CWU Presents 'The Vagina Monologues'

February 8, 2005

Contact: Leah Shelton (509-963-2122/fax 509-963-2121/e-mail: sheltonl@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - V-Day is a non-profit corporation working to stop violence, including rape, against women and girls. Annually, around Valentine's Day, V-Day sponsors a College Campaign at schools across the country.

Central Washington University is again participating in the effort this year, through hosting benefit performances of "The Vagina Monologues," for the third consecutive year, as a way to raise awareness and money for Ellensburg anti-violence groups.

Three performances of Eve Ensler's Obie (Off-Broadway theatre) Award-winning play will be held Feb. 11-13 in the Samuelson Union Building (SUB) Ballroom. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Friday, Feb. 11, a dinner theatre presentation is slated for 6 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are required by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9 for this show only. They are $14 for students and $16 general admission.

Other presentations include Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. Ticket costs for these shows are $5 for students and $7 general admission.

Tickets are available at Tent N Tube in the SUB and Jerrol's Book and Supply Co. (general admission only). Ticket costs will increase to $7 for students and $9 general admission at the door.

Proceeds will support ASPEN (Abuse, Support and Prevention Education Now) and HopeSource, local organizations that work to stop violence against women and girls.

All performances are co-sponsored by the associated students of CWU board of directors, residence hall association, diversity education center, GALA-GLBTSA (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight alliance), SAFE (students for an assault free environment), student art council, Coca-Cola and LUNA Bars.

Other free V-Day related events include:

• "These Hands Don't Hurt Women," a daily event through Feb. 11 in the SUB, where men are asked to help make a quilt and pledge that they are non-violent by leaving a hand print on a square of cloth
• A screening of the film "Iron-Jawed Angels," Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in Science Building 147, Dr. Karen Blair, chair of the CWU history department, will also give a presentation on the women's suffrage movement in America
• "Vagina Jeopardy," Feb. 9 at noon in the SUB Pit, where GALA-LGBTSA will provide a cross-dressing couple to play the roles of Vanna White and Alex Trebek, and the categories focus on women's issues
• And, "That Takes Ovaries!" Feb. 11 at noon in the SUB Pit, which is an open microphone event where men and women are invited to sing.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation to attend any of these events, call (509) 963-2127, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.