On the 8th of March, She Pwr took over Gorilla + The Deaf Institute on 8th March for an evening’s celebration of women. The event ran across both venues with all proceeds going to MASH (Manchester Action On Street Health). For this very special International Women’s Day event Gorilla threw a massive party bursting at the seams with art, craft, performance, talks, DJs, music and glitter! SHE PWR played host to a marvellous selection of MCR’s empowering femme talent hosting a live Q&A, makers market, spoken word, live painting, cocktail + canapés, music + more rolled up into one incredible celebration!
Early on in the evening, there was a panel of inspirational women for an open Q&A, Hattie Pearson led the Q&A with inspirational Mancunian women discussing their careers, the challenges they face and the future of women in business. The studio was full to the brim with an avid audience with moving and hilarious anecdotes from our panellists. The Studio + Bar also hosted the beautiful sounds from the effortlessly talented female fronted bands and DJ’s.
It didn’t stop there…our venue was home to an amazing group of female creatives at our makers market! The Makers Market showcased independent freelance female artists and th eir work. From jewellers to bakers, illustrators, and florists, our indoor market played host to Manchester’s brightest femme talent. We spent the evening perusing through our maker’s wares, grabbed a bite to eat and loosened up with a tipple or two ahead of Deaf’s late-night party.
Over at the Deaf Institute, taking over the Main Bar we witnessed spoken word artist Elise Hadgraft – Poet and took part in feminist based artist duo GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS delivering screen printing workshops whilst boogying to PINS DJ set.
Upstairs at Deaf Institute, we had a genre mash-up of the best in Manchester’s forward-thinking female virtuosos with the likes of post-punkers ILL who released their debut album with critical acclaim last year. All girl grunge band Witch Fever rattled bones with their heavy riffs and blood-curdling shriek vocals. We also had alternative electronica from the soloist Greta kicking off proceedings playing as Current Mood Girl. Finally, we saw new to the scene Julia Bardo take to the stage with her dazzling 60s guitar pop.
The basement was where the party was at, however. Starting things off was an intimate set from unique vocalist & producer Jade Parker, as well as a dynamic Disco & Groove set from DJ Paulette.
Finally, we danced the night away at Karaoke Dungeon. This special edition of Karaoke Dungeon for IWD we celebrated all the badass females and their music, the music that inspired us all to kick ass even more than we already do. In the basement of Deaf Institute, we got rowdy, sang our hearts out and celebrated the women who showed the boys how it’s really done.
