Ladyfest is an feminist-friendly arts event which proves there's far more to girl power than the Spice Girls. Kerry Ann Eustice finds out more from Goldsmiths' festival organiser Laurel Sills

HAVING established an international reputation as a groundbreaking and fun celebration of female creativity, Ladyfest and its feminism-friendly arts package is coming to south London.

The famous notion of sisters doing it for themselves is taken to the letter in Ladyfest.

It's a DIY event, hosted by separate groups which share ideas on female empowerment, sexuality and identity, as Laurel Sills, activities and services officer for Goldsmiths Students' Union and organiser of this Ladyfest, explains.

"Ladyfest isn't one body, anyone can run an event," she said.

"Ladyfest London is a fairly established event, and although it is running separately, it is being very supportive of Goldsmiths' own Ladyfest festival.

"The variety of the event makes it perfect for Goldsmiths.

"This is the first time the university has hosted its own branch of the DIY event and has faced the task with no budget.

"There will be music, arts, dance and the academic theory aspects with the talks. We're covering as many mediums as we can and if we carry on with this next year we can expand it."

By blending the academic and artistic Ladyfest has the chance to show feminism in a contemporary context and prove how the movement has evolved since the, now cliched, bra-burning era.

Laurel agrees Ladyfest has incredible power for modernising feminism's image.

She said: "The festival is designed to offer different possibilities to different people.

"The art exhibition is a great opportunity to see what women are doing with the form and celebrate that.

"The music element of the festival is huge at Goldsmiths, owing to its ever-popular Pop Music course and the talks raise awareness and thoughts on the issues which dispel feminism's negative image."

It also has a strong music focus, inspired by the influential riot grrl movement (feminist punk music) which the festival spawned from. And as well as being an important showcase, Ladyfest has been an incredibly motivational force too, seeing many musicians take to the stage for the very first time, as Laurel explains.

"One band formed just for Ladyfest. Traditionally Ladyfest has been the first gig for many all-girl groups," Laurel said.

Never short of high profile support (Trainspotting director Danny Boyle will be talking on opportunities in British film at Goldsmiths next week) the acclaimed artist Spartacus Chetwynd will be heading a discussion at the event.

There will also be belly dancing workshops (to promote positive self image), an exhibition of works from female artists and a talk on whether sexy is sexist.

Spartacus is screening the documentary Birth of the Ghibli Studios, Nausicaa Valley of the Wind to examine the famous Japanese anime studio's (which made Spirited Away) use of strong female characters.

Via email, Spartacus said: "It's about whether the representation of the heroines is feminist or exploitative, if it's inspiring or deluding. I think it's a case of some Japanese men who are feminists.

"Hayao Miyazaki is the creative animator and a feminist. All his films have female lead parts, very gutsy girls."

Men as feminists is an interesting (and often debated) idea but as Laurel explains the festival is all about inclusion. It's by no means girls-only.

"It includes people," says Laurel. "There are different views on whether men can be pro-feminist or feminist but the main focus is women in creativity.

"Ladyfest is really inclusive to men and encourages male input.

"It has been designed in a way not to push men out. My hope is everyone enjoys it."

Inspired not only in support of Goldsmiths' 70 per cent female student population, Ladyfest at Goldsmiths reflects many aspects of the establishment's identity.

"We wanted something for the students to get very excited about," said Laurel. "Yes, women make up 70 per cent of Goldsmiths' student population but it' not just based on that. There's lots of creativity here and we wanted to showcase that."

Laurel says it also reflects the strong society scene at Goldsmiths. There is a strong Women's Society and LGBT Society (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) there.

She said: "The festival has a strong societies message. It's anti-homophobic, anti-racism and anti-sexism.

"It has those feminist ethics which fall in line with the students own moral culture. And, of course, it's a fun event to put on."

Ladyfest at Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross on Feb 22.

The art exhibition is open now. 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.