This One's for the Ladies
Ladyfest DC 2002
Straight Talking, Hard Knocking, Indie Rocking Women with a Cause. Have a Seat, Fellas…
 Tsunami |
Without the retro value or stretch pants of Charlie’s Angels, without the cross-marketing appeal of the soon-to-be- a-marshmallowy- breakfast-cereal of the bug-eyed Powerpuff Girls, somehow Ladyfest has gone from small town grrrl power to the womanly roar heard round the world, a double-X chromo-cultural bonanza. And it’s not even sponsored by Red Bull.
Two years ago today, a group of women in Olympia, Washington got together to kick off the first Ladyfest, a hodgepodge of entertainment, workshops, discussions, arts, sound-offs and politics. Crash courses in self defense and bike repair rubbed against poetry slams and heavy metal karaoke. A workshop called “Orgy-nizing” poured over the finer details of modern-day sex. It was preceded by a knitting class and followed by a discussion entitled “I’d Rather Be Fat Than Brainwashed.”
 Naysayer |
Today, Ladyfest remains as eclectic as that first year, having made its way into such unassuming nooks as Bloomington, Illinois and Lansing, Michigan, and exploded outward into Ottawa, Glasgow, London, Holland and Belgium. Groups in Italy and France are tentatively planning their own Ladyfests to take place this fall, and though each of the individual festivals is organized autonomously, they all share a clear common ground.
So womyn, riot grrrls, lipstick lesbians, come forth and lend Ladyfest your ears. And here’s a handy guide so you’ll know who to lend them to. We promise you’ll get them back when it’s over. — Will Doig
Thursday, August 8
 Radio Vega |
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Delta Dart, Radio Vega, Sally, Ms. America Local Puppet Show
Sanctuary Theatre, noon. $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
Crucial Defect, Sarah Azzara, Alona
Fort Reno, 7pm. Free.
Tribe 8, V For Vendetta, Kathi Wilcox, Paper Doll, Burlesque Revival, Lida Husik, Ms. Spice
Black Cat, 9pm. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Friday, August 9
 Delta Dart |
The Quails, Emm Gryner, Gunta, Vicki Hott, Trixie Delicious, Evo Fake by Lisa C.
Sanctuary Theatre, noon. $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
Bands and Open Mike TBA featuring Falkor and more
DCCD, 3-8pm.
Tsunami, Mary Timony, Alix Olson, Erase Errata, Dame Fate, The Naysayer, Kimya Dawson (Moldy Peaches)
Black Cat, 9pm. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Jody Bleyle, Del Cielo, Sin Desires Marie, Wage of Sin, The Long Goodbye, Gina Young Bands and Open Mike TBA Quix*o*tic, Danielle Howle, The Dishes, B-Girl Manifesto, Roby Newton’s Puppet Show, Tracy and the Plastiks, Rebecca Gates Doria Roberts, Kathy Cashel, Byokie, Kathi Wilcox These bands are only one facet of the multifaceted hoedown that is Ladyfest D.C. Check out the schedules for all of the other workshops, spoken words, art exhibits, picnics, games, lunches, speeches and drag shows at www.ladyfestdc.org. All proceeds from all events benefit the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Any and all gender identities are welcome at Ladyfest D.C. (even you garden variety SWMs). This schedule is subject to change.
Saturday, August 10
Tribe 8
Sanctuary Theatre, noon. $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
DCCD, 3-8pm.
Black Cat, 9pm. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Sunday, August 11
Dupont Circle, noon. Free.
 Dame Fate |
The Various Venues:
Black Cat
1811 14th Street NW
202-667-7960
DCCD
2423 18th Street NW
202-588-1810
Fort Reno
Between Wisconsin and Nebraska Avenues on Chesapeake Road, Tenleytown
Sanctuary Theatre
1459 Columbia Road NW
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