New York-Based Female Performers Unite in Support of Planned Parenthood

Jeri Silverman, Mercy Baez, Melany Watson, Jodi Valentin, Cassidy Andrews, Robin Jill, Diana Zinni, Jessie Mae Atkinson and Pia Paez JOIN FUNDAMENTAL THEATER PROJECT AND ITS MEMBERS Valorie Curry, Lauren Dortch-Crozier, Alison Blair, Tessa Fairey, Lauren Downie, Natalia Ivana Escobar, Kaitlyn Gill, Anne Bobby, Jeannine Friedrich and Stacy Lynn Gould, FOR A ONE-NIGHT EVENT of live music, unity and resistance: RaUCoUS CAUCUS: SONGS OF THE RESISTANCE.

The group of New York-based female performers of diverse backgrounds unite their voices and talent on Arpil 9th, as part of the one-night event, "Songs of the Resistance," in response to the current social and political climate. Executive Producer, Valorie Curry says, "Art and social change have always been intrinsically connected. We raise our voices not only in protest, but also to inspire action and build community in the face of advancing threats to human rights."

"Art is how we fight and through it is how we keep each other safe," adds Virginia Podesta, the event's Associate Producer. However, art alone is not enough, therefore, all the proceeds from Raucous Caucus: Songs of the Resistance will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Why Planned Parenthood? For a century, Planned Parenthood has been one of the nation's leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, and the nation's largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood health centers and international partners provide contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and lifesaving cancer screenings to millions of people in the U.S. and 12 other countries. With a presence in all 50 states and Washington, DC, Planned Parenthood has 56 affiliates, which operate nearly 650 health centers. Women, men, and young people from every community and income level view Planned Parenthood as their first-choice provider of care.

Furthermore, as Planned Parenthood's states, "one in five women in the U.S. has visited a Planned Parenthood health center." We are some of them, including Managing Director, Alison Blair: "The organization has opened its doors to me many times in my life - times when I was uninsured, times when I was uncertain, nervous, and scared. I was never treated with anything other than the utmost respect and care. They offer support, guidance, and dignity to people in danger of being disenfranchised, and it's a true honor to be a part of an event devoted to celebrating and championing the work that they do on behalf of women around the world."

"In an era where lawmakers are seeking tirelessly to eliminate women's right to reproductive freedom, we believe it is more important than ever to stand with organizations like Planned Parenthood, undoubtedly our greatest ally in defending that right." - Valorie Curry

Fundamental Theater Project Artistic Director, Sam Underwood, says, "FTP strongly believes in the power of art to create dialogue with our audiences about important issues in the geopolitical zeitgeist. Planned Parenthood not only provides health care to women, but to everyone, and I am proud to support their work."

Join this group of female vocal powerhouses for an evening of live music, unity and resistance and support preventing an estimated 579,000 unintended pregnancies, help provide more than 270,000 Pap tests, more than 360,000 lifesaving breast exams, over 4.2 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including more than 650,000 HIV tests, and diagnoses of nearly 172,000 STIs, and more.

Raucous Caucus: Songs of the Resistance will take place on April 9th , from 6 to 10 pm at Atelier Roquette (63 Commerce St, Brooklyn). Tickets can be purchased here:

https://squareup.com/store/initiative-26

Sponsored by: Atelier Roquette, Nine Cakes, Red Hook Lobster Pound, La Newyorkina

Artistic Director: Sam Underwood Managing Director: Alison Blair

Executive Producer: Valorie Curry Associate Producer: Virginia Podesta