The Times Weekly, staff
Women’s History Month begins at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre with the kick-it off on Saturday, February 25 with “Women Telling Their Stories Through Music” at 7:00 pm, for one show only. The multi-media presentation covers women songwriters across the decades. Admission is free and suitable for all ages. The park invites everyone to attend and celebrate together.
For Women’s History Month last year, the park featured a theatrical production. “These Shining Lives” was about the radium watch factory female workers’ fight for workplace justice. This year, Park Manager Lori Carmine adds variety with a lyrical production. She was inspired by the 2023 National Women’s History Alliance’s theme: “Celebrating women who tell their stories.”
“We have a wonderful group of women, who have helped to create this program with many hours of research and then learning music. We believe we all have a story worth telling. Music is a wonderful way of sharing, said Carmine.”
Some of the local vocalists bringing the music to life include Julia Alexander, Katherine Carl, Cheryl Foster, Tamara Orozco Martinez, Claudia Rojas and others. Audiences will hear about women songwriters from the 20th century through today, featuring Ella Fitzgerald to Carole King to Taylor Swift, and the significance of their messages. Each generation brought new challenges and new victories, which will be shared.
The is about two hours. The lobby doors open at 6:00 pm. A cash bar and concessions will be available. Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432. The parking is free within the park. The park’s main entrance off Jefferson Street is still open, even though the Jefferson Street bridge is closed.
For more info, visit www.bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724 3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.
