FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 7, 2003
CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

EXPERT ON HISTORY OF WOMEN IN MUSIC TO SPEAK AT DRAKE

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Judy Gorman of New York City will perform at Drake's University's Marvin and Rose Lee Pomerantz Student Union in Olmsted Center from noon to 1:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10. Her performance, "Songs of, By, About, Against and For Women," is free and open to the public.

Gorman, who released her CD titled "Analog Girl in a Digital World" in 2000, contends that all songs are political. The question is what the politics are and whether they are explicit or implicit, she said. She also believes songs about women reflect and reinforce their status, roles and power/powerlessness. Women, she added, are usually portrayed in negative stereotypes, in both traditional and contemporary songs.

In addition to her performance, Gorman will give a lecture titled "History of Women and Music." The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Cool Beans, Hubbell Dining Hall.

In her lecture, Gorman will explore the roles of women and music in prehistoric and pre-patriarchal times. She also will discuss women's contributions to music and to culture in general.

The events are sponsored by the Drake Student Activities Board. For more information, call (515) 271-3711.