Wild women vs. Girls Gone Wild

<**2>

<**3>

By Shannon Heit







Forget Girls Gone Wild. The Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival isn`t inspired by the male-centric dynasty of x-rated videos, but rather from the book, "Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype." The Feb. 27 performances endeavor to revive women`s "wild" nature, raise awareness for gender issues, and collect money for women`s organizations.



"Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species." The book, by scholar, poet, psychoanalyst and post-trauma specialist Clarissa Pinkola Estes, reclaims the word "wild" which has long been used to diminish and marginalize women. In the spirit of the word`s rebirth, the Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival then is an effort to empower and support women`s wild nature.



"One doesn`t have to attend too many shows or events in Korea to notice that women are in the minority of those getting up on stage," said cofounder of the Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival Rebecca Cant on how she came up with the idea to start the biannual event. After discussing the idea with Angela Lytle, a friend who was volunteering with the Korean Women`s Association United (KWAU), it became not only an event to support female performers, but also a fundraiser.



The Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival was held for the first time at the beginning of 2009.



All proceeds go directly to KWAU, an association of 40 local women`s organizations, including those that support women who are victims of sex trafficking, domestic abuse, and women with disabilities. Saturday`s fundraiser will be the Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival`s third edition. The past two festivals each pulled in up to 3 million won for the KWAU. The organizing committee is hoping to raise at least that much this time around.



The program boasts an impressive list of 20 musical acts, dancers and spoken word artists. In fact, WWPAF performance coordinator Lauren Bedard said that although the venue, Mong Hwan, has three floors to support performers, in the end she got more offers than the event could actually put on. "It has been overwhelming to see how many performers in Korea want to come out to support this cause." The lineup includes expat and local Korean groups, including heavy-hitters Bigbabydriver and Oriental Lucy, as well as two groups from popular Korean indie label, Electric Muse -- Dringe Augh and Orgeltanz.



Shawn McRae, media coordinator, said that while the format of the program will follow a similar vibe as its predecessors, more Korean content has been developed to make it feel more balanced and bring in more diverse crowds. She said its also an attempt to create more synergy between the two performing communities and audiences. "We`re definitely trying to get more of a Korean crowd because I think in the past it`s been mostly expats ... We`re trying to get them involved too," she said. "Hopefully (this is) an issue that Koreans will think is important as well."



While female performers are at center stage, all organizers emphasize the bigger picture of the event, stating long-term awareness for gender issues both domestically and internationally and support for female-focused organizations in Korea.



Bedard, who was a spoken word performer at last year`s festival before becoming this year`s performance coordinator, said it was these main goals which moved her to get involved after Cant and Lytle sent out a call looking for committee members to help organize. "I have been a big advocate of creative activism for years ... I feel it is an incredibly effective means in which to open discourse and inspire positive change in a world that is often afraid to approach taboo topics. For me, the latter is the mission of the Wild Women`s Festival," she said.



The fundraiser will take place on Feb. 27 in Sinchon and the 15,000 won cover will gain you entry and a drink.



The Wild Women`s Performing Arts Festival has been timed to help kick-off International Women`s Day on March 8, a day that is endorsed by the U.N. and observed around the world. Some Korean Women`s Association United affiliated organizations, who will be benefactors of the fundraiser, will distribute information about their services during the evening.



Live painting will be done by artists Courtney Dimcas and Sarah Mccauley and a silent auction will take place to raise more money. It all starts at 8 p.m. and will conclude around 4 a.m.



Mong Hwan is located near Yonsei University (Sinchon Station, Exit 2). For more information, visit their website http://wwpaf.wordpress.com or see their Facebook page. For more information or consultation about living in Seoul, visit the Seoul Global Center`s unofficial blog www.seoulcityblog.com or revamped website http://global.seoul.go.kr



(shannon.sgc@gmail.com)