Abbotsford’s Art Matters Society has produced and directed The Vagina Monologues each year since 2002.
In the process, the group has raised almost $100,000 for local and international non-profits who do the work of trying to end violence against women and girls.
This year’s benefit show takes place Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
The production features actors from all over the Lower Mainland as well as local dancers with the Dancing Divas, Danspiration and the Raks Almeh Tribal Fusion belly dance troupe.
Each year the production helps to increase awareness by focusing on a specific group of women in the world who are resisting violence with courage and vision.
This year the spotlight campaign will be on the women and girls of Haiti.
In late March 2011, Eve Ensler and other members of Art Matters traveled to Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien, Haiti to visit the safe house and legal justice centres. They met with many of the local women activists, beneficiaries, and survivors who are creating and maintaining the campaign.
The safe houses and legal justices centres, which are supported by the work of thousands of activists all over the world, are sheltering women and their children who have survived sexual violence, and providing them with support services and legal assistance, working towards ending the cycle of impunity with which the rapes are occurring.
As always, the March 24 local show will contribute to that campaign. Tickets are available at A&D Music on Montrose Avenue and Zammy’s Lingerie and Swimsuits on Bourquin Crescent. Or you can also get tickets at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 each but with a donation of a new or like-new pair of women’s shoes the tickets are $15 each. Shoes will be donated to the Warm Zone in Abbotsford and to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
For more information contact gwynne1@telus.net or call 604-859-2407.