On Thursday, September 10th, at FilmScene (6:30pm), there will be a documentary screening and community event focusing on sexual violence in the arts (particularly educational settings), presented through an epic collaboration of FilmScene, RVAP/DVIP, Sexual Assault Survivors at Iowa (SASI), and the NWP, Music, and Theatre departments.

 

Dear Lara, directed by the renowned violinist Lara St. John, is a documentary about sexual harassment/abuse in classical music institutions, from music schools to orchestras, but is relevant to most artistic fields and school environments. The film presents a view into which structural dynamics can make communities vulnerable, and how community members can respond together. Tickets are pay-what-you-can for the film. 

 

There will be a catered reception at 6PM, and a fascinating panel afterwards with Dr. Amber Joy Powell (sociology), an expert on gendered, racialized violence and the state/ how children experience sexual assault adjudication in courts, and Katharine Baker (law), who specializes in the intersection of women's intimate lives and the law. We'll also have advocates from RVAP/DVIP and student orgs tabling in the lobby.

 

On Sunday, September 13^th at 6:30 PM at the James Theater there will be a classical music benefit concert for RVAP/DVIP and an opportunity to talk more about how the Iowa City community might work together to prevent sexual harassment [in creative settings].