponsored by WOMEN'S MUSIC UNION in Columbus was well attended, and her unifying message was strong in the women's -community. Her lyrical statements about people and their relationships and society are made stronger by her musical skill in performance.

Holly Near was born in Northern California, in a family that always found natural expression in music. She has been performing since the age of seven. In 1971, she joined the FREE THE ARMY, and traveled with Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden, combining her artistic and political energy. She has since released several albums on Redwood Records, a women's recording company in San Francisco, California.

.. Holly publicly came out as a "woman-identified" woman in the last few years. She received varied response in the press, some supportive. She found that her coming out challenged many people who knew her as an artist

See America. Find a friend.

BUB DAMRON'S ADDRESS BOOK '80

S-DISCO'S HOTE

PUERTO RICO-VIRGIN ISL

ENTERPRISES

PO BOX 14-877-SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORMA 94114-(415) 628-4892

TAURANTS

to deal with their own identity, so the end result of her coming out has been generally positive. She stressed that lesbianism is more than a sexual issue, "It's a whole new way to perceive humanity." She found that by internalizing her own oppression, she has been

more able to focus her energy to relating to oppressed groups. Before, her whole involvement was with groups where she could not directly feel their oppression, but now, the oppression is more personal for her and she can relate to this more in her music. Her music relates most to those who have been pushed by society to the edges, those that are most often oppressed. Her clear voice often rises above the confusion and makes an important staternent.

When Holly was looking for a record company to distribute her work, she had some problems

with straight male-dominated companies. One company turned her down, saying there was "no element of submission in her voice". Tired of dealing with those types of attitudes, she came to Redwood Records, where she has released four albums. Redwood Records has released many women artists in the last years. While Redwood Records are not necessarily found in large, discount record stores, feminist-oriented bookstores should carry these albums.

Holly Near has much to say to us, both in her music and as a person. The way we view others in this society must be challenged, and Holly keeps us sensitive to the way we could be to each other. Her vision for a new society is something we all need to hear.

Weekends, Thru April 28 THE ODYSSEY

Group Rates Available

Drury Theatre

SOMETHING'S AFOOT A Musical Whodunit March 28-April 29

By James McDonald, Davis Vos and Robert Gerlach Additional Music

Wed Thurs at 8-Fri. Sat at 8.30Sun. at 2:30-

The Cleveland Play House

RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION 795-7000

Send $1000check or money order to

HIGH GEAR

HIGH P.O. Box 6177 Cleveland, Ohio

CEAR

Ohio's Goy Journal

44101

HOLLY NEAR

Feminist duo stars

Oven Productions. a nonThomas, a pianist and composer profit feminist production comwho received an ASCAP award pany. will present Holly Near and for musicals she wrote for J.T. Thomas in concert on Saturchildren and teenagers to day, April 14th. There will be two perform. performances. one at 7 p.m. Near's fourth album. "Imagine (open to the public) and one at 10 My Surprise" was recently p.m. (women only) will be held in released on the Redwood label. It Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Instiincluded songs about an older tute of Music. 11021 East Blvd. woman's life raising 13 sons. Admission $5.00. under 12 and about Karen Silkwood who was over 60, $1.00. Free childcare is fighting the nuclear plants for available by calling. 216-321workers' health rights, about 1587 or 216-932-0977. Arrangegrowing up in Potter Valley and ments for the handicapped and about women who were pirates work exchange are available by off the eastern coast in the 18th century. calling Oven Productions.

Singer, songwriter and storyTickets may be purchased at teller Holly Near is well known for Coventry Books. Tish's Shoe using her music to support Repair & Emporium, Food Coop. groups that do progressive politiWomen Space, Rape Crisis cal work. In the past she toured Center or by writing Oven with the FTA Show (Free The Productions, P.O. Box 18175. Armies), the Indochina Peace Cleveland, Ohio 44118. All seats Campaign and her most recent are unreserved. Oven Producconcerts have been sponsored tions is a local non-profit, taxby such groups as anti-nuke exempt production company. organizations and Native Ameridedicated to presenting can Committees. performances of feminist artists On tour with Holly is JT from Cleveland and elsewhere.

A GREAT

PLACE TO

CRUISE

STUDIO BOOKS adult

MOVIES NEWS MAGAZINES ●PERIODICALS FILM NOVELTIES OF ABULOUS MINI-MOVIE SECTION OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10:00A.M. TO 2:00A.M.

GAY OWNED AND OPERATED

17N CHESTNUT ST DOWNTOWN YOUNGSTOWN OHIO

Phone 747-8552