Amy Steinberg wsg Nervous But Excited
Edgewood United Church, 469 N Hagadorn, 8 pm

Mimi Gonzalez

Mimi Gonzalez was once told by her mother, "You're such a beautiful girl, but then you open your mouth and spoil it all." Mimi graduated from high school as the class clown and then received a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Central Michigan University. A move to New York slapped the corporate smirk off her face but quickly resulted in a spot on the TODAY show featuring "The Funniest Person on Wall Street." Even temps have dreams. But New York's a tough place to start a dream.

So Mimi Detroit headed west and discovered her new comedy identity in San Francisco and became the political comedian, Mimi=Freed. Launched at Josie's Cabaret and Juice Joint, within a year Mimi emceed part of the 1993 March on Washington representing the "bi-nority" element of the LGBT. Music festivals and Prides across the country followed including Stonewall '94, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Nashville, San Francisco, San Diego, her hometown of Detroit and Michigan's Pride.

Television shows and movies have contributed to the growing presence of this out, loud and proud Latina. She embraced Gonzalez, half of her given last name, upon moving to Los Angeles and her credits have grown to include Comedy Central's "Women Aloud," "Ellen," Maury Povich, "Que Loco," "Funny is Funny" and Bravo's "The Gay Riviera." Look closely and you'll see her in the movie "Bound." The journalism degree has even made an appearance and her freelanced pieces range from interviewing Camille Paglia for On Our Backs, an op-ed piece for the Advocate, columns in SF's ICON which resulted in a nomination for a Cable Car Award and biotechnical reporting for Office.com.

New York never looked so tame and back East is where she's returned to the big city where she continues to write, travel and push people's buttons. Fast forward being her favorite.

For more info, see her website.

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Barb Barton

Attending a Barb Barton concert is a little like going to the land of Oz. A performer who imparts intimate wisdom, heart, and courage into her songs and guitar playing, she defies categorization. Her music flows from traditional style to powerful acoustic rock. But it's her individual charm that attracts an audience. Barton juggles the emotions of her audiences with humor in one hand and tenderness in the other. Her ease to life and empowering sense of independence is contagious. She leaves audiences feeling as though they have been hit by something of the unknown, something that has caused movement within their very soul...

Named Best Vocalist in Folk at the Detroit Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year by the Metro Area Artists and Songwriters Association, Barton has been performing her unique style of music for over twenty-five years. With three recordings behind her (No Shirt Required, From the Eye of Hawk, and Live at the Ark) and guest appearances on several CDs, she is currently working on two new projects, including an instrumental CD featuring her extraordinary guitar work. Several selections from No Shirt Required are on the soundtrack to the documentary The Journey of the Chandler/Pohrt Collection, a film produced by Academy Award winner Sue Marx. Barton was also selected as an Artist in Residency at Isle Royale National Park where she wrote one of her most popular songs, "Letter to Joshua" (From the Eye of Hawk).

Barton leads a dual life... musician by night, endangered species biologist by day. Formerly with The Nature Conservancy, she now works to protect endangered species as a biologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Helping to restore balance and harmony with the Earth and all Our Relations is her mission, whether through song or through science.

Indeed this woman is many-faceted, but the best way to know Barb Barton is by listening and feeling her music, for that is where her spirit dwells.

For more info, see her website.

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god-des & she

Well, we're going to pack up our Uhaul and move to the city of dreams!" And move they did. In March of 2004 they packed up their lives in Madison, Wisconsin and moved to Brooklyn, New York. In little more than a year, they have taken New York City by storm. They have played sold out shows at the famed Knitting Factory, opened up for MC LYTE and Slick Rick, performed at the Supper Club for the Showtime / GO NYC magazine L WORD party, and performed countless other high profile gigs. These women are magnetic on stage, lighting up the faces of the audience every time!

GOD-DES has been rhyming for over 10 years. She started out as a percussionist-Yep, a marching band geek turned rapper. Does it get any better than that? She spent her school bus rides home rapping for her friends: a natural performer from the start. She is also an "out" gay-Ya'll ever heard of a white dyke Jewish rapper from Wisconsin? Didn't think so!!!

SHE can sing her ass off! Adding a layer rarely heard in Hip Hop today, SHE's contribution elevates the music to a whole new level. Their chemistry on and off stage is undeniable! You never heard a white girl have so much soul.

For more info, see their website.

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Amy Steinberg

"Steinberg is in a league of her own."
                                       -Music Connection, Los Angeles

With irreverent humor and crafty intelligence, Amy Steinberg uses her original music and poetry to promote tolerance, openness and diversity. Combining a sassy sensibility with a loquacious socio-political and spiritual awareness, Amy brings forth a fresh and solid energy.

Amy has won numerous awards, among them Songwriter of the Year from the Songwriter Showcases of America and Best Solo Performer from the Orlando Music Awards. Touring all over the country incessantly, Amy has played at clubs, colleges, cafes, community centers, and festivals.

Notable shows include performances with Ani Difranco, Alix Olson, Lisa Loeb, Melissa Ferrick, Meredith Brooks, Vonda Shepard as well as many others.

Themes of her music include woman power, faith, sexuality, acceptance and love. The audience at a Steinberg show claps, sings along, and laughs until they cry. For a soul-shifting and original performer look no further, Amy Steinberg is a passionate and electrifying dynamo.

For more info, see her website.

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nervous but excited

“...blending progressive politics, sharp wit, and deep introspection with nuanced harmonies...”      -Curve Magazine

Lansing natives Kate Peterson & Sarah Cleaver make up the Pleasantly Aggressive Folk Duo of Nervous but Excited. Together they make two songwriters, two singers, two guitars, a mandolin, a violin, a few harmonicas, a barrel of harmony, some vaguely choreographed dancing and a lot of laughter.

Their original repertoire ranges in topic from smart, introspective narratives to the tactfully political… and they still dabble a bit in the love/post-love variety every now and then.

In the past three years, they have played with many established artists such as Melissa Ferrick, Ferron, Toshi Reagon, Utah Phillips, The Butchies, Jim Post, Alix Olson, Bitch, Amy Speace, Girlyman, Pamela Means and Ember Swift. And have graced the stages of major festivals such as the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, The National Womyn's Music Festival, The Woodstock Folk Festival, Michigan Pride and more.

From coffee shops to festival stages they’ve lead people in laughing, singing and handclapping throughout the country.

For more info, see their website.