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Finding aid of the Once In A Blue Moon Productions
Records
Coll2009-011
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Table of contents
Title: Once In A Blue Moon Productions
records
Dates: 1976-1980
Collection number: Coll2009-011
Creator:
Unknown
Collection Size: 0.4 linear foot
(1 archival carton).
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: The bulk of this collection contains
correspondence, financial records and printed ephemera documenting the
activities of Once In A Blue Moon Productions, a production company and women's
collective located in Los Angeles, California. The materials document Blue
Moon's activities and operations from 1977 to 1980. Information about musicians
who collaborated with Blue Moon--Woody Simmons, Joanna Cazden, Willie Tyson,
Julie James, and Alix Dobkin--is included in the form of typed biographies,
clippings, and correspondence.
Physical location: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives,
Los Angeles, California.
Languages: Languages
represented in the collection: English
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Once In A Blue Moon Productions records, Coll2009-011, ONE National Gay
and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Date and method of acquisition unknown. Materials found in the Lesbian
Legacy Collection Subject Files.
Once In A Blue Moon Productions was founded in 1977 by a group of
women--Patt Riese, Susan Rowe, Carol Leamy, Barbara Allen and Lesley
Mallgraves--who had worked together on the Women On Wheels L.A. series of
1977.
Blue Moon was L.A.'s only feminist collective production company of its
time. Barbara Allen describes it as an alternative production company with the
goal of spreading women's culture by presenting and supporting feminist
performers. The organization put on concerts with feminist musicians such as
Woody Simmons, Alix Dobkin, and Julie James. By doing this, Blue Moon's
founders hoped to develop an alternative to the dominant capitalistic system
they regarded as defining and separating people according to class, sex, race
and age in order to insure the power of the elite.
The women behind Blue Moon felt that the capitalistic system separated
and isolated the feminist community; and they actively worked to counter such
affects by unifying women through benefit concerts, activism and outreach. They
were committed to the eradication of sexism and the widespread effects that it
had on all women's lives.
Blue Moon's founders desired to use women's culture as a means of
combating the patriarchal system. By doing so, women would be able to advance
politically, socially and economically. Within the organization, each woman had
equal power and responsibility and all jobs paid the same regardless of job
title.
As often as possible, the women of Blue Moon attempted to use services
from other women's businesses and hoped to make an exclusive practice of this.
Collaborators include Olivia Records, Women Against Violence Against Women
(WAVAW), Wise Women Enterprises, and Redwood Records.
At Once In A Blue Moon events no woman was turned away due to lack of
funds. Childcare was always available and leaflet tables were provided so that
the organization could continue its outreach. Blue Moon's founders also hoped
to take as many of their productions as possible inside prisons so that all
women would have equal access to the spirit and support of the feminist
movement.
Once In A Blue Moon Productions appears to have ceased operations around
1980.
Sources:
Allen, Barbara.
Once In A Blue Moon Production. Production's
Press. Santa Monica, CA (December 9, 1977).
Box 1, folder 1, Once In A Blue Moon Productions Records, Coll2009-011,
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Scope and Content of Collection
The bulk of this collection contains correspondence, financial records
and printed ephemera documenting the activities of Once In A Blue Moon
Productions, a production company and women's collective located in Los
Angeles, California, from 1977 to 1980. The correspondence items consist of
handwritten and typed letters from and to Once In A Blue Moon. The content of
these letters relates to benefit concerts and artists supported by Blue Moon,
as well as the day-to-day activities of the organization. The financial records
outline the organization's spending from 1977 to 1980; they include budgets,
receipts, bank statements, and check stubs. Printed ephemera consist of fliers,
posters and two mockups of the Willie Tyson, Kay Gardener and Alive, and An
Evening with Good-time Music concerts held between 1977 and 1980. Information
about musicians who collaborated with Blue Moon--Woody Simmons, Joanna Cazden,
Willie Tyson, Julie James, and Alix Dobkin--is included in the form of typed
biographies, clippings, and correspondence. A negative of a photograph of
Willie Tyson--used for the Willie Tyson, Kay Gardener and Alive concert--is
included as well.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Concerts
Feminist music
Lesbian musicians
Music trade
Women's music
Women musicians--United
States
Women singers--United States