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These
are standard programs, adaptable to adult and teen levels, for
co-ed or women-only groups. Custom-made programs
are available through ZzoomZzoom Productions. Programs are facilitated
by Loolwa Khazzoom and affiliates.
To see program reviews, click here.
To schedule a program or to receive more information, contact
ZzoomZzoom Productions.
All
programs are one hour and $1,000, unless noted otherwise. Shorter
programs are available, but program fee remains the same. Program
fee does not include travel to and from the immediate local
area. A limited number of discounted rates are available to
low-budget, non-profit organizations. Organizations booking
a series of three or more programs receive a 10% discount.
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A
Few Good Men
PROGRAM
"The
male violence I experienced was not my doing or my fault. It
is no more my burden and responsibility than it is the burden
and responsibility of a man who comes into my life. When a man
nonetheless cashes in on his illusion of escape and runs away,
he leaves me not only to deal single-handedly with the pain
of past male violence, but he adds to this pain a fresh layer
of betrayal and despair." (excerpt from program discussion)
Male violence
against women also affects men, by virtue of the fact that men
are in relationship with women - whether sexually or platonically.
One in four American women have been raped, and the majority
of women have been touched by some form of male violence. By
not being adequately prepared to deal with past trauma of a
woman in his life, a man can exacerbate the trauma she experienced:
He can leave her with the double burden of both the impact and
the fallout of this violence. In this way, even the most non-violent,
gentle man can contribute to the cycle of sexual violence. When
a man chooses to hold hands with a woman, to the contrary, and
face the impact of sexual violence, he can participate in a
journey of healing that is full of love, playfulness, and heightened
intimacy. He can become part of the solution to violence against
women.
"A
Few Good Men" provides a safe, nurturing space for women
and men to speak honestly about how male violence against women
affects male-female relationships. The program explores the
female and male roles in dealing with past sexual trauma in
a woman's life. Through small and large group discussions, drumming,
body movement, and artwork, participants uncover the layers
of fear and despair that keep us apart and discover the joys
of healing through partnership.
TOUR
Stay
tuned for tour information!
REVIEWS
Stay
tuned for reviews on this program!
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Beyond
Date Rape
PROGRAM
In
a pair of Ally McBeal episodes, the character Renee kickboxed
her date, Rivers, because he did not stop his sexual advances
when she told him to. He ended up with broken bones; she ended
up with assault charges. Renee won her court case, with her
attorney asserting unequivocally that no means no: "Did
she encourage him to make a sexual advance? Perhaps. Did she
get him all worked up? I bet she did. Does she then forfeit
her right to say 'stop'?"
Date
rape has been addressed repeatedly on television. Historically,
it has been approached from a woman-as-victim perspective. Often,
it has been treated as cute and entertaining. Female characters
who have have fought their rapists through legal battles have
often been punished or made to look like fools. But with these
two episodes, Ally McBeal pioneered a unique twist on televised
date rape: The incident never progressed past attempted rape,
because the date/assailant was faced with a powerful, competent
woman committed to protecting her boundaries. Not only did this
woman incapacitate her date/assailant, but she won her court
battle as well.
After
screening video excerpts from these episodes, program participants
engage in an invigorating exploration of what happens when women
step outside the victim role. Through guided discussions in
small and large groups, participants reflect on the distinction
between self-defense and violence, considering whether there
is such a thing as a woman going "too far." Based
on real life stories shared throughout the program, participants
examines society's moral and legal responses to women who have
stepped outside the bounds of normal "feminine" behavior.
What messages do we receive about women who successfully protect
their lives or their space? What actions can or should we take
- individually and as organized communities - to change society's
attitudes and laws?
TOUR
Adeline
Community Center, Berkeley CA (August 2000)
Underground Publishing Conference, Bowling Green, OH (June 2000)
Southern Girls Convention, Memphis TN (July 1999)
REVIEWS
Stay
tuned for reviews on this program!
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Consequence
Consequence:
Beyond Resisting Rape takes participants on a journey from
victimization to empowerment, incorporating the work of local
rape crisis centers, self defense instructors, spoken word artists,
and musicians. The program begins with a screening of War
Zone, a film documenting sexual harassment on the streets
across America. It moves on to a consciousness-raising discussion
about the phenomenon of violence against women, springboarding
off the daily dynamic witnessed in the video screening. Participants
then get into their bodies and learn basic self defense moves
to combat harassment and other forms of assault. Instructors
offer what is for many the first active encouragement to be
physically powerful. Once participants are energized by this
exercise, they are treated to a spoken word performance by artists
fighting violence against women in its many different forms.
Following this performance, Loolwa Khazzoom does a spoken word
performance of her own, with excerpts from Consequence:
Beyond Resisting Rape, accompanied by live music. The program
ends with a question/answer session and general discussion about
pushing the envelopes of response to sexual harassment.
TOUR
Ladyfest Bay Area (July 2002).
Bodacia's Books, Kensington (February 2002)
Mama Bears Bookstore, Oakland (January 2002)
Ladyfest New York (September 2001)
Ladyfest Chicago (August 2001)
Jerusalem Cinematheque (March 2003)
Ladyfest Amsterdam (August 2003)
REVIEWS
Stay
tuned! This site will include photos and reviews from the Consequence
tour.
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Sexual
Liberation
PROGRAM
Why
can't a gal jump into bed with any old guy and be able to trust
he will care about and honor her boundaries? Why do we define
sex as intercourse? Why do we polarize casual sex and spiritual
union?
In
"Sexual Liberation," participants examine society's
scripts for sexual behavior, exploring how to move beyond rigid
codes to embrace one's authentic sexual self. In this exploration,
the program addresses ways that sex and violence are often confused.
Participants are encouraged to imagine what their sexuality
would be like in a world where people were never physically
or emotionally threatened for their choices, and the group discusses
personal and political strategies for transformation.
The
group is encouraged to think creatively about what has been
termed as "outercourse" (sex without intercourse),
reflecting on what it would mean if society moved beyond seeing
it as "foreplay." We examine this attitude shift as
a means for enhancing our sensual capacities and enjoying full
body sex - a pleasure that can be indulged in and of itself
or in addition to intercourse. We also explore this attitude
shift as a means of figuring out the safest, most pleasurable
ways to have sex in an age where there is a great risk of contracting
a disease.
In
addition, participants break down the polarization between physical
and spiritual union, considering how communication and respect
can deepen even the most casual encounter. We discuss the fears
inherent in the disconnection many people experience with sex,
unveiling and challenging the messages we receive about vulnerability
and self-expression. The program closes with a discussion of
strategies for personal and societal transformation, guiding
participants to resources for further exploration and growth.
TOUR
Mama
Bears, Oakland (June 2000)
REVIEWS
Stay
tuned for reviews of this program!
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