Ladyfest @ Goldsmiths February 22, 2008

With an over 70% female student population and a reputation for originality and expression, there’s a lot of female creativity to be celebrated at Goldsmiths! Students at Goldsmiths, University of London, in conjunction with the Women’s and LGBT societies, are providing an opportunity to do just that through organising Ladyfest on Friday 22 February 2008.

The event will feature talks, workshops, and an art exhibition, and will be rounded-off by a gig boasting all female acts.

The exhibition will showcase work by Goldsmiths students as well as established female artists, and will open on Monday 18 February to lead-up to the Ladyfest events. The day itself runs as follows:

• 1pm – Talk on female creativity from Senior Lecturer in Popular Music, Jill Hallstead, and Gina Birch of all-female post-punk band, The Raincoats.
• 2.30pm - ‘Is sexy always sexist?’ A discussion featuring Professor of Communications, Angela McRobbie.
• 4pm - Belly dancing workshop - a chance to experience this traditional dance which promotes positive self image.
• 5.30pm – Artist, Spartacus Chetwynd, will show a documentary about the Japanese animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, and talk about its continuous use of powerful female role models.
• 8pm– Ladyfest gig with live performances from Wetdog, Congregation, Monday Club and a Goldsmiths band forming specifically for the event. DJs Twee as F**k will entertain between sets accompanying live performance art from Skip.

All events take place in the Students’ Union, Dixon Road, New Cross, and are open to the public. The events are free, except for the gig which is £5/£4 NUS on the door with all proceeds going to The Poppy Project, a sheltered housing scheme for the victims of sex trafficking.

Ladyfest is an arts festival promoting female creativity in all its forms with feminist and anti-discrimination messages. First held in Washington, USA in 2000, Ladyfest has quickly become a world-wide phenomenon.

For more information contact Laurel Sills – e-mail: l.sills@gold.ac.uk or phone 020 8692 1406.

Official Website: http://www.goldsmithsstudents.com/