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Last night I attended Venus Envy at Mad Art Gallery. For those not familiar with Venus Envy, it is an art show that showcases female artists and performers. I expected something great since they picked such a great art venue. I had known that only fifteen artists’ work was to be featured, but expected that meant the organizers were seeking to be more exclusive this year. This was an incorrect assumption as I would discover.

Anyone who has attended Venus Envy in St. Louis knows that every show is entirely different than its predecessor: some of the shows are good and some are awful. This one was awful. Venus Envy’s entry fee was $5, but if you chose to pay a $55 “donation” then you were given access to a VIP room with champagne and a bag of schwag (is that the word I am looking for?). Unfortunately, the art show was not worth even the $5 entry fee.

The art was disappointingly trite and incredibly simplistic. I found the music bearable, the catered food tasty, and the alcohol was reasonably priced; but that was not what brought me to Venus Envy. I came to see art! Good art. Perhaps next year they will be more selective with the artists and the pieces that they choose. I know a few artists that they should have included that were not (and at least one of these artists submitted work). My message to the Venus Envy organizers? Do better next year!

I do not generally report on celebrity nonsense. It appalls me, in fact, that so many mainstream media outlets put celebrity news ahead of reports on corruption, death tolls, natural disasters, and other less superficial news. With that being said, I feel compelled to write something on the media response to Britney Spears’ 2007 MTV VMA performance, more specifically the media’s response to her figure. Since last night’s performance, numerous bloggers and reporters have slammed Britney, calling her “fat.” Please explain to me why someone would call Britney fat based upon these photographs (these being photographs from last night’s performance).

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My mother was not an especially feminine role model for me as a young girl. I learned – in the loosest sense of the word – how to put on makeup from my brother’s home day care provider. I figured out fashion by observing others and reading Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and InStyle.

As a result of the lackadaisical tutoring my mother provided me in the feminine arts I tend to be less put together than many women. My friend Amy, for instance, is the quintessential female. Her clothing is refined, her look is sophisticated, and she keeps up on the seasonal fashions and colors. Her strength and grace only adds to her exquisite femininity. I only wish that she would rub off on me. *smile*

I look at magazines and blogs on fashion and wish that I could afford the feminine clothing and shoes I like, wish I had a box of jewelry from which to pull the perfect accessories, and truly wish I had the ability to make up my face with perfectly blended eye shadows and blushes and foundations as the Beautiful People do. I know money doesn’t buy a sense of style, hell look at any number of celebrities, but it would help I’d imagine. Now for Amy to teach me how to blend my shadows and blushes… Schedule a tutoring session, Girl?

1. We need you to be reachable at all times. We won’t be, but do leave a message. *smile*
2. Flowers yes, chocolate no – we have a waistline to consider…
3. We only date men who know something about computers.
4. We do not like to be told no to sex anymore than you do.
5. We think about sex much more often than you are aware.
6. Opening a door, buying us a drink, or knowing what we drink means a lot.
7. It impresses us if you’re willing to pay for parking.
8. We will notice if you tip badly. This is a huge turn-off.
9. Reading is a turn on – unless you’re reading about serial killers. Creepy.

(Inspired by the Esquire column of the same name, some of the above from their lists).

Today is International Workers’ Day. According to this website…

Every year, May 1 is celebrated around the world as a day of international working class solidarity. Demonstrations take place from Africa to Asia, across South and North America and in Europe. These events, organized by trade unions in some countries and by revolutionary parties or governments in others, all celebrate the struggle of the international working class.

May Day was officially adopted as International Workers’ Day at a meeting of the Marxist International Socialist Congress—the founding meeting of the Second International—held in Paris in July 1889. Its focus was the campaign to win an eight-hour workday for all workers.

On this year’s International Workers’ Day, I want to spotlight the hardest worker I know: my mother. While my mother and I certainly have our differences, I absolutely admire her incredible work ethic. When I was a wee one (born to her at 22) she spent her days attending nursing classes, to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and her evenings working at the local hospital as a nurse’s aide (I believe this was her position). She was intent on making a better life for herself and her young daughter, no matter the sacrifice required of her.

Much of my childhood and adolescence she was a single mother – and when my ex-stepfucker was present he did little to assist in financial support of our family, regardless. She worked two to three jobs at a time following her attainment of her nursing license, always determined to make a decent life for herself and her child (and later children, when my brother was born). She would work during the day at the hospital and then teach home health aide classes at a local technical college and/or work as a home health aide for one of the local agencies and/or work as a nurse at a nearby nursing home. She must have been absolutely exhausted. I cannot imagine working two or three jobs and being a mother to one then two children on top of that, honestly.

My mother did indeed create a better life for herself and her children. At this point, she has sent both her children off to adulthood and can enjoy the quiet and solitude of an empty nest. She is finally in a job she enjoys, working in a nursing home environment with people she can tolerate (hard for any of us to find in a job!). She makes enough to survive fine and works less hours/days than in a very long time. She owns her own home, has owned several vehicles over the years, and remains a strong and financially independent woman at nearly 54 years old.

Who is the hardest worker you know and admire?

VENUS ENVY 2007 BRINGS ALL WOMEN ART SHOW TO THE LOCUST BUSINESS DISTRICT FOR THE 9TH YEAR

Venus Envy St. Louis is an all-female art event showcasing painting, sculpture, installations, collage, music, and dance. Thirty-six visual artists, sixteen live performances, a fashion show, St. Louis’ own Roller Derby Girls, Albino Alley Cat Revue and Gravity Plays Favorites pole dancing exhibitions will be showcased during the event. The Venus Envy event is open to the public. The content of all shows is intended for mature audiences.

VENUS ENVY

Friday and Saturday, April 13 – 14, 2007 In the Locust Business district at 3001 and 3016 Locus
7 PM to midnight
Parking: Free lot at Garrison and Locust
$5 admission or $10 for admission plus two drink tickets

VENUS ENVY 2007 FUNDRAISER PREVIEW PARTY SPONSORED BY ALIVE MAGAZINE:

Thursday, April 12, 2007
In the Locust Business district at 3001 and 3016 Locust
6PM to 9PM

VIP TICKETS: $60 in advance includes gift bag and 1 year subscription (first 100 VIP tickets)
GENERAL TICKETS: $50 in advance
AT THE DOOR: $60 (does not include gift bag or subscription)

To order tickets, contact Venus Envy at 314-865-0181 or venusenvystlouis@yahoo.com . Mail checks to Venus Envy, c/o Paul Goldblum, Ultra Color, 1814 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103

Venus Envy 2007 Visual Artists

Cate Anevski, Melissa Bales, Amy Lee Ball, Rhonda Cearlock, Brooke
Center-Wise, Melissa Chasnoff, Joyce M. Cooks, Erin K. Cork, Stacy Davis,
Renee Deall, Christa G. Denney, Holly Gallaher, Heather Haymart, Theresa M.
Hopkins, Aunia Kahn, Courtney Kennedy, Connie Lambert, JJ Lane, Sukanya
Mani, Rebecca McDannold, Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Sandy Miller, Deborah
Moellering, Natalie Nauert, Kacie Nichols, Rebecca Orf, Elena Rodriguez,
Mary Beth Shaw, Rochelle Steffen, Amy VanDonsel, Jeane Vogel, Lula von Troy,
Jennifer Weigel, Linda Wiggen Kraft and Michelle Zielinski.

About Venus Envy

Mission

Venus Envy is a non-profit organization driven by women which positively affects everyone by empowering women through the arts.

Vision

Venus Envy’s vision is to create female-produced arts events, outreach and education programs that strengthen feminine diversity and promote empowerment. We strive to become a widely recognized source of inspiration for championing women’s artistic, civic and creative pursuits in communities along the Mississippi River and beyond.

For more information visit www.venusenvy.org

marilyn-monroe
Originally uploaded by gina.banina.

Since high school I have been enamored with Marilyn Monroe. I cannot remember when my admiration of her began exactly. I do remember, though, a bedroom covered in Marilyn Monroe posters and a specific birthday gift of a door-length Marilyn Monroe poster, her white dress flying as she stood above the subway grate. My awe of her all but disappeared during college, but after college it returned. This appreciation has not left since.

In spite of Marilyn Monroe’s international idol status, some do not “get” what people find interesting or admirable about her. Justin watched less than one Marilyn Monroe film with me and decided her to be a brainless bimbo and nothing more (do correct me if I am wrong, Justin). I know others must also see her this way, though it is so completely one dimensional and uninformed.

Marilyn Monroe is the embodiment of class, a benchmark of fashion, perfect model of femininity, and true essence of sexuality and sensuality. No one has come close to fulfilling these roles as Marilyn has – no one. Imitations have come and gone, but not one woman has shown herself to be equal to Ms. Monroe. It takes more than platinum blonde hair, a girly giggle, a sway of the hips, or a multitude of men admirers to make someone a worthy competitor of her.

Marilyn wasn’t perfect, but her humanity leads me to further respect her. She was born without a silver spoon in her mouth; grew up in unstable home environments; and struggled with chemical dependence, unhealthy relationships, and negative self image. It helps to know humanity exists in even ostensibly untouchable people. Now let’s make sure the commonalities stop and I live past 36 unlike sweet Marilyn. And may she rest in peace.

So I have a new guilty pleasure… It’s rather embarrassing to admit, actually. My guilty pleasure is The Girls Next Door. You know… The “reality” (not my reality, mind you) show about Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends at the Playboy® mansion. As an educated, professional woman I should probably not find the show as entertaining as I do, but it really is damned entertaining! The girls may all look similar with their platinum blonde, long hair, buxom busts, and fine figures; but honestly Hef’s girls have as distinctive of personalities as anyone else you know. The girls have hearts of gold, are full of gratitude for the blessings they’ve been given, and some even use their brains (hard to imagine, right?). Hugh Hefner is one very charming, sweet old guy with what appears to be a real love for these girls. I was surprised by just how likeable Hef is. All in all, it is a nice break from my reality and a fun group of “characters” to watch on a regular basis. Check it out sometime, you just may agree. *wink*

Posted in Television, Telling it like it is, Women | 3 Comments »