International Women's Day 2019: Events Round-up
As International Women's Day 2019 fast approaches, we've put together a list of events taking place in Scotland this week which celebrate women in the arts
StAnza Poetry Festival
Scotland's premier poetry festival returns in St Andrews from 6-10 March bringing together an array of new and established poets from across Scotland and beyond. Though not specifically tied to International Women's Day, it's a fantastic chance to see some of the brilliant women in today's poetry scene, featuring Caroline Bird (In These Days of Prohibition), Imtiaz Dharker (Over the Moon), Laura Accerboni (Attorno a ciò che non è stato), Mary Jean Chan (A Hurry of English), Kathrine Sowerby (House However), Hannah Lavery (The Drift) and more. One not to miss for fans of poetry. Various events, St Andrews, 6-10 Mar
Nipples, blackbirds & a celebration of International Women’s Day
On the eve of 2019’s International Women’s Day, award-winning Edinburgh-based photographer Jannica Honey is heading to the Arienas Collective for an evening of inspirational and thought-provoking conversation with the aim of creating a more gender-balanced world. Following constant bans across social media when sharing images from her When The Blackbird Sings series, Honey will discuss how it seems the natural woman transgresses social media community guidelines while the "plucked, trimmed and underfed" woman does not. As well as discussion, the evening will include wine, cheese and music from the immensely talented singer-songwriter Annie Booth. The Arienas Collective, Edinburgh, 7 Mar
Glasgow Women's Library Spring Programme
Glasgow Women's Library does important work year-round in celebrating the lives and legacies of women, and their programme over International Women's Day is no different. On 9 March, Clare Hunter will join BBC Radio's Janice Forsyth on 9 March to explore the significance of sewing through time and across cultures. Nadine Aisha Jassat will launch her Edwin Morgan Poetry Award-shortlisted debut Let Me Tell You This alongside journalist Chitra Ramaswamy and poets Esme Allman and Iona Lee on 7 March. Looking for events beyond the literary? GWL's Decoding Inequality exhibition launches on 6 March. Also, on 7 March, the library will be the first pop-up venue for Artemisia Gentileschi's circa 1615 oil painting Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and there'll be a special Story Café to celebrate. As always, a brilliant mix of events from GWL.
Scottish Women Inventing Music Launch
Coinciding with this year’s International Women’s Day is SWIM (Scottish Women Inventing Music), a collective of female and female-identifying music creators and industry professionals based in Scotland. SWIM are dedicated to creating a level playing field for women in music with the aim of achieving equality across the industry. Their first event takes place today at Kinning Park Complex in Glasgow (10am - 5pm) and will comprise of talks and panel discussions. And good news to those with young children – there will be a creche available on the day as well. The party continues into the night with Hidden Rhythms at Glasgow Women’s Library from 6pm followed by a Bitches Brew special at The Old Hairdresser's from 7pm with SWIM members performing. To learn more about SWIM and how to get involved, head here. Kinning Park Complex, Glasgow, 8 Mar
Queen Tut’s
In association with Tenement TV, King Tut’s are celebrating International Women’s Day in their own way with a rebrand for the day as they turn King Tut’s into Queen Tut’s. The daytime event, which takes place from 2pm, will feature free panel discussions with Honeyblood’s Stina Tweeddale, Denise Allan of Glasvegas, Julie McKinnon from Scottish Event Campus and Blue Kirkhope from the Scottish Music Industry Association, all chaired by Tenement TV Director Nadine Walker (get free tickets here). And in the evening, the stage will be handed over to The Vegan Leather, The Van T’s and Scarlett Randle. King Tut’s, Glasgow, 8 Mar
International Women's Day Rave
Edinburgh-based, all female hip-hop DJ collective, The No Scrubs Club have lined up a group of Edinburgh's finest female selectors for a rave at The Caves on International Women's Day. Hotline resident Luckybabe, Eva Crystaltips and She Bang Rave Unit will all take to the booth, while Jozette & Frankie Elyse will perform a live violin set under their moniker KINTRA. All profits from the night will go towards Scottish Women's Aid and Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre. The Mash House, Edinburgh, 8 Mar
Play It Like a Woman All-dayer
On 8 March, Glasgow DIY label Double A-Side Records are releasing a special compilation record, Play It Like a Woman, to coincide with and celebrate International Women’s Day. The record is comprised of an outstanding cross-section of music from female-identifying artists based in or with a connection to Scotland, and today sees some of those very talented musicians (LUNIR, Martha Ffion, L-space, Curdle, Jo Foster, Lou Mclean, Mona Soft and Life Model) take to the stage at The Glad Cafe for an all-day party, with all proceeds going to Glasgow Rape Crisis. The Glad Cafe, Glasgow, 9 Mar
Disclaimer: Other women will be doing creative things elsewhere, and throughout the rest of the year in fact. Women are for life, not just for 8 March.