Daytime
Songwriting Workshop with Sarah Dougher
11am-1pm at The Garage
This workshop is for people who want to learn the basics of songwriting. It will cover basic music theory, song structure and approaches to collaboration. There will be some writing and listening exercises. Bring pen and paper. This is a female-only workshop.
Sarah Dougher is a Portland, Oregon based singer/songwriter whose songs mix a folk style and insightful and often political lyrics. Her previous bands include The Lookers, The Crabs and Cadallaca. She has just released her third album The Bluff with the help of long-time collaborators Jon Nikki and Janet Weiss (Quasi, Sleater Kinney).
Like A Virgin
12pm-1.20pm at the Hen & Chicken Theatre
Down by the river with a couple of ciders/We had the rhythm with Madonna inside us/Knicking off school/Breaking the rules . Inspired by Madonna, two girls dream about forming a band, but a looming tragedy threatens their hopes. Can music save their lives? This play is directed by Michaela Moher, who has directed plays for several fringe theatres in London, and has assisted in projects for The Shared Experience Theatre Company. 'Like A Virgin' is written by Gordon Steel. Entry is £3 for those without tickets for the festival. This performance will be repeated on Saturday.
Video-making workshop with Emma Hedditch
12pm-2pm at the Union Chapel
"I've got the feeling" - someone, somewhere is having thoughts and feelings like us, or maybe just making a similar action or gesture. All of this mutual and platonic activity could result in change - a fight, communication or solidarity. The important thing is that each person retains their uniqueness - and that is why they want to convey the way they experience and 'do' something to another person even if, on the surface, that gesture or thought might be the same. This video will be put together on footage that you have made before the festival. Submit your tapes before July 25th to Emma Hedditch 30 Dorchester Court, Herne Hill, London, SE24 9QX, and mark them "I've got the feeling". Then come to this workshop to discuss how the work will be edited and performed. For more details or help with equipment and materials visit www.andiwilldo.net or email Emma.
Emma Hedditch is an artist, living in London. For several years Emma has been working on video-making/collecting projects and in 'self-initiated residencies', inside women-only organisations including the women's film and video distribution network Cinenova. Emma launched 'and i will do,' a video chainletter project for European women. This runs alongside 'Joanie 4 Jackie' a similar project set up and run by artist Miranda July in the USA. Emma's work focuses on the politics and practices of working together, and it shows ways in which to create solidarity and active support. Her accomplices range from other artists to schoolchildren around the UK and beyond.
Stitch 'n' Bitch workshop
12pm-6pm (drop in anytime) at the Minibar @ The Garage
Naz will be providing squares of material for Ladyfesters to decorate with pictures, gossip and their own personal thoughts, while they sit in the mini bar and chat to friends. The finished product, all stitched together into a quilt, will comprise part of a mobile Ladyfest exhibition. Sequins, needles, pens etc will be provided but feel free to bring any interesting bits and pieces along.
Men in Feminism Panel
2pm-3pm at the Hen & Chicken Theatre
Since feminism started, women have been divided over whether men can call themselves feminists. Some will argue that as sexism and discrimination/harassment is a female experience, men can never truly know the reasons for choosing a feminist standpoint, or understand the anger that propelled the movement during the late 60s/early 70s. On the other hand women's roles in society cannot change without the role of men changing, too. This panel will attempt to determine where men's place is in the women's movement - if indeed there is a place for them at all. We will discuss how men experience, and are shaped by, feminism, looking at society in general and more specifically at the ways in which punk and queer culture can provide a nourishing space for feminist ideas by male inclusion and radicalisation.
Creative Writing Workshop with Amy Prior
2.30pm-4pm at the Union Chapel
Make some fiction - starting from nothing but a conversation. The short texts developed in this workshop could be used in the spoken word workshop on Saturday.
Amy Prior has edited two anthologies for Serpent's Tail; the latest ('Strictly Casual') is due out in the autumn; her own London-based fiction is being developed into another book. She is one of the main programmers of the daytime schedule of this festival.
Film Screenings
3pm-6pm at the Hen & Chicken Theatre
Screening of short music based films and documentaries programmed by Victoria Yeulet.
"She's real, worse than queer" (Lucy Thane, 1997): With few resources or role models and often difficult personal histories, how do we learn to express ourselves and represent our lives? And pay the rent? She's Real is about building culture, making it up maybe; about survival and moving beyond that. Thriving. A North American-British-Canadian video documentary by and about dykes beginning to find culture/lives they can stand through Punk Rock filmed in the riot grrrl/dyke punk scenes of London, San Francisco and New York.
"Bikini Kill in the UK" (Lucy Thane, 1993): People in the spotlight who make sense, who do not see the spotlight as their exclusive territory, and who also play darn fine music. A 30 minute video about the 1993 UK tour of 'riot grrl' bands Bikini Kill and Huggy Bear and the conspiracy of inspiration between them and girls at the shows.
"The Avon Lady" (Romy Bonilla Medina and Alexi Besson, 2001): This horror short made by Romy of Lolita storm is a nice take on the old classic Avon Lady, a cute indie girl sings self indulgent songs to a guitar and then gets seduced by the sexy lady who comes to her door "I'm more woman than you could ever know!".
"Don't need you" (Kerri Koch, 2001): An incredibly insightful and comprehensive film that made me wanna get up and dance, this film includes some great people and looks at all aspects of the emergence and products of Riot Grrrl and its importance for punk rock history. It contains amazing footage of Bratmobile, and Bikini Kill and some touching accounts of the excitement and frustrations involved in such a groundbreaking attempt to inject female politics into the world of the male punk scene.
Musicians Q&A Session
4.30pm-6pm at the Union Chapel
A chance to ask technical questions to a panel of musicians performing at the festival in a supportive and non critical environment. This is a female-only workshop.
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