Ashley KervabonAshley Kervabon is a busy woman. When she's not writing songs for artists like Courtney Noe or performing under the moniker Ashley Xtina (and sometimes Dionysia), she's working with Uncut, serving as PR director for the new nonprofit that aims to provide underserved kids with access to music education.
But that's not all. In September 2016, Kervabon founded #WomenCrush and started hosting a showcase every fourth Wednesday at Jade Lounge. Known as #WomanCrushWednesday, the showcase features local female artists in the City of Roses; other cities have taken note, and as of January 2017, New York and Nashville have started hosting events as well (with Chicago, Los Angeles and even Vancouver, B.C., slated to join their ranks by the end of the year).
The aim of the exhibit is to create opportunities for rising women artists to meet industry professionals and fellow performers, a cause Kervabon will further this fall when #WomenCrush plans to start hosting workshops on topics from management to branding to sound engineering. This month, Portland's chapter will host Tara Velarde, Lili St Anne, Rachel Brashear and Lauren Kershner on Wednesday, June 28 at the Jade Lounge.
Even more exciting, though, is #WomenCrush's collaboration with the Portland Saturday Market in support of the Columbia Willamette chapter of Planned Parenthood. On July 8 and 9, the two organizations will host a fundraiser and concert on the market's main stage, and Kervabon was kind enough to give Vortex an exclusive first look at the lineup:
SATURDAY, JULY 8:
▶ Minda Lacy
▶ Laryssa Birdseye
▶ Emily Aldridge
▶ Dionysia (aka Ashley Xtina)
SUNDAY, JULY 9:
▶ Rebecca McDade
▶ Jessa Campbell
▶ Angelica Pray
▶ Maiah Wynne
There's no admission fee for the performances—instead, the organizers will raise money through raffle ticket sales, with prizes donated by local businesses. Additionally, representatives from the local Planned Parenthood chapter will be on hand to discuss the range of services it offers and the continued need for support in these divisive times. The first acts will take the stage at 11am with performances running until 3:30pm.
