Upcoming Venus Fest Programs
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Venus Fest Mentorship Program
Taking place this year from June 15-July 28, 2024, the Venus Fest Mentorship Progrm is a 6-week, Toronto-based program for early-career musicians and music professionals who have faced barriers in the music industry.
Kimmortal - Artist
Kristyn Gelfand - Managing and Acting Artistic Director, Uma Nota Culture
Rebecca Gekht - Booking Agent, Heavy Trip
Lyndra Griffith - Entertainment Lawyer, Edwards Law
Lyndra Griffith – Music Law 101 – Sunday, July 7
Olivia Shortt –Graphic Scores & the Visual World of Creative Music-Making – Wednesday, July 24
See all details and apply here
Mentors
Ahya Simone - ArtistKimmortal - Artist
Kristyn Gelfand - Managing and Acting Artistic Director, Uma Nota Culture
Rebecca Gekht - Booking Agent, Heavy Trip
Lyndra Griffith - Entertainment Lawyer, Edwards Law
Workshops
Venus Fest team w/ Beau Cassidy – Setting Up Your Sound – Wednesday, June 26Lyndra Griffith – Music Law 101 – Sunday, July 7
Olivia Shortt –Graphic Scores & the Visual World of Creative Music-Making – Wednesday, July 24
See all details and apply here
Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill is a feminist punk band that was based in Olympia, WA and Washington, DC, forming in 1990 and breaking up in 1997. Kathleen Hanna sang, Tobi Vail played drums, Billy Karren (a.k.a. Billy Boredom) played guitar and Kathi Wilcox played bass. Sometimes they switched instruments. Bikini Kill is credited with instigating the Riot Grrrl movement in the early 90's via their political lyrics, zines and confrontational live show.
The band started touring in June 1991. In addition to touring the US several times, they also toured Europe, Australia and Japan. Bikini Kill recorded and released a demo tape, two EP's, two LP's and three singles. Their demo tape was self-released, while their first two records came out as a full-length CD/Tape and their singles were posthumously collected on CD.
Bikini Kill believed that if all girls started bands the world would change. They actively encouraged women and girls to start bands as a means of cultural resistance. Bikini Kill was inspired by seeing Babes in Toyland play live and attempted to incite female participation and build a feminist community via the punk scene. They used touring as a way to create an underground network between girls who played music, put on shows and made fanzines. This independent media-making and informal network created a forum for multiple female voices to be heard.
The band started touring in June 1991. In addition to touring the US several times, they also toured Europe, Australia and Japan. Bikini Kill recorded and released a demo tape, two EP's, two LP's and three singles. Their demo tape was self-released, while their first two records came out as a full-length CD/Tape and their singles were posthumously collected on CD.
Bikini Kill believed that if all girls started bands the world would change. They actively encouraged women and girls to start bands as a means of cultural resistance. Bikini Kill was inspired by seeing Babes in Toyland play live and attempted to incite female participation and build a feminist community via the punk scene. They used touring as a way to create an underground network between girls who played music, put on shows and made fanzines. This independent media-making and informal network created a forum for multiple female voices to be heard.
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is a Tkaronto/Toronto not-for-profit music festival, mentorship program, and concert series.
Website and Brand Identity by Natasha Whyte-Gray, 2024.