I followed Wanda Sykes. I performed a ten-minute set after this was shown to the audience.
The audience was about 95% female and 100% feminist. They were there for a film festival. That night's films focused on the history of the women's movement (pre-Gloria Steinem). I learned much. The video of Wanda Sykes and my live performance were for comic relief. It was also an acknowledgement and honoring of the permission we all received (consciously and unconsciously) from the women's movement to speak in our own authentic voice and from our own point of view (which, in comedy, allows for originality and hilarity).
As a comic, it was a real learning experience on selecting material. Often, I got the opposite reaction to bits that I get at comedy shows. They laughed hard at things that get mild laughter at clubs, and less at bits that get a rowdier reaction typically. Overall, they were very appreciative, and several people made a point of speaking to me later. I feel so honored that Fran thought of me. I think I'm still high from that.
After sharing in my blog last Tuesday about being asked to speak and perform at a screening of a film in October, I was then asked by Fran Luck, producer and host of WBAI's feminist radio show "Joy of Resistance," to perform in a feminist film festival that takes place on five Friday nights, and the Friday I was requested for was 9/26/14. She had actually contacted me weeks earlier, but it was to an old email address and I hadn't seen the email. Her boyfriend, who is a writer and poetry friend of mine, reconnected us. I am grateful.
The event continues with different themes for four more Fridays. http://tinyurl.com/mmtn5vm Definitely a nourishing evening.
I find it interesting that in both cases where I was invited as a comic to be a part of these cultural events, it was by someone not in the comedy field. One knows me through acting and writing; the other through the NYC poetry circle.
Something that made me feel happy was there seemed to be much less of a divide between gay and straight women than there was in the 1970s. The togetherness felt so good to me. I don't like the pick-a-team mentality. I need the togetherness in order for me to have a place to feel at home.
"Feeling at Home" by Nzante Spee
In this place that felt like a home of sorts, I was appreciated for what I feel, think, and say rather than tolerated. It's a good feeling.
