Ladyfest London

Date: August 1st-4th 2002
Venues:
The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, N5 1RD
The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, Bloomsbury, WC1N 1HX
Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, N1 2UN
Hen & Chicken Theatre, 109 St Pauls Road, Highbury Corner, N1 2NA
Sahara Nights, 257 Pentonville Rd, N1 9NL
The Rio Cinema, 103-107 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB

What is Ladyfest London?

Ladyfest London is a celebration of the achievements of women,
primarily in music and the arts. It is a democratically-organised and
not-for-profit, with money raised being donated to women's
charities. It follows a series of earlier successful events, starting
with the inaugural Ladyfest in Olympia, USA in August 2000, and
continuing in 2001 with Ladyfest Scotland in Glasgow, UK, as well as
similar events in New York and Chicago. Ladyfest London is planned for
August 1-4 2002, as part of a worldwide series of events including
Ladyfests in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Bay Area and Southern USA.

What have previous Ladyfests been like?

Both the original Ladyfest and Ladyfest Scotland were sell-out
successes, attracting attendees from their home countries and from
abroad, as well as raising a considerable amount of money for
charity. Importantly, the events have also generated much publicity,
carrying the positive message of Ladyfest far from the actual events,
as well as promoting the artists involved. Ladyfest Scotland, for
example, attracted coverage in at least 30 national and international
publications, including such mainstream bodies as The Guardian and The
Scotsman in addition to the underground press.

What is planned for Ladyfest London 2002?

Ladyfest London will be organised around several concerts of live
music at The Garage, including both well-known artists and emerging
talent. Established musicians who will be playing include Gina Birch
from The Raincoats, Kat Bjelland from Babes in Toyland performing in
Katastrophy Wife, Amelia Fletcher from Heavenly and Talulah Gosh
performing in her new band Tender Trap, and Holly Golightly. In
recognition of the roots of Ladyfest in 1990s Riot Grrl there will be
a number of American bands performing, such as The Gossip, Bangs and
Sarah Dougher. To highlight the increasing number of women producing
electronic music we have also included acts such as Chicks on Speed,
People Like Us and Lektrogirl. In addition there will be a showcase of
emerging female fronted bands which will take place Upstairs at the
Garage.

Ladyfest London is not just a music festival, though, and it will
feature art exhibitions, film screenings, spoken word, performance art
as well as seminars and workshops on both art and politics and after
hours events at The Garage, Sahara Nights (formerly Liquid Lounge) and
The Rio Cinema.

Although it is organised predominantly by women, it is important that
Ladyfest convey its message to men too, and, with the exception of some
workshops, the festival is open to all.

What are the aims of Ladyfest London?

The main aims of Ladyfest London are to showcase the talents of women
working in the creative arts, to build a sense of community among female
artists/musicians/activists, and to give women a chance to participate in
the organisation of a large-scale project.

Where can I buy a ticket?

Tickets are £40 for a full four-day festival pass, £15 for each single
day pass (except Thursday 1st August which is £10).

Tickets are available from Mean Fiddler either direct (phone: 020 7344
0044, web: www.meanfiddler.com) or via booking agents such as
www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.ticketweb.co.uk, Way Ahead and
Stargreen. They can also be bought in person from The Astoria Box
Office in London.

How do I get more information about Ladyfest London?

Visit our website at www.ladyfestlondon.org for the latest
information. To speak to the organisers, contact either Amy Lou, the
overall festival co-ordinator (phone: 07946 707239, email:
info@ladyfestlondon.org), or Bianca, the press co-ordinator (email:
press@ladyfestlondon.org).