Every March, all across the world people come together to celebrate International Women’s Day to celebrate the achievements of women, and to highlight the change still needed to ensure all women achieve equality.
Once again this year, Newport’s Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre will host a day of free events where everyone is welcome to come together to enjoy performances, take part in workshops and be inspired by local heroes to mark this global celebration.
Alongside the annual International Women’s Day festival on Saturday 5 March, The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre and Newport Live are also excited to host a series of events throughout March where strong and inspiring women are leading the way and are stepping into the spotlight.
First up, a free event on Friday 5 March, showcasing the radical story of a trailblazer, suffragist, industrialist and philanthropist: The Many Lives of Amy Dillwyn. A true tale, written from Amy’s own words as found in her diaries, this show charts her adventurous life beginning as a daughter of a radical Swansea MP destined for a life as a wife and mother to the pioneering change maker who was ahead of her time. We would be delighted to welcome you to the performance, spaces are free but limited, please therefore ensure you book your ticket in advance.
Families can come along and enjoy Flossy and Boo: The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend. Many will recognise Flossy and Boo as the exciting critically acclaimed woman led South Wales based theatre company who have become firm Riverfront favourites with all ages due to their magical brand of storytelling. This time Flossy and Boo return with a whirlwind adventure story of a girl who tries to find her imagination. Full of live, original music, fun characters and interaction, this show is the perfect opportunity for little people to immerse themselves in the beauty of live theatre. This show which takes place on Sunday 6 March has already sold out! If audiences have tickets but are now unable to attend, they are being advised to contact The Riverfront so that those tickets can be reissued to another family.
Krystal S. Lowe, another favourite at The Riverfront due to her extensive career performing with Ballet Cymru and Theatre Iolo alongside performances of her own work, returns this month with brand-new piece There’s Room For Me Too. Krystal creates engaging and bold performances that tackle important contemporary issues. For this performance Krystal is joined by Ffion Campbell- Davies, a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Wales, and a British Sign Language interpreter.
There’s Room for Me Too is a bilingual declaration for equity and empowerment in the arts sector; it is the story of many spoken through the voice of one. Through spoken word and movement Krystal and Ffion share their vision for the sector they love.
This performance takes place on Saturday 12 March, 6.30pm. Tickets are £10 and concessions are available. Proceeds raised from selling tickets to this performance will go towards funding bursaries for female identifying artists of the Global Majority.
Each ‘Our Voice Bursary’ will offer a week of space (workspace and/or studio space), mentoring, and £500- as well as the opportunity to network within the arts sector and, through a connection with the Women’s Equality Network, with women in leadership positions in Wales.
At the end of March there will be two performances of Josephine. This show explores the extraordinary story of Josephine Baker: performer, spy and civil rights activist. With a sultry, Harlem Renaissance-inspired score, spring-heeled Charleston dancing and a hatful of historical figures, Josephine blurs the real with the imagined as audiences follow one woman’s incredible journey from the slums of St Louis via the bright lights of Paris and into the hearts of the world.
Taking to the stage on Monday 21 March, the first of the 60-minute shows has an invited audience of local school pupils from Sommerton Primary who work with Newport Live’s Health & Wellbeing team as part of the Healthy & Active funded (HAF) programme. The second is a public performance taking place at 6.30pm.
For more information and details about these events and all that is happening at The Riverfront throughout March visit newportlive.co.uk/Riverfront and for information about International Women’s Day celebrations visit newportlive.co.uk/IWD.
