The best women-led events in Bristol

My summer in Bristol this year was all about immersing myself in creativity and sisterhood.

I had my nipples cast in jesmonite and painted gold with my mum, I explored boundaries and danced in the sun with women I’d never met before, I painted on skin and had mine painted on, I learned the basics of graffiti from a prolific female muralist, and I screamed to DIY queer punk.

My cup was filled over and over again with inspiration, love, rage and solidarity.

I’ve spent several years curating events in this city, and meeting and working with women who are creating these essential spaces has led me to love Bristol even more.

To bring others joy, healing and celebration, here are five unmissable female-led events coming in September.

Sep 14
The Menstrual Cramps @ Crotch, Lost Horizons
I saw The Menstrual Cramps for the first time this year at Shambala, during the Thursday night, where the Squatters Tights stage had an all female lineup. The experience of watching women in a packed venue being literally platformed to shout angrily about rape culture and call out specific musicians in the industry is like no other. Catch them at Crotch, a queer and femme night encouraging self-development, exploration, acceptance and love.

Sep 15-20
CENSORED, Centrespace Gallery
I had the privilege of being cast alongside my mum by Ellen Downes of Every Body’s Story for her upcoming exhibition, CENSORED – 300 golden Jesmonite nipple casts of women and non-binary people. A powerful installation challenging censorship and celebrating nipple diversity. It was magic to share this experience with my mum in Ellen’s studio, surrounded by golden casts of torsos, busts and pregnant bellies – discussing our relationship with our bodies and the effect of this kind of censorship on us. As well as creating powerful exhibits such as CENSORED and last year’s My Body, My Home, Every Body’s Story offers body casting sessions for women and non-binary people throughout the year.

Golden jesmonite casts from the ‘Censored’ exhibition at Centrespace – photo: Ellen Downes

Sep 23
Everglowing Twerkshop, PILOXERCISE Studios
This one-off event combines burlesque and floorwork, run by Daisy L’amore, a sexual liberation and pleasure caoch, and Louise of Everglowing Bristol, a neo-burlesque class that encourages women to own their bodies and their pleasure. Everglowing run burlesque classes year round that focus on creating a non-judgemental and non-competitive space where women can empower each other on their movement journeys.

Sexual liberation and pleasure coach Daisy L’amore says that twerking “is an incredible practice that releases energy and connects you to your booty and the rest of your body” – photo: Everglowing

Sep 24
Bodied Canvas, Old Eastville Library
I attended the first iteration of this brand new event in August: Bodied Canvas, a space where women can come together to explore themselves and their boundaries, experience joyful sisterhood and create art on each other’s bodies. This experience was hugely powerful for myself and the other participants – through carefully thought out practices and experiments, we opened up questions about boundaries, consent, sex, people pleasing and so much more. The women’s-circle-esque atmosphere in a room full of people who didn’t know each other created new bonds of solidarity and friendship that were stunning to witness. As well as delving deeper into our own relationship to our bodies and the world around us, we had space to express creativity and joy through dance and painting on each other’s bodies. This transformative new event is founded by standup comedian Sílvia Temprado Gustems, and facilitated by herself and poet Hannah Mower.

Bodied Canvas is taking place in the Old Library in Eastville – photo: Bodied Canvas

Sep 26
Comedy Below, The Ill Repute
Hosted by Bath New Act finalist Emma Coyne and Silvia Temprado Gustems (of Bodied Canvas!), this female-led comedy night is leading the way and creating space for budding female comedians. Emma Coyne’s hilarious, heartfelt and hellacious takes on everything from sex positivity to social anxiety guide the audience on a relatable journey through the trials and tribulations of the life of a single, 30-year-old standup. Find them at the Ill Repute, every last Tuesday of the month.

More incredible women-led events to keep an eye out for:

Cove Jam
Cove Jam are an all-femme jam band drawing inspiration from genres including neo-classical, indie-folk, jazz and soul. Cove welcomes people from all walks of life to join them in an evening of fully improvised music, paying special attention to curating a nurturing, spatially aware and deeply emotive ambiance. Cove holds space for anyone bringing poetry or spoken word, and you’ll find an arts and crafts table with new material every month – let your hand move to the music and allow expression to flow in an abstract manner! After debuting with a monthly residency at the Gallimaufry in 2022, Cove are returning after a summer of reflection to a new venue – follow them to find out about their next event.

Sheden Comedy
Female-led standup at Sidney & Eden: top-level comedy that is always 90 per cent she/her/they/them and 100 per cent hilarious.

Rebel Girls Club
Rebel Girls Club is an extraordinary place in the South West for anyone who identifies as a woman to share, learn, connect, grow and be supported without judgement. It is a place where you can come and feel heard, valued and seen. RGC’s aim is to uplift, inspire, encourage, and support any woman that is involved. They provide courses, drop-ins, workshops, festival events, and gatherings. Events they have run so far include courses on sex confidence, self connection and pleasure, creative workshops, and courses on radical body image.

Bristol Mural Collective
A women-led street art collective empowering creatives from all skill levels; through regular paint jams, socials, and workshops.

Misscoteque
Misscoteque is a club night for women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people – reimagining Bristol’s lesbian disco/queer nightlife scene of the 80s.

Main photo: The Menstrual Cramps by Zombieteeth Clothing

Read next:

• Finding community on Bristol’s walls
• Kate Bush, euphoric tears and supportive mums
• 300 golden nipples feature in new exhibition

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