Kathleen Hanna with The Julie Ruin at Music Hall of Williamsburg, at Brooklyn, New York Oct. 25 2013. Monet Lucki photo for The Snipe News.

Preview – The Punk Singer at the Rio Theater Dec. 17 2013

– by Katie Maki

Kathleen Hanna, the voice of the riot grrrl movement and singer for the ’90s punk band Bikini Kill, is showcased in the documentary The Punk Singer. This film screens at the Rio Theatre for one night only, Dec 17 at 7 p.m.

In the new doc, Hanna’s life is viewed through 20-year-old archives and intimate interviews.

An outspoken feminist icon, Hanna has been in several bands, the first originating in Washington. Bikini Kill began back in 1989, and was a band until 1997. Later in 1999, she formed the electronic punk band, Le Tigre, which also played into her feminist voice. Le Tigre was more of a multi-media show then her former band, which included videos, costumes, and choreography. The band abruptly ended in 2005.

Trailer – The Punk Singer:

Her most recent musical endeavors include the band, the Julie Ruin, which started as a solo project in 1998. Now grown into a five-piece, their recent album Run Fast came out in Sept 2013.

In true Hanna fashion, her website features a blog abundant with posts on feminist issues across the U.S. Recently, she posted about abortion rights in Texas, while other posts showcase the Julie Ruin. Along with making music, Hanna also lectures about feminism. Earlier this year at Columbia College she presented a lecture titled My Art: Punk Rock Feminism and Beyond.

The documentary has gotten rave reviews since its release earlier in December.

“A concise look at Hanna as a larger-than-life force and her more up-close, human travails,” said the Los Angeles Times.

For advance tickets to the screening visit riotheatre.ca/events.