The Instigators are a Lansing trio with a level of commitment to social justice reflected in their name. Local songwriters Joyce Hagerman and Suzanne Levy team up with vocalist Rebecca Hoogstraten to share their musical vision of a equitable, safe, inclusive future.

Sistrum, Lansing Women’s Chorus, is a long-time staple of the Womens in the Arts Festival. The mission of Sistrum is creating music that inspires, empowers, and entertains.

Learn more at sistrum.org

Christine performed comedy for the first time at WITA in 2007. She is excited to return to the stage and share her unique observations on daily life & the struggles associated with being a middle aged woman with a fondness for cats. In her free time, you can find Christine making an excessive number of therapy rice bags or researching the importance of chia seeds.

Long long ago somewhere lost in the abyss of time gone by the band Murrdawg & The Low Down Dirty Strays emerged out of the ashes of musical projects that spontaneously combusted, star crossed lovers that were no longer starry-eyed, and a desire to collaborate and play blues music. The Michigan based band was formed in 2002 and performed regionally until their demise in 2004. What can I say folks got busy and wanted to expand their horizons. A few of the old gang decided we would get together and make music once again. The current line up is Jen Sygit, Tammy Cook, and Murray Stewart-Jones. All of us are still heavily involved in various musical projects. Jen currently performs as a solo artist, with the Americana trio Stella, and who knows what else. Tammy now perform as a solo artist, with Blues band Tad and the Fat cats, and occasionally with The Murray Stewart-Jones Experience. Murray is working on her late in life solo career, plays with her Appalachian Roots/Americana band BackPorchAlibi, and teaches music privately at her studio Jonesbeat Music. Murrdawg & The Low Down Dirty Strays rides again. Coming together to celebrate many years of making music and many more to come.