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Taking their cue from the first-ever Ladyfest held in Olympia in 2000, the not-for-profit, riot-grrl inspired festivals provide a space to showcase women’s art, politics, general culture and achievements and allow women to share and spread skills and ideas.
Though each festival develops its own distinct identity, all the events boast a DIY ethic and aim to spread feminist ideals and to inspire women to set up their own projects along the same lines. Anyone who shares Ladyfest goals and ideals is welcome at the events, regardless of gender and sexual identity.
Ladyfest Bristol takes place from the 14th-17th of August at a variety of venues in the city. As well as music ranging from rock through electronica and folk to honky-tonk, the weekend will feature films, art and spoken word events. There will also be seminars on topics as diverse as bicycle repair, comic book production and knitting.
Weekend passes for the whole festival are £40, with day passes at £10 for the 14th and £15 for the 15th, 16th and 17th. Tickets are available in advance from Ladyfest Bristol and the Bristol Ticket Shop - bear in mind that some events are free... Contact lfbristolpress@yahoo.co.uk.
And next up after that is Ladyfest Manchester, taking over the Zion Arts Centre from 4th-7th September. The 3-day festival will host singer/songwriters, bands, club nights and a variety of performance and visual art. In addition to this a variety of workshops will take place providing attendees with the opportunity to learn and discuss striptease, self-defense, the history of riot-grrl and feminism and much more... Contact ladyfestmanchester@yahoo.co.uk.
On display at both festivals, Ladyfest will also proudly present the largest-ever collection of women’s comics in the UK, in the form of the Comic Art Exhibition.
For further details and full events listings visit the Ladyfest Bristol and Ladyfest Manchester websites.
