Press Release- January 30, 2005
Over 200 people packed St. Alban's Church in Cleveland Heights recently to hear Windsong: Cleveland's Feminist Chorus present a musical program called "Steppin' Out!" Seventeen singers performed fifteen songs about people who step out through love, spirit, and empowerment to a standing-room-only crowd.
The concert was the first with new Artistic Director, Karen Weaver. "Our special work as a feminist chorus is to step out beyond barriers and invite our audience to come along with us," Weaver said. "It's easy to do what we always do. It's harder to step out and do what needs to be done." Accompanist Karin Tooley handled the piano with her versatile style and skill, bringing to life such diverse artists as Aaron Copland, Quincy Jones, and Gwyneth Walker.
A sole voice opened the concert from the back of the hall with a unison introit, "A Circle of Women," as other voices joined in. As the audience hushed, the singers processed toward the stage. Three folk songs represented the act of stepping out for love, and included the Robert Burns lyrical classic, "Ae Fond Kiss," and an upbeat Welsh tune, "My Love is a Venus."
The African-inspired "Imani," accompanied by percussion played by chorus members, began a set about spirituality. A sensitive performance of "My Love Walks in Velvet" evoked earthly and celestial images.
Guest artists from Red: An Orchestra joined on four songs. Trumpeter Amanda Beckeny added dazzle to "Miss Celie's Blues" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Violinist Mary Beth Ions, lent a cajun lilt to Mary-Chapin Carpenter's 'Down at the Twist and Shout." Ions also accompanied "Marie," a song about two young women who won a court battle to go out with each other to their high school senior prom. Also featured was the nimble dancing of "The Rainbow Wranglers" who jitterbugged and two-stepped down the center aisle, neatly skirting the extra overflow crowd.
Windsong's performance of "Something Inside So Strong," an anthem of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, brought appreciative burst of applause from an audience that recognized it as the signature tune of The Flirtations, the gay a capella group. "We worked on putting together a concert that was artistically pleasing and fun, but that also had an important message," said Weaver. "The song, 'So Strong,' embodied all those qualities and quickly became a symbol for the group and an anchor for our concert."
Windsong's next concert is Saturday, May 14 in a larger space: Drinko Recital Hall, Cleveland State University, 2001 Euclid Ave. Free parking is off Chester at 21st Street. Contact Windsong for ticket information.
