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Chicago Filmmaker, Tammy Cresswell, is puttin' on
JETT SET: A TRIBUTE TO BAD ASS LADIES OF THE 80'S on Saturday, Sept. 21st, 9pm, Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave, Chicago.
This rockin' event is a fundraiser for her film, Coup d'etat, an independent documentary focusing on the lives of those
who are redefining the roles of women both in both the underground and
mainstream culture.
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 | | Tammy Cresswell |
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Diva: So Tammy, what inspired you to put on Jett Set?
Tammy: Well, I need to raise funds to finish my film, Coup d'etat....also I love
80's music and had always wished I could be at a live 80's show. So, why not have a fundraisin' party show with a stellar line-up of 80's hits?
Diva: Cooool....so who's playing at Jett Set?
Tammy: Well, performers include Marvin Tate's D-Settlement, The Chicago Kings and Ladyfest bands Pistol Whipped, Tormentula, Stewed Tomatoes.
DJ Billy Seagrave of Exit will be spinning the best 80's from his
collection in between sets. Plus, diva, you're gonna host it, right!
Diva: (Grinning)...you betcha....so what's the best thing 'bout Joan Jett?
Tammy: She's fucking awesome. I'm into her music and what she
represents. Joan lived on her own at 16, which I can identify with. She
had a tough life growing up but nothing got in her way. I love people who
get what they want...despite the circumstances.
Diva: I agree. There's nothing sexier than a woman who gets what she wants. So, this is a fundraiser for your film, Coup d'etat...tell me a bit about your film?
 | The Butchies
(Still from Coup d'etat) |
Tammy:
Coup d'etat focuses on about how the acceptable image for a women is being changed
by women inventing their own reality...in very radical ways.
I think
that we are approaching a time where there may be
mainly biological differences and not differences as a result of culture
itself, meaning that there will be equal representation of men and women
in every genre. In other countries, the roles of women I encountered
were much like the
traditional roles of women in America. After being immersed in this way
of life for an extended period of time, I began to think about how much
more radically evolved the acceptable image is for woman in America and I
wanted to document this evolution at its most extreme existence. So,
when I returned I began to research the most radical art forms that women
were producing hence, came Coup d'etat. The point of the film is to
create a space where these women can share their everyday realities,
their struggles and discuss what they believe the future holds for them.
Diva: You've got an amazing lineup. You interviewed Amy Ray, Kathleen Hanna, The Butchies, Harry Dodge, Lori Barbero, like everyone.... How did you go about interviewing folks for the film?
Tammy:
Some just an email. Others, I had met while
working on Ladyfest or contacted through a friend.
Diva: What were some of your craziest experiences making the film?
Tammy: My lips are sealed...ha ha.
Let me think....well, I went down to South Carolina to film Joan at an outdoor festival and the
stage guys decided the city girl needed to try their Moonshine. We
were jamming out on the stage to the band "Jackyl", when a roady comes
flying by with an chainsaw (part of the performance), I backed up to get
out of the way, tripped on some
cords and almost fell off the side of the stage. I blame it entirely
on the Moonshine.
When I went to film Joan in Minneapolis, Her manager got us a room in
their hotel. We ended up hanging out with them in her room, watching
t.v. and ordering room service. They were very down to earth...it was
only as Joan was cleaning her leather pants for the show, that it hit me
she was Joan Jett.....very surreal.
Diva: Cool! Thanks for your time, Tams! Everyone, come down to Jett Set on Sept. 21st, 9pm, at Sub-T, 2011 W. North, Chicago.
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