GIRLSCHOOL LA had it's third installment in Los Angeles the first weekend of February. The biggest year by far brought musical performances, workshops, panels, and keynote speakers to The Bootleg Theatre. The weekend was filled with music, poetry readings, and speakings that highlight female and non-binary identifying artists. The weekend kicked off Friday night with a keynote speaking by Sleater-Kinney founder and "Portlandia" actor/writer Carrie Brownstein with L.A.-based poet Morgan Parker. Saturday saw the surprise arrival of Fiona Apple joining Shirley Manson on stage. Apple came to the stage in a hand written t-shirt "KNEEL, PORTNOW" in response to Neil Portnow's now-infamous "step up" comments. The powerhouse duo made their message loud and clear with a cover of Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit single “You Don’t Own Me.”
FRIDAY
performances by DJ MS JCK, Desi Mo, Drum & Lace, Boyfriend, Mereba, Kriston Kontrol + The Kids
keynote conversations by Carrie Brownstein, Morgan Parker
SATURDAY
performances by Lesserpieces, Zuri Adia, Pinky Pinky, Mary Lattimore, Akua, Nick & Navi, A.W., Faarrow, Amber Coffman,
Shirley Manson and The Girlschool Choir featuring a surprise performance by Fiona Apple
speakers/panels/workshops HASHTAGS INTO ACTION: How To Turn Social Media Activism Into Real Change led by Whitney Bell feat. Ashlee Marie Preston (Trans activist, Speaker, and Assembly candidate) and Vera Papisova (TEEN Vogue)
STRONGER: A TALKING CIRCLE Join Danna Takako and def.sound in a circular dialogue about representation, intersectionality and our responsibility as artists in an ever-shifting world.
SUNDAY
performances by DJ Erika Kayne, Polartropica, Chelsea Jade, Soccer Mommy, Lauren, Ruth Ward, Low Leaf and the Ascension Orchestra, Moon Honey, Bosco, Leikeli47, Jay Som
speakers/panels/workshops SUNDAY SCHOOL: Curated by Jack Jones Literary Arts A reading by Shauna Barbosa, Muriel Leung, Monica Sok, Rocio Carlos, and Morgan Parker.
CROSSROADS: Immigration, Forced Migration, Identity + Creativity A panel with Francesca Valenzuela, Raye Zaragoza, FAARROW, and moderated by Irish journalist Eve Barlow.
SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WITH MUNA Come polish your creative chops at This Is How I Feel: Top-Lining as Truth-Telling, a 70-minute exercise in top-lining with seasoned songwriters/producers and brilliant musical womxn, MUNA.
check out the highlights from the weekend below
