Romancing Venus Newsletter
Romancing Venus is a diverse group of women artists, writers and musicians that advocate healing through creative expression. Driven and united by their passion for art, literature, and music, they have set out to empower other women, primarily those who are survivors of abuse, to speak out and stand up for themselves. Through their founder Kooky Tuason, they have released two spoken word albums, and are due to release their third album in 2008.Since it was formed in 2004, RV has gone on to give workshops and perform regularly in venues like Powerbooks, Conspiracy, Penguin Café and Mag:Net Katipunan. Core members include DJ Kooky Tuason, writers Ginny Mata and Karen Kunawicz, musicians Anabel Bosch and Charms Tianzon, spoken word artist Ida Calumpang, and photographer Wawi Navarozza, among others. For Romancing Venus bookings and inquiries, contact Ginny Mata (+639175296133). To order merchandise, contact Kooky Tuason (+639205749870). The Queen BeeBIGKAS PILIPINASThe only Spoken Word FM Radio Show in the Philippines!hosted by Kooky Tuason JAM 88.3 FMEvery Saturday, 9-10 PMhttp://www.venusinorbit.com/"Filipino pride is renewed as poets, celebrities, musicians and artists alike all converge in today’s newest spoken word radio show that puts Filipino culture in point-blank recognition BIGKAS PILIPINAS. It is hosted by Kooky Tuason, who has helped to make spoken word popular today, among diverse choices of alternative music. Listen as Kooky and her guests string together words with passion in verse. Feel the poems become alive with eloquence and emotion. Each line maybe a sincere confession of their life, love and boundless imagination. Each phrase is a verbal manifestation of their artistic expression. This is their gift, their craft, their humble offering to the world." (from the Jam 88.3 website)Performances Free admission! (unless stated otherwise)Romancing Venus @ UP Writers' NightYlagan Theater, UP DilimanDecember 8, 20077-8 PMAnabel BoschCharms TianzonKaren KunawiczGinny MataMatilda, Charms Tianzon's band, will also perform.The night will feature the awarding ceremony of the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award for 2006 winner Kristian Cordero’s Tulang Tulala and the launch of the Likhaan 2007: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature (edited by Jose Y. Dalisay, J. Neil Garcia, and Lilia Quindoza Santiago). Afterwards, there will be performances by other invited guests Cesare Syjuco, Heber Bartolome, DJ Alvaro, dancer/choreographer Myra Beltran, zitar player Joey Valenciano, ventriloquist Ony Carcamo, experimental artist Yanna Acosta, Romancing Venus, and poets Marne Kilates and Teo Antonio.Romancing Venus @ Rock The Riles Kooky Tuason performs with Mono TempleBoni Station, MRTDecember 9, 2007Romancing Venus: GivingThe 4th installment of Romancing Venus Mag:Net Poetry NightsMag:Net KatipunanDecember 10, 20077-9 PMhosted by Ginny MatafeaturingAnabel BoschCharms Tianzon Karen KunawiczRomina Diazwith comediansMike UnsonStanley Chiand guestsAnj HeruelaBlackheartCharisse PadillaJarek AzraelKarla PeñaMoki VillegasNina Terol Pau ApiladoPaul Zialcita (Pinikpikan/Bahaghari)Sonia PascualYanna Verbo Acosta Kooky & Richard Tuason @ Global Paskong Pinoy BazaarBooth + PerformancesGlorietta Tent, MakatiDecember 13-15, 20074pm onwardsRomancing Venus @ WTC Celebrity VillageBooth + PerformancesWorld Trade Center, Celebrity VillageDecember 6-16, 200710am - 10pm weekdays10am - 12am weekendsWorkshops & SeminarsRomancing Venus @ Dula-Daluyan FestivalPoetry Workshop c/o PETA PETA Theater, Q.C.December 9, 200710am - 12pm & 2pm - 4pmMerchandiseAlbumsRomancing Venus Vol. 1 (EMI 2005)Romancing Venus Vol. 2 (2006)Bigkas Pilipinas (2007)Available at all leading record stores (Tower Records, Odyssey, etc.), Mag:Net Katipunan, Powerbooks and Fully Booked. Venuses In OrbitAnalog (Anabel Bosch)December 1, 9 P.M. - Ninja Kiss @ Saguijo, MakatiDecember 5, 9 P.M. - Stripped @ Route 196, Katipunan
December 9, Boni Station, Rock the Riles (RockED)Matilda (Charms Tianzon)December 8, 8 P.M. - UP Writers' Night @ Ylagan Theater, UP DilimanGinny Mata (Storytelling)December 1, 4 P.M. - with Bahaghari for Blue Christmas @ the Ateneo Covered CourtsWawi NavarozzaSATURNINE: A Collection of Portraits, Creatures, Glass & ShadowNovember 29-December 22, 2007Solo exhibit on tour at:Mcdermott GallerySiem Reap, Cambodiaas part of the 3rd Angkor Photography FestivalandArtReflex GallerySaint-Petersburg, Russia
***
Some of the sisters in Romancing Venus include:Anabel Bosch fronts the rock band Analog. She has been singing and performing since she was 16, and has been part of several bands, including Tropical Depression and Electrikoolaid. She is presently a writer and researcher for Europrofiles.Karen Kunawicz is legendary in the spoken word scene in Manila, as the ‘founding mother’ of the Dredd Poets Society. Her erotica has been published in several literary anthologies, and she has written columns for the Manila Times and Mirror Weekly. She is presently the EIC of Mango Jam.Kooky Tuason founded Romancing Venus in 2004. She hosts Bigkas Pilipinas, the only spoken word radio show in the Philippines, on Jam 88.3 FM every Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. The show was nominated for the KBP Award for Best Culture and Arts Program last June 2007. She is a poet, producer, manager and publicist.Ginny Mata writes and edits books while finishing her graduate studies in Creative Writing at U.P. Diliman. Her features have been published in major glossies like Marie Claire, MPH (Mobile Philippines), Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan Philippines. She also works as a project coordinator for NGOs and non-profit programs.Charms Tianzon fronts the all-female indie rock band Matilda. A graduate of B.A. Creative Writing at U.P. Diliman (2003), she teaches English at De La Salle Benilde University. She is presently taking up her M.A. in Creative Writing at U.P. Diliman.Wawi Navarozza fronts The Late Isabel. She shoots fashion editorials and portraits for major glossies like Rogue, Preview, Marie Claire, MEGA and the Philippine Tatler. An accomplished photographer, she won the Ateneo Art Award in 2007 for Saturnine (Silverlens Gallery). Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally (in Cambodia, Russia and Spain).Other members include spoken word artist Ida Calumpang, musicians Aimee Marcos, Maegan Aguilar and Nityalila, photographers Honey Cruz and Romina Diaz, dancer/photographer Adelle Victoria and honorary male Venuses writer Moki Villegas and photographer Erving Go.