Thank you for your interest. This performance series is now concluded. If you're interested in helping plan Beyond Barbie and Ken, planned to open in May 2013, please contact me at SusanSingerArt@msn.com.
Below is information about the series as it was.
Beyond Barbie:
Piecing Together Today's Woman
Building on the momentum from her show, Not Barbie, Susan Singer organized a series of performances and talks about issues important to women today. Many of the presenters were Singer's models because,serendipitously, most of her models are performers or otherwise leaders in their fields.
Thursday, September 22nd
Strength in 
Motion: Dancing our Sacred Bodies is an inspired evening of dance and discussion. Joining us will be leaders in different styles of dance including Frances Wessells of Virginia Commonwealth University, Peggy O'Neill, Dawn Flores, and Khalima of Illumination Dance Studio. From bellydance to hoop dance to improvisation, we will explore the ways women have moved across the ages to present times, and how dance can serve not only as a performance art, but as a healing, spiritual, and strengthening modality.
Thursday, September 29th
Body of work: Piercing and Painting our Personal Masterpiece is an event designed to take a serious look at the world of women and body modification, and the many ways that women intentionally modify the bodies that they are in, through body art, adornment, and other methods. We will be discussing personal growth and expression versus self-harm. We will be joined by Rachel Easter of Onetribe, professional body piercer Kim Sikorsky, and others who will share their experiences with body modification.
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
The Blues: Liberation, Empowerment, and Joy! is an evening celebrating the life-changing power of music. Opening the evening with song will be Ana Rivera-Poland followed by a headlining performance from Gaye Adegbalola, singer, composer, storyteller and activist. By maintaining the blues legacy, Gaye sees herself as a contemporary griot - keeping the history alive, delivering messages of empowerment, ministering to the heartbroken, and finding joy in the mundane.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Through the Fire: Reclaiming Lost Power After Trauma & Abuse
When
one woman on the planet is beaten, raped or otherwise abused, we all
suffer. Our compassion for each other breaks all barriers of class and
ethnic separation. That is why these stories are difficult to hear; but
for healing to occur, they need to be spoken. In a safe and sacred
space, award-winning storytellers Linda Goodman and Megan Hicks
lead a cast of artists in opening a window into a world where few of us
would go willingly. Through the transformative power of art, these
women show us how to process, rise above and glean wisdom from life's
most unwanted and painful lessons. The evening's performance will be
followed by a question and answer period with the artists, who will be
joined by experts from the community in offering resources, information
and advice.
Thursday, October 20th
Caught in a Funhouse Mirror: Distorted Reflections and Eating Disorders
Kathleen MacDonald,
a nationally known speaker and Capitol Hill lobbyist on behalf of
people with eating disorders will be the expert speaking this night.
She will give an informative, gripping, and thoroughly personal account
of her own struggle with eating disorders. She will also provide
listeners with hope, local and national resources, and practical advice.
In addition to Ms. MacDonald's talk, there will also be a panel of
local experts and survivors who will address questions audience members
may have. Whether you, a friend, or family member has been personally
affected or you simply want to hear women talk about their lives in a
way that is true and real, this will be a moving performance to attend.
Thursday, October 27th
Listening and Observing: The Power of Birth in Story
Childbirth
may be one of the most powerful events that women experience in life.
The sharing of women's personal experiences of giving birth provides an
opportunity for greater understanding about how birth shapes and is
shaped by our self-perceptions, our culture, and the trajectory of our
lives. This evening will provide a safe space to experience the art of
listening as we share our personal stories of birth in a way that honors
the unique experience of each storyteller.
Thursday, November 3
Life in the First Person: Women's Stories Uncovered will serve as the 
grand finale in the event series, Beyond Barbie. Seven renowned Richmond writers will join forces to create a night of mixed-genre storytelling, reading, and performance art via poetry and prose. Come out to hear Life in the First Person with Gigi Amateau, novelist; Denise Bennett, storyteller; Tarfia Faizullah, poet; Julie Geen, freelance writer; Shelia Gray, performance artist; Valley Haggard, creative nonfiction writer and Alex Iwashyna, blogger.
For further information about the content of the show or performance series, please contact Susan Singer susansingerart@msn.com
For further information about the venue, please contact Jenni Kirby, Crossroads Art Center 804-278-8950 jennikirby@crossroadsartcenter.com