If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off this holiday season, BETTY has you covered. On Tuesday, December 1, the feminist pop band will be performing at The Hamilton for a holiday show that is sure to fill you with a spirit of giving, as the event marks the launch of The BETTY Effect, a self-advocacy group dedicated to advancement of human rights and social change around the globe.
“BETTY has always worked to entertain, understand, and connect with people. BETTY in concert is a great, fun, and—if we’re lucky—inspiring time! The BETTY Effect we started to create even stronger dialogue and deeper connections on our concert tours,” says Alyson Palmer, vocals and bass. “Engaging around issues that we are passionate about, learning, and lending support to organizations doing substantive work on the ground has made the experience of being a traveling musician so much more rewarding to me.”
“I think what’s really important for us as artists is that we know times are troubled. The world is a troubled place. We have a responsibility to remember that in the crazy times, art is paramount to keeping people together. People have fun, laugh together, cry together, dance together, and remember what life is all about,” adds Amy Ziff, who provides vocals and plays cello in the group. The band hopes that the holiday show creates a safe space for people to come together and share in their humanity and their individuality.
Washington, D.C. holds a special place in the hearts of the BETTY ladies—the band first came together here in the nation’s capital in 1986.
“I came out in D.C. It was an exciting, and intense time, an underground of people coming out of rad feminists and girls getting radicalized and creating a community with black and white and lesbians and gay men and feminists fighting for equality. And lots of people sleeping together of course,” recalls Elizabeth Ziff, who provides vocals and guitar for the band.
Since the band’s formation, BETTY has performed for gay pride celebrations and LGBTQ benefits, despite pressure from a record label, which once gave BETTY a letter indicating that if they continued supporting gay pride events, the label would no longer be interested in signing the band. BETTY remained steadfast to their devotion to social reform and the power of music to join people together, and have since made a historic mark on the independent music scene.
In addition to writing and recording new music, the ladies have been busy traveling abroad to host musical events and workshops to empower women and girls, the LGBTQ community, and those striving for social justice. Band members Palmer and sisters Amy and Elizabeth Ziff tirelessly dedicate their music to inspire generations, and have been recognized for their efforts both in the United States and abroad.
BETTY’s Holiday Show takes place December 1 at The Hamilton, 600 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
