June 14 Artemis Singers presents Pride Concert & Dance

CHICAGO ─ Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago’s lesbian feminist chorus, will present “Goddesses, Rage!” Pride Concert & Dance, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Bronzeville, at VanderCook College of Music, Great Hall, 3125 S. Federal St., Chicago.

“This uplifting event in this difficult time is a call to action,” said Jane Parson Grabe, “Goddesses, Rage!” artistic director, originator of this concert theme. “We have power and strength in numbers. We can effect change.”

The concert name is derived from the song, “Neopaganomics (Goddesses’ Rage),” by the late Paula Walowitz, Chicago lesbian songwriter, whose work has had a major impact in the community since the 1970s. Jean Durkin, widow of Walowitz, will speak at the June 14 concert, and Artemis will perform the song.

Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” is a highlight of the program. “It’s about the reality of compulsory heterosexuality and how queer women take that back,” said Grabe. “It’s a song about confidence and being a strong woman.” Roan, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, is a queer artist who writes and performs explicitly lesbian songs.

“We are not going to wallow in self-pity and despair,” said Grabe. “We are going to rage!”

The 52-member nonprofit chorus specializes in performing music written or arranged by women.

As part of Artemis Singers’ commitment to consciously program music by Black, Indigenous and Women of Color (BIWOC) composers, the chorus will perform Ubaka Hill’s “She Who Rises,” arranged by Artemis member Allison Downing. Artemis will showcase the composition, “To Sit and Dream,” lyrics by Langston Hughes and music by Rosephanye Powell. The concert features “She Who Makes Her Meaning Clear (Gamba Adisa),” by composer Joan Szymko, working from the words of Black lesbian feminist poet, Audre Lorde. “Gamba Adisa” means “Warrior: She who makes her meaning clear.”

The chorus will also perform the woman-empowerment song, “What Happens When a Woman,” by Alexandra Olsavsky, co-founder of the Chicago-based trio Artemisia.

The concert begins at 7 p.m., followed by the dance, which runs until 9:30 p.m. Artemis will have a free Photo Booth for attendees to take pictures. The concert and dance are wheelchair accessible. A free parking lot is nearby.

“We are so happy to be back in Bronzeville, and this will be Artemis’ first dance at VanderCook,” said Artemis Singers president Diana Clegg, noting Artemis’ Feb. 1, 2025, concert was at VanderCook. Clegg is production manager for “Goddesses, Rage!” Laurie Lee Moses is pianist. Artwork is by Amber Bunnag.

Tickets on sale here: https://events.humanitix.com/goddesses-rage-artemis-singers

Ticket prices: $25 General Admission + $2.27 fee. Tickets are also available on a sliding scale suggested donation of $12 - $50. Additional donations are tax deductible. Artemis Singers is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Tickets are free for children age 12 and younger.

In addition to the venue’s free parking lot, public transportation is available via the CTA Red Line 35th Sox station (142 W. 35th St., Chicago) or CTA Green line 35th-Bronzeville-IIT station (16 E. 35th St., Chicago).

For more information, visit www.artemissingers.org, email info@artemissingers.org or call (773) 764-4465.

Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. Artemis is a self-directed chorus. There is no “director” who decides what the chorus will sing. Instead, song choice originates with the members.

“That is how the concert program is developed,” said Clegg. “Any chorus member can propose a song for Artemis Singers to perform. It goes through a music selection process, where members vote. All along the way, input comes from members.”

The chorus takes its name from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is a symbol of independence among lesbian feminists.

Artemis Singers is comprised of singers with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political and personal events common to women. Artemis Singers is committed to creating an organizational culture that actively fosters equity and inclusivity by continuing to engage in the ongoing work of dismantling racism and white supremacy. The chorus works to increase the visibility of lesbian feminists.

Artemis Singers will be in this year’s Chicago Pride Parade June 29.