Head Vagina L Powers is very concerned about women's issues. Very, very concerned. Ask this theatrical activist about the state of women's issues here in Miami, and she can easily talk about the dangers of date rape for a good eight minutes straight.
"You see, there's a big social scene here. It's a sexual city. So they draw the money by saying, 'Hey, we've got girls, come to South Beach.' They want to keep date rape hush hush. A lot of people just don't want to talk about it. They're like 'Hey, Wine and Food Festival, alright!' I like to have a good time too, but it's important for people to be informed. We as a community have to do it," she says, a note of steely determination in her voice.
Head Vagina L is doing more than her part to keep the once-hot button issue in the spotlight. Together with her University Guerilla Troop, L's production of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues will bring the issue of date rape and sexual abuse to the forefront. This V-Day event aims to get people talking.
Head Vagina L is absolutely certain of the play's educational and transformative powers. "We're following the script 100 percent. This is our South Beach-stylized version of Eve Ensler. When these monologues are performed for the audience — guys, girls, gay, straight — they get a message about what the vagina goes through! These monologues are great for us on South Beach because some of them deal with things we don't deal with. We live in a beach community, and we should all be happy that we live pretty good lives, especially as women," she says. "The monologues are to bring awareness, and also to generate funds for women's issues. So 100 percent usually goes to shelters, or to support women."
This year, Head Vagina L has come up with a unique way to make her contributions evident. A portion of the proceeds from this weekend's performance will go towards informative plaques that will be put up in the bathroom stalls at South Beach clubs, as warning signs for partiers to beware of roofie-spiking predators. So far, Cameo and Score Bar have signed on to display these informative plaques. Jimmy Ryce's mother will be the show's official Vagina Warrior, and besides the informative plaques, and other donations, she has especially requested the donation of bloodhounds to help police forces find missing children.
Come dressed in your best boas and tiaras for what's bound to be an unforgettable performance. The play begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 25 at the Colony Theater, Miami Beach. Tickets cost $50 and are available through Ticketmaster. Call 305-305-8212, or visit this site.
