Margaret Cho’s burlesque variety show “The Sensuous Women” has been added to four nights of the fifth annual Estrojam Music and Cultural Festival in Chicago. The female-oriented festivities will feature fifty acts from September 18-22, closing with a blow-out anniversary celebration at The Metro.
Co-presented by Silver Wrapper and UR Chicago, the final night features performances from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Bettye LaVette, Suffrajett and DJ Mother Hubbard.
Cho, whose foray into burlesque was discussed with our resident burlesque columnist Jo Weldon, will perform at the Lakeshore Theater from September 19 through Saturday the 22nd, with two performances on both Friday and Saturday nights.
Estrojam, which consists of workshops, films, performances, and parties, is an effort to encourage creativity, activism and participation from females, who have been largely underrepresented in independent music and art, by giving festival goers the chance to mingle with iconic and influential women in the industry.
Partnering with several non-profit organizations to promote arts, education, health, social change, human rights and non-violence, past Estrojam festivals had included such artists as Cat Power, The Gossip, Wanda Jackson, Kaki King, Jello Biafra, and Thurston Moore. A portion of this year’s proceeds will benefit WE-ACTx, a grassroots organization committed to helping African women who have been affected by HIV and genocidal rape.
This year’s Estrojam kicks off Tuesday night with a special Chicago edition of New York’s famed Panty Party with Theo from The Lunachicks at the Funky Buddha Lounge. The festival continues Wednesday at Schubas with performance by bilingual indie-rockers Cordero and Chicago natives Sub Rosa as well as a DJ set by Bloodshot Records co-owner Nan Warshaw. The concert will be followed by a late show, headlined by critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Kristin Hersh and with emerging songstress Lindsay Anderson.
Thursday night starts off with the Cinejam Film Festival at Debonair Social Club featuring film shorts and animation from internationally acclaimed filmmakers, followed by a rockin’ night at the Double Door with the sublime sounds of Jucifer, Marnie Stern, 8 Inch Betsy, and Evil Beaver. Go-go troupe The Revelettes will also perform on Thursday at the Double Door.
Riding that tidal wave of talent into Friday, the festival will host a hip hop fusion concert and after party. Co-presented by Bust Magazine and located at The Abbey Pub, performers include Yo Majesty, Bahamadia, Psalm One, Rita J, and aerial dancer Brandy Dew. New York’s legendary dance-funk band ESG will finish off the night with their final concert.
Estrojam: www.estrojam.org
Margaret Cho: www.margaretcho.com
WE-ACTx: www.we-actx.org