It’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on Tuesday 8 March and the Lancaster Women @ The Gregson (WAGs) have again initiated a series of events to mark it.
At 8pm will be the grand opening of ‘Women Like Us’, an exhibition celebrating women in Lancaster and beyond. Lancaster is full of strong and motivating women; WAGs want to celebrate the lives of these ordinary women who in their own way are doing extraordinary things every day and to recognise the positive aspects of women and their contribution to society. The Women Like Us project is a piece of artistic social history in Lancaster.
Lancastrians (men and women) have contributed photographs of women that made an impact on their lives. Mothers, grandmothers, friends, teachers, historical figures, politicians, peace workers and contemporary personalities. WAGs have created an artwork from all your photos and other correspondence.
The ‘Women Like Us’ Exhibition will run at the Gregson until the end of March.
Also on 8 March at the Nuffield at 8pm you can see Peggy Shaw and the Clod Ensemble present MUST: The Inside Story. Legendary New York performance artist Peggy Shaw takes the audience on a journey across the landscape of her own body.
Renowned for her gender bending autobiographical work, Shaw recounts her extraordinary experiences of the medical profession from her current perspective as a 65-year-old lesbian grandmother. MUST weaves together the stories of a lifetime, with live musicians performing a powerful score for piano, double bass and violin.
www.clodensemble.com
A post-show event provides critical perspectives on the performance and the issues it raises. All are welcome. Chaired by Professor Elaine Aston, with Peggy Shaw, James Frieze and Rosemary Betterton.
Book online at: http://www.nuffieldtheatre.com/
Tickets: Web advance: £10 / £7, Standard: £11 / £8
Peggy Shaw is also running a masterclass – see Monday 7 March listings for details.
Book online at http://www.liveatlica.org/ or call the box office on 01524 594151.
Friday 11 March sees ‘Hurried Steps’ at the Dukes DT3 at 7.30pm. Put together by New Shoes Theatre and Amnesty International, these eight stories, recounting women’s testimonies of violence, are presented in an honest, stark, no frills style, as part of the Dukes’ IWD celebrations.
Hurried Steps has ignited a global debate about the impact of violence against women. Written by Italy’s foremost playwright and advocate of women’s rights, this powerful hour long play tells the true stories of women from around the world.
A panel discussion follows the performance.
Recommended for age 15+, Price £7 / £5 (concessions)
http://www.dukes-lancaster.org/theatre/hurried-steps
On Sunday 13 March the WAGs meet at 8pm in the Gregson Bar.
Tuesday 15 March at 7pm sees Dr Jo Armstrong and Jude Towers of Lancaster University Department of Sociology will be presenting a session for women called ‘Increasing inequalities: the philosophy of the cuts and the multiple impacts on women’. 70% of the spending cuts come from women’s pockets. Public sector job cuts hit women harder as do public service cuts. This session will provide an understandable breakdown of how the cuts affect women, and why. Followed by a Q&A session.
Organised by: Lancaster Women Against the Cuts In the William Stout Meeting Room, Lancaster Friend’s Meeting House (next to the train station).
From Thursday 24 March – Saturday 16 April 2011 Georgia Rusch’s ‘Little Bird’ Exhibition can be seen at the Dukes. This colourful and vibrant installation of a flock of birds asks you to join in by creating one yourself. Birds can be 3d sculptures, made in any medium to be hung in The Dukes gallery. The birds will then be sold to raise money for charity.
All Proceeds go to Women for Women International. Submit one bird in 3D, made from any medium. It Must be around 15cm in msize and have a loop attached for hanging. Deliver you bird to The Dukes reception with your name and brief description by March 15th. For more info contact: l.ttlebird@yahoo.com. See pictures of your bird on: The L.ttle Bird facebook pageFor an example template to make a bird click HERE. The Dukes gallery is open from 10am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday.
In preparation for this a papier mache workshop to make and donate a bird will be held from 6.30-8.30pm on Monday 7 March at the Dukes. Places are limited and should be booked at the Dukes Box Office, tel: 01524 598500
Enjoy!
