2008

Performance and Workshop at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Performance and panelist for University of Chicago's Center for the Study of
Race, Politics and Culture conference,
The Hip-Hop Generation: Race, Gender
& the Vote.
 The conference engaged participants in a wide-range of topics,
including the media representation of hip-hop and politics, youth voter
mobilization, and new forms of political participation.

Performance and Workshop at the Illinois Youth Center. Music Theatre
Workshop (MTW) is a youth development arts organization that prepares young
people to make positive life choices through the process of writing, producing,
and performing original musical theatre inspired by personal stories. One of their
signature programs, Fabulous Females, serves young women incarcerated at
Illinois Youth Center (IYC) in Warrenville.  As part of this program, the young
women share their stories and collaborate on a script that will be performed in
late fall.
The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in
Arts and Media is proud to partner on a special workshop with MTW and the
Fabulous Females in October as part of a continuing partnership. This workshop
will be led by AquaMoon.


Celebrating hip-hop performance and activism, the Institute presents the 3rd
Annual Women in Hip-Hop. Building upon the success of previous years, this
program features dynamic performances by socially-conscious female artists,
followed by an audience discussion about women, race and gender issues in hip-
hop.  Headliners include Miami-based Soulflower, Detroit-based Invincible, and
Chicago-based
AquaMoon & Tha Crew.  The discussion is moderated by Jane
M. Saks Executive Director at the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of
Women and Gender in the Arts and Media and Stephanie Shonekan, Director of
the Black World Studies Program at Columbia College Chicago. This program is
part of the Institute’s multi-year Gender and Hip-Hop Initiative engaging in critical
analysis and public discourse about issues of masculinity, feminism and gender
as they are being defined, shaped and applied through this powerful genre.  
Chicago Public Radio's recording of this event.

2007

Performance for
Loving Hip-Hop with our Eyes Wide Open.  This program was a
multimedia program and discussion that explored the notions of masculinity,
femininity, sexism, and homophobia as portrayed through hip hop
and the media. Sponsored by Chicago Cultural Center, Public Square, Illinois
Arts Humanities Council.


Co-Chairs of the Performance Feminism track of the
National Women’s Studies
Association Annual Conference. Featured performers on the Tribute Panel.


Opening performance for
Does Hip-Hop Hate Women?  This panel, co-
presented by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the
University of Chicago, the Institute for the Study of Women & Gender in the Arts
& Media at Columbia College Chicago, and International House Global Voices
Performing Arts Series, discussed how mainstream hip-hop culture influences
relationships between young men and womyn. Its goal was to get hip-hop's core
audiences to think critically about the music they consume and
participate in.


Outreach Partner for It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop.  A Chicago community
conversation on Manhood, Misogyny, and Media.


Conference Organizing Committee and Opening Night Host/Performance for the
Free Minds, Free People Education for Liberation Conference. This conference
brought together teachers, youth, parents, researchers and community-based
educators from across the country to begin building a movement to develop and
promote Education for Liberation.  Education for Liberation is an umbrella term
we use to describe the work of people who are trying to link education, social
justice and activism.


Featured organization in the
PAVING NEW ROADS: Communities
Engaged in Resisting Violence
report that highlights innovative, creative,
and grassroots initiatives developed in Chicago communities to resist
violence and end violence against women and girls. Sponsored by the Women
& Girls Collective Action Network.
'07-'08 AquaMoon Highlights