We’re just seven sleeps from the opening night of the third annual Riverwest FemFest. As the event nears, organizers want to continue to aid in your preparation for the five days worth of entertainment (January 18-22) that aspires to “further nurture and support female talent in our city,” while also benefiting Milwaukee Coalition For Justice and Milwaukee Women’s Center.

At this point, we know the music lineup. We know the artists and makers. Weekend passes are for sale. They’ve brewed a beer (and it’s really good!). They’ve even released a compilation that includes songs from some of the acts performing. Oh, what’s this? A second comp?! Yes, FemFest has put out another compilation that features 11 of the more than 80 acts taking the benefit’s various stages next week. This installment has songs from the likes of Kyndal J, Plague Walker, Heavy Hand, Rocket Paloma, and B-Free, among others. Stream Volume 2 below and download it (name your price) to support the cause.

But there’s more! On top of the burgeoning benefit’s musical growth, FemFest has also just announced the addition of a film showcase and workshops to the festival’s itinerary. The former will include two hours of locally-shot shorts and a Q&A segment at Company Brewing on January 21. The latter, will feature a litany of discussions and tutorials that range from “What It Means To Be An Accomplice To Your Trans Peers” to “Finding And Reviving Vintage Clothing” at a variety of sites scattered around Riverwest every day of FemFest. Here’s the schedule.

Riverwest FemFest Film Showcase

Saturday, January 22 @ Company Brewing (noon to 2 p.m.)

Group A
Whatever Suits You (Ashley Altadonna)
Avi, La Petite Ballerina (Susan Kerns)
Another’s Window (Grace Mitchell)
Playing With Gender (Ashley Altadonna)
Fox In The Fan (Carol Brandt)

Group B
@Me (Kristin Peterson)
Pvssy Project (Nellie Vance)
Top Thrill (Grace Mitchell)
Retrograde (Danielle Wright)
Fix This (Betty Allen, Andi Woodward)

Each group session concludes with a 15-minute artist Q&A session.

Riverwest FemFest Workshops

Wednesday, January 18

“Tantric Methods of Cultivating Compassion” (Beth Emilie) @ The Pink House, 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 19

“Using Poetry to Close the Wounds: The Art Of Milk And Honey” (Mikey Murry) @ Colectivo Conference Room (Humboldt cafe), 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, January 20

“What’s So Bad About the F-Word?” (femTALK: Monica Miller and Katie Loughmiller) @ Woodland Pattern, 6 to 8 p.m.

“Loving More: The Poly Feminist Perspective” (Lyndzi Miller) @ Colectivo Conference Room (Humboldt cafe), 7 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, January 21

“The Criminalization Of Self-Defense: Examining The Abuse To Prison Pipeline In The Case Of Bresha Meadows” (Santera Michels) @ Colectivo Conference Room (Humboldt cafe), 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“Fighting For Justice As A Unit” (Coalition For Justice, Nate Hamilton) @ Company Brewing, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

“Mental Digest And Rest Yoga Workshop” (Rebecca Schuster) @ The Pink House, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

“Finding And Reviving Vintage Clothing” (Michelle Eigenberger and Sarah Busch) @ Woodland Pattern, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

“Ecofeminism: What It Is And Why It Matters” (Chris Diehm) @ Colectivo Conference Room (Humboldt cafe), 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 22

“What It Means To Be An Accomplice To Your Trans Peers” (Jack O’Grady and Evilyn Rose) @ Riverwest Radio, 1 to 3 p.m.

“Anti-Blackness And Pro-White Womanhood In Anti-Violence Movements And Scenes” (SURJ, Susannah Bartlow and Santera Michels) @ Colectivo Conference Room (Humboldt cafe), 4 to 5:30 p.m.

“Communication Is Sexy As Hell” (Sex Ed For Adults/Planned Parenthood, Mia Noel) @ Riverwest Public House, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

About The Author

Avatar photo
Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.