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• Local V-Day chapter promotes anti-violence agenda through the arts

Vaginas are all the rage recently. And it’s not because Britney’s was on the cover of Life and Style, yet again. There’s a good reason that the female genitals are receiving so much attention lately, mostly due to the upcoming annual screening of UIUC’s The Vagina Monologues.

The play is put on by V-Day, a registered student organization who seeks to promote action and awareness in the fight against violence toward women. The title may appear to be self-explanatory, but there is definitely more to the play than just monologues about vaginas.

“The monologues cover a variety of topics,” said Ashley Ford, a junior in Engineering and the assistant director for the play. “Anything from ‘what would a vagina wear?’ to stories about women who experienced sexual violence.”

Although the cast is all female and the monologues specifically retell the stories of women, the play strives to convey a message to everyone, not just women.

“It creates an environment that encourages people on campus to open up about issues concerning women,” Ford said.

The fight against women’s violence doesn’t just end with the play, however. V-Day organizes numerous events to promote awareness. These include bake sales,,an art auction and a V-day benefit show which was a concert that featured six bands, just to name a few. And the best part? All the proceeds go to A Woman’s Fund, an organization that strives to eliminate violence against women and children.

The art auction will be going on outside the theater and will feature work from the cast and the community. There will also be a documentary before and after the play featuring a collage of different perspectives about vaginas from people in CU. “All these things we have planned just unite people,” said Jesse Favre, a senior in LAS and director of the play. “It gives people a chance to talk to each other and get together.”

The Vagina Monologues will run next weekend, Feb. 28 and March 1 at Lincoln Hall Theater. So if you’re looking for an alternative for your banal weekend routine, check the show out. Proceeds go to charity and the play addresses issues that affect everyone — whether you have a vagina or not.