V-DAY RICHMOND 2010 UNITES WOMEN FROM ENTIRE EAST BAY FOR EVE ENSLER’S “THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES” APRIL 12 AT CRANEWAY PAVILLION

In association with the Contra Costa College Drama Department

V-Day Richmond 2010
a Benefit Production of

Eve Ensler’s
T H E  V A G I N A
M O N O L O G U E S

Monday, April 12, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
At The Craneway Pavilion
1414 Harbour Way South  Richmond, CA 94804

Proceeds Benefit Community Violence Solutions
and Rape Crisis Center of Marin &
Contra Costa Counties

V‑DAY RICHMOND JOINS GLOBAL EFFORT
TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

V‑Day is a global movement to stop violence against women
and girls.  Further information about V-Day can be found at www.vday.org.

For more information on Richmond V-Day The Vagina Monologues, Cick Here

Discounted tickets can be purchased online at www.goldstar.com.

Danville.  Vallejo. San Rafael,  Lafayette.  Concord.  Oakland. Richmond.  Orinda.  El Cerrito.  Oakley.  Pleasant Hill.  Canyon. San Francisco. Clayton. Walnut Creek. Benicia.....

Women from throughout the East Bay unite for  V-Day 2010 Richmond's performance of  Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, April 12 at the Craneway Pavillion.   The actresses come from a variety of occupations, says Director Kathryn G. McCarty.    "We have two Real Estate Agents, a Newspaper Editor, a Retired School Teacher, a Biological Science Tech, an Acupuncturist and a Target Cashier."    McCarty, who is also a teacher, said the cast includes a Director for a National Hotel, a National Park Ranger and Director, a Web Programmer, a Fragrance Executive and a Housewife.

Richmond has seen members of the entire Bay Area come together, appalled at the violence which has recently occurred there.    McCarty's student was the victim of last Fall's gang rape at Richmond High School, something she and many others are still trying to process.  " I consider her family to be friends of mine, I've known them several years.  They are good people, a good family” said McCarty, who also teaches in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Orinda.   " I am afraid we are  kidding ourselves if we think violence, or apathy to violence just happens in Richmond.  It’s epidemic. "

 McCarty said she was shocked at another student's reaction to the rape:  ' She said 'I don't see what the big deal about rape is.  It happens to everyone' " recalls  McCarty,  “Young people have to be educated about the effects of Violence,” continued McCarty.  “It’s not just about the violence at the High School Dance, it’s about the apathy of many young people; it’s about the lack of knowledge of all life's possibilities.”

 She points out that lives can be changed through education, and theatre.   "It's going to take the entire Bay Area Community to reach out.  We all have to take a stand in teaching young people how to think for themselves. There are alternatives to violence."   "To me, it seems the violence is like a small cluster of malignant cells.  It will spread if it's not treated aggressively."

"The Craneway Pavillion seems an appropriate venue," said Clay David, who is helping to produce THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES.  He recently directed  the GPET World Premiere musical RIVETS,  which McCarty authored, on the SS Red Oak Victory.  "Both venues are in the Rosie the Riveter National Park.   The V-Day Movement, possesses a very "We Can Do It" grassroots effort,"  said David, Chair of Theatre at Contra Costa College,  explaining over 4,000 productions of Ensler’s work will take places on stage’s throughout the world this Spring.  “It’s a movement that started small, in colleges throughout the Country, and it’s done magnificent work.”

David points out that he believes Ensler's humor to be vital in the show.  "There is a lot of very funny material in the show," he said.  "It engages the audience to think.  It's material that both men and women can relate to, can learn from."

Proceeds from the Richmond production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues will go to Community Violence Solutions (CVS).  The show is produced by Galatean Players in Association with Contra Costa College.

Since 1974, CVS has served as the umbrella organization for Rape Crisis of Contra Costa and Marin Counties, while providing a wide range of services to child and adult victims of sexual violence, their families and the community.

V-Day Until the Violence Stops is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

In eleven years, The V-Day movement has raised over $70 million dollars and was named by Worth Magazine as one  of the "100 Best Charities”.  Last year over 4200 communities hosted V-Day benefits around the world.   In addition, the event has educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it; crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns; reopened shelters; funded safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq, and over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs. The 'V' in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina.

For tickets   Online at www.Galateanplayers.com.     By Phone:  (925) 676-6705.

Additional information on the Global Campaign is available at:  www.vday.org<http://www.vday.org/>

About the Craneway Pavilion

Craneway Pavilion is a world-class, sustainably designed event, concert and production facility centrally located in one of the planet’s most iconic destinations. Set on 25 waterfront acres, Craneway Pavilion delivers an awe-inspiring panorama of the Bay, the San Francisco skyline and surrounding environs—matched only by the inventive programming and infrastructure options available inside. As state-of-the-art as it is historic, Craneway Pavilion is a 45,000 square-foot facility in an award-winning, architecturally significant building dating back to 1932, with an adjoining 20,000 square-foot open-air patio, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. Craneway’s atmosphere and amenities set the stage for special occasions, meetings and cultural highlights—of every size and every stripe—as unforgettable as San Francisco itself.

Craneway Pavilion is at 1414 Harbour Way South in the Marina district of Richmond, convenient to the 580 freeway. Its wharf is accessible by private ferry from many Bay Area waterfront locations, including downtown San Francisco (less than 25 minutes from pier 3 or 33).  The Craneway is also accessible by helicopter, BART and Amtrak (+ shuttles from nearby stations), car (there are 1,200 dedicated parking spaces), and by foot or bicycle from shoreline Bay Trail.

www.craneway.com<http://www.craneway.com/>