WOMEN OF THE FRINGE (BUT NOT ALL OF THEM)

 

Two powerful performances by women at the Fringe. Above, Toni Finch presents a cabaret act on a theme, this year the 80s Golden Girls TV show, called Thank You For Being A Friend. It is about the lives, loves and bonds of women over 50. Poignant is not a good enough word.

Below, a show called Shedding Skin. The performer does not provide her name. She is a  graceful and strong dancer, appearing on stage in skin tight, neutral colored garments, which appear to bind and restrain her. They seem to cause anguish. She slowly, gracefully, removes one piece at a time until she is completely naked. The transition appears painful but ends in liberation, as if she has revealed her true inner self. Strong stuff.                

AT THE FRINGE - RHINESTONES AND FRINGE, QUEENS OF COUNTRY

 

Singer Toni Finch returned this year with a country music review featuring the songs of Dolly Parton and another female star whom I didn’t know and whose name I can’t remember. (Sorry. I don’t go too far with Country & Western, being more Urban & Eastern. My western roots are that I was born on the West Side of Manhattan.) Lots  of the audience wore cowboy hats and boots, and stood up and cheered.         

ST. LOU FRINGE: SONGS OF A MOVEMENT

Local artist Toni Finch performed a show based on the women's suffrage movement and modern feminism. It was such a hit at last year's festival that she returned for an encore. The music included Helen Reddy's I Am Woman, Lesley Gore's You Don't Own Me and Loretta Lynn's The Pill. It included a sing along about women's votes to the tune of Yankee Doodle. Beautiful singing, moving event.