Ladyfest Manchester

Manchester has arguably become England’s second city in recent years, thanks to its growing cosmopolitan feel and worthy international reputation. Birmingham may still officially hold the title due to its size (big whoop), but when it comes to music, art, theatre… in fact culture in general, Manchester is way ahead.

Why then, in a city as culturally evolved as Manchester – forgetting the tired resurgences of the Madchester/Hacienda days - is there still the need for a festival dedicated to celebrating women in the arts? Is the city failing to recognise, nurture and represent female talent? The answer to this, as far as we’re concerned, is yes.
Ladyfest Manchester is an attempt to redress the balance, if only for a few days. Essentially, the festival is 'a not-for-profit, volunteer-led arts and music festival, which aims to create a space for female artists and musicians to be seen and heard in an environment which is inclusive, individual and fun. Ladyfest as a concept is unique amongst festivals but Ladyfests have in fact been happening all over the world for eight years now.'

The programming offers a diverse selection of events, some of which include: art exhibitions by young emerging female visual and performance artists; film screenings, documentaries and shorts by female directors, and music showcases featuring Manda Rin (Ex-Bis), Zombina and the Skeletones, The Lovely Eggs, Vile Vile Creatures (pictured above), Penny Broadhurst, GeEkGirl, Hooker and others. Plus workshops, and a panel discussion on women in cultural industries, with speakers Miranda Sawyer, Professor Sheila Rowbotham and Dr. Marion Leonard in attendance.

Ideally these kinds of events wouldn't need to exist in the 21st century, however, they do, and there's still much work to be done.

Details: Friday 7th to Sunday 9th November, at the Zion Arts Centre, Hulme.
Advance Tickets: Weekend - £25; Friday Night - £7; Saturday - £12; Sunday - £12, concessions are available, as are tickets on the door. Go here to buy tickets.

http://queerwp.net/site/lfm08/
http://www.myspace.com/ladyfestmanchester


Currently listening to…
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke
PJ Harvey – Dry
CSS – Donkey
Tori Amos – American Doll Posse

Music Round-up (16th - 31st August)

Wednesday 20th August - The 1,2,3,4s
If you like The Matinee Orchestra, and lord knows we do, then you're bound to enjoy the brooding glamour of this offshoot quartet, who formed towards the end of last year. Describing their style as symphonic-pop, this Manchester-based four-piece deliver a truly mesmerizing sound.
www.myspace.com/the1234snoise
Details: Night & Day, Oldham Street, Central Manchester
8pm, £5

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th August -
Manchester Pride 2008: Big Weekend
Pride organisers pulled out all the stops last year to secure the services of Gossip, but this year there's not that much to recommend in terms of live music. The only really promising performances come from fabulous local-rockers Geekgirl and Danish pop-outfit Alphabeat. Oh, and there's Sophie Ellis-Bextor should you want a dose of high-sequin satellite-faced pop!
There are literally loads of clubbing events taking place throughout the weekend, but our pick has be the Poptastic Main Event on Saturday night, which takes place at the Arches on Store Street, under Piccadilly Train Station. At £16 a ticket, it's a little steep, but the fun goes on until the wee hours (6am to be precise) and, despite a few toilet issues, the venue is fucking superb.

One of the undeniable highlights of Pride every year is the parade, which kicks off at 2pm from the Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefield and follows the same route as last year.

www.manchesterpride.com
Details: Various venues and times.
Weekend ticket £17.50 adv (excluding fees), £20 (no booking fee) from 22 August at the Box Office
Day tickets £10 adv (excluding feeds), £15.00 (no booking fee) from 22 August at the Box Office

Sunday 24th August -
Club Brenda’s Alternative Mardi Gras Extravaganza
If the thought of going anywhere near Pride makes you feel a little queasy, why not try out Club Brenda's fantabulous alternative offering. This bound-to-be-brilliant Mardi Gras Extravaganza features two rooms of alliterative music - party pop and delectable disco - plus a pervy performance from David Hoyle and live music from cult Canadian band The Hidden Cameras.
www.myspace.com/clubbrenda
Details: The Ruby Lounge, High Street, Central Manchester
10pm to 4am, £6

Thursday 28th August - The Bottomfeeders
Any band that bemoans the music industry's obsession with cock-rock with a chorus that goes ‘skinny white boys should eat more pies’, is always going to be OK by us. This bonkers but thoroughly refereshing six-piece have been local favourites of ours since their Sounds From The Other City performance back in May. If you like your pop brazen, strange and full of fun you need look no further. wwww.myspace.com/thebottomfeeders
Details: Roadhouse, Newton St, Central Manchester
8pm, £5

Album releases coming up over the next couple of weeks include:
Stereolab - Chemical Chords. Out on Monday 18th August.
Missy Elliott - Block Party. Out on Monday 25th August .
Liz Phair - Exile In Gunville. Out on Monday 25th August.