Burnin' Down the Kitchen Pilot Webisode gets green light

Roles 4 Women are stoked to announce that our project Burnin' Down the Kitchen has received funding from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council - we are gearing up to produce our first half hour comedy webisode! Created by Liz Solo and Amanda Batten this pilot comedy show will feature standup, sketch comedy and music starring an all women lineup.

Burnin' Down the Kitchen by Liz Solo and Amanda Batten with Jenny Naish, Colleen Power, Irene Duma, Charlotte Reid and the bands TrixXxie and The Sauce - Coming for you in 2015.

Stay tuned to this blog for more details - real soon!

TrixXxie Killin' It at Pope Party

TrixXxie were thrilled to play the annual Pope Productions Party during the 2014 St. John's Women's Film and Video Festival. The band had the best time ever slaying the room. Getting to play in a store window was an extra bonus and a great band setup! Pope Prodcutions were a great host for the event and it is fair to say that a good time was had by all.
Stay tuned for more shows from Tallulah, Marilyn and Scarlet, coming in December!

photos by Mike Kean

The Women of BDK

Here are a few shots from Burnin' Down The Kitchen Comedy Cabaret, taken by Eugene Leger. Along with TrixXxie and Colleen Power these women are the regulars at every cabaret. You can never be sure what is going to happen at a BDK Cabaret, but we guarantee you will never forget a show.

Our next dates - for our 6th and 7th shows - will be announced very soon. Also - stay tuned for some video releases, coming up in the next month!

THE WOMEN OF BDK

Tallulah Fucque sharing her difficulties interacting with the young hipster culture.

Amanda Batten - our lovely and hilarious host for every show, reviewing a recent Harlequin Romance novel.

Jenny Naish in the middle of her ukelele version of Bryan Adams' "Straight From the Heart".

Irene Duma explaining the perils and pitfalls of antiquing.

Liz Solo talking politics and panic attacks.

photos by Eugene Leger.

Burnin' Down the Kitchen Cabaret

At this year's TrixXxiefest R4W produced a comedy night at Scanlan's Lounge. It was a huge success and Liz Solo and Amanda Batten have taken the ball and run with it - creating a regular stand up comedy event twice a month called Burnin' Down the Kitchen Cabaret.

Every show features an all woman lineup, a musical guest, an open mic section and an appearance by the infamous punk band TrixXxie.

Our FIFTH Burnin' Down the Kitchen Cabaret is coming up on Saturday October 11th at the Annexe. 9 PM. we will be taping this one live for an upcoming broadcast of our first webisode! Stay tuned. Photo of Amanda Batten left by Liz Solo. Photo of Amanda right - submitted photo.

TrixXxie About Town

Scarlet, Tallulah and Marilyn have been having a blast playing around the city and are looking forward to their next big performance at the Burnin' Down the Kitchen Cabaret at the Annexe on Saturday October 11th. That is followed by a show at this year's annual Pope Party at the St. John's International Women's Film and Video Festival.

The show on the 11th features some powerful standup by an all woman lineup with musical guest Colleen Power and TrixXxie. The show starts nice and early at 9 PM and we will be taping live for a future webisode. Stay tuned after the comedy for a Dance Party featuring 90's hits with Dance Master Scarlet O'Whora.

TrixXxie at the Art Marathon

Since premiering at TrixXxieFest the band TrixXxie have been busy playing private shows and special events - most recently the Eastern Edge Art Marathon. The above photo and three below are by Eugene Leger. The photo at the very bottom is by Lee Tizzard.

TRIXXIEFEST ARTISTS BIOGRAPHIES

We are pleased to announce the final Schedule for TRIXXXIEFEST Weekend. Schedule is followed by brief biographies of TRIXXXIEFEST artists.

TRIXXXIEFEST WEEKEND!
JUNE 12 - 15, 2014
THURSDAY JUNE 12
Stand Up Comedy at Scanlan’s Lounge
Cocktail Hour 9 PM
hosted by Comedienne Extraordinaire
Amanda Batten
Featuring the comedy stylings of: Colleen Power, Liz Solo, Amanda Batten, Sweater Kittens
With Musical Guests: Sam Burke, Danielle Trouble, Erin Simms , Jenny Naish

FRIDAY JUNE 13
Rock Show at Distortion – 10:30 PM
STARRING:
2 AM - The Sauce
1 AM - The River
Midnight - Category VI
11 PM - Trixxxie

SATURDAY JUNE 14
Rock Show at The Ship - 10:30 PM
STARRING:
1:30 AM - Uneeda
12:30 AM - Trixxxie
11:30 PM - DT and the Dinosaurs
10:30 PM - Allie Duff and The Happy Campers

SUNDAY JUNE 15
Pop-Up Supper and Screening - 8 PM
hosted by Trixxxie
Stay tuned for announcement

All bar shows are $10 at the door

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Erin Simms

Erin Simms’ no nonsense rock sound is punctuated by soaring vocals and haunting melodies - reminiscent of her early start in the Opera genre. Simms is a charming front-woman and her solo performances rock just as hard as her bands do. Erin holds her own on stage, just as she will hold her audience captive with edgy, bold lyrics and a voice to match.

Formerly of Johnny Am I Good Erin is working on a new project – The Alders. Stay tuned for news of this alt country band.

Erin will be performing solo at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12th. 9 PM.

Sweater Kittens

Naughty kittens! You've soiled your mittens!
Sweater Kittens are a sweet and dirty duo.
They harmonized endearingly about boobs and beers and beet-root

The Sweater Kittens are a two-piece comedy/music act

Catch The Sweater Kittens performing at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12^th. 9 PM.

Colleen Power

Colleen Power is an award winning Newfoundland singer/songwriter. She has garnered praise and critical acclaim for each of her six albums and her YouTube videos continue to enjoy immense popularity.n Colleen plays regularly and is currently working in a brand new band, The Sauce, alongside Newfoundland rock pioneer, Liz Solo, with Mike Kean and April Crocker. 
See Colleen Power solo at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12^th at 9 PM.

The Sauce are performing on Friday June 13^th at Distortion. ShowTime 11 PM, 2 AM Set Time.

The River

The River is an original heavy blues band featuring Suzanne Power on vocals, whiskey shots, and tambourine, Andrew Piercey on lead guitar, feedback, general wizardry and ninja stuff, Evan Chalker on rhythm guitar, dreadlocks, and heavy metal inspiration, Chris Rex on bass, keeping military time and groovy good vibes, and Jared Rodgers on drums, sauciness and unwanted hip-hop beats. Currently working on recording their first album, the River has a big sound with lots of powerhouse vocals, mind-melting guitar harmonies and heavy bottom end you can feel in your soul. Join The River on Facebook

See The River Friday June 13^th at Distortion. Showtime 11 PM, Set Time 1 AM.

Allie Duff and The Happy Campers

Allie Duff and The Happy Campers are an alternative folk-rock trio from St. John’s, NL. They formed when Allie got bored of playing solo gigs and asked Nathan Day and Chris Kennedy to back her up on drums and bass. The Law of Falling Bodies, their first EP, was recorded by GNAudio and features Louis House on saxophone. The band has many big plans for the future, some of which include camping! See: http://allieduffandthehappycampers.bandcamp.com/

See Allie Duff and The Happy Campers at the Ship on Saturday June 14th. Showtime 10:30. Set time 10:30

Category VI

Category VI is Amanda Gosse on Vocals, Geoff Waye on Guitars, Keith Jackman on Bass and Adam Thistle on Drums. Hailing from the misty shores of Avalon, Category VI formed in early 2010. The band is fronted by the incomparable Amanda Gosse, bringing something new to the local Newfoundland metal scene – Category VI is the only active female-fronted melodic metal band in the city. In 2011, the band released a three-song demo entitled VINLAND. FIREBORN is their debut full -length album and features over 50mins of melodic metal, traditional metal, with a few hints of thrash. FIREBORN has garnered rave reviews from all over the world. Category VI's debut music video for the song "Reborn” was filmed along the cliffs and shoreline of Flatrock, Newfoundland on March 29th 2014. There is much in store for the band so stay tuned!

Catch Category VI at Distortion on Friday June 13. 11 PM ShowTime, Midnight set.

Amanda Batten

Amanda Batten is a full time slacker, part time lover, and an up and coming stand up comedian (i.e. doesn't really get paid for it yet). Ever the procrastinator, she first took the plunge at nearly 31 years of age, when she realized she had yet to cross any items from her "Things To Do Before Turning 30" list.

She has performed, so far, on stages across St. John's and Toronto, and usually gets a few backhanded compliments of the "You're funnier than I thought you would be" variety. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @GigglesMcJerk, because she could desperately use the attention. 

Amanda will be hosting and performing Musical Stand Up Night at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12. 9:00 PM

Sam Burke

Sam Burke is a Singer/Songwriter from St. John’s, Newfoundland. With intricate guitar skills and emotional lyrics, Sam is able to hold the ear of her audience and create an atmosphere of closeness.

With bittersweet songwriting and powerful vocal melodies, Sam can give you goosebumps one minute and have you in a pool of tears the next.  

Sam Burke photo by Kayla Hancock
 See Sam Burke solo at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12. 9 PM.
 

Uneeda

Uneeda is a Thrash/Punk band from St John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Drawing from punk influences like The Misfits, NOFX, Lagwagon, Cigar,  SNFU, Gob, etc. and thrash influences like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, Sepultura, etc. Uneeda crafted their own original brand of Thrash/Punk featuring technical, melodic songs; brutal, speedy riffing; frantic and intense drumming; progressive and driven bass playing and stellar vocal performance and harmonies. Uneeda released their 5-song demo EP, "Handout" in April, 2012, and have garnered a ravenous following with their energetic live performances and bone crushing mosh pits. Uneeda recently finished recording their new full-length album - set for release in the summer of 2014. They have just unleashed the first single and companion video for the song, "Momentum".

Uneeda will be closing out the rock shows at the Ship on Saturday June 14^th. 10:30 ShowTime. 1:30 AM Set Time.

Trixxxie

Tallulah Fucque, Scarlet O’Whora and Marilyn Monroe Take-Out formed the performance punk band Trixxxie in the Fall of 2013. They are the founders of TRIXXXIEFEST where they will make their first public performance.

See Trixxxie at Distortion on Friday June 13. Show time 11 PM set time 11 PM

& At the Ship on Saturday June 14. Showtime 10:30 PM, Set time 12:30 AM.

Dan Trouble/DT and The Dinosaurs

Dan Trouble, known as DT to her friends, enemies and secret admirers, is a live performance junkie and can be found just about every hour of every day playing a gig, open mic, street corner, house show or rooftop. Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, she released her debut, Horses with Lasers in 2009 and continues to play with multiple bands across the town and beyond. Danielle Trouble (Guitar, Vocals), Adam Blackwood (Bass), Bryan O'Reilly (Drums)

Dan Trouble will be playing solo at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12^th. 9 PM.

DT and the Dinosaurs are playing The Ship on Saturday June 14^th. 10:30 show time. 11:30 PM set time.

The Sauce

The Sauce are a newly formed alt/country/trad/punk/rock band with strong vocals harmonies, intense riffage, a wide range of original songs and a bad attitude.

The Sauce are: Liz Solo, Colleen Power, April Crocker and Mike Kean.

Photo by Jai Me

See The Sauce live at Distortion on Friday June 13. Showtime 10:30. Set time 2 AM.

Jenny Naish

Jenny Naish is a theatre artist, actress and musician living and working in St. John’s. She is co-founder of Roles 4 Women Theatre Company (with Liz Solo) and is a member of the Black Bag Media Collective.

Jenny will be performing solo at Scanlan’s Lounge on Thursday June 12^th. Showtime 9 PM.

Liz Solo

 Liz Solo is an internationally renowned multi-media artist, activist and musician. She is co-founder of the Black Bag Media Collective and Roles 4 Women Theatre Company (with Jenny Naish)

See Liz Solo’s stand-up at Scanlan’s on Thursday June 12. 9 PM.

The Sauce are performing Friday June 13^th at Distortion. 2 AM


The TRIXXXIEFEST poster by Jimmy Rose:

TRIXXXIEFEST!!!!

Roles 4 Women Theatre Company, The Black Bag Media Collective and Trixxxie are proud to announce the lineup for:
 
The First Annual
TRIXXXIEFEST WEEKEND
JUNE 12 - 15, 2014

THURSDAY JUNE 12
Stand Up Comedy at Scanlan’s Lounge
Cocktail Hour 9 PM
hosted by Comedienne Extraordinaire
Amanda Batten
Featuring the comedy stylings of: Colleen Power, Liz Solo, Amanda Batten, Sweater Kittens
With Musical Guests: Sam Burke, Danielle Trouble, Erin Simms, Jenny Naish

FRIDAY JUNE 13
Rock Show at Distortion – 10:30 PM
STARRING:
The Sauce
The River
Category VI
Trixxxie

SATURDAY JUNE 14
Rock Show at The Ship - 10:30 PM
STARRING:
Uneeda
Trixxxie
DT andThe Dinosaurs 
Allie Duff and The Happy Campers

SUNDAY JUNE 15
Pop-Up Supper and Screening - 8 PM
hosted by Trixxxie
Stay tuned for announcement

All bar shows are $10 at the door

R4W at 1 Billion Rising

Liz and Jenny learning dance moves.

For the past two years Roles 4 Women Theatre Company have been a part of the wonderful annual event - 1 Billion Rising in St. John's - a global rally to end violence against women. It is always a great time with local music, excellent food, information booths and crafts for sale and the company of people from every walk of life who all want to see an end to violence against women.

Along with all the other good stuff, at every 1 Billion Rising event there is also much dancing! Here are a few shots of performances and dance moves from Liz and Jenny at 1 Billion Rising.

Congratulations to the organizers of the St. John's event. We are looking forward to next year.

Jenny performs at 1 Billion Rising

Jenny Dancing with the crowd at the 2014 1 Billion Rising

Everybody Dances! Liz and Gerry Rogers sharing a scoff to Sabrina Wyatt.

TrixxxieFest

Roles for Women are proud to announce the 1st Annual TRIXXXIEFEST!

In collaboration with the Black Bag Media Collective we will be presenting TrixxxieFest in St John's from June 12 - 15, 2014. Shows will take place in these fine establishments - The Ship, Distortion, Scanlan's Lounge, The BBMC Studio and other secret locations.

TrixxxieFest is a multi-media, play hard weekend highlighting good music and laughter - here are some of the artists who will be performing - Uneeda, Category VI, DT and the Dinosaurs, The Sauce, Suzanne Power, Trixxxie, Sam Burke, Liz Solo, Colleen Power, Danielle Trouble, Jenny Naish, and more TBA soon. There will be Dancers, Video Screenings, and a Stand-Up Comedy Night hosted by comedienne extraordinaire - Amanda Batten.

Stay tuned for schedules and announcements.

Two of the acts featured in the upcoming TrixxxieFest have just released new videos. Uneeda released an awesome video for their song Momentum - check it out here:


Not only that - Category VI also just released an amazing new video for their song Reborn, here it be:

Roles 4 Women are so excited to be presenting such an incredible line-up of artists and stoked to be debuting Trixxxie - a group that Tallulah, Marilyn and Scarlet have been working on all winter. Thanks to the BBMC for the donated workspace and technical support.

Happy World Theatre Day From Roles 4 Women

Happy World Theatre Day to all of our colleagues at home and around the globe. Love Liz and Jenny, R4WTC.

Here is the International Theatre Institute's 2014 World Thetare Day Message - this year by South African playwright, designer, director, and installation maker, Brett Baily:

"Wherever there is human society, the irrepressible Spirit of Performance manifests.

Under trees in tiny villages, and on high tech stages in global metropolis; in school halls and in fields and in temples; in slums, in urban plazas, community centres and inner-city basements, people are drawn together to commune in the ephemeral theatrical worlds that we create to express our human complexity, our diversity, our vulnerability, in living flesh, and breath, and voice.

We gather to weep and to remember; to laugh and to contemplate; to learn and to affirm and to imagine. To wonder at technical dexterity, and to incarnate gods. To catch our collective breath at our capacity for beauty and compassion and monstrosity. We come to be energized, and to be empowered. To celebrate the wealth of our various cultures, and to dissolve the boundaries that divide us.

Wherever there is human society, the irrepressible Spirit of Performance manifests. Born of community, it wears the masks and the costumes of our varied traditions. It harnesses our languages and rhythms and gestures, and clears a space in our midst.

And we, the artists that work with this ancient spirit, feel compelled to channel it through our hearts, our ideas and our bodies to reveal our realities in all their mundanity and glittering mystery.

But, in this era in which so many millions are struggling to survive, are suffering under oppressive regimes and predatory capitalism, are fleeing conflict and hardship; in which our privacy is invaded by secret services and our words are censored by intrusive governments; in which forests are being annihilated, species exterminated, and oceans poisoned: what do we feel compelled to reveal?

In this world of unequal power, in which various hegemonic orders try to convince us that one nation, one race, one gender, one sexual preference, one religion, one ideology, one cultural framework is superior to all others, is it really defensible to insist that the arts should be unshackled from social agendas?

Are we, the artists of arenas and stages, conforming to the sanitized demands of the market, or seizing the power that we have: to clear a space in the hearts and minds of society, to gather people around us, to inspire, enchant and inform, and to create a world of hope and open-hearted collaboration?"

Image of Janis Spence and Mercedes Barry (from R4W's Memory Sphere Exhibit, Odyssey Simulator) by Kent Barrett