Oh hello, it's been a while huh? Never fear! I'm back!
I’ve put together a little list of some music/technology/production events around International Women’s Day 2023 (IWD23) which are mostly online but sometimes in person. Hope you can make some or able to attend something in your local area- it’s great to come together and feel some solidarity with your sisters, I normally attend and volunteer at the Bristol Women’s Voice events and I’ve always had an excellent and thought provoking time. I’m not endorsing any of them as such- these are just a very subjective pick of events that looked interesting to me, some are free some are not:
The theme for International Women's Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is:
“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”
Which, as someone who is currently studying for an Electronic Music Production Masters degree amongst a classroom full of guys, feels very relevant. I’m really interested in the intersection between technology and music and feel a need to push into this space, for myself and other girls and women who don’t think they are “techy” to show it can be done even when it feels exclusive and beyond you.
I recommend this book: “How To Talk To Robots” by Tabitha Goldstaub if you want a gentle intro into to why AI is important to us all and why it’s particularly important for female voices to be part of the narrative and journey.
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Pick of IWD23 events:
Thursday 2nd March: (LEICESTER IN PERSON)
A documentary film produced by and about all female Punk band The Slits.
Charting the band's journey from formation in 1976 to the final split, the film follows the journey of 4 women using their music to kick back against conformity and authority in a deeply sexist and conservative Britain.
Their youthful energy driven along by the emerging Punk scene allowed them to carve out their own sound which fused reggae and world music with Punk. Their original sound and style has helped pave the way for a generation of female musicians.
Join De Montfort University for this film screening as part of their International Women’s Day and Cultural eXchanges programme ahead of the Punk: Rage & Revolution exhibition at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery & Soft Touch Arts 27/5 - 3/9/2023. Following the screening there will be an opportunity to have an informal Q&A chat with 3 women who were part of the Leicester Punk scene in the late 70s. Sandra Baum, Donna Sussenback and Christina Wigmore were all part of bands at that time and will share memories of their involvement in the local music scene.
To watch a preview of the film and for more information see event website.
WHERE:
Phoenix
4 Midland Street
Leicester
LE1 1TG
WHEN:
02 March, 2023
6.30pm
Link:
https://www.phoenix.org.uk/whats-on/programme/here-to-be-heard-the-story-of-the-slits-qa/
Friday 3rd March (+ onwards) ZOOM/ ONLINE
In celebration of International Women's Day, Clare Norburn, the singer of early music ensemble The Telling, presents four workshops on Zoom to guide you through how to sing a range of beautiful medieval songs by and about women.
Repertoire:
- a setting of woman troubadour, Beatriz de Dia’s poem, Estat ai en greu cossirier to a melody by Raimon de Miraval.
- Beatriz de Dia's A Chantar m’er do so qu’ieu non volria - the only troubadour song by a woman where both the music and the poetry survives.
- Bele Doette - an anonymous “chanson de toile” (working song).
- Na Carenza - a troubadour dialogue between 3 women: an older woman giving advice on choosing a husband to two sisters.
- Marion’s song from Adam de La Halle’s Le Jeu de Robin et Marion.
Plus, in celebration of Early Music Day on 21st May, we will hold an extra workshop free for Online Medieval Women Singing Workshop participants who booked access to all workshops.
The workshops will take place live on Zoom on Fridays (apart from the extra workshop which takes place on Tuesday 21 March), 11am-11.40am from 3rd March to 24th March. Can't join us on these dates? Can't make every workshop? All online workshops will be recorded so you can watch at your leisure. Links to the recordings will be sent to all bookers a few hours after the live stream.
These are friendly, casual workshops where all ages and abilities are welcome and you do not need to be able to read music, although scores will be made available. All you need to attend is an internet connection. Plus, all participants will be muted so you can sing without fear.
Each workshop will take place on Zoom and last approx 40 minutes. Ahead of each workshop, you will be sent materials and details on how to join via Zoom. If you have any queries or need help, do not hesitate to get in touch. £5 per workshop / £18 for all. Visit event website for more details and tickets.
https://www.thetelling.co.uk/events/online-medieval-women-singing-workshops
Saturday 4th March (ONLINE)
On Saturday 4 March, Abbey Road Equalise opens up its doors to the next generation of female artists and creatives for a free day of panel talks & masterclasses for International Women's Day 2023! The livestream of the in person event will be available here:
https://www.abbeyroad.com/equalise
Monday 6th March (IN PERSON, LONDON)
A musical celebration of IWD with Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers
Location: Bush Hall, 310 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 7LJ.
Doors open 7.30pm. Music starts 8pm
This special one-off concert is Green Note’s musical celebration for International Women’s Day in collaboration with award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and musical director, Michele Stodart (of The Magic Numbers). Together, we bring together an outstanding line-up of artists playing both original material and familiar classics written by women who have inspired them. You can also expect unique collaborations, new songs and one-off performances, which have become the hallmark of Green Note’s annual International Women’s Day shows. Not to be missed!!
The event will be raising money for London-based charity Women and Girls Network – a charity run by women that supports women who have been affected by all forms of violence and abuse. All profits from the event will be donated to the charity and there is also an option to make a £5 donation when purchasing tickets.
https://www.greennote.co.uk/production/a-celebration-for-international-womens-day/
Wednesday 8th March (IN PERSON, LONDON AND LIVESTREAMED)
Feminist Folk Club
7:30pm-9:30pm
Cecil Sharp House, London
£14 | £10 Under 30
Both Thank Folk events £25 | £15 Under 30
Thank Folk For Feminism and the English Folk Dance and Song Society present a pop up folk club in celebration of International Women’s Day. Hosts Lucy Ward and Pinky Ward invite you to spend the evening in their specially curated pop-up folk club, featuring formidable talents: Frankie Armstrong, Jackie Oates, Gemma Khawaja, Maddie Morris and Jennie Higgins!
Can't make the event in person? Join us for the livestream!
Thank Folk For Feminism is a platform for women’s voices and to further the conversations of both folk and feminism and explore how the two intersect. It is fun and uplifting but also at its core, Thank Folk For Feminism serves to encourage the folk scene to explore intersectional feminist issues and increase the range and diversity of women’s voices within the genre.
https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/26-gigs/11947-thank-folk-presents-feminist-folk-club
Wednesday 8th March (IN PERSON GLASGOW)
SEC & OVO Energy Present Women in Entertainment
SEC AND OVO ENERGY INVITE SCOTTISH STARS TO SIT ON PANEL FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY. KAREN DUNBAR, ROISIN KELLY AND TAAHLIAH ARE SET TO JOIN FORCES WITH SCOTTISH EVENT CAMPUS AND OVO ENERGY FOR A PANEL EVENT UNPACKING GENDER EQUITY IN ENTERTAINMENT AHEAD OF LIZZO’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PERFORMANCE AT OVO HYDRO.
On 8 March, SEC and OVO Energy will bring together industry figures including performers, presenters and promoters for a panel discussion unpacking gender equity in Scotland’s entertainment industry, before renowned feminist Lizzo takes the OVO Hydro stage for the venue’s biggest ever celebration of International Women’s Day. “Women in Entertainment”, presented by SEC and OVO Energy, will be hosted by STV’s Laura Boyd, and the panel, which includes comedian Karen Dunbar, TV personality and podcaster Roisin Kelly and rising star DJ TAAHLIAH, will discuss their personal experiences pursuing careers in entertainment for a clear picture of the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
As Scotland’s home of live entertainment, Scottish Event Campus provides the perfect host for such a discussion, which will invite the public to hear the stories of Scotland’s inspiring women in entertainment. OVO Hydro bucks the trends in the industry with women occupying some of its most senior positions, with Head of Live Entertainment Ticketing Julie Carson also joining the panel, alongside close venue partners DF Concerts & Events, represented by event manager Katt Lingard. All funds raised are being put towards local charity Glasgow Women’s Aid.
Karen Dunbar is best known for her work as a comedian, actor and writer, first appearing on the BBC Scotland sketch series Chewin' the Fat. Later, she had her own show titled The Karen Dunbar Show with the BBC. She said: “I’m over the moon to be speaking on the panel at SEC's International Women's Day Event. as we globally grow in awareness it’s important to speak up to what’s not working for us (& what is) as a society”.
Roisin Kelly had an untraditional route into the entertainment world through her popularity on social media app TikTok. Now a regular fixture on our television screens, and having co-hosted a lifestyle podcast produced by the BBC, she said: “I can’t lie, it’s a pretty wild transition to go from making videos about Crocs in my bedroom to sitting on a panel surrounded by such incredible women - but a transition I’m very proud of nonetheless! I can’t wait to hear everyone’s experiences and opinions and to ultimately be part of something focussing on a safe, equal future.”
TAAHLIAH is fast becoming Glasgow’s most talked about artist, DJ and producer, with music that conveys power, acceptance and fun, as well as bringing visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.
https://www.sec.co.uk/events/detail/iwd-2023-women-in-entertainment
Wednesday 8th March (ONLINE)
Jean Golding Institute IWD EVENT
11-12:30pm (GMT)
We invite you to join us for this exciting event showcasing inspiring women from our community and the Data Science and AI related projects they are involved in. We will be welcoming guest speakers from The Jean Golding Institute and our international partners, to talk about how they got to where they are now, their research interests and achievements they are proud of. They will also be sharing their unique experiences of what it is like to be a woman working in Data Science and AI.
Guest Speakers:
Sarah Taylor-Knight (She/Her)
Data Scientist, for Liverpool Victoria= General Insurance Data Science team.
Ayaka Sakata (She/Her)
Associate Professor, at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM), Tokyo.
Nyamvula Chakaya (She/Her)
Business Intelligence Analyst, at iLabAfrica research centre at Strathmore University, Nairobi.
Maria Ogamba (She/Her)
Business Intelligence Analyst, at iLabAfrica research centre at Strathmore University, Nairobi and lead for the Smart Academy . an initiative to mentor and share knowledge with future data scientists.
Natalie Zelenka (She/Her)
Data Science Specialist with the Jean Golding Institute, University of Bristol
Programme:
11:00 - 11:10 - Welcome and introduction from the JGI
11:10 - 12:10 - Guest speaker presentations
12:10 - 12:30 - Q&A session with panel
Wednesday 8th March
Help Musicians IWD Get Set Session
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-get-set-session-registration-539398614777
Friday 8th March (IN PERSON BRISTOL)
Bad Girls Club / House, Garage, Funky & more
Friday 10th March ( IN PERSON MANCHESTER)
For International Women's Day, join us to 'Embrace Equity' at the Anthony Burgess Foundation on Friday March 10th from 6-10pm.
Join us for an inspiring evening, and strive to Empower and create the change we want to see within the industry. This free, informal, drop in event, is a safe and inclusive space for everyone to learn, share, and ultimately empower each other to want to make a positive difference to society, through the sharing of music and experiences.
There will feature a series of short musical performances, from string quintet to jazz ensemble to voice with electronics, showcasing of some the finest music written by female composers, alongside premieres of new works by students from the Royal Northern College of Music.
At 8pm there will be a panel discussion with distinguished women who are already Embracing Equity within the music industry: Hattie Butterworth and Becca Toal (founders of the highly successful 'Things Musicians Don't Talk About' podcast), Delia Stevens (Percussionist), Dr. Laura Bowler (Composer and vocalist) and Dr. Jennie Henley (Head of Programmes at the RNCM). They will share their musical journeys, opinions and personal experiences of finding their way as a woman in the arts.
Refreshments are available throughout the evening, and donations to support the work of EMPOWER would be greatly appreciated. This event has been supported by Manchester City Council and the RNCM Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund.
Friday 10th March (BRISTOL IN PERSON)
VP Productions International Women's Day Women in Music
Attic Bar Bristol
8:30 - 2am
£5 on the door
Celebrating International Women's Day with some of Bristol's most powerful Ladies in music - Sian Evans - Kosheen, DJ Dazee, Kathika, APH, Milf FM, DJ Business Lady and Hannah Brooks!
Kosheen, one of the UK’s booming live electronic music showstoppers, broke into prominence with their debut hit ‘Hide U‘ off their debut album in 2001, the platinum selling ‘Resist’, following by crossover hits ‘Catch‘, ‘Hungry‘ and ‘All In My Head‘. Kosheen successfully placed two UK Top Ten albums, topped the UK and European music charts and won lots of awards with their unique blend of breakbeat rhythms of drum’n’bass to more traditional songcraft, a side of the band embodied by singer and songwriter Sian Evans.
The band, with Sian at the helm, garnered 5 studio albums and earned themselves the reputation of being one of the most iconic performing bands of their time. During nearly two decades relentless writing and performing with Kosheen, the band’s passionate frontwoman, Sian Evans, made a name for herself as a songwriter and a featured vocalist. She has collaborated with many top level producers such as Dj Fresh, Stanton Warriors, Roger Shah, Dino Psaras, Kid Crème, Chicane, Jody Wisternoff, Headhunterz to name only a few.
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/international-womens-day-ft-ko/582609937089300/
Saturday 11th March (IN PERSON, BRISTOL)
International Women’s Day 2023, Saturday 11 March at City Hall
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE PROGRAMME
Our plans to bring together women from across Bristol’s communities, to connect and celebrate, are bigger and bolder than ever. We’ve got more than 100 contributors and partners lined up to run workshops, performance, exhibitions, activities and talks in and around City Hall. We’ve got something for everyone, from art and culture to debate and well-being. And to make sure all women can get there, we’ve got a creche, interpreting services and free travel available.
https://www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/project/international-womens-day-2023/
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