Of the mélange of activities spread across the city in celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day – yoga, mindfulness, workshops, ‘therapies’, etc – it’s a relief to see some good old-fashioned grrrl power. Organisers Fallopian Tunes have scored beatboxing champion Bellatrix as their headliner in this showcase of femmetastic pride. DIYers Punkture Sluts bring the bleep to the proceedings, and are in good company with local duo Realms, rapper Tanita Sikes, and ‘black feminist sistah punk’ act Big Joanie.

DJ Viva La Vulva, who started out a year ago in reaction to seeing too many of the boys in charge of the music and tech at parties, will be playing a set consisting solely of female artists. (Think L7 rather than Leona Lewis, natch.)

This is of course an all-inclusive event – bring your queer pals, your gal pals, make some more, and make some noise.

Hope & Ruin, Friday 4th March 2016

Words by Karen McDermott
Photo by Maria Brosnan