‘Vagina Monologues’ Recognize V-Day

V-Day San Diego 2010 presents a collection of theatre presentations this week, including the spellbinding, funny and almost unbearably moving The Vagina Monologues.

V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues and other artistic works.

In 2009, more than 4,200 V-Day benefit events took place produced by volunteer activists in the U.S. and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. To date, the V-Day movement has raised more than $70 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 11,000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic Of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq.

V-Day was named one of Worth magazine’s “100 Best Charities” in 2001 and Marie Claire’s “Top Ten Charities” in 2006. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. For more information about the V-Day movement, visit www.vday.org

Until the Violence Stops screening

Until the Violence Stops features playwright and activist Eve Ensler in a powerful film that documents how The Vagina Monologues grew into an international grassroots movement called V-Day to stop violence against women and girls. In 2002, 800 cities around the world participated in V-Day by staging benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues. Until the Violence Stops shows women from Harlem to Ukiah, California; from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the Philippines and Kenya, uniting and courageously revealing their intimate and deeply painful experiences with abuse ranging from rape to female circumcision.

Director Abby Epstein takes us on a poignant journey into the hearts of women and includes revealing testimonies from men, who expose social and cultural attitudes that perpetuate the pervasive violence against women. In emotionally charged interviews and performances, everyday women and celebrities – like Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek, Tantoo Cardinal, Jane Fonda, and Lisa Gay Hamilton – embrace their bodies, reconcile their past, and bond together to break the silence that surrounds abuse.

More than just testimonies and performances, Until the Violence Stops is a film about empowerment and the importance of dialogue in the healing process. A celebration of women reclaiming their bodies and lives, this moving documentary leaves us with hope that change can happen.

• Monday, March 1, 2010
  Lobby events begin at 6 p.m.
  Film begins at 7:30 p.m.

Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. (In Hillcrest)
Tickets: $10
Box Office: 619-245-4958
Online: innermisisonproductions.org

The Vagina Monologues

Presented by InnerMission Productions and benefiting The Center for Community Solutions.

• Wednesday, March 3 at 8 p.m.
• Friday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m.

Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. (In Hillcrest)
Tickets: $20
Box Office: 619-245-4958
Online: innermisisonproductions.org

The Vagina Monologues

Presented by and benefiting Bella Luna Educational Foundation.

• Friday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m.

Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N (In Rolando)
Tickets: $25
Box Office: (619) 328-1466
Online: bellalunaeducationalfoundation.com

The MENding Monologues

In addition to the three benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues, V-Day San Diego 2010 presents a benefit production of The MENding Monologues. InnerMission Productions, in partnership with Triad Productions, is producing the second year of The MENding Monologues in San Diego, directed by Brendan Cavalier.

• Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Match 7 at 2 p.m.

Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. (In Hillcrest)
Tickets: $20
Box Office: 619-245-4958
Online: innermisisonproductions.org