Ladyfest: The girls are back in town...

There’s plenty of girl-friendly action in the capital this weekend, as Edinburgh Ladyfest gears up for a four-day extravaganza. Back for a second year, the festival promises comedy, music, art, skill sharing – and punk knitting.

If you haven’t yet heard, Ladyfest is a global movement showcasing female artists and performers. There have been over 100 Ladyfests around the world since 2000 – non-profit, feminist events organised mainly by women.

Marylou Anderson was among Edinburgh Ladyfest’s founders back in 2007. “I have always been interested in music and art and feminism, and at the time I was feeling quite isolated because I’d just had my son,” she explains.

“I really wanted to connect with other women, talk about women in art and society at large and see if we could put on some women-centred events," she continues. "Through Ladyfest and the activities of the groups affiliated to the Edinburgh Feminist Network a new kind of women’s community has started to grow and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Ladyfest 2009 gets going tonight (Thursday) with comedy at Edinburgh City Club from Sian Bevan and Liz Ely. On Friday evening the emphasis is on DIY, as the zinesters and performance poets of Sister Spit: The Next Generation take over the Big Red Door, Lady Lawson Street.

The Bowery on Roxburgh Place is the place to be on Saturday: by day you’ll find workshops on life drawing, dance, comedy, blogging and even how to make your own herbal tea; while night time will see an eclectic mix of talent take to the stage – including Sellotape, sound poetry and storytelling from Zorras and folk from Jo Foster and Hailey Beavis.

Play: Jo Foster - Madelaina


After all that Sunday will demand a day of rest, so join the girls for a gallery walk and coffee. The weekend will finish with a film screening at the Brass Monkey.

Since this is a music blog, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t ask Marylou about the line-up for Ladyfest’s Big Gig at the Bowery. “Jo Foster has been a great supporter of Ladyfest – she was also one of only a handful of women playing at the brilliant Retreat festival this year,” says Marylou. “On one hand Jo and Withered Hand are my favourite local acts, but on the other hand for sheer vibrancy, attitude and life you can’t beat the hollerback of Viki Sellotape!

“Next year we’re planning a Youth Ladyfest rock camp – so watch this space!”

Words: Lisa-Marie Ferla

Events are free or individually priced, with a £10 weekend ticket providing access across the festival. Find out more at www.ladyfestedinburgh.com.

Ah, Bristo: Retreat! festival

[Dan Willson of Withered Hand]

Hot on the heels of Trampoline’s four show Fringe extravaganza, the boys and girls at Retreat! have announced the return of their August-time Edinburgh music festival.

A more condensed version of last year’s month-long sprawl, Retreat! 2009 will take place on Sunday 16 August, cramming 15 tunesmith into Bristo Hall’s intellectually enlightened cove. What’s more, it’s absolutely free.

Bart Owl, co-organiser of Retreat!, explains the festival’s ethos: “I always found it frustrating that at a time when there was this huge international audience in our city, there were no chances to see Edinburgh acts. So Retreat! was intended to be a celebration of Edinburgh music - a way for those people to be seen. Although it's not an exclusively Edinburgh line-up, that's been the focus.”

With a line-up boasting UtR regulars Rob St John (right), Withered Hand and Meursault, as well as Wounded Knee and Viking Moses, Retreat! offers ear-soothing refuge from the Fringe’s hustle and bustle. But rather than acting as a toff-excluding antidote, Retreat! is a welcoming sanctuary for all:

“I don't want to ever sound like we're against the Fringe, as it is a really exciting time to be in the city,” explains Bart. “But there are two aspects I don't like: there isn't enough representation of local acts, and the events are generally too expensive. Last year when Retreat! was a series of gigs, they were all priced at £3. This year, it's a single free event. So I don't think we're taking an audience away from the Festival or from any of the other great events happening in the city. There's room for both.”

An enchanting day of music delivered via the spirit of community, Retreat! 2009 rolls out something for music lovers of all predilections:

“The show runs from 11.30 in the morning till 11 at night, then DJs till 3am,” says Bart.” The venue is really central, and near a lot of other Fringe venues. I think a lot of people will show up early with and set up camp for the day and try see everything. But a lot of people will just come and go as they please - come and hang out and see some great bands before going off to another show, or kill a couple of hours between shows. And that's fine – just as long as they come back later for a dance."

And, with a swell of talent on offer, there’s ample opportunity for a special collaboration or two:

“Both Withered Hand and Jo Foster are playing and they usually collaborate or at least help each other out,” teases Bart. “Also Viking Moses and Rob St John have been working together at recent live shows, playing on each other's songs. Tisso Lake, I've been told, is planning on a 'choir' backing band for this show - basically just getting as many backing singers on board as possible. And I think there should be more than enough volunteers in the room.”

Retreat! runs from 11.30am –late on Sun 16 August at the Bristo Hall, Edinburgh and costs not even a penny to enter.

The full line-up is:

Withered Hand
Jo Foster
Wounded Knee
Hexicon
Rob St John
Viking Moses
Tisso Lake
Moustache of Insanity
Allo, Darlin'
My Tiny Robots
Come In Tokyo
Enfant Bastard
The Pineapple Chunks
Meursault
The Leg

For more information on this lovely festival click here

Words: Billy Hamilton

Play: Withered Hand - No Cigarettes


Play: Rob St John - Like Alchemy