Ladyfriend Zine

The P Power Performance Project: Supergirl Power Activate! (P4, for short) is a multi-year, multi-city touring performance event committed to broadening images of women and power." As you might guess, it's superheroine-themed in nature, and the range of performers varies depending on the event. Jessica Dellecave is the founder and curator P4 as well as all sorts of other cool projects. Inspired by two superheroine-themed works and her obsession with the topic, she's been on a mission to seek out other supergirl performance works, as well as venues across the country to support the subject matter and expand the project's scope. Jessica has been creating, collaborating and performing in Philadelphia, NYC and San Francisco for the past eight years, and holds a BFA in dance from Temple University. Her dream is "to literally create a nationwide legion of superwomen!" You can find the P Power Performers at clubs and festivals all over Philly, and at the 4th Annual Ladylike Performance Festival in Chicago (April 2001).

Describe for our readers a typical P4 performance/event.

After a massive undertaking of late nights, hot glue, glitter and too many trips to Pearl, Kinko's and/or Home Depot (where the salesgirl always greets me with "what's the problem today?"), the curtains rise!!! Notorious for flashy props and fabulous costumes the fun starts at the door... Atmosphere is everything and details, details, details...Super women of all colors, shapes, and sizes dance, sing, observe, laugh, hoot, holler, run-away, rejoice, bond, buy novelty T-shirts (see job description below)... An audience member once asked Action Oriented Girl, the faux muscle bound resident box office heroine, "So, what is this -- dancing, a musical, drama, comedy?," to which she replied, "Yes." This scene has/will be set at black box theaters, white box theaters, a street corner you, bars, clubs, queer community centers and large-enough apartments.

What kind of audience responses have you gotten -- on and off the stage?

Most of all lots of laughter, but beyond that a wide range: from women disclosing to me how truly moved they were by the display of power to the wayward Philadelphia tourist asking, "What's the gimmick, here?." I have been told that kitschy lines from my work are often quoted for about a week following performances. During a street performance, 2 Supergirl Sheepcatchers (riding on a full sized bed pulled by a bicycle) were pulled over by a cop, harassed by a wedding party in a limo and involved in a minor traffic infraction.

How did your training in dance evolve into performance art? Who/what were your influences?

Shortly after graduating from college, I decided to regress to my Dolly Dinkle Dance Studio roots and return to my true love, glitter and sparkly outfits. I also began to question the accessibility and entertainment value of postmodern, abstract dance. I have since decided that postmodern, abstract dance is aesthetically pleasing in the form of bizarre public/outdoor spectacle. Thus was born a dancer deemed movement- based performance artist: I am influenced by divas and deviants, psycho pop-culture, juicy strength and beauty, playful perfectionism, wild and whimsical women just over the edge, the dark side, things that scare people, vibrant imagery -- and have I mentioned glitter? -- just to name a few...

When and why did superheroine imagery become a part of your work?

My first twinge of superheroinism evolved from a revenge fantasy, which birthed into the meatball reclaiming Pasta Girl complete with cape, P emblazoned hot pants and axe. Pasta Girl, the Kitchen Avenger was conceived and performed in 1997. Being a supergirl still makes me so excited!! I quest to find like minded others...

What are your super powers?

As Pasta Girl I posses a magical axe, and I entice people with the sensuous scents of my cooking. (Castration/meatball fantasy in full glory.) In my woman form (and with the powers of the red eye flight) I was able to bypass TWA airport security and fly on the wrong airplane (oops!), as well as free my girlfriend's car from the vise like clutches of the Philadelphia Parking Authority's tow truck!! (Maybe I was looking especially cute that day or was my cape sticking out ?!?)

What's your day job -- i.e. how do you support yourself as an artist?

Caterer / housecleaner / T-shirt silk screener / flea sale-resale / fetish ball stage manager / anything you'll pay me cash to do by day, superheroine by night. I have very intense politics about what I'll do for money, how much I get paid, and who I'll work for. That is, I'm a visionary who is lucky enough to have a hardworking girlfriend with a helpful bank account.

Who is your favorite superheroine -- cartoon &/or real-life?

The foxy ladies of the Heroic Trio (diva kung fu flick) their ability to kick demonic ass in high fashion can't be beat, and moms everywhere who don't beat or yell at their kids. Lately I've had an affinity for Tank Girl comix (not the movie) as well.

If you're an artist who would like to get involved in the P Power Performance Project , or if you know of a good venue or festival, you can e-mail P4 at ppowerperformaceproject@hotmail.com.