Ani DiFranco is a renowned folk artist and a prominent voice for feminism and gay rights. She will be performing tonight at 7 at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium as part of the Mountain Stage performance that will also feature moe., Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Paul Kelly and George Stanford. Tickets for the event range from $20 to $35 and are still available. The Post's Ashley Lutz recently spoke with DiFranco about springtime in Athens and her new poetry book.
The Post: Is this your first time performing in Athens?
Ani DiFranco: No, it's not, it's been a few years though. Well, it was gorgeous, I think it was springtime as well. I think this time we'll just be passing through, and it should be fun.
Post: You were featured on OUTstanding posters on our campus that profile those active in gay rights. What are some ways that students can help increase equality today?
DiFranco: Something that has served me well in my short little life is to just be personally, actually above it all. The key ingredient is just I fully believe there's nothing wrong with my life and my experiences, and I put out that energy with humor and I've gotten away with it my whole life: saying the stuff you're not supposed to say. I just really feel like if you're sure of yourself and your truth, then it will resonate with other people.
Post: Your early career was marked by a lot of college performances. What is the best part of performing in a campus atmosphere?
DiFranco: Well, colleges are places where people are getting together every day and talking about ideas, which I think, is really cool and something I miss in my life. It's definitely a thinking, engaged audience, which is preferable for me when I'm performing.
Post: Your lyrics are often very political. Do you support any of the candidates in the 2008 election? Why?
DiFranco: Well my favorite candidate was Dennis Kucinich ... I think basically from here on out, when people ask me who I'll vote for I just say a Democrat. Even beyond who those characters are of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, it will be a great day in American history when we have either a woman or a black man in the Oval Office. It's very exciting to see the possibility of America expand.
Post: You have performed with prominent artists such as Cyndi Lauper and Dar Williams. What is your favorite collaboration?
DiFranco: Scrolling back through many years, so one thing that was kind of a radical blip on my screen was hooking up with Prince in Minneapolis.-
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Ashley Lutz
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