International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and has been for over 100 years. Bridfem, Bridport’s feminist group is planning a range of (mostly free) activities to encourage everyone, men and women, to come along to taste the delights on offer. Although there have been some positive gains in relation to women’s equality, the world still remains largely unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas needing further action.
Celebrations start when the Autonomy film group show the powerful and uplifting film “Whale Rider”, (13) on Saturday 1st March in the W.I. Hall in North Street, Bridport. This contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph tells of a young Maori girl fighting to fulfil her destiny to lead her tribal group despite their tradition of having only male leaders. The film starts at 7.30 with soup on sale beforehand at 6.45, Entry: £3 or less if you can’t afford it. Immediately following the film that same evening, Saturday 1st March, the popular monthly disco will be a Frolic for Feminism, starting at 9.30 at the Beach and Barnicott – entrance free.
On Friday March 7th there will be the fun of a community pop-up play about the Brontes, upstairs in the Avenue Restaurant, 33 West Street at 7.00, hosted by Beth Shaw, co-author of the play and of the “Domestic Theatre Handbook”. Come along to take part or to be in the audience, and it’s free!
Saturday March 8 in the morning there will be performers and stalls in Bucky Doo; a very social gathering with opportunities for discussion, to browse at the market and hear the singers and musicians, and with a mid-day surprise. Also on Saturday there will be a Story Telling session with Madeleine Goodey telling stories of Clever Girls and Cunning Creatures for children in the Library 10.30 – 11.30; for under 5s at 10.30, and for over 5s at 11.00.
In the evening of Saturday March 8th comedian Shappi Khorsandi will be strutting her stuff on the stage of the Bridport Arts Centre
On Sunday 9 March a free lunchtime singing event at the Chapel in the Garden at 1.00 involving 5 local choirs, sharing peace songs to mark the centenary of 1914. There will also be opportunities to sing together; songs of the struggle for peace like “We Shall Overcome” and a lovely solo rendition of “Where have all the Flowers Gone?” by Canadian singer/songwriter Joey Clarkson. On the evening of Sunday 9th March at 7.30 the Bridport Arts Centre will be showing “An Angel at My Table” (15) tickets from www.bridport-arts.com or 01308 424204.
Directed by Jane Campion, it is based on author Janet Frame’s renowned three-part autobiography. Beginning in childhood and telling of a talented, dreamy girl whose working-class parents love her but who is considered different to other children. The film continues to follow her as she is gradually shunted by society into a place that almost kills her, spending eight years in a mental institution. This highly praised film reveals a real sense of a life as it unfolds, as things go wrong and a strong spirit struggles to prevail.
A Women’s Day Open Mic Night will take place at the Beach and Barnicott at 7.30 on Wednesday March 12th. Dynamic poet Anna Freud will be performing some of her acclaimed poems and all-comers are invited to read poems or short prose pieces of less than four minutes in length. To register contact Ruth Katz at jurassicruth@gmail.com to book a slot or just come along and try on the night. Entrance is free.
BridFem is a group of women in Bridport who meet monthly in a friendly informal way at the Beach and Barnicott. All women are welcome at the monthly meetings, and at the next one on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30 there will be a discussion about books, films, TV shows and music which have a feminist theme or perspective. There is a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Bridfem
or email on bridfem@hotmail.co.uk if you want to know more
