Storyhouse have announced the highlights of WOW- Women of the World Chester, the region’s first ever Women of the World festival.
Over the weekend of May 20-21 at Storyhouse, the festival will be one of the first events at the new theatre/cinema and library complex which is opening in early May.Leading female voices from across the north west will “discuss, debate and celebrate the theme of ambition and explore the paths to a gender equal world”
The event will include a programme of workshops, speed mentoring services, panel discussions, film, exhibitions, poetry, stand up comedy and a marketplace.
Kate Carpenter, Head of Spaces for Storyhouse said : ‘The response to WOW Chester has already been brilliant. We had women, men, girls and boys from across the borough and beyond take part in our Thinkins which have shaped the WOW Chester programme. We are surrounded by people with wonderful and challenging ideas – it’s inspiring.’
Highlight speakers include a keynote address from Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director and WOW founder Jude Kelly, leading business woman Simone Roche, and leader of Cheshire West and Chester council Samantha Dixon.
Kate Northcott Spall, Cllr Samantha Dixon and Sue Flood will be speaking at the festival.
Launched by the Southbank centre in 2010 WOW is now a global movement with festivals all over the world reaching over one million people across five continents. Following a series of open “think ins” WOW Chester has been programmed by contributors, thinkers and doers from across the community. Highlights for the festival include :
- A keynote speech from Jude Kelly – artistic director of the Southbank Centre and founder of WOW.
- A talk from Sue Flood – the award-winning wildlife photographer, author and filmmaker.
- Panel discussions on range of subjects including women in business, women in sport, abuse and childlessness.
- A series of workshops on poetry, singing and salary negotiation.
- An exhibition of art curated by 40 artists – many from Arab and Muslim cultures.
- A performance by Cheshire based dance company Fallen Angels,
- The film Sonita (winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary) will be screened in the brand new Storyhouse cinema.
- Interactive workshop for under 10s to explore what it means to be a girl and how to start a feminism campaign from their bedroom.
The festival will be rounded off with an evening of stand-up comedy. Plus, a marketplace will be hosted all weekend in Storyhouse’s mezzanine, with a range of stalls providing information, raising awareness, and showcasing work, craft and fashion.
Tickets for WOW Chester go on sale Friday 10 March.
For tickets and to find out more go to http://www.storyhouse.com
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