Ladyfest 2012 Paris Arts Festival / Music Festival Oct 1–28, 2012

Parisian Feminists have a rich heritage tracing from founding figures like Louise Michel and Nathalie Lemel of the 1871 Paris Commune, to more modern thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir. In celebration of this feminist tradition and of the ever-changing face of feminism, Parisian feminists and riot grrrls gather throughout the month of October for the 2012 Ladyfest Paris. Since 2011, venues throughout Paris have hosted this month-long feminist conference with concerts, free film screenings, workshops, and art exhibitions all curated by a team of volunteers.

The 2012 Ladyfest Paris is an entirely non-profit independent arts festival of ideas celebrating the best in new music, art, zines, and film that engages with feminist themes. Performances at the 2012 Ladyfest Paris include concerts by Sharon Van Etten and Diane Cluck. And film screenings include Amy Oden’s From the Back of the Room and Don’t Need You: The Herstory of Riot Grrrl Kerri Koch.

The workshops, art exhibitions, and film screenings are all free at the 2012 Ladyfest Paris. Tickets to concerts range from free performances to around €18 for the biggest headlining acts. Whether you attend a workshop, see an exhibit, watch a screening, or hear a concert, keep the lively debates and discussions going at the countless bars and historic cafés in Paris.