Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival Returns To The Electric Lodge

For its 19th Annual Festival, the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival will return for the third consecutive year to The Electric Lodge, the nation's first solar-powered multidisciplinary arts center.

The Electric Lodge is located at 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. It is located one block from the restaurants and nightlife on lively Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and has a very close relationship with the businesses and residents within its community.

About LAWTF: Over the years, the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival (LAWTF) has acquired an international reputation for presenting over 400 of some of the most extraordinary works by multicultural women from around the globe in the disciplines of theatre, dance, music, performance poetry, performance art, and storytelling. The women are a diverse group, representing a wide range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. They are superlative artists expressing a variety of perspectives. Performers from around the U.S. and throughout the world unite for this year's Festival with the fitting theme for its nineteenth year, "Shine!"

LAWTF states, "The Festival kicks off on Thursday, March 22, 2012 with our traditional Champagne Gala and Awards Ceremony. This year's theme for the evening is A Night Divine, honoring exceptional women who have made laudable contributions in theatre. Following the reception at 7 p.m., the festivities continue at 8 p.m. with the presentation of the Integrity, Eternity, Rainbow, Infinity and Maverick Awards to five distinguished women. (The Honorees will be announced at the March 8, Press Conference and subject to a separate release.) Hosts for the Gala are Hattie Winston ("Becker," "Homefront") and Ted Lange (a frequent actor and director on local stages also known for his long run on "The Love Boat" TV series)."

Entertainment for the evening will include these artists:
Ingrid Graham in Eagle Woman: an emblematic dance which represents spirit, majesty and the ability to soar to new heights; Marisa Johnson in My Own Way: A woman expresses through song her victory over sexual assault; Florence La Rue in Just As I Am: Ms. La Rue, a founding member of the legendary pop vocal group The Fifth Dimension, gives a glimpse into the life of the woman, not the celebrity; Tia Matza in My M.O.: Through poetry, a trapeze artist is freed from some of life's challenges.

Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m. Theme: "Our Bodies, Not Ourselves."
Hosts: Kym Whitley ("The Parkers") and Sy Richardson ("Pushing Daisies")
Barbara Cole in Surviving Chrysalis: One woman reconciles aging, motherhood and career with her journey toward self-actualization.
Ingrid Graham in Eagle Woman. (See Thursday's description.)
Nicole Maxali in I Heart Lola: A granddaughter brings attention to Alzheimer's, while honoring her loving grandmother.
KT Shorb in Uno Corda: A Ritual: A Japanese ritual meditation that addresses the spiritual and emotional effects of cancer.

Saturday, March 24 at 3 p.m. Theme: "Telling Our Truths."
Hosts: Rosie Lee Hooks ("The Bodyguard") and Iona Morris (Three Blacque Chix)
Naomi Ackerman in Flowers Aren't Enough: An abused wife's journey that leads to self-empowerment and freedom.
Karen A. Clark in Inside Out, All Around: This storytelling/spoken word piece speaks to the pains and triumphs of one woman's relationship with her late husband of 25 years.
Juliette Marshall in Match.com: A woman's search for love on the Internet takes her on an unexpected ride.
Chrystee Pharris in In Search of O: About waiting until marriage at 27 to have sex and the fantasy vs. the reality of that experience.

Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Theme: "Turning the Page."
Hosts: Karen A. Clark ("A Corporate Affair") and Florence LaRue (The Fifth Dimension)
Ady Abbot in Whatever Happened to Sara Jane?: A family's friendship with the woman who tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford.
Sandy Brown in Oh, Yes, She Did!: A theatrical journey that breathes life into women who brought change to America.
Pamela Donahoo in Strange Fruit: An aerialist explores social injustice in a unique way.
Venus Jones in Poetic Soldier: A poet addresses racism, religion and peace through historical figures.

Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m. Theme: "Family Portraits."
Hosts: Denise Dowse ("All of Us") and Fay Hauser-Price ("Viper")
Heldine Aguiluz in Daze of My Life: A young woman attempts to crush the damaging effects of her past.
Veenash Dubois in Under the Mango Tree: Immigration leads to a family sacrificing more than country.
Amy Milano in Dancing With Crazies: One woman's search for a place to call home.
Simchah Sharath in Behind A Smile: A woman learns to trust and listen from within in order to triumph in relationships.

Sunday, March 25 at 7 p.m. Theme: "Across the Map."
Hosts: Freda Payne ("Band of Gold") and Evelina Fernandez ("A Mexican Trilogy")
Saria Idana in Homeless in Homeland: A Jewish-American woman explores her identity as she travels the Middle East amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Cynthia Ling Lee in Learning to Walking Like Radha: A feminist's humorous attempt to learn a traditional East Indian dance in Calcutta.
Natalie Mitchell in I Am Worth 30 Camels: A college student learns life lessons through gender politics in Morocco.
Alexandra Nettel in Sneaking in Somehow: A multi-media journey of a woman's migration from Mexico to the U.S.

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival was founded by Executive Producer Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed. This year's Managing Producer is Shyla La'Sha. Longtime Honorary Chairpersons are Danny Glover and Hattie Winston. The Festival is an annual event unique among American cultural institutions and should not be missed.

Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival non-profit organization is made possible in part through the support of the California Arts Council, National Endowment of the Arts, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Culver City, City National Bank, Southwest Airlines and Adilah Barnes Productions.

Admission to the Gala is $40, or two tickets for $75 (includes light fare and Champagne).
For the other programs, ticket prices this year include Festival VIP passes for all six shows at $125; and general admission single show tickets at $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Discounts are available upon request for students, seniors, and groups of ten or more.

The Electric Lodge welcomes all audience members to use its free, on-site parking lot.
Reservations: (818) 760-0408. Online reservations will be available at http://www.lawtf.com
To join and follow LAWTF on Facebook and Twitter, click on their links at http://www.lawtf.com.

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