The HerStories Project

Rather than selecting a single text around which to focus discussion (as we did in 2011 with Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s “now let us shift . . . the path of conocimiento . . . inner work, public acts”), for Embodying Our Nature we are inviting participants to share texts (poetry, prose, music, art) that speak to them about the theme.  Our hope is to promote and encourage conversation both during and beyond the event, including the HerStories blog and Facebook.  Already there is no shortage of texts, and we would encourage everybody to be active in reading, responding to, and thinking about this year’s theme, engaging in conversation at whatever level you feel comfortable.

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Embodying Our Nature explores relationships between gender expression, nature(s), and bodies. To better understand this theme, we must first begin with descriptions of theme as pointers for our general direction, nuggets of understanding to springboard further exploration:

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The HerStories Project presents two programs in early 2012! Click the image for the full-sized flyer.

As a grassroots endeavor, HerStories relies on word of mouth and helping hands to spread news about programming. Thanks for any assistance to pass on the flyer! Also, volunteers are most welcome for a variety of tasks; just email herstories.project @ gmail.com with interest or questions.

These free programs are being held at Gone Wired Cafe (2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing). Thanks to owner Colleen Davis for her open-door policy to community events!

Registration is encouraged for both events due to limited seating. Email herstories.project @ gmail.com or contact the listed phone number for the corresponding program.

1/27 ~ READING BY MARYCELA

The first program is a reading by visiting author Marycela on Friday, January 27, at 7:00pm with seating at 6:30pm. Her novel El Libro de Marcia is a fantastical story about a woman who escapes to the sea to write, and is inspired by Marycela’s experience as a domestic-violence survivor. The book now is available at Everybody Reads Bookstore (2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing) and online. Here is an interview (PDF file) from May 2011 with the author. Also visit her website in Spanish or its translation in English. The bilingual program is supported by the Capital Area Response Effort (CARE), End Violent Encounter (EVE) Inc., and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. Resources about domestic-violence services will be available. Register by email herstories.project @ gmail.com or phone Caroline from C.A.R.E. at (517) 420-6888.

2/17 & 2/18 ~ EMBODYING OUR NATURE

This writing program is running for its second year with a new theme that explores relationships between gender expression, nature(s), and bodies. Also the program welcomes all writers — new to seasoned, across genres and genders. Under development are workshops, talking circles, self-directed writing, and a reading by participants — so stay tuned! Partners include the LBGT Resource Center of MSU and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. Sessions may be attended in part or in whole, and run Friday, Feb. 17, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, and Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Register by email herstories.project @ gmail.com or phone the Women’s Center at (517) 372-9163. Due to the food-service venue, outside drink or food are not allowed. For requests regarding dietary needs, please inquire upon registration.

 This call-to-action and calendar highlights some events in Greater Lansing that resonate with the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and its theme this year that intersects militarism with violence against women. There are limited copies available for local use, so please contact me if you would like some for distribution.

The program starts at 7:00pm at (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing, Michigan! The cover is only $3, which goes to (SCENE), a gallery and performance space funded by the City of East Lansing. The venue is a valuable resource for Greater Lansing. Thanks, Director Tim Lane, for making the space available to grassroots programs!

There’s good news, Michigan State University students, faculty, and staff: the first 50 guests hailing from Spartan country with an ID gain free admission! This offer is made possible by a generous donation from the MSU LBGT Resource Center, an event partner. Thanks, LBGTRC, for the donation!

More thanks to Shari Murgittroyd, Program Coordinator of the MSU Sexual Assault Program, another Bridges partner. She connected co-emcee Jeffrey Franckowiak (read more below) and I, which strengthened the program in many ways. Also the office printed our beautiful posters and flyers!

Bridges features lesbian poet Bobbi Byrd, who’s traveling from her home in Osseo, Michigan, for the event. Thanks again, Peace Education Center, for providing her gas funds! And Bobbi’s in good company with these stellar guests and contributors:

Co-emcee Jeffrey Franckowiak, a community organizer and advocate whose work creates safe and supportive space for the LBGTQ community of Greater Lansing, especially for trans gender identified persons.

Poet-activist Jan de la Torre, who just moved back to the area from Kalamazoo, where they were the lead organizer of Pulse, an LGBT people of color arts group at Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative. Last April, Jan also opened for Cheryl Clarke, Willie Perdomo, and Stacyann Chin at an Arcus Center for Social Justice event.

Drew Prosch-Jensen, who lives in Flowerville, Michigan, believes everything in life is an art-form, and that there aren’t any boundaries between life and art.

Max D, a transmasculine youth poet, hails from the eastern reaches of Greater Lansing.  As a local queer kid, he is excited to step up to the mic.

A representative from the 2012 MSU Vagina Monologues, who delivers “They Beat The Girl Out Of My Boy… Or So They Tried.”

Lauren Spencer, Program Coordinator of the MSU LBGT Resource Center, reading “It Doesn’t Get Better” by MC Lane.

Lee Sayles, a Lansing-based wordsmith whose performances include the Women in the Arts Festival and the collective Two Butches and a Broad.

See you soon!

Thanks to Professor Amy Drees and her design students at Defiance College (Ohio), Bridges Open Mic has bright and bold materials! Here are a poster (11×17), a letter-size flyer, and a mini-flyer (2 per letter-size). Please pass these on digitally and in print, so that word about the program may spread. And, remember, registration is open! Sign up today at herstories.project@gmail.com!

Poster (11x17)

Letter size

Mini-flyer (2 x letter-size)

Bridges Open Mic, coming November 22, continues to gain momentum! Since the program’s last update, the Capital Area Response Effort (C.A.R.E.) of Lansing has become a partner. Also, the Peace Education Center is donating transportation funds for featured poet Bobbi Byrd. And I’m both excited and honored to be collaborating with Jeffrey Franckowiak, a Lansing-based community organizer and advocate whose work especially creates safe and supportive LGBTQ spaces. Jeffrey and I are developing the program, and will co-emcee Bridges!

Meanwhile, it’s time to register for the Open Mic segments of Bridges! The more contributors the better to celebrate gender expression; challenge gender violence and militarism; and honor Trans gender and Two Spirit voices. Register by email at herstories.project[at]gmail.com, with information about your work — written or spoken word.

It’s amazing to see this event bring together talented circles and converging priorities across Greater Lansing. Stay tuned for the official flyer, which is on its way from design students of Defiance College in Ohio. Thanks to Professor Amy Drees for facilitating their contributions!

And here’s the scoop on one of the featured artists:

Bobbi Byrd is a lesbian poet who lives in Osseo, Michigan. In the past, she has been a member of the Lansing Poetry Club, Poetry Society of Michigan, and smaller writing groups in Jackson and Hillsdale Counties.

She self-published her first collection “Poetry the Music of a Woman’s Words” in 1981. Her latest book “Seasons of the Soul” (2003) was published by Booksurge. Her first poem published by a periodical was in “The Island Lesbian” after she and her beloved partner returned from a trip to Hawaii. She since has been published in “Faith @ Work,” a nationally juried gallery, as well as local papers.

Bobbi has shared her work in a variety of venues: Lansing’s Capitol step, Schuler’s Bookstore in Okemos, and readings in Hillsdale county. She also regularly shares poems of a spiritual nature in her church. She was invited to share her work by the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature for two years, but last year chose to present and share poetry at the National Association for Esoteric Healing instead.

Bridges Open Mic is building support across the Greater Lansing community! The Peace and Justice Committee of Red Cedar Friends (Quaker) Meeting made a donation toward the event venue. The Sexual Assault Program at Michigan State University is the most recent partner to join the program. And youth from the Gateway L.G.B.T.Q. Support Group are excited to step up to the mic!

Collaborators and participants are still wanted, so send word with your interest (herstories.project[at]gmail.com) and pass the news on to those who may want to take part! The updated bookmark for the event makes it easy to invite others.

In an effort to spread the word about the next HerStories Project program, Bridges Open Mic, here is a save-the-date bookmark! Just click the image then save it for digital use.

This event so far is featuring poet Bobbi Byrd (Osseo, Michigan), whose poetry is both powerful and gentle. (Careful not confuse her with Bobby Byrd, another poet altogether!)

Some of Bobbi’s poetry is available through the National Gallery of Writing. The work published there celebrates the life of her partner.

Bobbi also appears at the start of this video story about Embodying Our Words, a HerStories Project program about embodied writing. The video story was produced in February 2011 by Lansing City Pulse interns Fiona Guo and Yang Zhang.

Bookmark updated September 28, 2011.

Fall greetings! The HerStories Project is gearing up for Bridges, an open mic of spoken and written word at (SCENE) Metrospace (East Lansing, MI) on November 22 at 7:00pm. The date was selected because it links Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20) and the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10).

Bridges is an event that celebrates gender expression with special honor to two-spirit and transgender voices. Bridges also challenges gender violence, in part with the 2011 theme announcement for 16 Days — “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!”

Bridges is looking for event partners! Collaborators so far include the Center for Poetry and the Peace Education Center.   A special invitation is extended to groups with two-spirit/ transgender members, as well as two-spirit/ transgender individuals.  I also am looking for a co-organizer to help shape this event to honor two-spirit/ transgender voices. Please email me with interest or questions at herstories.project[at]gmail.com.