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V to The 10th: The Red Tent
April 15, 2008 - 7:16am — Angela Jimenez
It was an unforgettable weekend at the Superdome in New Orleans — thousands of activists and performers from around the world joined Hurricane Katrina survivors from New Orleans and the Gulf South in transforming the Superdome into "Superlove" during V to the 10th, the tenth anniversary of the V-Day campaign to end violence against women and girls. Eve Ensler, the mother of the V-Day movement, urged women to share their stories with each other all weekend. Ensler's Vagina Monologues project is based on this idea of the value of the individual woman's story — it is comprised of staged readings based on the stories of real women. Local artists and activists from New Orleans used a similar approach to creating their AMAZING new theater piece about Katrina, "Swimming Upstream," which debuted at Superlove.
The Red Tent installed on the floor of the Superdome during the Superlove event.
The L Word women joined this tradition over the weekend in the Red Tent, a sacred, beautiful and safe space inspired by Anita Diamant's novel of the same name and created and donated by Paulette Cole and ABC Carpet & Home. Women of the NOLA Playback Theater and others built this space on the floor of the Superdome with the motto "Changing the story of women begins with women sharing their stories in a safe space" and groups gathered inside for Story Circles about various topics.
From left: Jennifer Beals, Ilene Chaiken, Nan Crawford, Daniela Sea and Alexandra Hedison in a back hallway of the Superdome after their first Red Tent session.
Ilene Chaiken and cast members of The L Word launched a new story project, gathering LGBTQ stories which they hope to turn into a performance piece called "The L Word — Your Stories." As many women as would fit (there were way more who wanted in) crammed inside on Friday and Saturday to listen and speak. It was — like the whole Superloving event — part happening, part experiment, part catharsis and part revolution. And all red.
Lesbian shoes left outside the Red Tent during one of the LGBTQ story circles.
The wombal interior of the Red Tent.
The women of The L Word outside the Red Tent after their second session of story-sharing.
Photos by Angela Jimenez
The Red Tent installed on the floor of the Superdome during the Superlove event.
The L Word women joined this tradition over the weekend in the Red Tent, a sacred, beautiful and safe space inspired by Anita Diamant's novel of the same name and created and donated by Paulette Cole and ABC Carpet & Home. Women of the NOLA Playback Theater and others built this space on the floor of the Superdome with the motto "Changing the story of women begins with women sharing their stories in a safe space" and groups gathered inside for Story Circles about various topics.
From left: Jennifer Beals, Ilene Chaiken, Nan Crawford, Daniela Sea and Alexandra Hedison in a back hallway of the Superdome after their first Red Tent session.
Ilene Chaiken and cast members of The L Word launched a new story project, gathering LGBTQ stories which they hope to turn into a performance piece called "The L Word — Your Stories." As many women as would fit (there were way more who wanted in) crammed inside on Friday and Saturday to listen and speak. It was — like the whole Superloving event — part happening, part experiment, part catharsis and part revolution. And all red.
Lesbian shoes left outside the Red Tent during one of the LGBTQ story circles.
The wombal interior of the Red Tent.
The women of The L Word outside the Red Tent after their second session of story-sharing.
Photos by Angela Jimenez
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40 Comments
MANNNN....
Okay I was there. The tent was awesome, there were silks and fabrics all over the place that looked like saris and it was dimly lit and ..looked pretty much like i'd imagine a womb would look like. It was really inviting.
Anyway.
the L Word storytelling thing was first come-first served, so i didn't get to sign up in time. But I'm mad that there was only one LGBT event at VDAY. I know it's not specifically a gay event, but considering at least 50% of the people who attended Superlove were lesbian/bisexual/ more vagina-loving than most, I would have expected there to be more than one gay event. End Rant.
But other than that the whole weekend was A-Mazing.
T'aint.
I thought I said something.
I thought I said something. Apparently, I didn't.
I really, really wanted to go to this event - and after seeing these blogs, I really wish I would have.
Thank you, Ilene, Alex, Jennifer, and Daniela ....for participating, and for making this a new frontier in change.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
i'd rather have been there
than to dinah. not that i had the chance to join either. but hey, pathfinder-camp-story-telling? i am in!
"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." Oscar Wilde
Would anyone who was there
Would anyone who was there tell me more about what the Red Tent looked like inside, what there was to see? It looked like some art was on display? How were the storytelling areas set up? did everyone sit on the floor? I also haven't heard anything about any of the other performers there at the V, not just in the Red Tent?
V-Day
Eve Ensler is a beautiful woman, with a wonderful heart, fighting a cause long over-do to be fought. It's wonderful how Ilene Chaiken and the other great ladies went out to New Orleans to show their support and help bring light to this event and cause.
BRAVO! And thank you!
p.s. Regardless of what language you speak, just please speak. We want to hear you. And no worries! There are many wonderful members here on the site that will be more than happy to interpret for the rest of us if needed. ;)
some of the posts on here
some of the posts on here want to make me gouge my eyes out.
perhaps this could be a good rule of thumb:
when you are in a country that speaks one language predominantly... i.e. english in the u.s. use the predominant language to greet people.... if the person seems confused, try asking what language they speak, and if you know the language, greet them in that language... if you dont know the language, dont try making some shit up.
no one gets their toes stepped on...
to make things more clear, when in another country, attempt at greeting people in that countrys predominant language.
is it really that hard????
my mistake. this post was
my mistake. this post was meant to be under grace moons blog of "ni hao ma". my apologies. please read that blog to understand the connotation that this post was meant to be read....
I think this blog got posted about the same time I posted my comment under the previous ni hao ma blog... if you read what people posted in response to grace, you will perhaps see why I stated what was said in my post.
my apologies again.
no worries
can happen to all of us
well atleast to me that is it could
winks
Is it really that hard to be more accepting?
How many languages do you speak? At least people are TRYING. In any case, this site is meant to be inclusive (remember reading that when you first joined?) not exclusive. There are a lot of people out there who would ask the people on this site to "try to be straight" or "not act on their 'deviant' feelings," but that hasn't stopped them from having the courage to be who they are.
True, the site is based primarily in the US, where the primary language is English. However, the site itself is part of the worldwide web. WORLDWIDE. One of the great things about the internet is that it allows us to connect with people from everywhere. I'm an American, but live in France, for example, but I'm responding to your comment despite having no clue where you come from or where you live.
Do you only visit countries where you speak the language? I speak French and English and have a basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian, a little German, and a tiny bit of Bulgarian and Romanian at my disposal, but that's it. I don't want to limit my travels to countries that speak those languages, though. I might try to greet people in their language, but that might be as far as I get.
The international aspect of the internet is what allows you to ask a Palestinian or a Kenyan about the conflict in their country rather than relying on secondary sources. Don't criticize. Embrace it.
If you deny any affinity with another person or kind of person, if you declare them to be wholly different from yourself, you have, in fact, alienated yourself...~Le Guin
I think u are being a
I think u are being a little...tough
First rule to learn a language: TRY! Even if u are making a fool of yourself: TRY!
I don't get what's your point here and what that has to be w/ the V-Day subject
This is a freedom world (and a freedom forum) and if someone wants to write in whatever language, is free to do it. Someone else will understand it. Maybe you won't but someone definitely will.
I agree you have (to TRY) to greet people in the country's original language but u don't have to know all the languages of the world so maybe u make something up to TRY
I'm not an english speaker and i'm trying to do my best. In fact i'm also learning english reading all these posts. Thxs guys! Having fun too!
So open your mind and be happy bc TLW has fans all over the world who speak all kind of different languages
Lucky enough to attend
I was fortunate to be able to attend V to the 10th in the New Orleans Area last Saturday night. It was my first exposure to the Vagina Monologues. What a treat! I was so moved by the many stories. Some made me laugh and some made me cry, but all inspired me.
Needless to say, the highlight of my evening was watching Daniela, Ilene, Alex and especially Jennifer perform their monologue. They got the night's biggest laughs.
Thank you for coming to our wounded city, celebrating her rebirth, and holding us close to your heart. May you feel as much love and we feel from you.
But, most importantly, I think the event raised awareness of the abuses our sisters and mothers face here and abroad. And for that, my dear L Word friends, I thank you for lending your voices to such a noble and worthy event.
Ilene you are hilarious
I watched the youtube vid of the moaning segment:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TaSE3ySqFN4
I must say, Ilene you made me laugh the hardest with your performance. I hope you write yourself a little part in S6 and provide more comedy. I love it!
HAHA!!
that was fantastic!
Moans and Ilene in S6!
Cloverleaf thanks for the post! How great were they! And I second that - I would love to see Ilene in at least a cameo appearance in S6. Come on Ilene!
The same for me, I was just
The same for me, I was just drinking coffee when one of the Ilene moans came up and I almost sputtered my coffee all over the monitor and keyboard. The whole thing was hilarious. Jennifer's moans were the wildest, lol. All 4 ladies were great :)
Nice ...
Caught the "moaning" performance on Youtube (wowza @ JB belting it out) and read some fan accounts of the Red Tent. Sounded like quite the emotional and profound experience (particularly for Jennifer). Nice job to all the ladies!
vagina monologues
See you tube & Vagina Monologue with JB, Ilene, Daniela, Alexandra
It's funny.
The Red Tent
I never have experienced anything like the Red Tent and it sounds like it would be a wonderful thing to see and be a part of.
YES YES YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS....if you haven't seen the YouTube vid...go there immediately! You'll die laughing, and then just die..Jennifer is sooooooooooooooooooooo hot....ssooooooooo sexy....It's too bad Jennifer didn't demonstrate the "biracial" moan!!!
I love the pictures and like
I love the pictures and like someone else had said, it's almost as if you can feel the emotion just looking at the tent and the shoes.
Simply Beautiful.
I hope to partake in Red Tenting ASAP!!
XOXO
Sounds Amazing
Thanks for the report and photos. There's a whole different energy when there is a close intimate atmosphere like that. Hope the new project comes close to my area.
Lesbian shoes.. are there any other kind? :-)
--==--==--
I've Woken Now To Find Myself In The Shadows Of All I Have Created
Vid
There's a vid on Youtube, of Jennifer Beals, Ilene Chaiken and two other cast members at the Red Tent. It's hilarious, of them doing orgasm impressions! Couldn't stop laughing...JB rocked it!!!!!!! Was sooooooo sexy!
should check it out if you didn't see it...
Role[sic] call
So let's have it everyone. Which moaner are you?
I tend to stay culturally correct in this area. Let's leave it at that.
There's a thin line...
GREAT
Looks like they had fun! Must have been an extraordinary experience hearing stories from women all over about many different things. What i would have done to be there..(tear)
P.S.
Jennifer Beals looked hot!
Well...all of the women did...but damn, look at her gorgeous smile!
L to the Tenth
Wow, I wish I had attended this. What a wonderful way to bring our community together. :)
"The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all."
It sounds like it was a
It sounds like it was a beautiful experience for everyone. Love the photo of all the shoes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
~T.S. Eliot~
DAMN!
Daniela is so utterly, fucking stunning.
What am I saying, ALL you gals are!!!
...but those eyes....
What an amazing experience "story-sharing" must be - lucky!
S H E N N Y '09!
"Three of my ex-girlfriends are now lesbians..." -ANGUS, 3x02
Shoes
Angela, I love that photo of the shoes. I feel the spirit of the women who took part in the story circle over the weekend.
re: shoes
thanks for all the comments!
cool that people are responding to the shoes. that space was amazing. i want one in my house. i want it to BE my house.
angelajimenezphotography.com
I love the picture of the
I love the picture of the shoes too. Although not taken in the same context, it reminds me of the room with all of the shoes in the Holocaust Museum in DC. There's a lot of meaning behind a picture like this.
I have to admit, though, that another thought crossed my mind. I hope there were some scented candles burning in there. lol
I'm warped. ;)
shoe pic rocks
infact it makes me think
like it is saying or inviting etc.
here are my shoes you try to walk in mine for a bit and ill try yours
see if it brings us closer or not.
or
our shoes may be different yet without them ....
etc. fill in what ever you like
shoe poem rocks
ha- that shoe poem rocks
angelajimenezphotography.com
OK this little brain wave i wrote looking at the shoes pic
just an other brain wave
that came because of the shoes picture
written by : MDW / Kit
----------------------
Shoes
Hey what the hack is the big deal?
would you really like to know how i feel?
Would you really like to care and share?
see all these shoes here? just grab a pair.
Yeah i know this is going to sound very zen,
but ... just feel the spirit of the once you are walking in.
Don't be afraid just give it a shot
Maybe it will make you become aware or maybe not ?
Then communicate with the owner(s) and take your time
really ... listening & talking to people ain't a crime.
For i tell you a little secret ... this is our goal
just opening up peoples mind / heart / spirit & soul
You know that some people do have a lot of guts
there the once that are able to reach out and touch
Time to step out of those shoes because right now we are done
at the end of this road we can now finally realize that we all are one.
I agree Minni
Can feel the spirit too.
Amazing
It sounds like it was amazing. Thanks for sharing Ang, I hope to hear and see more about the event.
~B
htttp://www.desdemonaburgin.com
red tent
I think this is truly amazing. What a wonderful event, I would have loved to be there.
Brilliant idea of the Red Tent. I've read Anita Diamant's novel and it is just breathtaking.
Cheers to the L Word girls, for being so involved and caring.
xo
great experience
this sounds like a great experience, i already read some of the accounts from peopel who have been there and would like to hear from the L word cast and Ilene their account of that event....
So here's the thing
First of all, kudos to all involved in providing this place of healing, learning and growing in the physical, literal and virtual worlds.
I feel the desire to join in, but I have no real stories of abuse. The best I could muster would probably be a little discomfort. I was protected, I was cared for, I was loved, even if I was terribly misunderstood.
I thought perhaps I could offer something in the way of "this is how it should be." This is how our father, brothers, uncles, husbands and sons should treat us. This is how our families should accept us. This is how our mothers should embrace us.
I don't mean to suggest my life was perfect. Far from it. But it was a heck of a lot better than others I've heard about. I've got no real complaints.
Is there room for my story?
There's a thin line...
Stories of hope
Meffle, we need stories of hope as well as the painful stories. We most certainly do.
Amen.
There wouldn't BE any stories of Hope if it weren't for the painful ones! But both equally relevant!
S H E N N Y '09!
"Three of my ex-girlfriends are now lesbians..." -ANGUS, 3x02
When I was about 16 I had
When I was about 16 I had gone to a weekend retreat for youth girls. It was called Iskwasis program. Iskawsis means girl in my native language. So this program took about 15 girls ages ranging from 14-16. There was one day of a nature guiding walk...where one girl was blind folded and was lead by another girl through the woods...kinda scary but fun. The next day was like the "red tent". We all sat in a circle and talked about our life and how it was effected living in the community that we do. We all cried and cried and cried. I think it was the only time I would ever do that. I felt so exposed...but I guess it was just the fact of getting all those pent up emotions out.
Coming from the community that I do...violence is every where. abuse of all kinds runs rampant. My community is in the news constantly...mostly of the bad kind of news. Gang wars...all that kind of crap. So this program...In a way...it was supposed to bring us closer as girls. It is a program that I will always remember. It was very enlightening in many ways.
I totally recommend attending an event similar to the red tent if you ever get a chance.