Singer-songwriter and Austin native Kathy Valentine, who is also a former member of the Go-Go’s, is collaborating with local Austin bar and venue The Townsend on a new music series spotlighting women. The new series is called “She Factory,” and will highlight talented women in the arts while connecting the artistic and business communities in town.
The first installment in the series is called “The Song Pool” and takes place at The Townsend on Congress Ave, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 8 to 10 p.m. The local musicians featured at this installment include Nina Diaz, Carolyn Wonderland, Jane Ellen Bryant, Suzanna Choffel, Patricia Vonne, and Ruthie Foster. The event is open to the public and donations will be requested at the door to benefit The SAFE Alliance, an Austin organization dedicated to ending child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
“At this ‘She Factory’ event, ‘The Song Pool’ brings together a variety of women songwriter/performers in an interactive, casual environment to play some of their songs and discuss with both the audience, and the other performers, the art of songwriting,” said Kathy Valentine. “She may discuss the specific song, what inspired it or how songwriting in general impacts, narrates or expresses aspects of her life.”
Local woman-owned businesses are also supporting the event, including Janifer Wheeler
of Wheelhouse Learning Solutions and the Texas Business Women – Capital City Chapter; Darla Sees of Sees HR Consulting; Caroline Jones of Great American Smiles Dentistry; Grace
Lanni of All About that Brand and the Austin Chapter of e-Women Network; Conni Reed of Consuela; Heather Wagner Reed of Juice Consulting; Maria Groten and Stephanie Kincheloe of Love Cycle; Studio and Ruel Ellis of Conversation Piece Marketing and PR. There will also be a raffle for attendees of “The Song Pool,” with prizes provided by local businesses Mosaic Weighted Blankets, Spa Social, and Trusty Oak.
“As a woman getting close to another milestone—60 years old in less than two years, I’m very
focused on what I want to accomplish,” said Valentine. “I wish to leave as many statements and
expressions of myself as possible, in as many mediums as possible. Raising my daughter, along with her father, is the most important aspect of my life, but there are new career chapters ahead of me as well. I’m exceedingly proud of the legacy of the Go-Go’s and our place in music history. Presently, my hope is to continue inspiring women to keep in mind that whether we are in our 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, we can remain challenged, engaged, open, and motivated. My goals are that all my endeavors be part of a platform that enables me to bring about positive change in the community, country, and world.”
“The Song Pool” on Sept. 19 will be an exciting look at what’s to come with “She Factory” and its future installments. Austinites who want to support local businesses and local artists should mark their calendars for this forthcoming showcase.
About Jackie
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Jackie has called Austin home since choosing to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism. She loves spending time with her dog, writing about pop culture in all its forms and spending time with friends – eating, drinking and doing trivia. You can follow Jackie on Twitter and Instagram.
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Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Jackie has called Austin home since choosing to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism. She loves spending time with her dogs, writing about pop culture in all its forms and spending time with friends – eating, drinking and doing trivia.