A local cast will bring a new spark to a popular, long running show next week.The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler comes to the Brackendale Art Gallery on Friday (March 7), presented by the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society. Performers Carla Fuhre, Kathy Daniels, Maureen Mackell, Deanna Enders, Patricia Heintzman, Heather Paul and Susan Hutchinson will deliver the powerful and often hilarious prose, which is now in its 10th year and presented in over 120 countries. The empowering monologues have captured audiences in thousands of events on campuses and in communities, reaching millions through art and activism each year.V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. It is also a time to celebrate the victories and dedicate ourselves to ending the violence and changing the "Story of Women." Changing the Story of Women is this year's theme, and partial proceeds are going to the "Katrina Warriors" in New Orleans and the Howe Sound Women's Centre in Squamish. This event has helped raise over $50 million for grassroots, anti-violence, shelters and crisis centers all over the world. The Howe Sound Women's Centre has not had provincial funding since 2003 and rely greatly on community funding and support. This benefit will help ensure our doors stay open as we serve on average 5,000 women and children each year in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Some of our programs and services are: Pearl's Place Transition House, Pearl's Safe Home, Children who Witness Abuse, Multi-Cultural Outreach, and Pearl's Seconds Store, downtown Squamish. Eve Ensler wrote the monologues after interviewing 200 real women of all ages, and backgrounds, by simply asking them one thing: talk about your vagina.At first women were shy and inhibited, but after they began talking, she couldn't stop them. This play is excerpts of these stories, with new ones added each year. Doors are open at 7 p.m., showtime is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at The Women's Centre, the BAG and Mostly Books,Visit www.vday.org for more information on this global movement.
