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Performance attacks issues
 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte/Staff Photographer Stephan Bulawski recites poems to the audience as a part of �Victimized, Revived and Alive,� a night of performances put on by CAASA. Bulawski recited both original poems and poems written by others. The show encouraged awareness of sexual assault awareness month.
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 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte/ Staff Photographer Amanda Seelen plays her guitar during �Victimized, Revived and Alive,� an evening of musical talent, spoken word madness and an open microphone, focusing on the issues of sexual assault and sexuality.
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An appreciative and anxious crowd of about 25 gathered in the Atwood Quarry Wednesday night for "Victimized, Revived and Alive," an event that focused on recognizing sexual assault and sexuality's multifaceted and diversified repercussions.
And that was just what this performance proved.
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, sponsored by Campus Advocates Against Sexual Assault (CAASA), three musically and lyrically talented representatives of different campus organizations put on a performance that increased awareness as much as it entertained. The performances were followed by an open mic session.
Starting fashionably late at 7:15 p.m., "Victimized, Revived and Alive" kicked it off with a song that attacked the first sexual assault issue of the night. Maren Greathouse of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Service's OutLoud!, hauntingly sang, with smooth and capturing vocals, "nothing can erase this guilt." She continued to sing in front of the guitar playing, done by Amanda Seelen, chair of the women's equality group.
Between folky songs inspired by sexual assault, sexism and sexuality were several poetry readings and spoken word performances dealing with the same topics. CAASA member Stephan Bulawski contributed the broadest range of performances, which ranged from Propaghandi covers to poetry and spoken word performances about male victims of sexual assault.
And each chimed in with their different voice and different message.
"Never again, never another victim," Bulawski yelled during a piece.
"Do not silence me or my GLBT family," yearned Greathouse.
Meanwhile, Seelen seethed into the microphone during one piece entitled "Settle Sister," which was about not being held back for being what people often label her as "too radical."
Meanwhile, other topics covered objectification of women, love, "booty call(s)" and others.
No matter the range in topics, though, there was a sense of unification and awareness reverberated throughout the room during and after this hour-long performance, which is just what they had hoped for.
"The purpose (of this event is that) people will come and gain a sense of hope," Bulawski said, prior to the performance.
With over a month of planning put into this, the hour-long performance proved to be a success. Audience members clapped and cheered enthusiastically after each piece, and were even able to contribute their own pieces during the open mic session, which followed the initial performance. Though the attendance number was less than expected, all who listened and contributed to the performance were able to gain further perspective and insight on tough issues.
"(This event is) another way of getting messages across," said A. Damon Quade, intern at the sexual violence prevention program at the Women's Center.
"We know how effective (poetry and music) can be," Quade said. "(Through this event) people who have been victimized can tell their story (and) get some things off their chest."
Britt Johnsen can be reached at: [email protected]
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