The Women & the Arts Festival

2009 Schedule

Stand Up, Speak Out:
The Women's Writer Hour of Power
3-4 pm

Ruelaine Stokes: reader and emcee
Bobbi Bryd
Amber Howe
Kate Murphy
Rina Risper
Lee Sayles

Christine Sayers

Christine is a truth-seeking harmonica enthusiast whose passion for expressing herself musically trumps her untrained ear. Growing up in a strict and God-fearing household gave way to her outrageous perspective and blunt delivery. Whether you want to hear it or not, she is always willing to give her opinion on topics ranging from H1N1 to East Coast/West Coast rivalry. Behind her socially awkward presence is a witty and often inappropriate chuckle waiting to be had.

Rachel Brian

Singer-song writer, Rachel Brian is back for her second appearance at WITA. An activist among the Northwestern Michigan LGBT crowd, Rachel played for Traverse City Pride from 1998 until 2004. Back after a 2 year sabbatical from performing, Rachel brings together the sounds and stylings from such artists as the Muse, Ani Difranco, Brandi Carlisle, and Johnny Cash. Take a moment to check out her website at http://www.wix.com/verycooldyke/R1. Her songs and stage presence have been delighting audiences for years -- don’t miss out on your chance to see Rachel Brian!

Ruelaine Stokes

Ruelaine Stokes Ruelaine Stokes is a well-known poet and spoken word performer based in the Lansing area. She also coordinates the Old Town Poetry Series at the Creole Gallery in Lansing’s Old Town, one of the hottest poetry venues in Mid-Michigan. During the day, she serves as a specialist in English as a Second Language at Michigan State University’s English Language Center, a language training center for international students. Her poetry can be found in “Four Against the Wall,” a collection of poetry and interviews published in 2005.

Bobbi Bryd

Bobbi has been writing poetry since age 11. Some of her early work was self-published in a chapbook titled Poetry, the Music of a Woman's Words. Individual poems have been printed in The Hillsdale Daily News, The Island Lesbian, Faith @ Work, other periodicals and an anthology. Her second book, Seasons of the Soul, was published on-line by Booksurge in 2003. She presently working on material for her next book.

In May of this year, she was invited by the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature to share her poetry during a 3 day symposium at MSU. She has been already invited back for next year.

Over the years, Bobbi has been active in the Lansing Poetry Club, The Poetry Society of Michigan and poetry groups in both Hillsdale and Jackson Counties. She was a featured speaker at the National Conference on Esoteric Healing in St. Paul, MN, where she spoke on Spirituality and Poetry.

She has done poetry readings and recitations at Schuler's Bookstore in Okemos, on the Capitol steps in Lansing, the Women in the Art's Festival in East Lansing, The National Women's Music Festival at Ball State University, the Mitchell Public Library and The Gathering Restaraunt in Hillsdale, as well as a number of churches and other venues.

She admits that her partner, Beverly, once accused her of accosting people with poetry.

Amber Howe

Amber grew up in St. Johns, MI. She has been writing poetry since age eleven as a therapeutic tool of self-awareness. Now she is passionate about violence against woman and the destruction of our planet earth. She has performed her slam poetry at open mic nights and has been a key performer at Take Back the Night for sexual assault awareness at Michigan State University. Amber has also displayed her series of paintings, Consequences of Rape, for the Hope and Healing art exhibit at the Michigan Womens Historical Center, and was featured in The Noise in 2006.

Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy spent 45 years writing memos, policy statements, training manuals, and lesson plans. Upon retirement, she decided to investigate her creative side and began taking creative writing classes with Anita Skeen during the East Lansing Reads program for several years, and memoir writing classes with Nancy Seubert, through the Okemos Senior Center. Her motivation stems from a desire to share family stories, including her own political and personal views, with her nieces and nephews.

Rina Risper

Coming Soon!

Lee Sayles

In 5th grade, Lee won an award for her essay about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She has been hooked on writing ever since. She has self-published two chapbooks, "Nothing to Say" and an angst-filled chapbook of poetry about love, heartache and mid-life crisis called The Year of the Phoenix.

Sometimes Y

Lansing’s own women’s folk-rock band gracefully infused with honesty, heart, and a generous slathering of home made hot pepper jelly. Singer/songwriter, guitarist, and long-time supporter of local music, Cindy Lehmkuhle, shares her sometimes sweet, always introspective lyrics in a perfect marriage of rhythm and social activist blues. She is strengthened by bassist Stephanie Hasley, vocalist with the “Chix Lix” powerhouses and One World Inspirational Choir at “Mich Fest”, adding a playful and sassy list of cover tunes. Rounding out the band is drummer Lisa Sarno, seasoned by a vast array of traveling blues, reggae and rock bands, as well as one circus.