Here’s what to expect from the festival in Hockley that some leading local ladies launched this International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day (IWD) feels like it’s going to be bleddy huge this year. Here in Notts we have a heaving calendar of events to celebrate the day, taking place from Friday 8 March and well into the weekend, including a festival that’s been curated for the cause.
Bras Not Bombs started life as a Facebook group, founded by Caroline Kerr in 2016. It’s a community that supports women fleeting war and violence by collecting and distributing bras, underwear and sanitary products to women in refugee camps who need them most.
Following a cracking gig at the Old Angel in 2018, Caroline has joined forces with like-minded, creative women to make this year’s event bigger than ever. Acoustickle founder, Parisa East and Kemet FM presenter, Jackey P Gardner have joined the team to bring us the first Bras Not Bombs International Women’s Day Festival.
Our aim is to raise money for women’s refuge in Nottingham and support the work of Bras Not Bombs. The festival is all inclusive, artists of all genders, nationalities and ethnicities are being invited to participate, alongside a showcase of the finest emerging female led acts and up and coming women from the city.
On Saturday 9 March, the festival will take over a number of venues in Hockley, offering a varied schedule of activities to suit anyone who’s up for supporting them. Here’s what to expect:
Global Sistaz feed us with love
When? 1pm – 4pm
Where? The Angel Microbrewery
What? Global Sistaz is a vibrant collective of women in Nottingham who have had the life experience of being refugees and asylum seekers. They’ll be cooking up a global feast upstairs at The Old Angel, as well as chatting about the power of loving and healing through food. Their grub is available to anyone, with a discount price for those with a festival wristband.
More info
Rough Trade hosts daytime gigs...
When? 12.30pm - 6pm
Where? Rough Trade
What? A selection of female singer/songwriters bring the daytime entertainment, with talented names including Holly Fallon, Tilly Greentree and Mally. Expect jazz, soul, electro pop and more.
More info
While I’m Not From London brings the after party
When: 6pm – 11.45pm
Where: The Angel Microbrewery
What: Local promoters INFL have curated a stellar lineup that’s bursting with sweet female attitude. With acts ranging from spoken word from Mollusca to grrrl rock from Desensitised, it’s gunna get lively late into the night.
More info
Things get glittery at Broadway
When: 1pm – 5pm
Where: Broadway Cinema
What: Clare Levy of Headcase Headwear is taking over The Lounge at Broadway Cinema, transforming it into a fun-filled photo booth to snap a memento of the day. Expect more props that you can shake a stick at, and to find glitter coming out of your crevices for days…
More info
The Carousel offers yoga, healing, zines and dancing
When: 10am – 1am
Where: The Carousel
What: Nottingham’s newest community space, The Carousel, gets in on the action too. Everything from drop-in meditation, yoga, crystal healing, sports massages and more is on offer during the day. For those who like to get crafty, Sex Positive creative collective MOAN is also hosting a zine making workshop, but booking is recommended. By night, an all women DJ takeover is accompanied by Carousel Club Cocktails. Yummeh.
More info
Bras Not Bombs International Women’s Day Festival takes place on Saturday 9 March, across various venues in Hockley.
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