Next Tuesday marks International Women’s Day, a day to champion all of the wonderful women and non-binary folk of Manchester and beyond.
There’s loads of amazing stuff going on in the city to celebrate, from art exhibitions, club nights and foodie events, so we’ve put together a list of things to fill your diary up with ASAP!
Who Are You to Judge Me at The Great Northern Warehouse
From Friday 4th March
To mark International Women’s Day, a powerful photography exhibition spotlighting the harassment and abuse suffered by women over what they choose to wear on a night out has been revealed at The Great Northern Warehouse.
The thought-provoking project titled ‘Who Are You to Judge Me” was created by University of Salford student and photographer, Helen Constantinou, and highlights the shocking precautions women feel they must take to feel protected today – modifying their choice of clothing to avoid abuse and harassment.
Aiming to raise awareness of her experience of Society’s intolerance and double standards towards women, Helen invited 14 female students, who have all been a victim of harassment, abuse and shaming, to attend a photoshoot and asked them to bring two outfits. Two shots were taken for each student, wearing one outfit which makes them feel safe and a second which makes them feel attractive but would however not wear in public for fear of a negative reaction, or as the victim, blamed if they are harassed, abused or even raped. The exhibition showcases 14 of the original 28 images.
Suffragette City at Brickhouse Social Club
Saturday 5th March
International Women’s Day in Manchester wouldn’t be complete without Suffragette City, the annual celebration of International Women’s Day all about creating a sense of unity through music. This year’s event is from 3pm – 3am and boasts an amazing line-up of the finest female and non-binary DJ talents all in an effort to raise funds for local grassroots charities, blasting Acid House, Disco and all the best club classics – Suffragette City will not disappoint. Tickets start from £5.
Brickhouse Social Club, 11-13 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP, Tel: 0161 236 4899
Buzzin’ Sounds Open Mic Afternoon at GRUB MCR
Sunday 6th March
Celebrate some of the city’s best musical talent at Manchester stalwart, GRUB, throughout an afternoon of acoustic sets from female musicians. Starting at 1pm, if you’re looking for something a little more chilled out, then this is the one for you. Topped off with some killer indie street food and craft beers, what better way to spend the afternoon?
GRUB, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill M4 4HF, Tel: 0161 302 3084
International Women’s Day at Z-arts
Sunday 6th March
Join the great people at Z-arts from 10.00am – 1pm on the Sunday before International Women’s Day for a fun-filled afternoon of creative workshops hosted by some of the theatre’s own amazing women. Whether you opt for storytelling, music, dance or art, there’s something for everyone at every age, so head on over and throw yourself into a bunch of feel-good sessions all centred around promoting equality through empowering creativity.
Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA, Tel: 0161 226 1912
SuppHer’s International Women’s Day Celebrations at Erst
Sunday 6th March
SuppHer have announced their biggest event yet in celebration of international women’s day! On Sunday March 6th at Erst there’ll be a series of workshops throughout the day featuring artist, cyanotype printing, wreath making Potter, clay plant pot crafting and demonstrations on how to save, sow and grow your own tomatoes and other veggies at home. The day will be concluded with a 4 course dinner featuring a mega talented line up of women in food and wine. All profits from the evening will be going to Manchester Women’s Aid.
Erst, 9 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Bread Flower Yoga Bagel Brunch at Kampus
Sunday 6th March
Yoga Bagel Brunch is back for International Women’s Day 2022! The IWD special will celebrate inspirational women everywhere with a morning of yoga, bagels, laughs and mimosas (of both the drink and flower varieties). The event will include; an hour long vinyasa flower with thorlby_yoga freshly baked sourdough bagels with a variety of toppings, a glass of mimosa, coffee from Sleepless Cat Coffee and a mini bouquet of mimosa flowers. Tickets cost £30pp or £55 for two people.
KAMPUS, Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL
Walk For Women in Manchester City Centre
Sunday 6th March
Following a two-year hiatus, hundreds of women and supporters of women will be able to demonstrate their support for IWD as they proudly walk through the city. Participants are encouraged to make the most of their voices by joining in with the women-led chants and singing. Those in attendance are also encouraged to bring along fun, safe and noisy instruments, to bang and clang.
The walk will start at 12.30pm on Liverpool Road outside the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park, it will go down Deansgate and will end outside of Manchester Cathedral. The total length of the walk is around 1.3km.
‘A Woman’s Work’ Exhibition at Kimpton Clocktower
Tuesday 8th March
Working in collaboration with British Culture Archive comes ‘A Woman’s Work’ exhibition – a collection of work produced by female artists based in the North. Photographers Tish Murtha and Anne Worthington will be displaying their evocative work together for the first time on the exhibition wall of The Refuge. Both photographers effortlessly capture the elements of community, industrialisation and everyday life on the fringes of society. Featuring drinks, nibbles and some of the city’s best female DJs, Lil Minx and DJ Paulette, spinning until late, head on down to show your support.
Kimpton Clocktower, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HA
All Things Equal at Depot Mayfield
Tuesday 8th March
Happening on the day of International Women’s Day is Brighter Sound’s insane takeover of the Depot Mayfield for a launch of a bold and brilliant new manifesto for gender equality in the music industry. The project sees the premiere of a large-scale and immersive audiovisual installation created by multimedia artist Rebecca Smith, aka Urban Projections, and developed over the past few months with the support of a group of creative women (inclusive) from the North of England.
Running from 7pm until midnight, expect a phenomenal line-up of some of the best talent the city has to offer including the likes of Girls Don’t Sync and Shannen SP.
Depot Mayfield, 11 Baring Street, Manchester M1 2PY, Tel: 0161 806 0161
Free Haircuts at RCNQ
Tuesday 8th March
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 salon owner, Rob is offering a full day of free haircuts at RCNQ to celebrate. “I wanted to spend a day giving back to the women that inspire me on a daily basis and have given me the opportunity to keep the salon running,” he said. Situated in the heart of Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter, RCNQ is a gender inclusive, safe space, working with all hair types and textures. The perfect place for you to express your individual style through your hair.
To be in with a chance of receiving one of the free haircuts, All you need to do is visit the link, sign up with your email and the winners will be randomly selected to come along for a cut with Rob, free of charge. Winners will be announced by the end of the week!
RCNQ, 10 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JF
Her Ensemble: Forgotten in History at Stoller Hall
Tuesday 8th March
Now this one looks super exciting. Coming to the iconic Stoller Hall as part of their Sounds of Nature programme is a special performance from Her Ensemble celebrating over 2000 years of female composers. Her Ensemble is a brilliant string orchestra collective with an admirable aim to make a mark on the gender gap within the music industry, while simultaneously carving out a creative space for musicians of marginalised genders. The event begins at 8pm, and you can grab tickets from £6.
Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA, Tel: 0333 130 0967
First In The Flight at KAMPUS
Tuesday 8th March
Next week, marking International Women’s Day, the free ‘First In The Fight’ art exhibition will open in the KAMPUS gardens. It’s an open-air exhibition paying tribute to the women who shaped Manchester’s history, curated by Women In Print, a collective of female artists from North of England, and author Helen Antrobus (who penned the book of the same name). It’ll feature 10 pieces of art depicting 10 different women who had an impact on the city, all of which were shortlisted by the public for the St Peter’s Square statue, unveiled in 2018 as Emmeline Pankhurst.
KAMPUS, Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL
Free Coffee at Nibble NQ
Tuesday 8th March
This International Women’s Day, Nibble in Northern Quarter is joining forces with Lullabellz to welcome the women of Manchester down to the cafe for a free takeaway coffee (complete with inspirational quotes), some of its ‘girls can’ merch and Lullabellz’s hair care essentials and goodies, too! Go on, treat yourself.
Nibble, 36 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN
MCR Sew Social
Tuesday 8th March
MCR Sew Social has announced the artists who will feature in this year’s IWD online textile art exhibition. The show will launch online on March 8th, and you can grab free tickets to the launch Zoom event via Eventbrite below! Some of the artists showcasing their work include; Claire Malley, Effie Jessop, Helen Davies, Josie Carter, Laura Nathan, Lois Blackburn and Molly Newport.
Pankhurst Trust Comedy Night at the Frog And Bucket
Tuesday 8th March
This International Women’s Day there is the chance to enjoy a stellar line-up of female comedians and support the essential work of the Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid). Taking place at the legendary Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, as well as on a live stream, the evening will be packed full of brilliant local and award-winning talent, with Jessica Fostekew, Erika Ehler, Bethany Black and Eryn Tett all featuring, and Lou Conran as MC.
The Frog and Bucket, 102 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LJ
Life Drawing at Feel Good Club
Tuesday 8th March
Visual artist, Nessy is hosting a life drawing event for International Women’s Day along with a fellow friend and artist, Leanne Lu at Feel Good Club! The event aims to be a wholesome night of creativity, with drinks, nibbles and live music. Nessy and Leanne initially started doing life drawing classes over zoom throughout lockdown and built a great community online. This will be the first time the event will be brought to life in person.
Feel Good Club, 26-28 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EH
International Women’s Day at 20 Stories
Thursday 10th March
20 Stories will be hosting a special International Women’s Day breakfast event on 10th March between 8-10am with an esteemed panel of influential businesswomen celebrating women from across the globe. Joining the panel will be leading Coronation Street actress, Brooke Vincent, CEO of Ruuby Beauty, Venetia Archer, Co-Chair of Oak View Group (OVG) and developers of new Manchester based arena, Co-op Live Jessica Koravos and Paralympian and Great Britain gold medal winner, Hannah Russell MBE.
The event will be chaired by CEO of Roland Dransfield Lisa Morton and will focus on the importance of kindness, purpose and the value of community as we create a better future post-pandemic.
Tickets will be priced at £25 with £5 donated to homeless charity Embassy who are currently raising funds to provide homeless provision for females across Manchester.
Sylvia vs. The Fascists at Waterside Arts
Friday 11th March
If you’re in the mood for some independent theatre this International Women’s Day, head to Waterside Arts in Sale from 8pm for an excellent production performed by Emma Laidlaw all about Sylvia Pankhurst’s story. Championing her acts of justice, activism and resilience, this play will follow Pankhurst and her incredible journey of standing up against a British Establishment, demonstrating her long-lasting legacy of fighting back against discrimination. Tickets start from £8.
1 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF, Tel: 0161 912 5616
International Women’s Day Manchester Festival at Manchester Central Library
Saturday 12th March
Get yourself over to Manchester Central Library for an incredible, free event to celebrate the International Women’s Day Manchester Festival featuring interactive talks, eye-catching exhibitions and some stellar live performances from 2pm – 4pm. In collaboration with The Zebra Partnership, this year’s festival will host an amazing workshop with Cllr Eve Holt on safe cycling for women alongside a whole jam-packed programme of speeches, dance, musical performances, spoken word and heaps more!
Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD, Tel: 0161 234 1983
International Women’s Day Celebration at the People’s History Museum
Saturday 12th March
From 10am – 4pm, head to the People’s History Museum for a buzzing day of protest songs, discussions, activities and stalls including some killer live music from LGBTQI+ disabled activist Mx Dennis Queen and Radical Women tours.The event is free and is brought about with the museum’s partnership with the Nothing About Us Without Us Steering Group, exploring the fight for activism, intersectionality and inclusion for all.
The People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER, Tel: 0161 838 9190
Female-led Shows at Contact Theatre
Various dates in March
The lovely lot down at Contact Theatre have an incredible lineup of shows popping up around International Women’s Day. First up is ‘News News News’ on Sat 5 Mar, all about interrogating the world around us through the eyes of the future generation following an interview with MP for Central Manchester, Lucy Powell.
Next up is ‘The Glad Game’ by Phoebe Frances Brown happening Wed 16 Mar – Thu 17 Mar. The show follows Phoebe’s story of an incurable cancer diagnosis at the age of 26 and how she found happiness in the most emotionally testing of times.
Finally is Miray Sidhom’s ‘The Bread We Break’ carrying you through until the end of the month playing from Thu 24 Mar – Thu 31 Mar. Covering the history of political uprising from the present day back to the Pharaonic era, Egyptian born feminist theatre-maker Miray Sidhom’s new show is definitely one to check out.
Contact Theatre, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA
