Speak Easy - A night of performance poetry and burlesque

Speak Easy - A night of performance poetry and burlesque, fundraising for Wellington Rape Crisis.

Speak Easy is a performance poetry and burlesque fundraiser show to raise money for Wellington Rape Crisis. It will feature some of Wellington’s best poets, storytellers and burlesque performers all coming together under one roof, 8pm July 16th at The Fringe Bar. Tickets $20, available on Eventfinda or on the door.

Producer Joel Wood was inspired to put together the show after hearing Wellington poet Hadassah Grace perform a set on feminism, sex and sexual politics. “ Hearing her speak her experiences and thoughts, her message really resonated with me and I realised how important it is for artists such as herself to have a larger platform to work from. I wished that more of my friends had been able to experience her performance, so I wanted to set up a night to showcase her, as well as the the wealth of other talent in these genres that Wellington has to offer.”

Hadassah Grace

Around the same time Joel heard Hadassah's set he was made aware of the sobering statistics surrounding sexual assaults happening currently in Wellington, and wanted to create an event that would help to raise awareness and funding for one of the primary ports of call for local abuse survivors - Wellington Rape Crisis.

In 2015 there were 470 sexual assaults reported to the Police in Wellington, yet it is estimated only 7-9% of assaults ever get reported, so the number of people still left requiring support remains very high -
Wellington Rape Crisis delivered 30% more free counselling in 2015 than the year before.

“I always knew that sexual abuse and assault was a serious issue for Wellington, but seeing the recent statistics has spurred me on to produce this show and really bring the issue to the forefront of Wellingtonians minds.” says Mr Wood. “ I'm aiming to bring a little more awareness to an amazing organisation, and show support and solidarity for survivors of abuse while also providing people with a fun way that the general public can show their support as well. We have an amazing list of sponsors and performers who are contributing and coming together to make what will be sure to be a fantastic evening.”

For more information on the services Wellington Rape Crisis provides or to get in contact please visit www.wellingtonrapecrisis.org.nz.

Wellington Rape Crisis exists to educate others to prevent rape and sexual abuse and provide specialist support services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and those who support them, in a way that is feminist, informed, sustainable and holistic.

Tickets are available on Eventfinda:
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/speak-easy-an-evening-of-poetry-burlesque/wellington

For more information on the show, see the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1604594863188475/

Speak Easy is at The Fringe Bar, Saturday July 16th at 8:00pm. Tickets are $20, and all profits go to Wellington Rape Crisis.

ENDS

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