Has anyone else noticed that the new volume of Women & Song has a track by the Pussycat Dolls on it? Anybody else annoyed?

Not that I was attached to the series… or ever owned any of the other nine compilations. If I like an artist I’ll just get their cd. And I like a woman with a bit more spitfire and sass then you tend to find on these things (please see Amos, Tori and Elliot, Missy). But I could swear that when this series started it was about real female musicians - and not troops of highly skilled pole dancers that pretend to sing. (OK, one of them sings.)

The Pussycat Dolls? Honestly. If they don’t want us to think all the decisions are made by fat old men with cigars who love nothing better than to think of new ways to exploit women for profit, they shouldn’t act like it.

Start the new year on the right foot by attending a forum hosted by the Centre for Social Justice next week, Social Justice: From Rhetoric to Action, which looks great. Journalist Linda McQuaig will give the keynote — she’s a fantastic speaker — panelists include activist and writer Justin Podur (ZNET) and workshops will be held on art and social change; climate change; media; poverty and justice for immigrants and refugees. Also, LAL will perform!

Here are the details: Saturday, Jan. 13, 1:00 p.m., OISE Auditorium (252 Bloor St. W). Registration is $5, email students at socialjustice dot org to register.

Ring in the new year with some good ol’ fashioned zine making, care of Cheryl Dobinson!
When: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00 pm, February 6, 13, 20, 27 (4 weeks)
Where: This Ain’t the Rosedale Library, 483 Church Street, Toronto
Cost: $80 per person, $60 for students/seniors/underemployed

In the DIY (do-it-yourself) tradition, this 4 week course is your chance to learn how to make your own zine. Well cover what a zine is, things to consider when creating one, layout, copying and putting your zine together, and distribution. Well also use creative and hands-on activities to help us explore and experience the joy of zines. Participants can work on their own personal zine project throughout the course and/or contribute to a group zine we make together. Basic tools and materials will be provided.

Week 1: Introduction to zines (what is a zine? types of zines, tools of the trade)
Week 2: Starting your own zine (your vision + practical considerations, what goes into making a zine)
Week 3: Getting it on paper (laying it all out, creating your flats, copying tips and tricks)
Week 4: Finishing touches (assembly, binding techniques, distribution)

Cheryl Dobinson joined Torontos DIY scene in 2002 when she started publishing the bisexual womens zine The Fence. With a print run of 300, The Fence is widely distributed (for a zine!) in Canada, the US and internationally. Her other creative passions include writing poetry, making buttons and weaving sacred rituals. One of her current goals is to recruit as many people as possible into the DIY revolution.

To register, call 416-929-9912 or visit This Ain’t the Rosedale Library at 483 Church St. Enrolment is limited to 12 participants. We regret the space is not wheelchair accessible.

Payment must be made in advance. Courses are 50% refundable in cases of illness or emergency.