Newspaper Page Text
8
Southern Voice/August 16,1990
FEATURE
Beat of a Different Drummer
Rhythm Fest:
by Gale Reter
Music festivals are nothing new. Even
before the fabled Woodstock, people gath
ered in Newport and other cities to enjoy
music under the stars and meet others with
similar tastes. But much more than music
happened when these kindred spirits came
together—friendships were forged, rela
tionships cemented (or broken), politics
discussed. And, of course, fun was had.
Women's music festivals in particular
have allowed for the sharing of cultural
identity and provided an opportunity for
discussions that have shaped the philoso
phy of our lesbian nation.
The Michigan festival started it all; all
kinds of women came. Most were lesbians,
from both the cities and rural areas. They
discovered one another and, in the process,
learned a great deal about themselves and
the vast numbers who shared their sexual
identity, their joys and their problems.
Since Michigan, many musical gather
ings have grown up all over the country,
each with a distinctive approach to provid
ing the circus we fondly call a festival.
And recently a number of women found
themselves discussing what they would do
if they ran the festivals. From these discus
sions came the dream of a festival with a
new focus, one where a portion of the prof
its would be shared with the army of work
ers who help make the festival possible.
And it was agreed that the workers will
even have a say-so in just how that is to be
done.
The dream festival of those late night
discussions becomes a reality this Labor
Day weekend as Rhythm Fest sets up its
sound systems in the Georgia mountains.
An unusually large number of workers
have been contracted so that the festival
will be well-staffed and work exchange
women will be able to work 6-8 hour days,
leaving them ample time to attend concerts
and events. Additionally, all the workers
have been encouraged to make suggestions
Following the
for ways in which the weekend can better
meet the needs of those who attend.
Rhythm Fest could certainly not ask for
a better location. It is being held on 700
acres of woman-owned land less than two
hours from Atlanta. A space with magnifi
cent scenery; lots of flat land for tents and
wheelchair
accessibility. In
fact, there is so
much level land
that attendees
are encouraged
to bring
campers, R.V.s
and vans if they
wish. No hook
ups are avail
able, only plen
ty of space.
There will also
be bunk-house
style cabins for
those who
reserve them
early.
Festival
goers will not
be the first to
camp along this
scenic ridge
overlooking
three states.
Traces of earli
er Native American cultures can be seen in
carvings on the cave walls and in mysteri
ous mounds whose function has yet to be
explained.
For an unforgettable cultural ritual,
there's even a sweat-hut. For more familiar
cleansing rituals, a shower house which
promises warm, perhaps even hot water has
been built. But bring your solar shower if
you prefer privacy. Unscented biodegrad
able shampoos and soaps are encouraged in
respect for the land and other Fest-goers.
Camping areas have been keyed to vari
ous affinity groups so that one may essen
tially choose neighbors of like minds and
perhaps sleeping habits. I trust that the
rowdy campers will be far enough away to
allow them to howl at the moon all night
and sleep the morning away if they so
desire. With 700 acres, there should be
more than
enough room
for everyone,
even those who
wish to camp in
solitude.
Camping
spaces will be
reached by
shuttles so
campers will
not be forced to
carry their gear
from car to tent
site.
Workshops
will provide
safe discussion
space for the
diverse inter
ests of the v
women who
attend. The
Sexual
Awareness Tent
will feature dis
cussions on
safe sex, issues for women over 50, and
disabled lovers; facilitators will be avail
able to help set up workshops. At the polit
ical tent, speakers such as Mandy Carter,
Bootsie Abelson, and Atlanta's own Cathy
Woolard and Kay Hagen will reflect on
what's happening in the Southeast. There
will also be a space for those who need
emotional support and a 24-hour a day
recovery space. Write-in affinity groups
are encouraged. The S/M space will be
located in a private area off the beaten path.
In a festival first, meat as well as vege
tarian entrees will be served. Menus, I am
told, will include spaghetti with meat balls
and baked chicken pita pockets. This is joy
ous news to those of us who go into protein
withdrawal at most festivals and find our
selves flocking to the first hamburger push
er outside the gates as we leave.
A “country store” will offer everything
from ice and Tampax to batteries and bot
tled drinking water. No alcohol will be sold
on the land, and there are no liquor stores
nearby, so bring your own from home if
you wish to imbibe. Cigarette smokers
would be wise to come well-supplied and
bring a container for butts. Also bring sun
screen and hats as the sun is intense at
higher elevations. A pay phone will be
available.
Rhythm Fest is placing a real emphasis
on art. Women's work will be displayed in
the cafe/coffee house and a large mural will
be created each year on the land with group
input. There will even be a space to share
video art; women are encouraged to bring
tapes to be shown.
Each year, different organizations will
be chosen to be spotlighted and funded by
the festival. The money raised from the
stage this year will go to the National
Lesbian Conference to be held in Atlanta in
1991. Mary Lu Lewis, the conference's
national coordinator will also be speaking.
A craft raffle will also raise money to be
distributed to anti-Helms campaigners.
Nudity will be allowed on most of the
land with the exception of the one large
lake where bathing suits are required.
Whatever your philosophy, Rhythm Fest
seems equipped to let you air your differ
ences and celebrate your similarities. It
promises to be a weekend we will long
remember and a family reunion for the
scattered members of our tribes.
For more information, call the office in
North Carolina at (919) 682-6374. Tickets
and maps are also available at Charis
Books & More.
Holly Near
Camping Women Sing This Song
by Angela Motter
Geez, the last time I went camping was
seven years ago when I was dating this cute
little raft guide. She was five-foot-three
with brown hair and blazing green eyes and
biceps as big as Bev Francis. She could've
walked into a bodybuilding contest with no
preparation except shaving her legs and
flashing her washboard abs.
And to think the mountains are only an
hour and a half from my front door.
Well, it's time to break the workaholic
routine and camp out. Hell, all that time
And laugh a lot, too
without a vacation and look where it's got
ten me. I'm still not a star.
I've gotten really excited about Rhythm
Fest; my first Women's Festival. Kathleen
Mahoney, one of the five Fest producers,
tells me there's a spectacular view of
Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia from the
Day Stage area, and that the Night Stage is
set on a gradual slope that forms a natural
outdoor ampitheatre. In addition, security is
excellent since there is only one entrance to
the land, and borders are mostly sheer rock
drops.
Of special interest to me is The Cafe, a
late-night, early morning place to hang and
visit with friends or listen to music. Reel
World will provide music during the day on
Friday for a square dance (or Texas Two-
Step if you like). Friday night a band from
Austin, Texas, called Girls in the Nose will
be rockin'. Saturday and Sunday nights an
Atlanta DJ will spin dance tunes. Music in
The Cafe starts every night after the Night
Stage program ends.
Kicking off on the Night Stage
Thursday will be Atlanta's own Jacque and
Joyce, two talented vocalists and songwrit
ers who woo with their sweet voices while
spinning tales political and personal with
slice-of-life lyrics. Arrive early, make camp
and support this up-and-coming duo.
Performers for both Day and Night
Stages will be coming from all over the
continental United States.
Two Tru, a Boston-based duo will be
making the trip to show off tunes from
their Indie CD Among The Ruins. TT's
music is a mixture of James Taylor-like
melodies, new age synth sounds and a
world view that has feminist written all
over it. Zoe Lewis- originally from
England, now of Northhampton,
Massachusetts-will play her Jazz/Folk
originals on piano and guitar. Ixwis is
well-traveled and her music reflects envi
ronmental and social issues with humor
and wit.
For those who missed Terry Galloway's
show Out All Night and Lost My Shoes last
time she was in town, here's another chance
to laugh and cry with Galloway as she
weaves “an energetic and witty monologue
from her own, sometimes exasperating
experience as a deaf woman.”
At least five other comics will perform,
including Alix Dobkin, Lea DeLaria and
Monica Grant.
From the West Coast will be a pop rock
band called Nancy Drew and the Clues.
Reneb Hicks, a comedienne from San
Francisco, will also be making the cross
country trek as will Seattle dancer Georgia
Raggsdale. Of course, all concerts will be
sign interpreted for the deaf.
Perhaps the most exciting event will be
the guest appearance by an unnamed, but
very “brave and crazy” singer/songwriter
and heart throb whose initials mean Rock
and Roll. Too bad I can't tell you her
name, but I will tell you the rumors are
true. Last time this rocker was in town the
audience consisted of 99% Het 96-Rock
types. I kept looking around for all the
queers to exchange knowing glances with,
but to no avail. Can't wait to hear those hot
lyrics washing over a crowd of women.
Choices will abound Labor Day week
end. The entertainment line-up is down
right overwhelming in its length and diver
sity. From Ethnic Dancing (aJc.a. Belly
Dancing) to mainstream country music
direct from Music City, USA, to hayrides
to music workshops and drumming ses
sions it will be hard to decide when to peel
one's self away from the stage to indulge in
other passions and pursuits.
A note to other Festival first-timers:
these events are not contests to see who is
the most self-actualized or the most politi
cally correct. While consciousness-raising
is part of it, Sisterhood is the main attrac
tion. And Sisterhood is just another term
for enjoying each other's company, visiting
old friends, listening to music, staying up
late, barbequing, swimming, walking, hik
ing and best of all taking a long weekend
off.
Comedian Marga Gomez