2015 Highlights- We had a BLAST!
May:
We started our 2015 season at the Electric Fetus, helping celebrate Record Store Day. Next we performed at the Bedlam Theater contributing to a benefit for the MN Women are Not for Sale campaign. “We Can Be”, an original song written by PFLC’s own Leah Lemm and recorded by 2014 members, was included on a compilation CD titled VOICE: SONGS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SILENCED. Other local artists included on the CD are: Haley Bonar, Dessa, Holly Hansen, Chris Koza, Charlie Parr, Carrie Rodriguez & Luke Jacobs, We are the Willows, the Ericksons, Robert Robinson, Reina del Cid, Joey Verskotzi, Jon Rodine, The House Of Mercy Band, Angel with Angie, and Ben Weaver. These local musicians used only their voices in order to raise awareness for those who have been silenced. It was a beautiful event for great cause. The CD is available for sale at local record shops and can be downloaded from itunes.
The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Voice Project
June:
WE LOVE NORTHERN SPARK! This was the choir’s first official gig in 2011 and we always enjoy performing at the all-night event. This year, we were able to perform at the Mill City Ruins. Our next performance was at Twin Cities Pride Festival where we performed at the Beer Dabbler tent!
July:
We are ALL DEVO! We were honored to be asked to sing a version of “Whip It”, arranged by Andrew Berkowitz, at “A Creative Conversation with Mark Mothersbaugh, Chuck Statler and Jake Rudh” hosted by MIA as part of “Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia,” a retrospective of Mothersbaugh’s work. Andrew joined us for the performance as a vocal percussionist. It was truly a memorable gig. You can find an archive of the conversation and our performance here:
We also helped christen the new Saints Stadium in July singing The National Anthem again. We approve of the new digs!
August: We took a little break to recharge for the rest of the season.
September:
Prairie Fire Lady Choir dove into eastern European folk music with the help of the Nightingale Trio. It was an acoustic treat for Prairie Fire Lady Choir to sing at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis with The Nightingale Trio (Nila Bala, Rachel LaViola, and Sarah Larsson). Our voices resonated throughout the aisles of this amazing theater. The Nightingale trio serenaded the audience with their selections of traditional music from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. PFLC traditionally sings alternative pop songs, but we stepped out of our comfort zone and ventured into Bulgarian folk music. Earlier in the summer, Sarah Larsson from The Nightingale Trio led rehearsals for our collaboration on “Erghen Deda” and patiently coached us on all of the nuances of singing and gossiping in Bulgarian. After the show we toured the building and sipped drinks in the lounge. We strolled around the library and banquet rooms where flappers and dandies might have danced the Charleston years ago. We returned to the Amsterdam in Saint Paul and contributed to GOOFDA!, a concert of local musicians covering novelty songs, as a benefit for music education.
November: We returned to CODA Performing Art series in NE Minneapolis, sharing the stage with Midwest Paul Cook, and then we took over a rock-and-roll stage again at Lee’s Liquor Lounge where we were honored to open for the Belfast Cowboys.
Our season finale was held at the Cedar Cultural Center and was a jaw-dropping hoot and a half. We teamed up with another local choir of DUDES called Murder of Bros and collaborated on “Women and Men” by They Might Be Giants, and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill. Audience members were treated to flying fish, cardboard waves and much nautical wear. PFLC’s own Karen Townsend opened the show with her new group, Oblivia. Comedian Rana May emceed and sprinkled in some saucy jokes. We debuted choir lady Molly Bloom’s arrangements of Sleater Kinney’s “Modern Girl”.
In addition to debuting some of our new songs we also sang: Devo’s “Whip It” and The Free Design’s “Love You” arranged by Claudia Holt and Valerie Kahler.
At some point after the show, They Might Giants caught sight of our version of their song “How Can I Sing Like a Girl” (arranged by Molly Bloom) and shared it on Twitter, Facebook and their website. Choir lady Amy Wilkerson and TMBG super fan was thrilled to see her song choice get a shout out from John and John.
December:
In December we were thrilled to be asked to perform at the historic Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul as part of their Films at the Fitz series. We performed a few holiday songs and a couple of our regular tunes as well. Choirista Ashley Lyle led the audience in a fantabulous sing along round before viewing Elf and Christmas Vacation
A truly fantastic season…now we rest our pipes and get ready for 2016. Come along for the ride with ladies who like to sing.
