Papers of Alix Dobkin, 1973-2004 (inclusive), 1979-1995 (bulk)

The papers of Alix Dobkin include business correspondence, fan mail, fliers and programs from concerts, subject files, t-shirts, photographs, and memorabilia. Original folder headings were maintained; headings in square brackets were assigned by the processor. Audiovisual material received with the collection was removed and cataloged separately as the Audiotape collection of Alix Dobkin, 1975-1995 (T-350).

Series I, MUSIC, 1973-2004 (#1.1-9.11, 18.4, E.1), includes promotional material for and correspondence about Dobkin's appearances, files on several of her records, and contracts and financial records. The series is arranged in four subseries.

Subseries A, Recordings, 1980-1992 (#1.1-1.20), includes material related to the production and marketing of several of Dobkin's self-produced records: Never Been Better, Yahoo Australia!, and Love & Politics. Never Been Better was financed primarily by loans and donations from friends and fans. Folders include correspondence relating to publicity and finances, copies of publicity, receipts, fliers, etc. Receipts from the albums' distributor (Ladyslipper) detail Dobkin's earnings from sales. The subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries B, Concerts, appearances, tours, 1979-2004 (#2.1-8.3), includes correspondence and publicity about events at which Dobkin performed, lectured, or gave workshops. Folders may contain correspondence, contracts, calendars, fliers, information about events ("womyn's crafts fair," etc.) at which concerts took place, press coverage in local women's newsletters, newspapers, etc. The subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries C, Programs, fliers, etc., 1973-2000 (#8.4-9.1, 18.4, E.1), contains programs and fliers for Dobkin's concerts, translations of some of her song lyrics into German and French, and "rap notes" written for commentary between songs. Also included are labels (with song lists) of mixed tapes of popular music, made for Dobkin by friends. Dobkin's web site is being captured periodically as part of Schlesinger Library’s web archiving program. The subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries D, Lectures and workshops, 1979-2000 (#9.2-9.11), primarily contains material relating to "Project #2," a lecture and slideshow Dobkin created about sexism in Top 40 music lyrics. Slides from this project can be found in Series VI. Descriptions of other workshops given by Dobkin are in Michigan Womyn's Music Festival folders in Series IV (#15.3-16.6). The subseries is arranged chronologically.

Series II, CORRESPONDENCE, 1976-2000 (#9.12-13.9, 18.5), includes business correspondence, fan mail, and letters responding to political advocacy. Fan mail often includes photographs, song lyrics, poems, clippings, declarations of love for Dobkin, etc. Business correspondence includes requests for items for fundraising auctions, etc., from women's and lesbian organizations. Two folders titled "Letters for book" include large numbers of letters from the same correspondents, who seem to be friends more than just fans. Letters are primarily incoming but some folders have responses from Dobkin. Fan mail is arranged chronologically, followed by other correspondence.

Series III, WRITINGS, 1979-2000 (#14.1-14.9), includes examples of Dobkin's published writings. "Books - correspondence" (#14.2-14.3) relates to anthologies to which Dobkin contributed articles, songs, recipes, etc., or to books for which she wrote blurbs. Dobkin frequently wrote on controversial topics including sado/masochism in the lesbian community, lesbian separatism, women-only space, and transgender issues. Her "Minstrel Blood" column in Chicago's Outlines newspaper covered many of these topics, as well as her personal history. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV, ORGANIZATIONS AND SUBJECT FILES, 1980-2004 (#14.10-18.2), contains material relating to organizations Dobkin was associated with, as well as her subject files on topics of interest to her. Dobkin performed at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival begining in the 1970s; the files here are primarily related to years she also worked as staff at the festival, and contain correspondence from organizers, information for workers, and suggestions from attendees. Dobkin performed sporadically throughout the 1980s and 1990s; she also led workshops on various topics and often worked as an M.C. for line-ups of other performers. Dobkin served as a judge at the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) and was on the board of the Association of Women's Music and Culture. Subject files are collections of material relating to mainly lesbian and feminist topics. A "Lesbian Resource Book" (#17.6-17.7) was a binder (now dismantled) of lesbian and feminist information (publications, bookstores, bed and breakfasts, etc.) that Dobkin took with her on tour, in an effort to disseminate information to other lesbians. "Riot grrls" (#18.3) contains publicity on young women's bands in the early 1990s, as well as correspondence with some of the women performers. Dobkin was supportive of these women, often appearing with them or giving advice on self-promotion and recording. The series is arranged alphabetically by organization followed by subject files.

Series V, T-SHIRTS, ca.1975-2001 (#18.3, 19OB.1m-25FB.4m), contains 113 t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts from Dobkin's own albums and tours, festivals and events she performed at or attended, women performers and bands she liked or saw, and other women and lesbian-related topics. Shirt color and text color is noted. They are arranged alphabetically (by sponsoring organization, person, or phrase) followed by shirts which contain only images. Shirts from Dobkin's tours or records are filed under "D."

Series VI, OVERSIZED, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND MEMORABILIA, 1976-1999, undated (#FD.1, F+D.1-F+D.4, OD.1-OD.2, SD.1, PD.1-PD.10, Mem.1-Mem.6), includes posters, photographs of Dobkin in concerts, and several pins.

Subseries A, Oversized, 1976-ca.1999 (#FD.1, F+D.1-F+D.4, OD.1-OD.2, SD.1), contains oversized material described in series above, as well as posters for Dobkin's concerts and other events, and several covers from Dobkin's record albums.

Subseries B, Photographs, 1977-1999 (#PD.1-PD.10), includes slides used in her Top 40 slide show, photographs of Dobkin in concert and with fans, and a photo album given to Dobkin on her birthday in 1989. Most of the photographs in this collection are or will be digitized and available online. The subseries is arranged chronologically.

Subseries C, Memorabilia, 1988-1994, undated (#Mem.1-Mem.6), includes several pins, some from the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.