Women’s Work Festival kicks off this weekend celebrating women in music

The Oh Yeah Music Centre is delighted to reveal a sixth series of its Women’s Work Festival, starting this week in Belfast.

It will run across four fun-filled days and nights across the bank holiday weekend (2nd-5th June 2022).

Charlene Hegarty coordinator of the festival at Oh Yeah said: “The purpose of the Women's Work Festival is to illuminate the many talented women working onstage and off stage in our music community. This year we have welcomed as many artists as possible, to perform or host events, over 4 days and nights in June.

“The festival is varied, diverse, exciting and challenging and I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed to the programme and made it possible - it takes a village. Women's Work is a festival for allies in equality and music lovers - show up to show your support.”

DON'T MISS THIS 👇

Each event is a highlight in itself, audiences can look forward to a classic album night celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of Irelands best-selling albums of all time, A Woman’s Heart.

Six artists including Brigid O’Neill, Bernadette Morris, Rose Connolly, Ria Maguire, Ciara O’Neill and Edel Ní Churraoin will revisit each track made great by Maura O'Connell, Frances Black, Dolores Keane, Sharon Shannon, Eleanor McEvoy and Mary Black.

There’s the annual showcase, now considered the jewel in the Women’s Work crown and always a strong snapshot of the incredible talent coming out of the whole island of Ireland. This year welcomes Sprints, Cherym, Problem Patterns, Girl For Sale, Winnie Ama, Don Chi, Susi Pagel, Aoife Wolf and Clara Tracey with a DJ set from Get In Her Ears.

Moving On Music will welcome the wonderful singer and harpist Rachel Newton at the American Bar. There is Electro Pop with Bobbi Arlo + Guests at The Black Box, including an after party of late night floor fillers. The Women in The Shadows event explores the idea that behind every great man is a great woman and features performances and stories from Duke Special, Ferna, Alice LA, Dark Tropics and Rachel McCarthy.

Moving onto discussion, conversation and special events, Shukria Rezaei a Hazara from Afghanistan will be in conversation with Judith Hill of UTV, while Musicians Union ask about Safe Spaces in Sound and PPL and Help Musicians are here for advice sessions. There are walking tours, discussions on women’s safety at night, film screenings, industry advice and a Music Producer Meet Up hosted by Shade Music. There are family events including a St George’s Market take over, plus The Created Life Podcast with Amanda St John. Safe in Sound and Three’s Theatre Company will present ‘I believe her’ - a night of audio experience, discussion and music. Make room for some Sister Ghost, Zine workshops, gig poster art and A Woman Making it Work with Paula Stevensonaka ‘The Future Her’ and Rosin Whyte. We are thrilled to have Hannah Peel and the NI Electronic workshop launch at Sound Advice. There is much more to dip into here, so to get the full lowdown visit the freshly revamped website from Monday April 11th.

Women’s Work is delighted to announce that it will also be launching the Carol Clerk bursary in partnership with Dig With It.

For full details visit womensworkni.co.uk

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