Over at Babyface we like to celebrate being a woman every single day, however one of the many wonderful things about International Women’s Day is the abundance of events, experiences, shows and talks that allow us to mingle with our network of women and beyond. In short, you can be dead worthy while also have lots of fun, learning new things and making new friends. If like us, you’re short on time and keen to get fully into the swing of the week, fear not, we got organised and curated our pick of this week’s not-to-be missed IWD events to pop into your Google Calendar now.
W Project x Tate Exchange
18:00 – 20:00
Tate Modern – Tate Exchange, 5th Floor Switch House access via the Terrace Entrance from 5.30pm
Free entry
The W project, co-run by Loren Platt and Teo Connor, is a collective all about women and their aim is clear: to increase the diversification in the representation of women within mainstream. We still talk about this group’s events, because they’re always so powerful. Join them on the eve of IWD for a discussion on exploring diversity in the art world and the future of curation with the Tate Modern’s Frances Morris joined by Cairo Clarke and Caroline Simionescu-Marin.
Co-hosted by Leyla Tahir, Kusheda Mensah and Loren Platt and music by Babyface faves BORN n BREAD.
Piu Piu International Women’s Day Takeover
10:00 – 02:00 (CET)
Rinse France
One of France’s most exciting DJs, and one of our most selected on Soundcloud, Piu Piu, is curating a whole day on Rinse France to celebrate IWD. Expect mixes, talk shows, and interviews covering a diverse range of topics affecting women now; from cinema, fashion and club culture to promoters, discrimination, post-colonialism, sisterhood and 4th wave Feminism. Josey Rebelle, Eclair Fifi and Clara 3000 amongst others, will all make appearances.
The WW Club Work Party NYC
10:00 – 13:30
Tickets or stream via Facebook Live
Our favourite cross-atlantic work-guru, Phoebe Lovatt, of The WW Club is back. This time, for IWD, her famous female-only workshops see a very special talk with Sarah Law of KARA accessories. Yes the talk will be taking place in downtown NYC, but thanks to the wonders of Facebook live, you too are invited. For those in NYC, get your mitts on a ticket, be there in the flesh and get stuck into a two hour mini-work shop with Phoebe in which she’ll share projects, ideas and maybe even business cards.
Film Screening of In Between
18:15 – 20:00
BFI Southbank
Tickets
Following on from the BFI’s Woman With A Movie Camera project in partnership with leading women’s film organisations, BFI are following up with more stunning female-led cinema. This IWD catch the London premiere of writer-director Maysaloun Hamoud’s first feature length film, In Between. The film follows three Palestinian-Israeli friends living together in Tel Aviv: Layla, a lawyer, graduate Nour and lesbian DJ, Salma.
CAMGIRLS 2.0 Launch
21:00 – 02:00
The Alibi, Dalston
Free
Head down to The Alibi on IWD for Camgirls’ second interactive, collaborative project. The evening looks set to be filled with discussions around women in cyberspace. With stalls from Polyester and Beanie Babies, as well as music from Klein, Siren and BBZ London. It’s clear all the babes will be there plus it’s free entry all night with fundraising throughout the night for National Ugly Mugs charity. Tick, tick, tick.
She Runs It Party
20:00 – 23:00
Pop Brixton
Free
Exercise isn’t just about finely tuned abs it’s also about feeling stronger and more alive. She Runs It is a new organisation running of female energy that aims to empower women through fitness and holistic well being. Head to Brixton’s Pop venue to join She Runs It for their campaign launch and video screening. There will be music by Melody Kane, performances from James Massiah, dancing and goodie bags. Bring your trainers.
She Lights Up The Night Exhibition
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th March
Protein Studios, Shoreditch
Free
BBH’s art initiative returns for a second time this March, congregating some of the most lauded names in graphic design, from Jean Jullien, Hattie Stewart to Mike Perry. Each artist has been commissioned to produce exclusive prints inspired by female empowerment, that will then be sold off to raise vital awareness and funds for Refuge, the UK’s national domestic violence charity.
WOW Festival Southbank
All day
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank
Tickets
If like us, you missed out on your Angela Davis talk tickets, chin up. WOW, otherwise known as the Women of the World festival at Southbank Centre is a whole week of events dedicated to modern feminism. Extraordinary talks with extraordinary people, workshops, showcases and screenings. Head down on Saturday and catch discussions on Badass Lesbians from History, Intersectionality for Beginners and The Truth About Women and Food.
Playback Festival: BORN n BREAD presents Women in Film
2.00pm
ICA
Tickets
Join the BORN n BREAD ladies at the ICA for an important discussion on how we get more POC women working in and around the film industry. With a stellar panel, made up of three experienced directors Savanah Leaf, Jenn Nkiru and Dionne Edwards. Any budding directors, actors or screenwriters should be in attendance.
GIF (Girls In Films) Screening of THE FITS
4pm-6pm
Rio Cinema, Dalston
Tickets
If you feel like a wee sit down after running around all week, may we point you in the direction of East London institution, Rio Cinema? GIF, have partnered with Rio Cinema, to bring public screenings of the most inspiring and pertinent films from American female filmmakers from US and to celebrate their 1st birthday this March they’re marking the occasion with a screening of beatific coming of age film, The Fits, with an introduction from young poet, Abondance Matanda, member of Black British Girlhood collective.
Women in Fashion Feminist T-Shirt Making Session
11:00 – 14:00
Floor 2, Morley House, 26 Holborn Viaduct, EC1A 2AT
£7
“Here’s one we made earlier…” For those of you arty types, why not flex your crafty muscles and head down to Holborn and join the Women In Fashion gang for an afternoon of t-shirt making. Wildly inappropriate designs welcomed, all materials will be provided plus- all proceeds will go towards providing homeless women with much needed sanitary products.
Art and Identity with Gal-dem
13:15
WOW Festival, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank
Free
We couldn’t be happier that Babyface’s favourite platform, Gal-dem have a presence at WOW this year. Join two of gal-dem’s editors, Heather Barrett and Suyin Haynes, and spend your Saturday lunchtime creating your own unique feminist artwork, free for those with WOW Festival passes. And if you can’t make Sunday and you need to fill a Gal-dem shaped hole (always) make sure you hit up I AM A gal-dem Editor on the Saturday where you can find out what it takes to be an editor with guest artists from gal-dem‘s 70 women of colour contributor list.
Credits
Text Babyface