Before I extol the awesomeness of FemFest, I want to place it in context. 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, where in 1989, 14 women were murdered at Ecole Polytechnique. Marc Lepine killed those women because he hated feminists, and because they were training to be engineers in a program he failed to qualify for. Since that horrific, senseless event, Canadians have held vigils and wear purple ribbons to remember all the women who have been affected by violence. Because it is the 20th anniversary, the Purple Ribbon Campaign has planned 20 days of action that started on November 16th with a screening of the film Polytechnique, and will end on December 6th with the “Not So Silent Vigil,” where women will scream in anger and protest. There are other events planned between those dates, of course, and you can find more information on the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women website (http://women.gov.ns.ca/calendar.asp). Many of the events are sombre and reflective, which is appropriate. However, it is also important to recognize women’s strength and talents, and that is what FemFest is all about.

FemFest, running from November 27th to 29th (this weekend!) is a celebration of female talent and artistry presented by the SMU Women’s Centre. There will be music, belly dancers, spoken word, drag kings, a craft fair, and a children’s story night. FemFest is an example of the do-it-yourself legacy of Riot Grrrl. Riot Grrrl was a music movement that originated in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. at the same time grunge was reaching its zenith. Some notable Riot Grrrl bands were Bikini Kill and Bratmobile. Its rallying cry was “Revolution Girl-Style Now!’ Riot Grrrl gave voice to female anger about sexism, and punk rock was the medium for their anger. The movement told girls that they could pick up a pen, guitar, or paintbrush and be creative, and that their ideas mattered. Riot Grrrl ended in 1994, but its ethos is evident in bands like Sleater-Kinney, Le Tigre, The Gossip, and organizations and events like Rock Camp for Girls, and Lady Fest, a women’s art and music festival that takes place in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Halifax’s version is known as FemFest. What Riot Grrrl and its descendants have in common is that they put the female voice centre stage. On December 6, 1989, 14 women’s voices were silenced forever. FemFest is necessary because women need a venue to raise their voices, not only in anger, but in celebration. For more information on FemFest, check out http://www.smuwomenscentre.com/calendar-of-events/femfest-2009/, e-mail halifemfest@gmail.com, or find the FemFest Craft Fair on Facebook. The Craft Fair is free, and the entertainment, taking place at the Company House on Gottingen Street, is 10 dollars, or 6 dollars for students and the unwaged. I hope you can check it out!