June 2018 Archives

The Xena Scrolls (Season 2, Episode 10)

In Macedonia, 1942, a descendent of Gabrielle, Dr Janice Covington, teams up with a descendant of Xena, Melinda Pappas, and a descendent of Joxer, Jacques S’Er, to track down the ancient Xena Scrolls. In doing so they unleash the imprisoned God of War, necessitating the spirit of Xena to take over Melinda’s body and stop him.

• Episode Review by SLK
• Episode Stills

Art by MaryD

• Art: Mad Dog Convington by MaryD
• Art: Episode Montage for The Xena Scrolls by MaryD (apologies for the size but back in the day the art was around 500 x 500 which is tiny by today's standards)

Auckland Museum to shine light on gender equality

Auckland Museum to shine light on gender equality in enriching new exhibition
Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa

For immediate release
Friday 15 June 2018

New Zealand has come a long way in the 125 years since women won the vote. But are we there yet?

In the year of #metoo, what does "feminism" really mean? How did we get here, and where are we heading now?

Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa is a contemporary exhibition taking place at Auckland Museum from July 6, 2018. While celebrating the historic anniversary of suffrage in Aotearoa, Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa also looks at the successes and speed-bumps of gender equality in New Zealand. This enriching exhibition aims to reach out to all New Zealanders through thought-provoking information around equal pay, legal rights, body image and more.

The exhibition highlights the Kiwi women you have heard of, and many you haven’t: from Kate Sheppard, Meri Te Tai Mangakahia to Elizabeth Yates, Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa draws on untold stories and features New Zealand women in the arts, business, politics, sports, science, and other sectors who have contributed to advancing equality for women.

The contemporary exhibition features historic objects as well as self-reflexive interactive elements, championing heroes of the past while acknowledging and at times challenging our own inherited knowledge and history.

"The exhibition celebrates how far we have come as a society in regards to gender equality, and also looks to the future. We can always do better", says Head of Exhibitions Victoria Travers.

"A museum is a place of learning and growth, and it’s sometimes as important to interrogate as it is to celebrate - even when it comes to the Museum’s own images, data and community knowledge", says Travers.

Photographs of trailblazers, ground-breaking marches, and posters and publications from the Museum’s collection will be on display, including photography by Gil Hanly and Robin Morrison.

"We are proud to deliver Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa, a signficant exhibition that aligns with our current priorities; stretching thinking through visitor experiences and involvement, and reaching out to new audiences both in Auckland and around the country," says Auckland Museum CEO, Dr David Gaimster.

"Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa is an engaging inter-generational experience that will inspire informed conversation, debate, and action."

Watch a short-film created especially for Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa directed by renowned New Zealand filmmaker Gaylene Preston, starring actors Lucy Lawless, Miranda Harcourt, Chelsea Preston-Crayford and Jean Sergent as powerful, contemporary women interpreting the words of those who campaigned for the right to vote more than a century ago. The film will be available to watch at the Auckland Museum as part of the exhibition.

Visitors to Are We There Yet? – Women and Equality in Aotearoa are invited to contribute to the exhibition, making it a genuine site for sharing of knowledge and community advancement. The conversation will continue online, and within the accompanying event programme.

An incredible lineup of events will support the exhibition, with details to be announced soon.

Do you think we’re there yet?

--

FRI 6 JULY - 31 OCT
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS HALL, FREE WITH MUSEUM ENTRY

Are We There Yet? celebrates the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Aotearoa - but how far has New Zealand really come since women gained the vote?

This contemporary exhibition uses the historic anniversary as a springboard to examine the successes and speed-bumps of gender equality so far, and where to next. Equal pay, reproductive rights, gendered violence, online trolling, legal rights and body image are all up for discussion and interrogation.

Photographs of trailblazers, ground-breaking marches, and posters and publications from the Museum’s collection will be on display, including rarely-shown photography by Gil Hanly, Emily Lear and Robin Morrison. A short-film directed by renowned filmmaker Gaylene Preston has been created especially for Are We There Yet?

Share your experiences and thoughts in this participatory exhibition.

Image: Women's rights and human rights, 21 January 2017. Photographed by Emily Lear.

More convention appearances by our dynamic duo. This time it's in Canada! FanExpo Canada has announced that Lucy and Renee will be attending the convention.

#GuestNews Xena fans! Get your chakrams at the ready because everyone's favorite duo @RealLucyLawless & Renee O'Connor are joining the lineup at #FANEXPOCanada2018! Tix on sale: https://t.co/ww1oi0328F pic.twitter.com/AcNVTsxoMf

-- FANEXPO Canada (@FANEXPOCANADA) June 14, 2018

RSVP for updates about Lucy Lawless’ appearance at FanX® Salt Lake Comic Convention 2018. Best known for portraying the title character in television series Xena: Warrior Princess. Other notable roles include Diane Lewis on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, Ruby on the horror-comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead, Number Three on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, and much more! Learn more about her: http://bit.ly/2HNzEvP

Appearing Sept 7 & 8*
Get your Pass: bit.ly/2w36bg3

PHOTO OPS
- $70 (solo): bit.ly/2JWjfK4
- $120 (Xena combo w/ Renée O'Connor - available 6/15
- Photo Op Vouchers available now: bit.ly/2rc52wQ
- About Photo Ops: bit.ly/2I1pLOu
- Join Lucy’s Photo Op Lottery: bit.ly/2rhqXna

AUTOGRAPHS and more at Celebrity Row
- $60, available to purchase at the event

PANEL(S)
Schedule: Coming Later

RSVP for #SLCC18: bit.ly/SLCC18RSVP
Frequently Asked Questions: bit.ly/2Edkor9

This is one of those news stories that you think someone was bored and is having some fun but it's not. This was a recommendation posted by THE AUSTRALIA ARMY. Yes the real one....

Army chiefs have urged female combat soldiers to channel fantasy characters like Xena Warrior Princess. The level of stupidity and misogyny has reached new levels yesterday. It's like everyone took stupid pills at the same time.

I don't have a problem with female soldiers having Xena as a role model. As long as they don't become uncontrollable warlords, I'm fine with it. The picture is a doctored pic that the Daily Telegraph did which is wrong. The slouch hat and the upturned brim of the Australian soldier is on the RIGHT side not the left. Am I being picky? More than likely <g>

The official army website urged female soldiers to embrace the spirit of the TV series character, saying: ‘Don’t be scared of Xena, enable her and get out of the way’. Former Army officer Bernard Gaynor slammed the idea as ‘beyond lunacy’ on Tuesday. Army chiefs have told soldiers to channel fantasy characters like Xena Warrior Princess (pictured) when forming all-female combat units

In the paper, published on the Army website, it idolises Xena, the warrior princess and establishes the fictional character as the ‘aim’ for women.

‘Army should aim to be the home of ‘Xena’ personalities (no matter what they look like on the outside and what form their strength comes in – which of course is not always physical),’ Major Elizabeth Boulton said.

Major Boulton went on to encourage soldiers to channel their inner Batman as well.

‘To face the threats of the future, Batman realises he needs to assemble a super team, people with widely different skills but who, in common, are good and strong of heart,’ she said.

Major Boulton led a team of 20 Army members to write the paper.

‘Army should aim to be the home of ‘Xena’ personalities (no matter what they look like on the outside and what form their strength comes in – which of course is not always physical),’ Major Elizabeth Boulton said