women’s work 2017 may 24–29
A festival celebrating women in music
Welcome to Women’s Work 2017 and to our inaugural printed programme! Delivered to you in the spirit of riot grrrl and embracing a diverse mix of events. Women’s Work was launched in 2016 and is a unique festival for Belfast celebrating women in music. The purpose is to raise the visibility of women who are generally in the minority in music, by hosting a range of activities that are open to all genders and include showcases, gigs, special events, panels, talks, and exhibitions. The programme in front of you is a result of this work and includes over 50 acts, creatives and DJs across 6 days, with up to 30 industry speakers, panellists, facilitators and writers leading us through a series of discussions, talks and workshops. This year we are delighted to be welcoming music journalist Sylvia Patterson who will talk us through a writers life in music, while Mandy Parnell a mastering engineer to some of the biggest names in music will be doing a Q&A. There are acts from Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Donegal, Bristol, Berlin, and London and Jen Long is set to give us a DJ set following performances from the likes of September Girls, New Pagans and Masha Qrella. There will screenings, exhibitions and inspiring conversations, and venues include Oh Yeah, the Black Box, Pavilion and Strand Arts Centre. There are great people helping to make this happen, thanks to them, it will be diverse, inspiring, challenging, celebratory, positive, encouraging and fun. Hopefully you can join us. Charlotte Dryden Chief Executive, Oh Yeah Music Centre.
Women’s Work 2017 is an Oh Yeah Music Centre initiative supported by Help Musician’s UK, PRS Foundation and The Department for Communities.
Wednesday 24th May Over The Hill Music Collective presents
panel. discussion. live music
With special guest Prof Ros Jennings, Director of Women, Ageing and Media (WAM) Research Centre. Is it easier in some genres of music for women to have a long-term career? Americana, Country and Folk in the UK do seem to embrace female artists of all ages more readily. Our panel will discuss.
Oh Yeah 7.00pm–9.00pm Free
KathArine philippa: rebuilding Oh Yeah 9.30pm Tickets £10 from Eventbrite. In the unlikely event of a cancellation – all tickets will be refunded.
An intimate twilight gig on the roof of Oh Yeah. Katharine Philippa is one of Northern Irelands finest songwriters. A deep thinker, a sensitive soul inspired by sound, visuals, words, environment, people, emotions and their combinations in constant flux. Katharine Philippa returns for an exclusive and intimate opportunity to see her live and under the stars in the centre of Belfast on the opening night of Women’s Work.
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Thursday 25th May
Alana Henderson, Rosie Carney, Hannah McPhilLimy, LARKS Oh Yeah 8.00pm Tickets £6 from Eventbrite.
Some of our brightest voices are coming together for an evening of tranquil, ethereal, emotive music for this Women’s Work special. Alana Henderson Having spent the last few years touring with Hozier, cellist and singer songwriter Alana Henderson is back and working on material for her debut album,Her sound fuses her folk roots with pop sensibility, fragile delicate vocals, emotive cello and disarmingly honest lyrics.
Alana Henderson
Rosie Carney
Hannah McPhillimy
LARKS
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Rosie Carney At just nineteen Rosie Carney has already experienced more of the tumult of life than most her age. Through her raw poetical talent, her lived experience is channelled into her beautiful music and singing which, at times, recalls the vivid and imaginative folk ambience of Joni Mitchell. Hannah McPhillimy North Coast, Belfast-based songwriter Hannah McPhillimy’s thoughtful music brings jazz-inflected indie warmth against a windswept backdrop. Her beguiling voice and ear for melody has prompted comparisons to the likes of Feist, Regina Spektor and Daughter. LARKS Fiona O’ Kane cut her teeth in the local music scene fronting the critically acclaimed Runaway Go. LARKS sees Fiona take a fresh approach to her song writing by drawing influences from rhythmic Electronic based beats, infused with Indie & Alternative sensibilities, all the while keeping her sincere, heart felt lyrics as strong as ever.
Friday 26th May
GIRL is a full on musical assault, spanning the gap between Disco, Italo, House and Techno. Special guest DJ and rising star Holly Lester is based in Manchester but sprouts from the abundantly talented soils of Ireland. With residencies at Liverpool’s Chibuku and Sankey’s in Ibiza under her belt, Holly has played with some of the best in the game, Jackmaster, Cassy, Jeremy Underground and BICEP to name a few. Holly’s creativity combines elements of serene, grooving house with raw, broken beats that shatter and shower over the sounds of Chicago and New York.
With DJs Marion Hawkes, Venus Dupree and special guest Holly Lester. Oh Yeah, 9pm-late £5 before 11pm, £7 after. Tickets from Oh Yeah Eventbrite.
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Saturday 27th May
The Art of Mastering with Mandy Parnell Mandy Parnell’s 30 years of experience have allowed her to discover and develop her philosophies in analogue and digital audio, while working with an amazing array of artists including Bjork, Feist, The XX, Herbert, Frightened Rabbit, Sigur Ros and Brian Eno. Mandy’s unique style as a mastering engineer has afforded her respect from all areas of the industry. She has mastered countless records that have achieved silver, gold, platinum and Grammy status around the world, as well as winning for the third time this year the prestigious MPG Mastering Engineer of the Year award. As a firm believer in educating the next generation of producers and engineers, Mandy frequently lectures on mastering and the music industry at universities, colleges and organizations. Registration essential: registrations@ohyeahbelfast.com
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Moosetronix Studio, Oh Yeah 2.00pm Q&A led by Julie McLarnon (Analogue Catalogue Studios)
Saturday 27th May
workshops/panels /talks at oh yeah To register for any of the workshops or panels below e-mail registrations @ohyeahbelfast.com and state which event you are interested in. 12.00–2.00pm Start Together Studio Sessions Exclusive and intimate live studio session with Masha Qrella and Party Fears. An opportunity get up close in a studio environment and ask questions of the artists, engineers and producers. 12.00–2.00pm Musicians Union oneto-one sessions 30 minute one-to-one advice sessions at Oh Yeah. Spaces Limited.E-mail: Glasgow@themu.org 12.00–1.00pm Hands Off: Combatting Sexual Harassment in Live Music Panel discussion hosted by Hollaback Belfast, with Caroline Sewell (Musicians Union), Shauna Tohill (Rews), Rachael Campbell Palmer (Black Box) and Christine Brown (Help Musicians NI). 1.00–2.00pm Quality over Equality? Festivals, line-ups and gender representation: Panel discussion with Alexandra Pollard (Journalist, Guardian, Dazed, Noisey), Katja Lucker (Pop Kultur Festival and
Musicboard Berlin), Laura Lewis-Paul (Saffron Records) and Grace Loughrey 3.00pm Songwriting Workshop Shauna Tohill (REWS, Marshall Records). A practical hands on workshop and Q&A. 4.00pm Online and Digital Advice With Fiona McAuley, Digital Marketing Manager, Polydor and Charlene Hegarty, Music Manager. An informal presentation, workshop and Q&A on making the most of your digital and online presence as an artist.
Girls Rock School afternoon 12 – 2.30pm Jam Session Sign up for this taster session, jam, riff and rock with others, or give it a go for the first time. 3.00–4.00pm Let The People Play What They Want! Why GRS? The back story, the reasons, the mission and the movement. From building confidence in girls to challenging the perceived norm in rock music and rock instruments.Presented by Girls Rock School NI with Shannon O’Neill, Lesley Crawford (GRS Edinburgh), Laura Totten (Performer & Music Tutor), Les Hume (Dawsons Music) + GRS Dublin. 5.00pm GRS-NI band to open the proceedings for the evening gig at Oh Yeah. Women’s Work 2017
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Saturday 27th May
women’s work show -case
From Belfast to Berlin, Bristol, Derry, Dublin and London, Women’s Work 2017 is set to showcase and welcome some of the best female talent on offer today. We’ll be doing it Jools Holland style with two stages in the main room and festival vibe timings by kicking off at 5pm. A quality line up for an evening of celebration and change making, with special guest DJ set from Jen Long. September Girls New Pagans Masha Qrella Die Hexen Goldie Fawn Beauty Sleep 8
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Party Fears PATHS Roe DANI Rozelle Girls Rock School NI
Oh Yeah, 5.00pm-late £7 before 8.00pm £10 after, tickets from Eventbrite
September Girls
Roe
New Pagans
Die Hexxen
Goldie Fawn
Masha Qrella
DANI
Party Fears
Beauty Sleep
Women’s Work 2017 PATHS
Rozelle
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Saturday 27th May Audio Dollz presents:
women’s work rave Featuring 5 DJs spinning a mash up of house, techno, and old skool & drum n bass. Banging beatz with live visuals. These talented DJs will throw serious tunes to keep ya dancing all night. Fifties: Fifties spins phat, uplifting tech, bass heavy grime to party funk. Her genre defying sets have taken her across the UK and Ireland. Ali P: Spins an old skool bouncy techno and house set. Kristine: One half of house/techno DJ and production Lokokos. Expect underground house, twisted tech-funk and big room techno Laura Totten (Sage): produces tech house and drum n bass music, and DJs internationally. Expect a legendary all original drum and bass set. Venus has been DJing for 10 years and spins a wide range of music and organises various specialised events. Expect a techno and old skool set.
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The Pavilion 9pm till late £5 before 10.00pm £6 after, tickets from Eventbrite
Saturday 27th May
neo neo
Live DJ’s and performance
The Green Room @ The Black Box Free admission
Neo Neo is a new live performance series bringing together the country’s most innovative electronic musicians and contemporary artists. Each unique event features live music and visuals, creating an immersive multi-sensory experience.
5.00–8.00pm
Girls Allowed and First Time DJ’s In association with Bounce Culture Girls Allowed is a Derry based project that encourages and introduces young women into the world of DJ performance and music production. First Time DJ’s is about creating a platform for debut DJ’s to hone their craft and share their passion for music. Join us for lively back to back sets from the next generation of tastemakers. bounceculture.co.uk bounceculture.co.uk/article/girls-allowed-legacy
10.30pm
Presenting a live, intimate performance from Fears Fears is sitting in your bed by yourself when no one else is home. It’s gone dark, and your lights are off. You’re a little too cold for comfort, and your mind can’t shake an image you never wanted to see. Fears is a longing for relief. fearsrecords.com/ facebook.com/neoneoproject Women’s Work 2017
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In March 2017 Oh Yeah put out an open call for creative women to participate in a group photo. Here is the list of people that participated: Hilary Copeland Making, Space and Time Die Hexen Musician, composer, producer, film maker Charlotte Dryden Chief Executive, Oh Yeah Maria McAlister Arts Council of Northern Ireland Amy Joyce Bird & Bramble, singer, promoter
Marie-Therese Davis Abandoned: not forgotten. Musician, visual artist, collaborator Ursula Burns The Dangerous Harpist Ciara O’Neill Singer-songwriter Mandy Bingham Singer-songwriter
Ciara McMullan Photographer, Go Girl
Olivia Henry Singer-songwriter
Beverly McGeown Open Arts musical director, performer, composer
Janet Henry Singer-songwriter
Eibhlín de Barra Director Young at Art
Kim Andrews Singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
Sophie Martin Pianist
Ali Parks Artist and DJ Ali-P-Art
Alice Kearney Graphic Designer, Mirador, Go Girl
Liz Kelly Musician, songwriter, facilitator
Katie Richardson Goldie Fawn, Pleasure Beach, composer, musical director
Mags White Comedian, singer, freelance arts consultant
Becca Hopkins Music First NI, Decomposing in Paris
Rose Kelly Songwriter, producer, sound engineer, lead guitarist
Charlene Hegarty Music Manager Julia Cross Singer/songwriter, member of Scream Blue Murmur Laura Totten Music producer, singer, drummer, DJ, songwriter Carrie Davenport Photographer and facilitator Katharine Philippa Solo artist Amy Salmon Volunteer Cathy Moorehead Belfast Sofar Sessions CEO, producer BBC ATL
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Helen Toland BBC Radio producer - music, arts and social media
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Shannon Delores O’Neill Sister Ghost, musician, founder of Girls Rock School NI Claire McCartney Singer, vocal coach, Vokxen Beccy Henderson Puppeteer, actor, singer, crafter Lisa Schofield Volunteer extraordinaire, Oh Yeah Bernie McAllister Photographer Karen Ingram The Twisted Sisters Susie Ingram The Twisted Sisters
Angie McCrisken Musician
Cheylene Murphy Beauty Sleep, Go Girl
Louise Ní Criochníl Toothfaerie Paste
Alana Henderson Musician
Jo Wright Artist manager and music publisher, Citizen Music Ireland
Aimee Williamson Beauty Sleep and visual artist
Alison O’Neill Costume designer, writer Melyssa Shanon Musician, R51, ceramic artist Donna Morrow Venue manager and volunteer at Oh Yeah Shirley McMillan Writer Louise O’Donnell Graphic Designer, DS blogger Marion Hawkes DJ Brigid O’Neil Singer-songwriter Alison Pascoe ASTRL Fibres, creator and maker Tara Raftovich Photographer, visual artist, writer Esther O’Kelly Artist Áine O’Keeffe The Woddentops, community musician Nicola McHugh Photographer, videographer, camera trainee
Sinead McGarry Singer-songwriter Venus DJ Sarah Hughes Ava Creative Consulting -PR, marketing, sponsorship and events Grainne McGlone Promoter, manager, songwriter Christine Fitzpatrick DJ, producer, lecturer in music/music technology Janis Leaden Music lecturer and tutor Katie-Rose Spence Co-owner and artistic director East Broadway Theatre Company Caitlin Palmer Catface Design and bassist/ vocal in No Matter Jackie Rainey Musician Kerrie Malone Booker, promoter Fiona McCourt Singer-songwriter, musician Alanah Smith Musician
Michaela O’Hare AVA Festival
Kerilee Hunter Musician
Louisa McGee Girls Rock School, electric guitar
Kate Cannon Musician
Janine Fullerton Singer-songwriter with The Hideaways
Photo by Conor Kerr
Nikki Mac Rae Help Musicians NI development officer
The photo is now featured in the NI Music Exhibition at Oh Yeah.
Sunday 28th May To Be Beautiful presents:
how to be beautiful Is it even possible to feel truly beautiful in today’s society when we are surrounded by airbrushed images and pressure to be perfect? This panel will talk to a range of different people about their experiences with body image and confidence. Discussion will include the growing epidemic of eating disorders and the pressures on women and men in the music and creative industries to look a certain way. It will explore how to feel more confident and understand how to be better role models. To be beautiful is a creative project exploring beauty, identity, confidence and image.
Oh Yeah 2.00pm–3.00pm Free. registrations@ ohyeahbelfast.com
Oh Mummy and Bird & Bramble present:
the kids are alright Oh Yeah 3.00pm–4.00pm Free. registrations@ ohyeahbelfast.com
This panel will discuss what it means to be a parent and an artist, from the practical problems of unsociable hours and managing babysitters, to the less tangible challenges that can come with being an artist with children. Musician, music promoter and mum Stefanie Campbell, will lead the discussion along with fellow promoter, blogger, singer, and mum Amy Joyce.
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Sunday 28th May
sYlvia patterson in conversation Music journalist Sylvia Patterson, author of I’m Not With The Band: A Writer’s Life Lost in Music will share some of the stories that made up one of the best rock memoirs of 2016. In 1986 Sylvia left Scotland for London to pursue a career in music journalism. What follows is a 30 year journey in search of happiness through music, magazines, silly jokes, stupid shoes, useless blokes, hopeless homes, booze, drugs, love, loss, A&E, death, disillusion and hope - while trying to make Prince laugh, startle Beyoncé, cheer Eminem up, annoy Madonna, drink with Shaun Ryder and finish off Westlife forever (with varying degrees of success). 16
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Oh Yeah 4.00pm Tickets £6 from Oh Yeah Eventbrite
Sunday 28th May
the amazing nina simone Black Box, 8.00pm Tickets £5 from Oh Yeah Eventbrite
Musician, singer, activist, woman, Nina Simone was a fearless principled voice and is one of the most influential and affecting artists of all time. She worked in a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop and has inspired everyone from Beyonce and Lauryn Hill to Van Morrison and David Bowie. Join us for an evening of inspiration as we celebrate the high priestess of soul with a mix of interpretations and originals from our guest artists. With: Mirenda Rosenberg Fiona Scott Trotter Scream Blue Murmur Victoria Geelan
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Sunday 28th May
defending the dancefloor Claire Hall is an events producer and DJ based in Belfast. Claire will talk about the roots of Disco/ House and Techno as movements of activism and look at how this culture has evolved since its beginnings of black/ queer resistance to a straight and male dominated world. She will ask the question ‘Is there a place in today’s electronic scenes for women or those perceived as the other?’ www.seedheadarts.com
A Faculty Lecture by Claire Hall The Black Box 3.00pm Entry £6
making time and space Black Box Green Room 7.00pm–9.00pm Entry £3
Celebrating women who find the time, create the space, and make. Featuring Artists: Poet: Alice McCullough Writer: Jan Carson Writer/Theatre Producer: Emily DeDakis Cake Artist: Hilary Copeland Musicians: Paula Stevenson Roisin Whyte Kate O’Callaghan Hannah McPhillimy People are almost wistful now, as they chase time for themselves. It is the great elusive prize. The jackpot. These artists will remember the time and space they created to work, and share the elements that infuse their art.
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Sunday 28th May
bird & bramble launch With Susie Blue, Emer Maguire, Amy Montgomery, Lauren Bird, Mandy Bingham, Gemma Bradley, Sister Ghost, Arlo and more.
Oh Yeah 7.00pm–11.00pm Entry £5
Bird & Bramble is an exciting new music initiative launching with an intimate and acoustic evening of live music. The brainchild of Stefanie Campbell and Amy Joyce, Bird & Bramble is dedicated to the promotion of music and creativity in Northern Ireland. They provide local artists with support and opportunities for collaboration through live gigs, social media and networking, allowing for the provision of open dialogue throughout every level of the creative process.
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Monday 29th May at Oh Yeah
3.00–5.00pm Help Musicians NI presents: Empowerment and Confidence workshops and one to ones. Spaces limited. To register e-mail communications@ helpmusicians.org.uk 3.00–4.00pm: Group session 4.00–5.00pm: One-to-one
As part of Help Musicians commitment to gender equality in music, the charity will be hosting workshops and one to ones to enable women to build their confidence in an often male-dominated environment. This follows on from the launch of Let’s Be The Change www.letsbethechange.co.uk, which was set up with the aim of increasing the diversity of speakers at industry events. The website involves two lists of potential speakers for conference organisers to draw on: one with women and the other with speakers from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The initiative also offers mentoring and guidance for women who haven’t yet done experienced or mastered public speaking, but would like to.
7.00–8.00pm Drinks Reception and Go Girl Documentary Premiere
An opportunity to come together to network, socialise and review, as the festival draws to a close. The reception will open with the screening of a short documentary by the Go Girl collective, on the people that have inspired women from across Northern Ireland to pursue a career in music, and their advice to those who want to follow suit. There will also be announcements from Help Musicians and Women’s Work on the launch of an exciting new Women In Music initiative, with a chance to talk to the organisers about their plans.
8.00–11.00pm Go Girl Showcase £3. Line up will be announced on social media.
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An evening of collaboration and female empowerment led with a live music showcase and mini-exhibition from the Go Girl collective and participating artists. Go Girl is a creative community that formed as a reaction to the various pressures women face in modern society. They give women the opportunity to showcase their talents in a positive, safe space and to network online and offline.
Women’s Work on the Screen... Sunday 21st May
A Life in Waves
Film screening + Touch sensitive DJs The Green Room, Black Box 8.00pm, entry £5 The Black Box in association with Touch Sensitive Records present “A Life In Waves” “A Life in Waves” explores the life and innovations of composer and electronic music pioneer, Suzanne Ciani - “the American Delia Derbyshire of The Atari Generation”.
Friday 26th May
Sonita (2015)[PG] 1h 30min
Documentary / Biography / Music The Stand Arts Centre 6.30pm, entry: free of charge pre-booking advised Part of Strand’s Into Film club ‘Teenage Kicks’, open to all.After her family attempts to sell her into marriage, a young Afghan refugee in Iran channels her frustrations and seizes her destiny through music. Grabbing the mic, she spits fiery rhymes in the face of oppressive traditions. ★★★★★ - “Afghan female rapper goes on unpredictable journey in triumphant documentary.” Guardian Strand Arts Centre, 156 Holywood Road Belfast. BT4 1NY Box Office: 02890655830 www.strandartscentre.com
Sunday 28th May
Ruby and the Duke (2011)1h
Documentary / Music The Stand Arts Centre 3.00pm, entry: £4 Twenty years after her death as a frail and broken alcoholic, Duke Special affectionately remembers a forgotten legend of British music in the 1950s - Belfast singer Ruby Murray. In one week in March 1955 she had five songs in the Top Ten, a record that stands to this day.
“Affectionate, poignant documentary...a lovely film, as gentle as the young Ruby’s voice.” Irish Herald
Monday 29th May
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)[15] 1h 41min
Documentary / Biography / Music 8.00pm, entry: free of charge, pre-booking advised Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary recording artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty, musical genius, and tortured melancholy. Women’s Work 2017
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exhibitions Thursday 25th May Love Music Hate Racism presents: Women’s World: A photographic exhibition Launch event Belfast is full of inspirational, hard working and resilient women dedicated to making a positive impact. They are agents for change, risk takers, leaders, artists, employers, activists, mentors and some are mothers too. This exhibition celebrates just ten of these women, who will also share a story with each portrait. With thanks to photographer, Bernie McAllister, Argyll Images.
Oh Yeah 6.00pm Free admission
4th–28th May Jane Butler: School of Thought Butler attempts to recreate elusive encounters through ephemeral installations, architectural interventions, and drawings. Constantly experimenting with the ungraspable and imperceptible, Butler likes to give things attention that would usually go unnoticed. Often containing references to the self and consciousness, the work also investigates a passing of time, and Butler seeks to challenge this in the materials she chooses, drawing on their unique qualities. School of Thought is a body of work focusing on an increasing interiority within the artist’s practice and an attempt to create a site of momentarily stillness and contemplation in this busy public space. Butler (b. Belfast 1986) studied Fine and Applied Art at University of Ulster, Belfast specializing in sculpture and installation. Butler is currently based in Belfast as studio manager at Array Studios, and is a previous director of Catalyst Arts Gallery. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and most recently was selected to produce a temporary public artwork commissioned by Tulca Festival of Visual Arts and University Hospital Galway Arts Trust. 22
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The Green Room, The Black Box Free admission
Other events Saturday 13th May Lauren Bird - ‘The Inbetween’ Album Launch with support from Runabay McHugh’s, 9.00pm, £5 Strabane songwriter Lauren Bird makes her Belfast return for the launch of her eagerly awaited debut album.
Friday 19th May Hobbywhores Oh Yeah Centre, 7.30pm, £10 A Women’s Institute for degenerates: Learning new skills, making new friends, doing shots and eating crisps www.hobbywhores.com
Friday 26th May Meet PRS Foundation Oh Yeah Centre, 12.00–2.00pm, Free One to one meetings and information – an opportunity to get advice and info on PRS Foundation funding and initiatives including Women Make Music grant. Register for a slot with registrations@ohyeahbelfast.com
Friday 26th May Meet First Music Contact Oh Yeah, 10.00–1.00pm one-to-one consultations. 2.00–4.00pm Info session. FMC is a free resource for musicians in Ireland, providing consultations, mentoring and funding advice. To register e-mail registrations@ohyeabelfast.com
Saturday 27th May #unstereotype-me #girlscancreate Venue - tbc Girls aged 11-14 co-create and deliver a group workshop on creativity, song-writing, art, chat, photography. Special guest appearance/ performance by young female artist to inspire & influence the girls. More info online.