Where to celebrate International Women’s Day in Bristol

International Women’s Day is on Friday 8 March, celebrating the impact women make on the world and calling for a more equal and inclusive society. Support womankind through a range events in the city, from self-defence classes to cake decorating on March 8:

International Women’s Day at Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace are hosting a special edition of their Spotlight Talks, which take place every weekend. With free entrance with a standard ticket, learn about the women of the past and present who have shaped flight history. Talks start at 10am and run until 5pm, and tickets can be bought through the website: www.aerospacebristol.org

Learn about the women who made aviation history at Aerospace Bristol

Rock The Boat with Bristol Ferry

Bristol favourite mode of transport will be celebrating. During the day, from 10.20am until 4pm, there will be an exhibition of inspirational women. From 5pm, you can board the ferry to sing feminist sea shanties and learn about female pirates. At 5.40pm, The Other Tongues will hop aboard to sing some folk, feminist tunes. Tickets cost £5.10.

Bristol Ferry are rocking the waves on IWD

Celebrate women in business with Tree Aid at The Foundation

Tree Aid are hosting a networking event to raise money for the charity and encourage Bristol businesses to make new contacts for International Women’s Day. Guest speakers Nicky Marshall, founder of Discover Your Bounce and Angela de Souza, managing director of The Women’s Business Club, will be attending. The event runs from 9am until 11am, with refreshments available. The event is free to attend but donations to Tree Aid are encouraged. To book tickets, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrate-women-in-business-on-international-womens-day-network-with-tree-aid-tickets-56483376299

International Women’s Day 2019 at St Pauls Learning Centre

Solon South West Housing Association, United Communities and SARI come together to bring four female BME speakers centre stage, to speak on housing and community from 10am to 12pm. Jean Smith MBE, Ruth Pitter, Shaheen Chaudry and Hanna Ahmed will be speaking on their areas of expertise and will be available for questions until 2pm. More details can be found at www.facebook.com/events/536358096871742

International Women’s Day at Totterdown Healing Centre

A free drop-in from 2pm until 4pm at Totterdown Healing Centre, a treasure trove of flora hidden down an alley off Wells Road. Pop by and make buttonholes and eat cake made by Fanny Tingle. Organised by Floriography  by Vera Fallacy, more details can be found at www.facebook.com/events/2365837620311268/

Vulva Cake Decorating with Tea & Poetry at UWE Student’s Union

UWE students are organising an afternoon of tea, cake and vulva positivity. For cupcake decorating with a twist, head to the university’s Student Union between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. There is also the opportunity to read some feminist poetry and donate to One25, a Bristol based women’s charity. Find out more at www.facebook.com/events/238820793704854/

International Women’s Day Event at Bristol Business School

Head to UWE’s Frenchay campus to hear speaker Dr Finn Mackay, lecturer in Sociology at the university, speaking on women and LGBT rights. The event is organised by South Gloucestershire LGBTQ Equality Network, The Diversity Trust, Southern Brooks Community Partnership and UWE. The afternoon is free to attend and runs from 4pm to 6pm. Refreshments are available and the location is fully accessible, tickets can be reserved at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-event-tickets-56413100101

Dr Mackay has PhD from the Centre for Gender & Violence Research at the University of Bristol

On 8 March We Strike at the water fountains, city centre

International Women’s Day, at its core, is a campaign to improve women’s status and rights in the world. To campaign for more equality,  four prominent female organisations from Bristol are coming together to strike at 5pm. Meeting by the harbour the march will go through the city centre. They will be protesting against rape culture, unpaid reproductive work, violation of LGBTQ+ rights, gender-based violence and fascist movements threatening human rights. Support women and non-binary people on International Women’s Day and find out more at www.facebook.com/events/306275270092255

International Women’s Day Circle at Ashley Vale Action Group and Wildgoose Space

Join Project Mama and Tree Sisters to celebrate women worldwide. From 7pm on International Women’s Day, use drumming, singing and breathwork to express the celebration and truth of women. Project Mama and Tree Sisters promise laughter, story sharing and movement. Tickets are £22, with proceeds going towards charities supporting women’s rights and mental health. Find out more at www.facebook.com/events/366575934170249/

Jane Duffus – The Women who Built Bristol at Storysmith Books

Storysmith celebrate International Women’s Day with a special event featuring Bristol-based Jane Duffus, author of The Women Who Built Bristol. Join Jane for an evening of empowering stories from her hugely successful book, published by Bristol publishers, Tangent. Tickets are £5 and can be booked at www.storysmithbooks.com/events/jane-duffus-women-who-built-bristol

Jane Duffus, author of the hugely-popular The Women Who Built Bristol

Bread & Roses at PRSC

Raise the Bar host a poetry fundraiser, celebrating the strengths of women and raising money for Refugee Women of Bristol. Starting at 7pm, the line-up features some of Bristol’s finest female poets. Join Nafeesa Hamid, Holly Daffurn, Hannah Teasfale and Thommie Gillow for their performances, followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session on the importance of art to marginalised groups. The venue is accessible and tickets are £5 in advance, of £6 on the night, and can be booked at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/rtb

Don’t miss this event, in aid of Refugee Women of Bristol

International Women’s Day Gig at Zion Bristol

Celebrate women in music with a line up full to the brim with Bristol acts. Join The Funkinsteins, Lady Nade, DJ Tina Hart and Tanya Hazel or a night to promote equality and showcase excellent local female musicians. Hosted at Zion Community Art Space, there will be a full bar and food available. Tickets are £8 in advance and £10 on the door and all profits are going to Babes@Zion, their breastfeeding support group. Reserve your place on the front row through Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/ZionBristol/international-womens-day-gig/313278855952734/

An all-female, Bristol line-up is planned for International Women’s Day

Sickpig, Army of Skanks, Perkie, InvinciblePigs and Knockdown Dolls at The Red Lion

Carnival Punks are putting on a gig at this Easton pub to raise money for Spring of Hope, Bristol’s women’s only shelter. Music ranges from female punk singer-songwriter Perkie to dance-punk outfit Knockdown Dolls Music starts at 7.45pm and entry is by donation on the door. All information can be found at www.facebook.com/events/2302400133328773

International Women’s Day Special featuring Ria & Rhi at The Bristol Improv Theatre

Local acts and women from further afield make up an all-female line up full of fantastic talent. Ria & Rhi will be headlining the evening, creating stories and characters with help from the audience. Bristol-based Friends Like These will provide support. The evening starts at 8pm and tickets are £7, they can be booked through the website at www.improvtheatre.co.uk/events/international-womens-day-special-featuring-ria-rhi/

Ria & Rhi will be creating worlds, characters and stories inspired by the audience at The Bristol Improv Theatre

International Women’s Day Extravaganza at Exchange

Championing womxn from all intersections, Exchange are bringing a line-up of music, drag and DJs to the venue. From grrrl band IDestroy to drag king Oliver Assets and LGBTQ+ Punka DJs, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. It starts at 8pm, is trans inclusive and tickets are £7. All profits will go towards Mind to support better mental health support from women and the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets can be bought through Headfirst at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2019-03-08&event_id=50753

Shades of Our Lives at Bristol Old Vic

Seven women from Black Women Let Loose, a Bristol-based theatre company, will be putting on a special show for International Women’s Day. The production is a culmination of short stories in the actor’s life experiences, exploring identity, connection and belonging. Putting black women on the map, arrive at 8.30pm for an eclectic show celebrating womanhood. Tickets are £7 and all profits are going to Bristol Black Carers, providing support for the city’s carers. Buy them at www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Seven BME women tell their stories on International Women’s Day

Friday Night Comedy: International Women’s Day Special at The Wardrobe Theatre

Chuckle Busters are bringing the best of female comedy to The Wardrobe Theatre at Old Market, with performers including Bethany Black. Tickets are £5 and it starts at 9.45pm and the event details are available at www.facebook.com/events/1446187772179188/

Bethany Black and Becky Brunning are among the line-up at The Wardrobe Theatre

Intirave Reggaetown Fridays: International Women’s Day at Opa Bar and Restaurants

For chart music to reggae, head to Opa Bar from 11pm on International Women’s Day, as they celebrate with a party. With free roses for all women, the event is over 18 only and smart dress is required. Tickets are from £4 to £6 and can be bought through the Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/398101554273813/

International Women’s Day with Celestine at No.1 Harbourside

For a dance on Friday, head down to No.1 Harbourside at 11pm, where Celestine will be bringing her neo soul music to the bar. Celebrating her heritage through dance and song and free entry, it’s going to be a dance party not to miss. Find out more through the bar’s website at www.no1harbourside.co.uk/livemusic/international-womens-day-w-celestine/

Celestine is serving a dance party from 11pm on 8 March

The following events take place on March 9 and 10:

Day of Celebration for 18th Century Heroine at the New Room

Head to Broadmead for celebration of the Susanna Wesley’s 350th birthday. She is recognised as the ‘Mother of Methodism’, and the New Room will be holding readings and talks in recognition of Susanna’s remarkable life. Starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm, there will also be workshops, time for prayer, entry to the museum and refreshments. Tickets are £12 and the full programme and details on booking can be found at www.newroombristol.org.uk/2019/02/20/day-celebration-18th-century-heroine

Celebrate the 350th anniversary of Susanna Wesley’s birth at the New Room

International Women’s Day Fundraiser for One25 at Piloxercise Studios

Piloxercise Studios on Millennium Promenade are raising money for Bristol-based women’s charity One25 with a special dance class. The one hour special starts at 10am and costs £5 each. Participants are welcome to enjoy a glass of bubbly post-workout, and more details can be found at www.facebook.com/events/1237124289777425/

Wonderful Women’s Tour at Arnos Vale Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery is the place of remembrance for around 160,000 women and girls from Bristol’s history, and this tour shines a light on just a few of the interesting, talented, great and good women remembered there.Often hidden from historic records, this is a chance to learn about women so often forgotten. Warm clothes and sensible shoes are essential. Tickets are £5 and it starts at 10.30am, lasting for an hour and a half: www.arnosvale.org.uk/events/wonderful-womens-tour-iwd

Women’s Day Fitness JAM at Hamilton House

Head to Hamilton House for four styles of Zumba workouts to celebrate women. Suitable for beginners through to fitness experts, with cupcakes that are homemade and going to charity. The two hour session starts at 11am and more information can be found at www.facebook.com/events/807174616286459

Festival of Solutions: It’s All About Women at Hannah More Primary School

Join Up Our Street to celebrate women living in Easton and Lawrence Hill. They’re collaborating with The Network and Interculture: training and events to provide a packed programme, ranging from panels on ‘gingerism’, poetry, a lunch by the Somali Kitchen. There’s also yoga before the event starts at 11am and a creche for young ones. It’s free to attend but tickets must be reserved through www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-solutions-its-all-about-women-tickets-56029224920

Rusty & Not So Rusty Musicians for International Women’s Day at Bristol Cathedral Primary School

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Bristol Music Trust come together on Sunday 10 March to feature a packed programme to celebrate women in music. Featuring some of the best female composers, everyone is welcome, from young musicians to those wanting some coaching to support getting back into playing an instrument. The event starts at 10am, and attendees will come together to create a performance to be shown at 4.15pm. The concert will be free to attend and will include female-written comopostitions. Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult, and tickets cost between £25 and £40 for the day. Register for the day at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QQ8T7M2?fbclid=IwAR3MRcMItaFsnj61zjFn1pqAu2b-un4m-2vyKU6HTuEDqujJJR1fy_SpB0s

International Women’s Day Women’s Self-Defence Seminar at Fitness4Less

On Sunday 10 March, Krav Maga are hosting an afternoon with the chance to learn physical and non-physical self defence techniques. Aimed at keeping women safe from attackers, there will also be a discussion on the politics of self-defence and victim blaming. The event is aged 13 plus, and anyone self-identifying as a women is welcome, as well as gender non-conforming people. The three hour sessions starts at 12pm and tickets range from £20 to £30. More details can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/248685142718080/

International Women’s Day – Weekend Party at Rough Trade Bristol

The best way to celebrate is always a party. Head down to Rough Trade from 6pm on Sunday for artists ranging from ska-reggae band Muff Said Bristol to Massive Attack’s tour DJ, Queen Bee. There’s a poetry slam and Bristol’s-own Annie McGann will be in attendance. Tickets are £5 or donations, with money raised going towards St Paul’s Adventure Playground. All the details are at www.facebook.com/events/2636316759772371/

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