Red Tent Sisters

On Thursday, May 22 Emma Cook, sister to Red Tent Sisters Amy and Kimberley Sedgwick, released her second CD, Hit and Run, at the Lula Lounge in Toronto. Emma played her poignant and saucy songs to a full house while one notable two-year-old fan danced up a storm. I love Emma’s music and I’m so glad that her CD is available at Red Tent Sisters because I see a lot of similarities in the philosophies behind both the music and the store. Introducing one of her songs, Emma explained that part of the impetus behind her writing is a desire to see and hear strong women in the arts and media who don’t fit snugly into the false and simple stereotypes that society has created for them. In particular, women’s sexual identities are always far more complex and interesting than the simple virgin/whore, good girl/bad girl dichotomy dominating mainstream consciousness. Emma’s song, “Even Your Momma can Wear Stiletto Boots,” refuses to assign categories of female identity. She sings: “We’re torn apart into pieces/ One walks the streets and the other looks after the kids/ Why can’t we occupy the same spaces/ One woman, two different faces.” Emma also performed this song at the grand opening of Red Tent Sisters, which was so appropriate because the store honours all sides of women’s identities. At Red Tent Sisters there is no ‘either/or’ about women’s sexual and reproductive health choices. What makes the store so unique is the opportunity it presents for women to pick up information and products for pregnancy, menstruation, general health, and sexuality all in one space. It captures the kind of holistic approach to identity and body that Emma seeks in her music. I’m excited by the fresh perspectives and attitudes offered by Hit and Run and Red Tent Sisters. Let’s continue to support artistic and business initiatives seeking to affirm women’s human dynamism!

Hit and Run, Emma Cook, 2008

Learn more about Emma and her music at www.emmacookmusic.com or www.myspace.com/grrremma

# posted by Kim Sedgwick @ 2:31 PM