Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Onstage / Lit & Lectures / Visual Art / Performing Arts / Dance / Arts / Books Memorials for Effie Mihopoulos
Posted by Tony Adler on 03.03.10 at 06:34 PM
Effie Mihopoulos both wrote for the Reader and served as a subject for other Reader writers. Her contributions consisted mostly of dance and art reviews, but in 1989 she somehow managed to get a poem printed here as well. Later, she snuck another poem in, disguised as a letter to the editor. I knew her better years ago, when she was publishing her dance magazine Salome and putting out poetry (mine included) through her Ommation Press. But I saw her at loads of theater and gallery openings right up to December, the month before she died of breast cancer at age 57. She swam in art for as long as she lived.
Two memorials services are planned for Mihopoulos this weekend: Fri 3/5, 5 PM, recital hall, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. Saint Louis (a concert to benefit Haiti will follow), and Sat 3/6, 1 PM, Newberry Library, 60 West Walton. For information e-mail honoring1effie@gmail.com.
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Dear Tony:
Thank you so much for this gorgeous tribute on Effie. She leaves behind no family besides one much older cousin, Catherine, but Effie belongs to us all. She was our own "Auntie Mame" and would whisk our entire family off to performances where we would be transported into whole other worlds. What a gift she has been to us! Were it not for Effie, my play "Santa Girl" would never have been written, as Effie introduced me to the person from the Chicago Cultural Center who commissioned the play.
Effie's Memorial is today at 5pm at NEIU, 5500 N. St. Louis in Recital Hall. Performances to honor Effie will be made by the Trapdoor theater company, as well as Ensemble Espanol and a film by Josephine LaPuma. Artist James Mesple will display his work w/Effie. Poets presenting today include: Cynthia Gallaher, David Hernandez, Cornelius Eady As an aside, under her Ommation Press imprint, Effie published Cornelius Eady's book "Victims of the Latest Dance Craze" in 1985, and it won the prestigious Pushcart Prize. Cornelius told me in our correspondance that he wouldn't be where he is today were it not for Effie's influence. I never knew! She was so humble, our Effie.
A Benefit Concert for Haiti hosted by WZRD will follow the event. (WZRD is the radio station Effie worked tirelessly for as a Cultural Arts Commentator)
Saturday, March 6 from 1-3 pm at the Newberry Library, 60 West Walton on the 2nd Floor, we will have a Poetry Tribute in Effie's honor hosted by Vito Carli and me. One of Effie's last requests was that I sponsor the Memorial in her honor. I pray I am doing justice to her memory. She lived art and was an inspiration to us all!
I hope you all can make it today!
Thanks again-
Peace & love,
Cathleen Schandelmeier
I was very saddened to just today read of Effie's passing. She was truly an original and I was always a fan. I first came to know Effie at Northeastern where she would often suddenly appear in the hallway outside the studio when the Ensemble Espanol was rehearsing. We had great conversations about dance and I always felt she was one of my biggest fans; ever effusive after a concert, chatting about what she enjoyed and sometimes, about what she didn't!
I will remember her always and will miss knowing that at the next dance performance I attend, I won't happen upon her, buzzing with a review!
Rest in peace, friend.
Karen Stelling
I was very saddened to read just today of Effie's passing. She was a true original and a huge dance fan. I came to know her during my days with the Ensemble Espanol at NEIU. Effie was often around the studio when the Company was rehearsing and I would regularly chat with her about our activities and the drama and mayhem of dancing in a company. She was always philosophical and encouraging.
I will miss seeing her at future dance productions, knowing she won't be there, buzzing about the next review. I always felt she was a big fan and I counted on and appreciated her support and comrade in arms connection for many years.
Rest in peace, Effie.
Karen Stelling
