The exhibition will run from Friday 23rd February to Saturday 10th March. Opening with a free to attend party on the 23rd, starting from 5:30 pm onwards, with a stellar roster of DJs including Abigail Ward, Kath McDermott and Refuge resident DJ Paulette.
Ending on the 10th March with a sensational closing party which celebrates International Women’s Day. It will welcome a collection of spectacular female DJ’s, playing throughout The Refuge Public Bar and The Refuge Basement from 3pm until late – with The Social Service taking over the basement featuring a line-up hosted by resident Ladybeige.
Curated by Manchester Digital Music Archive co-founder Alison Surtees, the exhibition showcases eminent women from the music industry and their influence – funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.Featuring portraits of 25 key women in Greater Manchester music scene, the exhibition includes venue owners, sound engineers, record label managers, DJs, musicians and performers. The exhibition is also part of Manchester Digital Music Archive’s ongoing project, Rebel Music – The Sound of Politics and Protest in Manchester – once again funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Alison Surtees co-founder of MDMA said: “This year we celebrate 100 years of the Suffragette movement in the UK. We want to pause and highlight the roles women have played, bringing their voices to the fore. We set out to show just how vibrant, brilliant and influential women in music have been and continue to be, in the opulent and gorgeous space that is The Refuge.”
Following the launch of Suffragette City exhibition, The Refuge is hosting on Saturday 24th February more outstanding female DJ performances starring Sally from A Man called Adam and then Danielle Moore of Crazy P bringing sounds of balearica, soul, boogie, disco set.
Topping the bill at the closing party, in the Public Bar is British soul-pop group 80s star Corinne from Swing Out Sister, who will be spinning the decks. Complimented by top-notch local DJs playing alongside her: Abigail Ward, Nongi Oliphant, Justine Alderman, Claud Cunningham, Kirby Halliday, Blasha & Allatt from Meat Free and Dance Lady Dance.
On the same night, The Refuge Basement is welcoming the ultimate disco queens’ line-up with The Social Service’s resident Ladybeige and friends including DJ Paulette, Gina Breeze, Kath McDermott and Disco Mums.
Luke Unabomber said: “We are proud to celebrate the Suffragette Centenary and International Women’s Day with The City Suffragette exhibition supporting Women In Music. The art space in The Refuge has had some incredible exhibitions since opening and the basement become the place to party, it is a great honour to be involved.”
There is a minimum donation of £2 on the door in The Refuge Basement, which will be collected in the Public Bar. Every penny will be split between the national charity Women’s Aid and Manchester Music Digital Archive. Their projects include a vast range of activities that help protect Greater Manchester music heritage and promote awareness of its cultural importance.
The Refuge, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
0161 233 5151
refugemcr.co.uk
