Dear Teacups,
After a mad March with a full calendar of feminist events – April seems a lot calmer in comparison. Still lots happening across the country! 30th of March until 5th of April is Anti-Street Harassment week. Rape Crisis South London are asking everyone in the UK to take a photo next to a landmark alongside a message of support for loving our streets but hating street harassment. Please post your photos on the Facebook event, and find out more about this International campaign here.
This month, don’t miss Clit Rock 4 on Friday 4th April at Underbelly, Hoxton Square. An annual music event to raise awareness and funds for Daughters Of Eve an organisation committed to preventing and ultimately eradicating FGM. A celebration of women who rock, including live bands; Dana Jade, Blindness, and Big Joanie.
Let’s Start a Pussy Riot collective (including Verity Flecknell from Storm in a Teacup) are continuing their book tour with dates at Central St.Martins coming up – please keep your eyes peeled for more info on our facebook page. We also are delighted to announce we will be presenting our “Lets Start a Pussy Riot” talk and discussion at The Feminist Library on the 26th of April. We look forward to seeing you there! Last year we launched and published “Let’s Start a Pussy Riot” book, a collaborative project bringing together voices from across the arts and generations in support of Russian punk collective; Pussy Riot. We are currently organising a national university tour delivering talks to students about Pussy Riot, Russia, the state and Orthodox church and issues that we cover in our book like LGBT rights, freedom of speech and collective activism. The tour so far has included; Manchester University, Oxford University, BIMM Bristol and we have some Uni appearances coming up at Central St.Martins and Goldsmiths. If you would like us to visit your university please contact us.
The latest on Pussy Riot. Nadia and Masha made an appearance at the UN general assembly talking about the Ukraine crisis. Last month -the original Pussy Riot collective announced e that they consider Nadia and Masha no longer members of the collective. This announcement came just before Nadia and Masha made an appearance at an Amnesty International gig along side Madonna in New York. Nadia and Masha have since returned to Russia and made news headlines when they were arrested numerous times for staging performances around Sochi and the Olympics. They released a new music video “Putin will teach you how to love the Motherland” with footage of them being whipped and beaten by Russian Cossack police. For a balanced and reflective view on the Pussy Riot collective split please read this article posted on The Feminist Times “Pussy Riot split confusion: cultural action always has blurred lines.” My personal view is optimistic and I support both groups in their activism going forward.
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FEMINIST ACTIVISM
OPEN SUBMISSIONS | GET INVOLVED
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ARE MEN DOING IT? – EAST LONDON FAWCETT
EAST LONDON FAWCETT GROUP (ELF) Get involved with their campaigns and come along to the groups many talks, film showings and events. For more info info and to join the mailing-list please email mail@eastlondonfawcett.org.uk WEBSITE:http://eastlondonfawcett.org.uk/
East London Fawcett’s groundbreaking campaign; “Are Men Doing It?” Asks the questions -why do many men, and indeed women, who believe in gender equality, feel uncomfortable identifying as feminists? And, given that they make up nearly half of us, what can men do to help combat gender inequality? The Are Men Doing It? campaign aims to find out. East London Fawcett want to know your ideas about how we challenge gender equality and engage Men in Feminism. Get in touch with us via email to buy an “Are Men Doing it” T-Shirt (online shop coming soon):eastlondonfawcett@gmail.com
Let ELF know your ideas via:
Twitter – Follow us @AreMenDoingIt and tweet us your idea. You can use the#AreMenDoingIt hashtag too
Facebook – post your ideas on the ELF facebook page
Email – Send us an email to mail@eastlondonfawcett.org.uk
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LOSE THE LAD MAGS CAMPAIGN – UK FEMINISTA & OBJECT
The Lose the Lads’ Mags campaign, lead by UK Feminista and Object, is calling on Tesco to stop selling sexist, pornographic lads’ mags. So far we have convinced Co-op not to stock Lads’ mags and Unison has just been announced as a new supporter.
For more details about the campaign visit www.losetheladsmags.org.uk
NO MORE PAGE 3 PETITION: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-dinsmore-take-the-bare-boobs-out-of-the-sun-nomorepage3
LET’S START A PUSSY RIOT Buy book from ROUGH TRADE: http://store.roughtraderecords.com/Store/LetsStartAPussyRiot.html
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UK FEMINISTA | Activist Groups
Join a feminist campaigning group: Getting involved in your local feminist group is a great place to start. Take a look at our interactive map to find your nearest grassroots group.
Set up a group: If there isn’t a group near you, don’t worry! Take a look at UK Feminista’s guide to setting up a feminist group packed with tips on getting your own strong action group running.
Get skilled up: UK Feminista runs regional and national training events throughout the year to help you plan creative and powerful actions and campaigns. We are also developing a series of online resources which will be available to download soon. Make sure you are signed up to our mailing list to hear first about our events and resources
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ART | MUSIC | PERFORMANCE
OPEN SUBMISSIONS | GET INVOLVED
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STORM IN A TEACUP collective are currently organising a University tour for the Let’s Start a Pussy Riot book published by Rough Trade Records. If you would like us to visit your university please contact:.storminateacup2009@gmail.com
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COMING UP IN APRIL 2014
30 March – 5 April || International Anti-Street Harassment Week @ Worldwide. Organised by Rape Crisis South London. As part of International Anti-Street Harassment Week (30th March – 5th of April 2014), we are asking anyone who wants to help end street harassment to take a photo of one of London’s many stunning landmarks alongside a message of support for loving London streets but hating street harassment. We have an event on Facebook where you can post your photos: https://www.facebook.com/events/1405046029753784/ MORE INFO: http://www.meetusonthestreet.org/
26 March – 16 April || Expectation by Maddie McGowan & Talia Ranall @ Studio Theatre, Roundhouse, London. Part of Circusfest 2014. Circus performance meets spoken word in a beautiful and surreal journey that delves into what it means to be a woman. Performed by aerialist Maddie McGowan and writer Talia Randall, Expectation is a 20 minute immersive performance in which the audience is called upon to look, judge, laugh and celebrate the different faces of femininity. Join them as they build, push and squeeze The Perfect Woman until she falls flat on her face and disappears. 7pm. MORE INFO: http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/circusfest-2014/expectation/
2 April || Spring Cleaning @ Power lunches, London. LIVE BANDS: TRASH KIT , My Therapist Says Hot Damn, Tilted Acres, Black Fungus. 8pm FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/589617804455703/
2 April || Birmingham Fems @ Cafe Blend, Birmingham. Craft feminist banner making. Calling beginners, experts, and women in between, to join us for an evening of fabric, felt and wool crafts. Birmingham Fems have at least 2 bags full of supplies and some embroidery skills to share, and will also bring guides and instructions on a few different ways to make mini banners for your chosen feminist slogans. 6pm – 9pm. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/832539780095563/
3 April || Clam Jam #9 @ Dalston Superstore, London. Ninth Spring Edition of Lesbo Fest Retreat Resort That is cLAM jAM. Get Your Sunnies, Your Bikinis and Your Sun Cream Ready Ladies, this One is Gonna Be HOT Playing: MDMX (http://soundcloud.com/mdmx), PACKIN’ C ( aka CATHAL ) (https://soundcloud.com/cathal-1) FREE ALL NIGHT FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/685823374808967/
4 April || Beyond the Sheets: Sexualities in the Age of Digital Reproduction @ Goldsmiths College, University of London. The representation of sexuality within culture has become deeply contested. Sexual imagery is ubiquitous in contemporary media, and yet writers often struggle to write convincingly about sex. The internet has democratised pornography and exotic dancing is the new jazzercise. While many are concerned about the sexualisation of childhood, others lament that adulthood is being neutered. Within this confused and pressurized atmosphere, writing about sex remains notoriously difficult and is becoming increasingly risky.This interdisciplinary conference will bring together writers and thinkers for a one-day event that includes keynote speakers, academic papers, discussion panels, performances, and all forms of creative writing. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/257214714455564/
4 April || UWE Graduate Philosophy Conference 2014: Feminism, Embodiment & Technology @ UWE, Bristol. Sponsored by the Royal Institute of Philosophy. Keynote Speaker: Prof. Margrit Shildrick, Linköping University, Sweden. The aim of this conference to explore, through feminist perspectives, the philosophical, political and sociological impact of technology’s relationship to the body. Please register (registration is free) by emailing uwegraduateconference2014@gmail.com. 10am – 4.30pm MORE INFO: http://www.uwephilosophy.org.uk/royal-institute-of-philosophy.html
4 April || CLIT ROCK # 4 @ Underbelly, Hoxton, London. LIVE BANDS: Dana Jade, Blindness, Big Joanie. DJs; Sina Sparrow. A celebration of women who rock! Music events to raise awareness and funds for Daughters Of Eve an organisation committed to preventing and ultimately eradicating FGM. £5.00 FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1393578667568745
5 April || UK Feminista; Scotland Activist Training @ The Albany Learning & Conference Centre, Glasgow. This event is perfect for anyone organising for a world without sexism, from seasoned campaigners to those looking for confidence to get started. It’s a great opportunity for those involved in women’s and feminist groups as well as individuals to learn and share ideas and skills to make change happen. FREE BOOK ONLINE: http://ukfeminista.org.uk/events/scotland-activist-refresher/
5 April || Wotever World presents; Queer Fayre @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London. Theme: Spring. A great afternoon packed with friendly customers and friends… During the day there will be music, coffee and chats..1pm – 6pm. Entry: £2 FACEBOOKEVENT:https://www.facebook.com/events/771002999593930/
5 April || Choose Yr Own Adventure – opening night @ Redemption Bar, London W10. London’s first ever sober LGBT club night. CYOA is a queer+LGBT dance party in West London for people who want a nite out without alcohol/intoxicants. Suggest Entry: £4.00 FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/634290623303608/
5 April – 23 May || Fans of Feminism present; STIR! @ Marsh Ruby restaurant, Waterloo, London. STIR! is a feminist art exhibition featuring artists are from The Cass (The Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design) and we are showing some good paintings, prints and mixed media art, all based around the issue of women and feminism.Come and meet the artists on Saturday 5 April 2014, 1 – 4 PM, FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1382400935371946/
8 April || Voice for Choice: The demonising of women’s choices: how should we respond to attacks on reproductive rights? @ Lift, Islington, London. 6.30pm – 9.00pm. You are invited to join us for an evening of conversation about current ethical debates and political challenges in the field of abortion law and access. This meeting is aimed at people who identify themselves as pro-choice including: academics, activists, advocates, feminists and journalists. MORE INFO: http://demonisingwomenschoices.eventbrite.co.uk
9 April || Red Balloon Music & Shatterjapan present; De Looze and The Witch Hunt @ The Castle Hotel, Manchester. DELOOZE from London and THE WITCH HUNT from Leeds will co-headline at THE CASTLE HOTEL MANCHESTER, with special guests FACTORY ACTS and CHERIE BEBE. This is a special preview show to promote the 2-dayECLECTICA event due to be held on 2-3 August at Kraak Manchester to launch the new ECLECTICA PROJECT helping to showcase female talent in the industries. 7pm. £5 advanced. £7 on the door. FACEBOOK EVENT: www.facebook.com/events/582552588508416
8-13 April || Birds Eye View Film Festival 2014 @ Various venues including; Barbican, BFI Southbank and ICA. The Festival will also feature UK premieres, cutting edge features, insightful personal documentaries, live music, silent film and special events featuring some of the world’s leading female filmmakers and rising new talents. There will also be industry training opportunities supported by the British Council and Creative Skillset. Full programme to be announced on 8th of March. MORE INFO: http://goo.gl/JlHZUH
11 April || Revisiting the Sadeian Woman – Postgraduate Conference @ Swansea University, Wales. 2014 marks the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Sade’s death, but Sadeian influences remain prominent in contemporary literature, criticism, and culture.This one-day postgraduate conference, funded by GENCAS and RIAH (The Centre for Research into Gender and Culture in Society and the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities at Swansea University), aims to revisit the Sadeian debates first established in the 1980s, and to investigate how these ideas are relevant to contemporary society. How have evolutions of feminism and post-feminism impacted upon Sadeian influences? CONTACT: swanseagenderconf@gmail.com
11 April || What the Frock! Comedy Awards @ Maurentania, 9 Park Street, Bristol. The all-female What The Frock! Award returns for a second year. Last year, all the places were filled within 24 hours of the competition being announced, and this year they were filled within 10 hours! This is one of only two all-female comedy awards in the UK, and is free to enter. Our compere for the evening will be Cerys Nelmes, and we will have a performance from Annabel O’Connell, who was a finalist in 2013. Tickets £10.00 MORE INFO: http://www.wegottickets.com/whatthefrockcomedy
11-14 April || Fringe! Film Fest @ Various Venues, London. Fringe! is a film and arts festival rooted in London’s queer creative scene and welcoming everyone. From feature films to experimental art, workshops to interactive walks and wild parties, Fringe! Fest 2014 will be a signature blend of eye opening movies, DIY and experimental work, the thoughtful, the provocative and the strange, we’ll be packing out cinemas, art galleries, pop-up venues and basement clubs MORE INFO: http://fringefilmfest.com/
12 April || Queer Filmmaking workshop @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London. Love queer film? Want to make a queer film but don’t have fancy equipment or know how? Have the equipment and knowledge but want to develop your skills further? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above then this workshop is for you! This two day, DIY film-making workshop will provide you with the basic skills, contacts and support necessary to make a short film. You don’t need a gazillion-pound camera, just something that shoots film – a phone, small camera, camcorder, computer…and if you don’t have any of these things, you can still turn up. The emphasis is on sharing, teamwork and making the best of the resources we do have. £10, £15 and £20 price bands. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/511950935584176/?
12 April || Dick and Fanny – Fringe! event @ Dance Tunnel, Dalston, London. Dick and Fanny, the club night for homosexuals of all persuasions returns for its April edition on Saturday April 12th 2014 at Dance Tunnel. This time we have teamed up with our friends from Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest to host the official party Fringe! Spring Fling. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/606107792814295/
16 April || The Fawcett Society present; Story Tellers: Why Women’s fiction deserves a price @ Holt International Business School, London. A special evening event in Central London on 16 April, as part of our Fawcett+ scheme, which you can read about by clicking here.Renowned and inspirational writers will discuss the contribution of women’s fiction to writing and wider social change, and the importance of continuing to celebrate and profile this. To speak and lead the debate will be Kate Mosse OBE (international bestselling author of novels Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel and founder of the Orange Prize, now the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction); and writer and campaigner Lisa Appignanesi OBE (author of several novels and works of non-fiction, including Trials of Passion to be published in April, and editor of 50 Shades of Feminism). 6.15-9.30pm. Tickets: £20 TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fawcett-story-tellers-tickets-7311772709
17 April || Feminist Whores? Exploring Feminist Debates Around Violence, Sex Work & Porn @ Middlesex University, London. The Crime and Conflict Research Centre at Middlesex University is delighted to present this year’s annual conference theme with Dr Erin Sanders-McDonagh and Dr Lucy Nevill. The conference will have academic speakers, sex worker activists, and third sector practitioners speaking about these issues – we welcome everyone who is interested in exploring these issues in a respectful and engaging setting. 10:00am to 17:00pm. FREE TICKETS: http://goo.gl/SE1Lp3
17 April || Garconne – Bank Holiday Special @ Peckham, London. Garçonne brings you an eclectic mixture of talented and predominantly LGBTQ+ musicians, performers and artists to delight and inspire, plus some serious dancing fun. If you love to dance like no one’s watching, in the company of a curiously queerful crowd, then join us. £5 advance / £7 on the door FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/612227322181025/
19 April || Unskinny Bop @ The Star of Bethnal Green, London. DIY disco for fat fagz & krispy queers now into our 11th year!!!!! Come dance to pop bohemoths, wet-the-bed sensitive indie and all the bits in between. Bring smiles, pep and heart. £5.00 on the door. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1573529789538136/
21 April || She Grrrowls: Bodies & Beyond @ Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green, London. She Grrrowls showcases a range of talented women and includes poetry, comedy and a musical finale. Come along and take part in the all-inclusive OPEN MIC section, with this month’s theme: Bodies and Beyond. Every third Monday of the month.7.30pm. £5.00. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1479533438934827/
22 April || Feminist Fusion @ The Fortescue Pub, Plymouth. Feminist Fusion is an initiative in support of women’s arts and to explore feminist philosophies & politics. It runs bi-monthly, on a Tuesday night, in different venues. This month features, Poetry, Music, Politics. Donation. 6.30pm. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/600007753422805/
25-27th April || Pussy Whipped Festival @ The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh. Pussy Whipped presents a full weekend of queer/LGBTI+ and feminist underground shenanigans in the form of live music, dancing, films, workshops, poetry and performances! All designed (of course) to shit all over queerphobias and sexism with great big smiles on our faces. Decent people of all genders and sexualities welcome! Funded by Awards for All Scotland. All events are held at Wee Red Bar besides the Saturday workshops. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/502028353250998/
26 April || Let’s Start a Pussy Riot @ The Feminist Library, London. Let’s Start a Pussy Riot is a creative response founded by Free Pussy Riot, Girls Get Busy, Not So Popular and Storm In A Teacup. A collective of collectives whose aim was to bring together voices from the arts in support of Pussy Riot. “Let’s Start a Pussy Riot” was published in June 2013 by Rough Trade Records. At the Feminist Library we will be discussing the story of Pussy Riot (their motives, their influence and the future of Pussy Riot), exploring the context – Russian State and the Orthodox Church, the degradation of LGBT rights in Russia and encouraging all to use the idea of “Let’s Start a Pussy Riot” to create their own forms of collective activism. MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/FeministLibrary
26 April || LaDIYfest Sheffield present; LaDIY Through This @ The Audacious Art Experiment, Sheffield. Celebrating twenty years since the release of Hole’s album Live Through This. We’re planning to celebrate LTT’s coming of age with a special birthday party. Expect: covers of songs from the album and by Hole’s contemporaries, DJs and dancing ,FANCY DRESS: prize for the best Courtney Love. LIVE BANDS: Annette Berlin, Hysterical Injury, Kinky, Nervous Twitch. Suggested donation £4 FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1475543615997850/
26 April || Bloody Icecream @ The Grosvenor, Stockwell, London. Bloody Ice Cream continues the Sarf London revolution with its sixth installment on Saturday 26th April 2014! Joining us on the night to entertain the socks off you lovely people are garage rock gang Wolf Girl, Midlands punk rockers Bad Vibes and punk rockabilly two piece Spanking Machine. FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/557945670980237/
30 April || Rights for Women training: The Asylum Process and Financial Support for Asylyum-seeking women, EC1, London. 10am – 4pm. FREE. With delivery in partnership with the Asylum Support Appeals Project, this course is a comprehensive examination of asylum support (Home Office financial subsistence and accommodation) options open to women who are seeking asylum and failed asylum seekers. Featuring practical exercises and discussion of actions support workers can take, book this course to compliment your asylum claim knowledge or as an introduction to supporting asylum-seeking women. MORE INFO: http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/training.php
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COMING UP IN MAY
1-31 May || W*NK: Erotic art exhibition by Sophie Crow @ Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium, Hoxton, London. Coming just in time for International Masturbation Month, artist Sophie Crow’s début London exhibition of drawings, W*NK, features frank and erotic illustrations of women’s most intimate moments garnered from real life experiences. Men must be accompanied by a woman, except on Tuesday evenings. Opening night: 1st May 6pm – 8pm. Exhibition continues until 31st May. Opening times: Mon-Sun 12pm-8pm MORE INFO: www.sophiecrow.tumblr.com
8 May – 7 June || Bunny Collective: The Young Girl’s Gaze @ Soma Contemporary Gallery, Waterford, Ireland. Opening night; Thurs 8th May from 7pm-9pm. Bunny Collective: The Young Girl’s Gaze will feature work from a number of emerging artists based in Cork and London. Their work will engage with themes such as identity construction online and alter egos; consumerism; the body as capital; fragmentation of self; teenage obsession; and how the internet can provide a positive alternative to male-dominated areas of artistic tradition. MORE INFO: http://bunnycollective.com/ FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/423417864469849/
10 May || The London Radical Book Fayre & Alternative Press Takeover @ Bishopsgate Institute, London. Radical booksellers and publishers / comics and zine makers / artists and activists / book fair / small press fair / exhibitions / talks / workshops / book awards. In the first event of its kind, AP will be bringing the small press to a new audience – championing zine-making and DIY alongside radical publishing and bookselling. Spread across three floors, artists will be exhibiting and selling their self published comix, zines, art books, and prints. MORE INFO: www.alternativepress.org.uk FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/257491244425198/?
22 May || HOMETRUTHS Conference 2014 ‘Womb to Womanhood’ @ The Meadow, Swindon, Wiltshire. HOMETRUTHS is an independent, community based specialist service for survivors of domestic violence and abuse aged 16+ living in Swindon and Wiltshire, who have experienced domestic violence and abuse including stalking and harassment from partners or ex-partners. This is our 2nd Conference and we are pleased to welcome presentations from local and national speakers, looking at the impact of domestic abuse on women and their children MORE INFO:http://thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/hometruths-conference-2014-womb-to-womanhood-swindon/
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Over and Out,
Verity Flecknell Storm in a Teacup Feminist Arts Collective http://joinourteaparty.org
