VGMF

Virginia Giordano Memorial Fund

Virginia Giordano, one of the most prolific women’s music producers, was a funny, sharp, blunt, shy yet bold, dedicated, and passionate powerhouse of excellence in the arts. A memorable woman.

Virginia shaped the women’s music movement in NYC and beyond. She took risks and gave new artists a chance, with her tireless efforts on their behalf. She introduced new artists to the public in clubs, schools, and smaller halls. She successfully built audiences for artists such as Sweet Honey In The Rock, Holly Near, Ani DiFranco, George Winston and many more, to spread their messages of positive change. In time, Virginia presented these artists in major venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and in cities up and down the East Coast.

Virginia gave many women their entree into the male-dominated music industry, in behind-the-scenes business and technical positions.

Her influence on local and national artists and the music scene was incalculable.

We lost Virginia very suddenly in January 2015. It was a mere three weeks from the time she was diagnosed with a terminal disease until she left us and passed to the next realm. She is deeply missed. One of her last requests was, “Please don’t let people forget about me.” We honor Virginia’s wish, her work, and her memory through the Virginia Giordano Memorial Fund.

SisterSpace Weekend Women’s Festival renamed the Amphitheater the Virginia Giordano Amphitheater in 2018 in her honor. The dedication ceremony was held on Sept. 7, 2018.

The Virginia Giordano Memorial Fund has been created to enable up-and-coming women artists and professionally-oriented “behind the scenes” trainees to participate in the annual SisterSpace festival. The fund provides recipients an opportunity to gain experience and obtain referrals to help build their careers. Virginia Giordano Memorial Fund recipients will perform onstage, and work behind the scenes throughout the weekend, this year and in years to come. They, in turn, will refer other artists for nominations and help to promote the Fund.

We invite you to participate as well:

  • Please make a donation to the Fund. Any amount will make a difference to a young artist or behind-the-scenes trainee. You can donate via credit card or PayPal, or send a check to: SisterSpace (please note “VIRGINIA GIORDANO FUND” on the memo line), PO Box 22476, Philadelphia, PA 19110. All donations are tax deductible.
  • Consider making donations to this fund part of your annual charitable contribution plan.
  • Spread the word. Use social media and/or personal outreach to people you know.
  • Have you got a “Virginia story” to share? Send to: VirginiaGiordanoFund@gmail.com
2018 VGMF Recap—Highlights from the Fund’s Inaugural Year
Read tributes to Virginia from:
Holly Near
Holly Near
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Toshi Reagon
Toshi Reagon
Amy Horowitz
Amy Horowitz

Virginia’s Art

Last Call – oil on canvas
Sea and Sky – oil on canvas
November at the Shore – oil on canvas