The exhilarating, hilarious, heartbreaking and gut wrenching play, the Vagina Monologues, returns to the Brackendale Art Gallery next month to coincide with International Women's Day.
"It's just a great way to get a night out and have a good laugh," said producer Wanda Groetelaars. "Some of the monologues are pretty serious - there's some rape and incest in some of the monologues but some of them are absolutely hilarious. For example, if your vagina could talk what two words would it say?"
This third annual performance includes a cast of some familiar and not-so familiar actors, including Kathryn Daniels, Annabel Kershaw, Patricia Heinztman, Karla Fuhre, Chris Selda, Deanna Enders perform snippets from Eve Ensler's landmark play, which first hit the stage in the mid 1990s.
The event celebrates the 12th anniversary of V Day, a worldwide phenomenon with a goal of raising awareness of violence against women. Proceeds from the local performance benefits the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society along with women of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the spotlight campaign.
"We want to get the message out there that violence is wrong but it does happen. And just open dialogue up. It's a great way to promote the Women's Centre and just let everyone know what it's all about," said Groetelaars.
This year's event also offers added entertainment, including a special treat to go along with an international theme.
"The first night we're having a silent auction and the second night we're going to be celebrating International Women's Day, which happens to be March 8, and we're going to have international food," said Groetelaars.
It's not uncommon for performaces to be sold out, so Groetelaars recommends locals get their tickets early at The Howe Sound Women's Centre, The Bookshelf, or The Brackendale Art Gallery.
The Saturday March 6 performance tickets are $20 with a silent auction, and the Sunday March 7 tickets are $30, including a selection of international food to help celebrate International Women's Day.
"This is one of The Howe Sound Women's Centre's major fundraisers," said Groetelaars, "so come out for night you will remember forever and help change the story of women, one from violence to victory!"
