Category Archives: Aberration

IWD speakers

PANEL FOR ‘OUR VOICES, OUR LIVES!’

Saturday 7 March 2020 for International Women’s Day at Aberystwyth Arts Centre

The first part of the evening (6 to 7.30pm) is a panel discussion with the theme of Speak Up! We are fortunate to have three inspiring women on the panel:

Maria Constanza Mesa

Maria is the Operational Director of Women Connect First – a Cardiff-based charity to empower BAME women – and a WEN Board member. Originally from Colombia, she arrived in Wales as a refugee and has over 30 years’ experience in social work and community development, specialising in gender and race issues.

Leena Sarah Farhat

Leena is a computer science student at Aberystwyth University and a young activist with the Liberal Democrats. She is first generation British, multilingual and international in outlook. Leena has campaigned to prevent violence against women and for improved Welsh language provision, among other passions. She is a prospective candidate for the Senedd.

Shrouk El-Attar

An activist for the rights of refugees and LGBT+ people, Shrouk is herself a refugee from Egypt. She is based in Bristol where she is an electronics engineer by day, a Dancing Queer by night (as we will see when she performs for us later on!). Named by the BBC as one of the 100 most influential women in the world.

Facilitator: Helen Sandler

Our Aberration co-programmer will be facilitating the discussion. Helen runs Tollington Press, publishing new books by women. She is an experienced chairperson and enjoys getting people talking and drawing out common threads. (Photo by Heather Broster)

We will ask:

How do we get heard?
How have our panel members been effective in their work?
How do they use their voices to campaign around the issues facing women in their lives today, in Wales, the UK and the world?
And what can the rest of us learn from their experiences?

There will be time for questions from the audience and discussion. After an interval, sit back and enjoy our live entertainment.

Get your tickets for Our Voices, Our Lives (including panel and entertainment) from Aberystwyth Arts Centre >>

Workshops for women earlier the same day >>

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International Women’s Day 2020 ~ ‘Our Voices, Our Lives’ evening

Aberration, Archive, LGBT, Women

Aberystwyth 7 March 2020

Diwrnod Rhyngwladol y Menywod 7 Mawrth

Shrouk dancing with rainbow flag — Shrouk El Attar performs her ‘Dancing Queer’ act
Photo: **@Diego_Maeso_**

Celebrate International Women’s Day (a day early) on Saturday 7 March with a sparky and inspiring evening of talks, discussion and live music! At Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Organised in partnership by Aberration / SpringOut, Aberystwyth University and WEN Wales.

English details below // Cymraeg >>

6 to 10pm
Our Voices, Our Lives

Talks and live performance to challenge, dazzle and inspire. Hosted by Helen Sandler. £7 / £5 (concessions) – your ticket is for the whole evening. TICKETS>>

6pm Panel discussion on the theme ‘Speak Up’: amplifying crucial issues affecting women’s lives in Wales and beyond. How can campaigners be heard and be effective? With activists Maria Mesa, Leena Sarah Farhat and Shrouk El-Attar. Read more about speakers >>

8pm Live performance

Louise and the Feathers

Shrouk El-Attar’s gyrating and gender-bending Dancing Queer (pictured, top) brings us magic tricks and Egyptian belly-dancing. Plus beautiful live music from Louise and the Feathers, whose second EP is now in progress; and truth-telling poetry from Kittie Belltree whose new collection Sliced Tongue and Pearl Cufflinks came out recently from Parthian. Read more about performers >>

Poet Kittie Belltree
Kittie’s new poetry collection

Evening open to everyone interested in women’s equality, whatever your gender (women, men, non-binary – all welcome). Events mainly in English. Age guidance 14+. Programme has changed slightly since we printed our leaflets due to unforeseen circumstances.

TICKETS: Aberystwyth Arts Centre 01970 62 32 32 www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk

WORKSHOPS: Earlier the same day we are running an afternoon of creative workshops for women. Release your inner rock star with our ‘Encore’ music session run by The Rock Project, or make your own zine with artist Nicky Arscott. More about workshops here>>

Prifysgol Aberystwyth University

International Women’s Day workshops

Aberration, Archive, Women

Saturday 7 March 2020, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Nicky Arscott: zines
Jane Hoy (R): theatre
Liesa (R): music

An afternoon of workshops for women at Aberystwyth Arts Centre

There are three inspiring creative workshops to choose from, listed below with ticket links. Book now – and be sure to buy tickets for the evening event, ‘Our Voices, Our Lives’, too.

12 women per workshop (age 16+, trans women and non-binary people welcome at all sessions).

1. Our Selfies, Ourselves – Zine-making workshop for women

12.30 to 2.30pm in the Digilab, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, £5/£3 TICKETS>>

Fed up with the portrayal of women in the media? We’ll take matters into our own hands as we draw, cut, stick, stamp and collage our very own ‘zines’ with artist Nicky Arscott.

Zines (short for ‘magazines’) are hand-made or low-tech booklets and magazines with a creative, DIY feel. No experience or special talent is needed to make them!

Nicky Arscott lives in Llanbrynmair and specialises in making poetry comics. She has exhibited at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, MOMA Machynlleth and Oriel Davies Newtown. She has an MA in Creative Writing and is one of the directors of Ennyn CIC, which promotes art and creativity in schools and communities. Nicky is a friendly and encouraging workshop leader. TICKETS>>

2. Sounding Off! – Theatre workshop for women CANCELLED

Unfortunately this workshop has been cancelled due to low numbers.

Apologies for any disappointment. The box office have written to everyone who booked to offer them either another workshop or a refund.

3. Encore! – music workshop for women
with The Rock Project

3-5pm in the Students Union, adjacent to Aberystwyth Arts Centre, £5/£3

As of Friday 6 March, a small number of places remain – vocals or guitar only – please phone the box office on 01970 623232 to book your place!

Release your inner rock star! This one-off taster workshop starts with a lesson on specific instruments or vocals in small groups. This is followed by a ‘plug and play’ session where you will all be able to put into practice what you have learnt by playing together as a band. Mentored by the tutors throughout.

You do not need any experience – beginners are welcome. On the other hand, if you have been a bedroom player all your life and want to play with other musicians, then this is your chance. So whether you are 20, 30, 40 or 70-something, if you have always dreamt of being in a rock band, Encore is just what you’ve been waiting for.

All instruments provided. Capacity: three drums, three guitar, two bass and four vocals. Express your preference when booking. Led by Lisa and Liesa: friendly and knowledgeable tutors who also offer longer courses for adults and children with The Rock Project Aberystwyth.

Evening event

See details of ‘Our Voices, Our Lives’>>

International Women’s Day programme is organised in partnership by Aberration, Aberystwyth University and WEN Wales, with support from The Rock Project.