April 10, 2003

'Folk Poet' Alix Olson to perform at benefit

SAUGATUCK -- Spoken word artist Alix Olson will be in West Michigan next week to perform at a benefit for the Holland Students' Gay-Straight Alliance.

Olson's performance is scheduled at 8 p.m. Monday at the Hilltop Center, 6069 Blue Star Highway. Tickets cost $8, and $5 for students.

Olson was a member of the 1998 Nuyorican National Championship Slam Team, as well as winner of the 1999 OutWrite National Slam.

Since then, she has been a touring folk poet and spoken word artist, performing nationally and internationally at hundreds of colleges, clubs and festivals, including the FalaDura Festival in Porto, Portugal, the International Poetry Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Amsterdam's Gay Games, and the LGBT Cultural Arts Festival in London, England.

"Built Like That" is Olson's debut CD which includes enhanced work with a little help from musicians Catie Curtis, Pamela Means, Trina Hamline, Chris Pureka, and others.

Olson's 2002 year-round tour sent her around the country, including colleges and festivals such as the National Women's Music Festival. Check www.alixolson.com for tour dates.

Olson has been featured in publications such as Girlfriends magazine, Curve magazine, the Advocate, Lesbian Review of Books, and most recently on the covers of both Lambda Book Report and Ms. Magazine.

She has appeared on Oxygen television, In the Life, CNN, and WXPN's World Cafe with David Dye, as well as local radio stations around the country.

Alix has shared the stage with such artists/activists as Michael Moore, Pete Seeger, Christine Lavin, Catie Curtis, Howard Zinn, Ntzoke Shange, Leslie Feinberg, Alix Dobkin and many others. Alix has headlined events such as The National Organization for Women's national conference, National Lesbian Summit, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change, and GenderPAC.

Alix's 2001 summer tour took her nation-wide, including shows with Bitch and Animal, the Butchies, and appearing at WIMINFest, Sisterspace, Ladyfest(s), WAMfest, Oregon Country Fair, the Michigan Womyn's Festival, and countless other events.

Alix's 2002 year-round tour is once again sending her around the country, including colleges, festivals such as the National Women's Music Festival. Check www.alixolson.com for tour dates.

"Built Like That" is Olson's debut CD which includes enhanced work with a little help musicians Catie Curtis, Pamela Means, Trina Hamline, Chris Pureka, and others.

April 14 Saugatuck, MI A Benefit for the Holland Student's Gay-Striaght Alliance

The Hilltop Center

6069 Blue Star Hwy $8 general admission

$5 for students w/ID

All Ages!

doors will open at 7:15

show starts at 8pm