BIG NEWS - Calpernia to Appear in V-Day 10th Anniversary Event in New Orleans

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Categories: Diary • Actress • Live and In Person

Hey kids, I have confirmed some of the most amazing news of my career. Eve Ensler has asked me to appear in the special 10th Anniversary benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues, to be held at the Superdome in New Orleans. Put it on your calendars! Get your tickets! More information and more participants to be announced as they become available. Click below for full info.

V-DAY’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - V TO THE TENTH April 11-12, 2008

Calpernia Addams, Glenn Close, Rosario Dawson, Ellen DeGeneres, Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson, Ashley Judd, Julia Stiles, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Washington, and musicians Peter Buffett, Toni Childs, Common, Eve, Charmaine Neville, and Joss Stone V-Day will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2008.  Founded by playwright Eve Ensler on February 14, 1998 at the very first benefit of her award winning play “The Vagina Monologues,” the global non profit has raised over $50 million dollars for local anti violence groups with events taking place in over 120 countries to date and more expected during the anniversary year. 

To celebrate the last ten years of ending violence against women and girls and welcome the next ten years, V-Day will stage a series of high profile events beginning in January and culminating with a mega two-day celebration in New Orleans Friday - Saturday, April 11-12 at the New Orleans Arena and Superdome.

Each year V-Day increases awareness by focusing on a specific group of women in the world who are resisting violence with courage and vision. This year, the spotlight is turned to New Orleans and the Gulf South in celebration of V-Day’s tenth anniversary. “Katrina Warriors” are honored for their strength in spite of devastating loss, and commended for rebuilding community one brick at a time. New Orleans women are working to restore a city whose pulse beats unlike any other- a beautiful example of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary. 

On April 11th and 12th 2008, the New Orleans Arena and the Louisiana Superdome will be transformed into a place of peace where V-Day activists from around the world can connect, network, and celebrate. Activities will strengthen the V-Day model of empowerment- by linking art and activism; building bridges across class, nationality and racial divides; and providing a center of caring, learning and healing for the local community.  Activists and service providers will aid, support, and empower survivors of violence. 

Two invitation only fundraisers are in the works in January on the West coast and a special NYC celebration on Valentine’s Day, February 14.  Throughout February and March as thousands of V-Day benefits are scheduled throughout the US and the world, Ensler will tour the US on a 20-city V To The Tenth speaking tour. 

These events will lead up to V-Day event of the decade on April 11 - 12, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena and Superdome.  Over the weekend, Friday - Saturday, April 11 -12, the Superdome will be transformed into SUPERLOVE, SUPERDOME.  The space will feature wellness, healthcare and spa services for the women of New Orleans and the surrounding region.  From massage, to yoga to physical, spiritual and emotional workshops, the Superdome will be cleansed and converted into a place of healing.  The site will also feature an open to the public event space featuring international and local speakers, performance, and art installations. 

On Saturday evening, April 12, V-Day will stage a once in a lifetime event - V To Tenth - featuring multi-lingual performances from The Vagina Monologues, music, stories from V-Day activists across the globe, men standing up for women and much more.  Calpernia Addams, Glenn Close, Rosario Dawson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson, Ashley Judd, Julia Stiles, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Washington, and musicians Peter Buffett, Toni Childs, Common, Eve, Charmaine Neville, and Joss Stone* have already signed on.  The evening will open minds and hearts and raise much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in the Gulf South.

“V to the Tenth will celebrate our victories and usher in the next ten years where together we will raise the stakes, go further, go deeper, increase the power and CHANGE THE STORY OF WOMEN.  What happened in New Orleans after the flood and storm represents the challenges that women worldwide face - violence, lack of healthcare, education, financial security, and safe shelter.  V to the Tenth is a celebration, it is the call, the decision, the next step,”

V-Day Founder/Artistic Director Eve Ensler.

* pending scheduling