Why we are championing women in Bristol’s nighttime economy

A month-long focus on putting women at the heart of issues surrounding Bristol’s night life will culminate in a live panel discussion at Lost Horizon.

The city is renowned for its vibrant music, festival, cultural and culinary scene but as businesses and organisations rebuild in the wake of the pandemic, there is a renewed drive to make venues and streets are safe, inclusive and welcoming to all.

Last year, it was recognised that extra efforts need to be made to ensure people are safe after dark and Bristol City Council was awarded £282,000 to tackle crimes against women at night.

Women and non binary people have a vital role to play in creating positive change and Bristol24/7 Presents: Celebrating Women in the Nighttime Economy will highlight some of the incredible work already being done and seek to tackle challenges faced.

The first live event hosted by Bristol24/7 since before the pandemic will feature a discussion between panellists with a diverse range of expertise, from tackling the gender imbalance in the music industry to security, sexual harassment training and more.

Held in association with Bristol Nights, the event at Lost Horizon will shine a light on the many incredible women and non binary people at the heart of the city’s night life scene and welcome a new generation by ensuring spaces are inclusive and safe.

Above all, this will be a celebration of all that is great about the city’s diverse offering with lively discussion and music. The bar will be open from 6pm and the panel discussion will start at 6.30pm. We welcome questions in advance or on the night.

Introducing the panellists:

Emma Harvey, CEO of Trinity Community Arts – photo: Trinity Community Arts

Emma Harvey is the CEO of Trinity Community Arts, a charity formed to manage the Trinity Centre, a grade II-listed building, community arts centre and independent live music venue.

Emma is interested in localism and developing inclusive spaces, platforms and technologies.

Laura Lewis-Paul, founder of Saffron – photo: Ash Reynolds

Laura Lewis-Paul is the founder and creative director of Saffron, a music tech initiative taking an intersectional approach to redressing the gender imbalance in music tech.

Laura focuses her work in and around building communities, particularly underrepresented communities, and she is passionate about social justice and change in the music industry, with a specific focus on gender and race.

Saffron is working alongside global music tech companies, such as Spitfire Audio and Pirate Studios, and music educational institutions to address the current gender imbalance in the industry by creating educational opportunities for women and non binary folk.

Linda Devo, AKA DJ Devolicious of Booty Bass and co-founder of Kiki Bristol – photo: Linda Devo

Linda Devo is the co-founder of award-winning KiKi Bristol, a volunteer-led collective that works to create safe social space events led by and for the QTIPoC (queer, transgender, intersex, people of colour) community in Bristol.

A maker and art & design teacher, Linda, AKA DJ Devolicious of the Booty Bass DJ collective, is also a member of Queer Vision, Bristol Pride’s film festival.

Ola Poroslo of PHAT Bristol – photo: Ola Poroslo

Ola Poroslo is the founder and director of PHAT Bristol, a label and collective focusing on encouraging progressive change and reducing polarisation through arts and music. Ola is originally from Poland and their work has centred around awareness of the anti-abortion laws and anti-queer laws in Poland.

PHAT works to create opportunities for creatives and Ola is also in the process of setting up a dedicated security company with a focus on queer and femme employees.

PHAT is also hosting CROTCH Queer House Party at Lost Horizon straight after the Bristol24/7 Presents event.

Bristol’s nighttime economy advisor, Carly Heath, was due to feature on the panel but has had to pull out due to Covid.

What topics do you want the panellists to focus on? Send your questions to ellie@bristol247.com or come along to the event and ask on the night.

Register now to secure a free ticket to the event at Lost Horizon: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol247-presents-celebrating-women-in-the-nighttime-economy-tickets-274830815367

Register to attend the live stream online via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol247-presents-celebrating-women-in-the-nighttime-economy-virtual-tickets-294452042987

Get your tickets for CROTCH Queer House Party via www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-03-31&event_id=73288

Main photo: Giulia Spadafora | Soul Media

Read more:
‘Women are at the heart of Bristol’s night life community’

Meet the founder working to redress the gender imbalance in the music industry 

The entrepreneur championing positive change in Bristol’s night life

Listen to interviews with Carly Heath and Laura Lewis-Paul in the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the headlines podcast: