International Women’s Day Extravaganza!

International Women’s Day Extravaganza

Left Bank Leeds

Cardigan Road, LS6 1LJ

Eventbrite Booking Link

LOUDSPEAKER Live had the honour and pleasure of presenting an International Women’s Day Extravaganza in March 2023! Taking place at Left Bank Leeds, and featuring a showcase of amazing organisations and performances by women and marginalised genders. We’re applying for funding to deliver this again in 2025 along with a programme of community education and support. So keep a look out for updates and email us at btlleeds@gmail.com if you’ want ‘d like to get involved or support! Below are some highlights from our last event.

The International Women’s Day Extravaganza was amazing from start to finish! Some of the acts and talks moved me to tears. I felt like I had a deeper understanding of people seeking asylum and people coping with addiction. But I think what I took away most from the event was a real sense of empowerment and pride in being a woman.

Carly, amazing attendee

This event was part of a spectacular nine-day line-up of events at Left Bank Leeds for International Women’s Day.

Lineup of organisations and artists included:

• Chérie Taylor Battiste with a stunning poetic performance
• Kath Morgan Thompson A.K.A. Mrs No Overalls with an hilarious comedy set
• Amanda-in-vest-and-pants with a touching and personal reflection on addiction and recovery
• Jude Kershaw with a fabulous performance about women’s rights and the Suffragettes
• Poppy Jennings of Leeds Poetry Festival with a beautiful poetry performance
• Emma McKee with some fantastic feminist folk music
• DJ Naomi Carole bringing the beats and vibes with an. awesome DJ set to kick us off
• D3 A.K.A Denetta Copeland. Host extraordinaire and spoken word performance
• Women Friendly Leeds shared their amazing inclusive work in the city
• Creative Mothers Group shared with us their motivation for setting up a creative mothers group and how to get involved
• Leeds Baby Bank shared their wonderful work for babies and their families
• Left bank Leeds our venue host and the most wonderful open inclusive space in the city
• Bahar Afghan Women’s Association. Bahar brought tears to the eyes of many in the room when she shared her personal story of fleeing to the UK
• Speak Woman Speak shared their feminist andx anti-racist theatre work
• Poverty Truth Commission highlighted issues around poverty in Leeds
• RZ World Getawayz brought a huge bag of vibrancy as they shared their work with young people

The International Women’s Day event 2023 held at Left Bank Leeds hosted by Denetta Copeland (D3) and Sarah Autumn was brilliant! Theatre, comedy and song gave fabulous entertainment for a massive audience. Voices from women of survival and activism brought such emotional responses from all present. Amazing presentation and hosting.

Liz, amazing attendee

This event was supported by Leeds Inspired. Leeds Inspired is part of the city’s cultural programme that celebrates arts events and projects throughout the year, supporting high quality, accessible cultural experiences for Leeds’ residents and visitors. Founded in 2012, Leeds Inspired supports culture in the city through grants schemes, commissions and a ‘What’s On’ events website.

The event was also supported by Chapter and Fable founded by Rachael Simpson. Rachael sponsored the event helping to bring it to life. Here’s what she said about her involvement.

Wow, what a night! Chapter&Fable had the joy of both sponsoring and attending the International Women’s Day extravaganza on 4th March 2023, hosted by Sarah Autumn and D3 at BetweenTheLines. Talk about an event that hit all the right notes – celebrating women and non-binary folks, fostering allyship, and knitting the community closer together.

Sarah and D3 absolutely nailed it as hosts. They struck the perfect balance between educational and fun, setting the stage for an eclectic mix of stories, poetry, comedy, and some killer DJ tunes that kept the vibe alive! It was an emotional rollercoaster, with plenty of laughs and a few heartfelt tears, watching the incredible lineup of artists and speakers share their worlds with us.

Also, a big hats off to BetweenTheLines for their total dedication to the cause. Not a single penny went to waste – every bit of funding and ticket sales went straight back into making the event amazing and supporting those fantastic local performers and artists. That’s real commitment to art and community!

From the buzz around the room, it’s clear this event wasn’t just a hit – it raised the bar for what’s to come. Proud to be a part of it and can’t wait for the next one!

Rachael Simpson, Chapter & Fable – Event Sponsor

This event is was hosted at Left Bank Leeds. Left Bank Leeds is a progressive space for creativity, culture and community, set inside a beautiful Grade II* listed former church building. The home of an evolving programme of diverse projects and initiatives, it is a place for connection, art, gigs, workshops and events for everyone to enjoy. The café is open every day and has become a meeting spot for locals and families as well as an expanding network of artists, innovators and makers. Left Bank are our venue partner for all events. We adore working with Sue, Sam and the whole team to create magical events.

A few more lovely comments from contributors and attendees