Oprah Winfrey recently declared, “A new day is on the horizon” for women and girls, and with gender equality and issues facing women rising in prominence and the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements gaining traction, Sheffield-based fringe festival SheFest provides an opportunity for women, self-identifying women and men to engage with progressive and inclusive events which champion women’s rights and promote gender equality. The festival runs in conjunction with International Women’s Day and we’re thrilled to see it return for its fourth year with activities, workshops, film screenings and much more for a week-long celebration from 5-11 March.
Even a quick glance at the full programme reveals just how much there is to look forward to at this year’s SheFest, from The Art of Bellydance and Burlesque & Body Confidence sessions, to the Women’s History Walking Tour and Cafe Scientifique, you’re sure to find an event that piques your interest. You should definitely clear your diary for SheFest Saturday which is the main event of the festival and will be happening on Saturday 10 March from 12-5pm at Tudor Square, the Crucible and the Millennium Gallery. The day will showcase live musicians and dancers and feature a range of workshops and stalls with special focuses on an array of topics including activism, sexual harassment, self-care and poetry. There’ll also be STEM activities and face-painting for kids too so the whole family is welcome. 
We’d also highly recommend getting your tickets booked for Wild Woman, a specially-commissioned, original and experiential theatre piece which you’ll be able to see at Theatre Deli from 8-9 March. It’s brought to you by the same team behind last year’s sold-out show based on the “Vagina Monologues” and works with local, marginalised women, using real stories of ‘going wild’, so expect dancing, singing, exploration and a large cast.
And in the lead-up to SheFest, a special preview of the Fighting Talk Art Exhibition will be held on 1 March in collaboration with International Women’s Day at 35 Chapel Walk. The exhibition’s focus is on contemporary protest, shining a spotlight on the inequalities that still need to be overcome worldwide and asking, ‘In 2018, what are we fighting for?’
So have a look at SheFest’s online programme here or pick up one of their printed programmes from outlets throughout Sheffield’s city centre. And don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with all the SheFest news. #BeBoldForChange #IWDSheffield
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SheFestSheff
Twitter: @SheFestSheff
Words: Felicity Jackson
