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April 26th, 2011Events, Paradigm Shift EventMay 19, 2011 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm BUY TICKETS- LIMITED SEATING * FACEBOOK INVITE
PARADIGM SHIFT: NYC’S FEMINIST COMMUNITY Proudly Presents
DANGEROUS TERRITORYA one-woman play about Mary White Ovington, Co-Founder NAACPdramatic reading by playwright Clare Cosswith a discussion moderated byJamia Wilson, Vice President of Programs at the Women’s Media CenterOvington rebelled against the expectations of her family and became the first white woman in 20th century America to dedicate her life to racial justice.“DANGEROUS TERRITORY puts history, hope and a wrongfully unknown early heroine of the civil rights movement on the stage. This is drama at its best-entertaining and educating.”Julian Bond, Board Chairman, NAACPThursday, May 19th7:00 PMJust outside the Feminist DistrictThe Tank- 354 West 45th Street (bet 8th and 9th Ave)Subway: A,C,E to 42nd Street/Times Square$12 students/ pre-paid, $15 at doorBuy Tickets/ Limited Seating
DANGEROUS TERRITORY dramatizes Ovington’s journey beyond the narrow confines of her comfortable New York home. We meet a cast of dynamic characters whose virtues and contradictions propel her along the way: from the careless white boys at the Greenpoint Settlement to the adversarial African-American leaders, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Ovington and Dr. DuBois forged a vigorous and spirited friendship. Their alliance led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).PARTNERS:Photography by Amy Mitten
PARTNERS WELCOME:Subject Line: 5/19 PartnerEmail: Jweis@paradigmshiftnyc.comCLARE COSSCLARE COSS is a playwright, psychotherapist and activist convinced that we have it in our power to create a just and safe world. “As a playwright my tools are character and dialogue, conflict and story. Humor, possibility, and a quest for generosity sustain my vision. My imagination leads to women characters who go where the silence is. They are drawn to confront inaction and/or tyranny; face the challenge to speak and act.”Clare presents dramatic readings of her one-woman plays, Lillian Wald: At Home on Henry Street and Dangerous Territory. They each feature dynamic women who resist indifference to the cruel realities of poverty, racism, war. Their daring decisions to act for a decent world inspire, inform, and entertain.In Coss’ Emmett, Down in My Heart, two women characters, a white teacher, Roanne Taylor, and Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley are hurled together by the 1955 kidnap, torture, murder of 14-year old Emmett in the Mississippi Delta. Coss’ publications include Lillian D.Wald: Progressive Activist (Feminist Press) which features the play and a selection of Wald’s correspondence and speeches. Her anthology of lesbian love poems, The Arc of Love (Scribner), was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist.JAMIA WILSONJamia Wilson is a feminist activist, organizer, expat-brat, networker, cartwheeler, truthseeker, and storyteller. She is currently Vice President of Programs at the Women’s Media Center where she works on amplifying women’s voices and changing the conversation in the media. She trains women and girls so they are media-ready and media-savvy, exposes sexism in the media, and directs the WMC’s social media strategy. Twitter: @jamiawPARADIGM SHIFT NYCUse the “F” word.Change NYC. Change the World.
Tags: civil rights, NAACP, women's history, Women's Media Center, Women's Rights -
March 22nd, 2011Events, Paradigm Shift Event
April 20, 2011 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm 
PARADIGM SHIFT: NYC’S FEMINIST COMMUNITY Proudly Presents
MARRIAGE: PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE
a lecture and discussion featuring
ELIZABETH ABBOTT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR “A HISTORY OF MARRIAGE”
Moderated by Cathy Marino-Thomas, Board President, Marriage Equality NYWednesday, April 20th
7:00 pm
Just outside the Feminist District
The Tank- 354 West 45th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues).
Subway: A,C,E to 42nd Street/Times Square.BUY NOW & Save $
Cost: $12 students/ pre-paid, $15 at door
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/167629
FACEBOOK INVITE: http://on.fb.me/ftul2S
TIME OUT NY’S CRITICS’ PICK – Our 10th!!
A HISTORY OF MARRIAGE
Shortlist, Canada Governor-General Award for Nonfiction 2011
What does the “tradition of marriage” really look like? Elizabeth Abbott paints an often surprising picture of this most public, yet most intimate, institution. Ritual of romance, or social obligation? Eternal bliss, or cult of domesticity? Abbott reveals a complex tradition that includes same-sex unions, arranged marriages, dowries, self-marriages, and child brides. Marriage- in all its loving, unloving, decadent, and impoverished manifestations- is revealed here through Abbott’s infectious curiosity.“Abbott is an excellent storyteller with an eye for touching and amusing tales. An enjoyable read, sure to provoke and surprise.”
—Globe and MailELIZABETH ABBOTT, AUTHOR
Elizabeth Abbott is a writer and historian with a special interest in women’s issues, social justice for all and sugarcane-cutters in particular, the treatment and lives of animals, and the environment. She has a doctorate from McGill University in 19th century history. Before moving to Toronto, she lived in Montreal and Port-au-Prince. She is the author of several books, her most recent, A History of Marriage, completes her trilogy about human relationships that includes A History of Celibacy and A History of Mistresses. Her previous book, Sugar: A Bittersweet History, inspired by her Antiguan heritage, was short-listed for the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.Elizabeth is a Senior Research Associate at Trinity College, University of Toronto and, from 1991 to 2004, was Dean of Women. She served for several years on the Editorial Board of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation and the Rights and Freedoms Committee of The Writers’ Union of Canada. The Riverdale Historical Society, which she co-founded in 1999, won the 2007 Heritage Toronto Community Heritage Award and the Members’ Choice Award.
CATHY MARINO-THOMAS, BOARD PRESIDENT, MARRIAGE EQUALITY NY
Cathy speaks all over New York State about the 1,300+ rights, privileges and obligations that protect families only through the right to civil marriage. Prior to working with Marriage Equality New York, Cathy spent many years as a Buddy in the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) Buddy Program visiting countless people afflicted with HIV/AIDS and assisting them with daily chores, advocacy and information. An out lesbian since 1978, Cathy lives with her wife, Sheila and daughter Jacqueline.PARTNERS INCLUDE:
Bluestockings
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Hollaback!
Jennifer Pozner, Author & Activist
MandyVanDeven.com
Manhattan Young Democrats
NARAL Pro-Choice New York
National Organization for Women New York State
National Organization for Women New York City
Photography by Amy Mitten
Sebastian Huynh Photography
Seven Stories Press
Soapbox Inc.
The Women’s Mosaic
The Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership
Trixie Films
Women’s eNewsPARTNERS WELCOME:
Join as a supporting organization
Subject Line: 4/20 Partner
Email: JWeis@paradigmshiftnyc.comPARADIGM SHIFT: NYC’S FEMINIST COMMUNITY:
JOIN US ON
MEETUP * FACEBOOK * TWITTER
Use the “F” word.
Change NYC. Change the World.Paradigm Shift, the critically acclaimed and largest feminist event series/community group in the New York City metropolitan area, hosts monthly lectures and discussion groups to spotlight leaders in feminist thought, ranging from artists and academics to filmmakers and policy activists. TimeOut New York rated Paradigm Shift’s events “Critics’ Pick” nine times, an unprecedented honor among progressive organizations. We’ll tell you our stories…we want to hear yours. All welcome.
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February 26th, 2011Domestic Violence, Events, Paradigm Shift Event
March 17, 2011 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm 
- Webinar is open to the public and Berkeley College students
- General Public: Preregistration is available until 4 PM EST- submit your name and email:
rsvp@paradigmshiftnyc.com - Limit 50 – please note that preregistration is encouraged, but does not hold your spot, webinar is first come first serve.
- Instructions: Visit Berkeley College WebEx Meeting: http://bit.ly/e6hLLT
- Members of the public may login as a guest by clicking “Enter as a Guest” under “Not a member?”
- You will be prompted with phone dial in information
About Quentin Walcott:
At CONNECT, Quentin is the Director of the CONNECT Training Institute (CTI) and Community Empowerment programs. Quentin also spearheads the Male Anti-Violence initiatives, where he creatively develops programming training, educational programs centered on males to cultivate participation and leadership by men in the anti-violence movement. Quentin developed a curriculum and training for young adult males that examined violence against women and girls at V-Day’s New York Stop the Violence Festival as part of the newly created V-Day Men’s Committee. Quentin and his team of anti-violence educators have launched city-wide workshops for men and boys looking to transform them from bystanders to allies to activists against family and gender violence.
Quentin was trained, supervised and mentored by Dr. John Aponte, and started facilitating Batterer’s Intervention groups throughout New York City over 14 years ago. Quentin is currently the Co-Chair of the Committee on Working with Abusive Partners Batterers.
Quentin has previously worked with the Educational Alliance Early Head Start, piloting their Father Involvement Program and Southern Queens Park Association’s Families In Need Preventive Services Program as a teen group facilitator and Domestic Violence Specialist. Quentin has a wealth of experience facilitating groups for young and adult males on masculinity, manhood development, fathering, batterer’s intervention and accountability. Quentin combines his experience working with social agencies and several years of human rights work bringing a new and fresh perspective to the work to end family violence.
CONNECT is dedicated to preventing interpersonal violence and promoting gender justice. By building partnerships with individuals and communities, we strive to help change the beliefs, behaviors and institutions that perpetuate violence. Through legal empowerment, grassroots mobilization and transformative education, we seek to create safe families and peaceful communities.
Berkeley College, established in 1931 as a business school, has grown since that time to a thriving multi-campus institution offering degree programs in a variety of disciplines. With seven locations in New York and New Jersey, Berkeley today offers programs that balance traditional academic study with professional training and hands-on experience.
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January 21st, 2011Blog, Events, Paradigm Shift Event, Partner Event
January 21, 2011 8:00 pm January 22, 2011 8:00 pm January 29, 2011 3:00 pm 8:00 pm January 30, 2011 3:00 pm 8:00 pm 
Jessie Fahay, the founder of Ripple Effect Artists, recently spoke to us about her production of The Taming of the Shrew. By adding a feminist twist to the traditional plot, Fahay hopes to encourage audience members to ask questions, get involved, and raise awareness about important issues affecting women. In this interview, Fahay speaks about the relationship between theater and activism, gender roles, and her upcoming performances.
What inspired you to launch your performing arts company, Ripple Effect Artists?
I knew that I wanted to start a theatre company that would not only allow me to work with the theatre professionals I chose to work with, but also a theatre company that would make a difference in the community and the world.
What is the significance of your organization’s name?
When a stone is thrown into a body of water, it creates a “ripple effect.” Our company is that stone that dares to ask our audiences bold questions and make a difference, which will inspire others in their circle to take action. We are out to create a “ripple effect,” of a more connected, loving, communicative, and compassionate world.
What can the audience expect when coming to see your modern-day, feminist production of The Taming of the Shrew?
A lot of laughter, fun, and phenomenal 80’s costumes! Really, audiences can expect to feel every range of emotion from extreme joy to extreme terror to extreme sadness.
On your website, you say that the roles of women have changed since Shakespeare’s time, but have also remained the same in some ways. What differences and similarities do you see between these time periods?
This is a pivotal question. Differences of course include that women are working, women are the bosses of men, and in many places of the world it is no longer acceptable to inflict physical harm on a woman simply because she is a woman. Also, there are many organizations (such as Paradigm Shift) that stand for the rights and empowerment of women. Yet, there are still similarities. One underlying truth is that as powerful as women can be, women often live in fear—even in the United States as well as many other parts of the world. There are places of power women still have not obtained (i,e, the President of the United States, most CEO positions, etc, etc.). In addition, in many places of the world, women are still denied education.
Why did you decide to set your version of The Taming of the Shrew in the 1980′s, rather than the present-day?
This was actually the choice of the brilliant director, Jeff Love. This came from the thinking that the 80’s was the time in which women were first given powerful roles in the workplace. Yet, it was still acceptable to make comments about a woman’s attire and to make sexual advances on a woman in the office. This was a decade of a lot of murkiness when it came to women’s roles in the workplace and at home, which is why it works for this production.
Following some of the performances, there will be a panel discussion with women’s rights activists. Who will be speaking on this panel and what can the audience hope to gain from this discussion?
There are four different panel discussions—one with employees of Paradigm Shift, one with a leader of a new female-empowerment group, one with a life-coach, and one with a female playwright. The audience will gain information about these organizations and individuals and what exactly they do as well as gain insights into what differences can be made day-by-day.
When people come watch your performances, they are encouraged to recognize different types of inequality and ask questions. I think this is great because it puts the audience in an active position to make a difference, in themselves and in society. How do your performances act as a platform for activism?
Thank you for the recognition. The answer is in the question. We challenge our audiences by putting on performances that ask questions (not performances that make statements). We then further challenge them by asking what differences can be made.
What do you hope the future will bring for Ripple Effect Artists?
For the next five years, Ripple effect will produce one or two shows per year following this format with different issues such as gay-rights, abuse, unrequited love, warfare, etc. The goal of Ripple Effect is to become an Equity Company in five years with an ensemble of actors, directors, writers, and a staff, with the founder acting as the artistic director.
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January 17th, 2011Paradigm Shift Event
We’ll announce our Spring events shortly, so in the meantime please check out our co-sponsored events listed on the event calendar, our blog, and our about page for testimonials and list of past events.
Join us on Facebook, Meetup, and Twitter!
Paradigm Shift NYC events challenge and inspire participants to contribute to the feminist movement by providing a unique and welcoming platform for expression and coalition building. The result is almost 4 years of feminist community building that is creating both intra- and interpersonal paradigm shifts, contributing to a transformative societal ripple effect.
By donating- you are creating change
Suggested Donations:
$10-25 – will allow one person who is not able to pay to attend an event for free
$50-100- will help subsidize the cost of building a partnership coalition for one event
$100-250- will help subsidize the cost of one venue for one event
$500-750- will help subsidize the costs of event video productionYour donation of $5, 10, $25 or $50+ is greatly appreciated- donate today
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December 12th, 2010Events, Paradigm Shift Event
January 5, 2011 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm 
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December 6th, 2010Blog, Paradigm Shift Event
This Thursday, December 9th, from 7 to 10 pm, head to Angels & Kings @ 500 East 11th Street between Avenue A and B for “F-Word: Feminism, Funny & Fearless! A Fundraiser for Paradigm Shift NYC.” You don’t want to miss this incredible event hosted by Abbi Crutchfield and Jen Dziura, featuring Jessica Delfino, Leah King, and Hadiyah Robinson. Don’t forget, this is a fundraiser for Paradigm Shift NYC! Tickets are $25 dollars prepaid/for students and $30 dollars at the door; purchase your tickets here. If you can’t make it, please donate – we need your support!Check out what these amazing women had to say when I interviewed them about the upcoming performance, activism, and female empowerment:
1) What should people expect from “F:Word: Feminism, Funny, and Fearless!”?
Jessica: People should expect to encounter a whole room full of smart, fun, terrific women, some of them named me (I’m a gemini) who are slightly embarrassing themselves on stage for the benefit of a laugh, and also, some really confident dudes. I also imagine it will be a good place to learn, be inspired and possibly even get laid by another consenting adult.
Abbi: Firstly, a frightfully fast and furious frenzy of freaky femme fatales! For friendly fun, fear not! Five fabulous females share feel-good fairy tales for a few dollars! Finally, forty flopping flounders fight fifty flying fish for a fiefdom of figs. Phew! (Also a raucous night of comedy, and there might be more than five of us).
Hadiyah: I think everyone should expect a good time. The line up is a mixed bag of styles and there’s going to be something for everyone.
Jennifer: Well, to begin with, those of us who are menstruating are going to tell jokes from a hut offstage, because we are impure. Also, we are obviously going to be very bitchy.
Leah: It’s wild to me that the word ‘feminism’ has become such a loaded label with varying definitions. My mom has always told me that she is an Original Feminist, and that it’s all about empowerment, independence and embracing individuality. She’s also a hilarious woman full of humor and spunk. I think that “F:Word: Feminism, Funny, and Fearless!” is a way to reclaim and celebrate the diversity of women – all of our senses of humor, struggles, joys, and reasons to be proud!
2) Comedy is a great way to publicly discuss important issues and taboo subjects, which helps raise awareness and opens up space for important conversations. How would you describe the relationship between comedy and activism in your work?
Jessica: They make sweet love nearly every night, in front of a room full of people and they don’t care who’s watching. Whether it’s subtle, subliminal or in your face, my comedy always touches on issues that I consider to be important, first as a human, and second as a woman. It can be tricky to marry activism and comedy but if I wanted a job that lacked those things, I would have gotten a job as a bank teller, not a joke teller.
Abbi: You’re right that comedy can raise awareness, but the important conversations better not happen while I’m on stage. Show some respect and keep it down, activists! My comedy is pretty personal, which should mean it is hard to get a room full of strangers of different ages, races, genders and backgrounds to care about or even understand how I feel, but it’s not. People are people. We are all awkward, afraid, proud and giddy about silly things. So on a very small scale I affect the world thusly: I share private matters that resonate with people, they laugh about them and maybe laugh at themselves, they are entertained and pay it forward by staying in a good mood when buying stamps, and a postal employee doesn’t snap.
Hadiyah: Well I use my comedy as charity by lending my talent to organizations and fund raisers that are making a difference. Each year I perform for Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence, Alcoholics Anonymous, Education, and more.
Jennifer: I have a little story. When I was in college, I was participating in an activist event — the Day of Silence for gay and lesbian youth. All of the protestors refused to talk for an entire day (we wore buttons so people knew what the point was). And, the day before the event, I innocently asked a woman I knew — someone who was active in the Rainbow Alliance, our LGBT group — whether she was participating, and she said, “No, I’m not doing that. I think you really make change by making friends and building relationships with people and just acting normal, and then when your beliefs come up, your friends see your point of view.” And I found that eye-opening, especially the next day when I was supposed to read a short story aloud in a creative writing class and I declined to do so, as part of the Day of Silence. Was anyone in my writing class a homophobe who needed to be shown the error or his or her ways? Was anyone persuaded by my commitment to the cause? Um, no. I was just being annoying. Another student read my story for me, which kind of defeated part of the exercise, because I was supposed to read it myself. So, yes, I think I could’ve done better by being normal (by which I just mean acting like my everyday self), making friends, building credibility, and sharing my views more organically.
So, I think part of the deal with comedy and activism is that, in order for comedy to work, the audience has to like you or at least see your point of view. You have to build a rapport. If people are already laughing at your jokes — any jokes at all — then there’s a basic foundation in place for actually changing people’s minds, if that’s where the act goes.
Of course, I do see potential for a Day of Silence in comedy. We could mime.
Leah: To be honest, I never thought of myself as a comedienne, but I have always had a die-hard commitment to Damn Good Times. I mean, the way to work through pain is to acknowledge it, accept it, then laugh at it. I mean, I’m a Jew. And I’m Black. And I have HUGE hair. I’ve got thousands of years of oppression behind me, so I had to learn to laugh at myself pretty quick if I was gonna make it.
Also, I’ve realized over the years that people won’t listen to you if you yell at them. If you make them feel comfortable, understood, and safe, they will be more open to discussion. I think humor relaxes people, and can help open doors to communication. I mean it doesn’t work in all situations, but it’s always worth a shot.
3) How do you see comedy as a source of empowerment for women, both in the audience and as performers?
Jessica: I’m thankful to be surrounded by a strong network of some of the toughest, funniest, most ambitious, won’t-take-no ladies around who are to me, an endless supply of inspiration and motivation. Working in comedy is an amazing daily challenge, and that keeps us as performers coming back and pushing back and making strides towards getting what we want and what we’ve earned. It’s also a forum for women to speak frankly and affect change immediately. It keeps the audience returning to laugh, cheer the performers on, be inspired at times, listen and yes, maybe even get laid. By a consenting adult.
Abbi: Great question. They say public speaking is the number one fear of Americans so by virtue of its execution you are facing a fear or watching someone face a fear, which can be totally inspiring, even subconsciously. As a performer becomes more confident in sharing her ideas and engaging people in an entertaining conversation, a stronger connection is made. Young women may feel encouraged to forge a career in the art of stand-up or just emulate what they see and like by translating it to whatever field they’re in.
Hadiyah: Comedy is definitely empowering to women in the audience and I’m reminded of that when I connect with them after my shows. They come up to me and let me know that my jokes say the things they are thinking or wishing they themselves could say and they love it! I’m like self appointed politician winning votes with each show.
Jennifer: If I thought that I personally needed comedy in order to be empowered, I would have my head up my ass to a monumental degree. I hope I’m not so selfish as to believe things like that. I am a recipient of all kinds of forms of privilege. No one has ever tried to silence me. If anything, I have encountered much more classism than sexism in my life. I hope I have, concomitant with the aging process, developed the wisdom to be able to tell the difference between expressing myself and actually doing something of value to other people. I’m sure the comedy experience is different for other people, and my hat is off to anyone who has had to slog through sexism or other cultural barriers to perform stand-up or to be heard at all. If you want to empower someone — someone who actually needs it — go out into the world and become an expert in something, and charge people a lot of money for it, and send the money to a girls’ school in Afghanistan, or to a fistula hospital. If the something that allows you to make that kind of money is stand-up, sweet, but in my experience, stand-up is a really bad way to make money. Comedy might make you and me FEEL empowered, but feelings only exist inside our heads. They’re bullshit compared to action. Money, properly applied, helps people. That’s why this thing is $25.
Leah: Oh, women. Get a bunch of us in a room with cushy chairs, break out the chocolate, and pretty soon someone will start crying. I think it’s important for us to realize that all of our vulnerabilities can also be tools for awesomeness. I know way too many women who let the pressures of life make them feel constantly on the defense, and I want to use comedy and performance art to remind them that embracing our struggles, and learning to love and laugh at ourselves, can make tough days a lot easier.
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November 2nd, 2010Blog, Events, Paradigm Shift Event
January 5, 2011 to January 7, 2011 January 19, 2011 to January 21, 2011 
Named by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as “one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region” Men Can Stop Rape (MCSR)’s comprehensive “From Theory to Practice” Training has equipped thousands of professionals and activists in engaging men to prevent gender-based violence.Through interactive group exercises, role-playing, and multi-media presentations, “From Theory to Practice” prepares participants with the skills necessary to motivate men to take a more active role in challenging attitudes and behaviors that support rape and other forms of men’s violence against women.
We are adding an additional training to our “From Theory to Practice” lineup! In addition to our January 5-7 training in Washington, DC, we will be conducting a January 19-21 training in New York!
Training Dates and Locations:
Register for the “From Theory to Practice” Training in DC
January 5-7, 2011
Center for Education on Violence Against Women – Washington, DC
Deadline to register: Dec 3, 2010
Register for the “From Theory to Practice” Training in NYC
January 19-21, 2011
John Jay College of Criminal Justice – New York, NY
Deadline to register: Dec 10, 2010
This training is for:
Victim service providers :: Educators and youth-serving professionals :: College and university personnel :: Peer educators :: Law enforcement :: Military SARCs :: Students and activists
The training equips the participant with:
- A theoretical framework and introduction to social change theory as it relates to preventing men’s violence against women
- A comprehensive understanding of the Strength Campaign and its application
- Valuable tactics for public speaking around these issues
- Effective strategies for working with and engaging men and boys
- Recognize the intersections between different types of oppressions (i.e. racism, classism, and heterosexism)
- Thorough understanding of bystander intervention and how to facilitate MCSR’s “Gut Check” Bystander Intervention training
Upon completion of the training each participant will receive:
- 50+ page training manual which includes presentation and facilitation guides
- Access to a network of professionals in this field
- Discounts for our public awareness materials, Strength Trainings, and Strength Workshops
Registration Cost
Registration is $500 which includes the full three-day training, breakfast each day, and MCSR’s training manual. Travel and lodging is not included. Our trainings only allow for 20-25 participants so register online now!
Unable to attend either training? Request that we come to you!MEN CAN STOP RAPE (MCSR) | creating cultures free from violence | www.mencanstoprape.org
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mcsrape | Twitter: http://twitter.com/mencanstoprape
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October 17th, 2010Events, Paradigm Shift Event
December 9, 2010 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm 
Featured in TONY’s “This Week In NY”! Our 9th feature!
Hosted by the infamous
ABBI CRUTCHFIELD (MTV, NBC Stand-Up For Diversity Finalist) &
JEN DZIURA (Williamsburg Spelling Bee, McSweeney’s)
Co-founders of New York’s all-female Ladybits Comedy!Featuring Performances by
JESSICA DELFINO, COMEDIAN
Publicly denounced by the US Catholic League
“A comedy rock star”- Comedy CentralLEAH KING, WRITER-PERFORMER “HEY, YOU. CAN I GET A SMILE?”
Known in the Burlesque world as LadyLUXXX, her one-woman show about street harassment fuses music, dance, and spoken word.HADIYAH ROBINSON, COMEDIAN
Finalist in the NBC Stand-Up For Diversity
Performances on BET’s “Comic View” and “One Mic Stand”THURS, DECEMBER 9th, 7-10 PM
The Feminist District
Angels & Kings @ 500 East 11th St. Between Ave A & BINVITE FRIENDS on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/bVp5V6
$25 students/ pre-paid, $30 at door
BUY TICKETS NOW!
Venue requires IDIf you can’t make it, please donate- we need your support!
Donations are secure using Pay PalSUPPORTING PARTNERS:
Bella Abzug Leadership Institute * Belladonna Books * Craftermath * Feminist Teacher * Hollaback! * Hudson River Massage * Ladybits Comedy * Manhattan Young Democrats * Men Can Stop Rape * Moontide Dyers * NARAL Pro-Choice NY * NOW NYC * NOW NYS YFTF * Our Hen House * PlanetGreen * Red Umbrella Project * Sebastian Huynh Photography * Soapbox Inc. * The Line Campaign * The Women’s Mosaic * The Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership * Trixie Films * Women In Media and News * Women’s Media CenterPARTNERS & SPONSORS WELCOME:
JWeis@paradigmshiftnyc.comOur Hosts:
ABBI CRUTCHFIELD, CO-FOUNDER LADYBITS COMEDY
A comedy virtuoso, Abbi Crutchfield keeps her plate full in New York city with writing, performing stand-up, improvisational comedy, creating sketches, starring and directing in short films and producing a live comedy hour called The Living Room Show. For a daily laugh, read her Curly Comedy blog!JENNIFER DZIURA, CO-FOUNDER LADYBITS COMEDY
Jennifer Dziura is a New York-based comedian, blogger, and quizmistress best known for orchestrating the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, the nation’s most popular adult spelling bee, as featured in the New York Times. As a standup comic, she has performed at clubs and colleges nationwide and for the troops in the Middle East, Persian Gulf, and Africa. She writes quizzes and games, hosts math, trivia, vocabulary, and geography competitions for adults, and has produced over 100 shows at venues from Ivy League clubhouses to the famed rock club CBGB’s. She recently appeared in a Sci Fi Channel pilot for the television show Brain Trust, was filmed as an “expert” for a VH-1 reality dating show, has been heard numerous times on NPR, has contributed to five books including “The Idiot’s Guide to Jokes,” and was once unceremoniously cut from The Tyra Banks Show. Her one-woman show is entitled What Philosophy Majors Do After College.JESSICA DELFINO, MUSICIAN & COMEDIAN
A critically acclaimed musician whose songs boast a ribald, comedic slant. She has performed at festivals worldwide and her polarizing work has both been publicly denounced by the US Catholic League. “A comedy rock star”- ComedyCentral.com, a Village Voice “best of”, “stellar” by the NY Times. The Onion opined that she was a cross between “Redd Foxx and Jewel” Her songs, “My Pussy Is Magic” and “I Wanna Be Famous” experienced cel-web-rity status. “Fetchingly filthy. . . . Some of the most nasty, offensive, and genius comedy you’ll see all year.” —New York BladeLEAH KING, WRITER-PERFORMER “HEY, YOU. CAN I GET A SMILE?”
Leah King is a multidisciplinary performance artist and youth educator based in Brooklyn, NY, whose work focuses on women’s empowerment, afro-diasporic arts and multicultural identity. As a singer and dancer, Leah has performed with Brown Girls Burlesque, Black Rock Coalition Orchestra and Marc Jacobs, and been featured at Bowery Poetry Club, Whitney Museum, BAM, B.B. King’s, Le Poisson Rouge, Santos and Galapagos. She has led arts workshops at Rikers Island, Manhattan JCC, Grassroots Media Coalition and numerous educational institutions, and is currently touring her one-woman show about street harassment and sexuality, ‘Can I Get a Smile?’.HADIYAH ROBINSON, STAND UP COMEDIAN
Hadiyah was a Finalist in the NBC Stand Up For Diversity showcase, a Semi Finalist in the Ladies of Laughter competition and a featured comedian in the New York Underground Comedy Festival. Hadiyah made her television debut on BET’s Comic View and returned for BET’s One Mic Stand. She has also been a commentator on MTV’s Yo Momma, and BET’s Do’s and Don’ts of the Hip Hop Awards. She has appeared on Sirius Satellite on Jamie Foxx’s Fox Hole Radio, NYC’s 98.7 Kiss FM Crank Squad and the online radio talk show Urban Hang Suite. Hadiyah is creator, writer and producer of the upcoming web series, “The Grind” as well as writer on the upcoming sketch comedy series “The Jump Off.”http://www.twitter.com/grindwebseries
http://www.facebook.com/thegrindwebseries -
September 16th, 2010Events, Paradigm Shift Event
September 30, 2010 to October 3, 2010 
Can Performance Change the World?
September 30- October 3, 2010, New York CityPerforming the World 2007 from Joseph Spirito on Vimeo.
Performing artists, community organizers, theatre workers, educators, scholars, youth workers, students, social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, medical doctors, health workers, and business executives are coming from 31 countries to discuss/perform that question and their responses to it.
Paradigm Shift Will Launch Our Signature Workshop
“Creating Intra and Interpersonal Paradigm Shifts”
Presented By: Meredith Villano, Co-Founder & Director; Laura Joy, Community Membership Coordinator; Shetal Shah, Digital Media Supervisor
Many people are drawn to activism or align themselves with a cause by first identifying with a community of those with shared experiences, then become empowered by voicing their personal narratives before taking action within their communities. This workshop will help attendees find their own path to activism in the form of their choice, and will provide community building, self-empowerment/motivational performance exercises, as well as action ideas.Nearly 100 presentations, workshops and performances including:
Patch Adams – the Clown Laureate of Medicine, comes to Performing the World for the first time. He will share his work from around the world, bringing performance and hope to the sick and suffering.
A Day in the Life of the World – The Living Theatre
Performing Change
Reinventing Avant-Garde Theatre
Performance and Health
The Performance of Resiliency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Power of Performing Our Story
Clowning at Hospital Changes the WorldMore Information
Conference Schedule PDF
Register OnlineConference Sponsors
All Stars Project, Inc. & East Side Institute for Group & Short Term Psychotherapy
Location: All Stars Project, Inc., 543 West 42 Street (btwn 10th & 11th Aves)
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