Last year, organizers of Riverwest FemFest decided to move the fourth annual event from winter to spring, which led to the fest’s biggest (and arguably the best) year to date. In the process, they somehow managed to pack even more events and participants into more locations for an even longer period of time than ever before. Even though it was a huge step up from the first three installments, it turns out that last year’s event was just a preview of bigger things to come.
The fifth annual Riverwest FemFest—May 26 through June 2—will feature more musicians, comedians, artists, filmmakers, speakers, and makers in more venues for more days than ever before. For the first time ever, FemFest will also host events in Bay View, Walker’s Point, and in various other spots throughout Milwaukee in addition to its perennial presence in Riverwest.
Though the event has grown and changed considerably since its humble beginnings, it’s thankfully remained a means of raising funds for some worthy local charities. Proceeds from FemFest will be donated community-based Milwaukee organizations that work to help and protect women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and families. Proceeds from the 2019 festival will be split between Diverse & Resilient and Milwaukee Women’s Center.
Weekend passes (which grant entry to all events) are $35 and they’re available now. Here’s the full lineup for each day’s shows:
Sunday, May 26 @ Lakefront Brewery
Milwaukee Comedy presents Riverwest FemFest Keg Stand-Up!
Whitney Chitwood
Raegan Niemela
Vickie Lynn
Le Aboav
$12 cover ($10 advance).
Monday, May 27 @ Jazz Gallery
FemFest + FTAM Presents: An Experimental/Electronic Showcase
5:30 p.m. — Doors
6:00 p.m. — Xai
6:30 p.m. — SSAANN
7:00 p.m. — Sleep Now Forever
7:30 p.m. — 11:11
8:00 p.m. — C Vadi
8:30 p.m. — Nummy
9:00 p.m. — C Olivia Valenza
9:30 p.m. — Spires That in the Sunset Rise
$6-$12 sliding scale cover.
Tuesday, March 28 @ Walker’s Point Center For The Arts
Speaking The Truth Through Art — FemFest Spoken Word & Performance Art Night
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., free.
Wednesday, May 29 @ Microlights
Riverwest FemFest Film & Video Showcase
Two programs of local queer, non-binary, trans, and female-identifying filmmakers. Program 1 will be held at Microlights (832 E Chambers St.) and starts at 7 p.m. Cover is $5, or whatever you can afford. On June 12, Walker’s Point Center For The Arts will host Program 2 at a free event that starts at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 30 @Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
FemFest Songwriters In The Round
SistaStrings
Kat Wodtke
TreccyMT
Brittany Lumley
Uncle Valentine
Dara Rilatos
Charlotte Montgomery
Anja Elise
$10 cover ($8 advance).
Friday, May 31 @ 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
FemFest x FEMMESPACE x Grace Weber’s Music Lab
4 p.m. to 7 p.m., free.
Friday, May 31 @ Cactus Club
7:30 p.m. — Voulouse
8:30 p.m. — Reina Del Cid
9:30 p.m. — Caley Conway
10:30 p.m. — Grey Genius
11:15 p.m. — Kia Rap Princess
12:00 a.m. — Juke Marciano
12:45 a.m. — Shle Berry
$10 cover (or $15 for entrance to both Cactus Club and Club Garibaldi)
Friday, May 31 @ Club Garibaldi
8:15 p.m. — BananaFish
8:45 p.m. — Ms Lotus Fankh
9:15 p.m. — Holly & the Nice Lions
10:15 p.m. — Lauryl Sulfate & Ladies of Leisure
11:15 p.m. — Witch Bolt
12:15 a.m. — Faux Fiction
$10 cover (or $15 for entrance to both Cactus Club and Club Garibaldi).
Saturday, June 1 @ various locations
FemFest Gallery Day
Featuring work of over 25 artists at seven galleries located throughout the Milwaukee area. Locations include Terry McCormick Gallery Of Contemporary Fine & Folk Art (2522 N. 18th St.), Yours Truly (833 E. Center St.), Gluon Gallery (2964 N. Holton St.), Genesis (720 N. Milwaukee St. – 3rd Floor), Facilitating Situations (706 S. 5th St.), Walker’s Point Center For The Arts (839 S. 5th St.), and Real Tinsel (1013 W. Historic Mitchell St.).
No cover.
Saturday, June 1 @ Company Brewing (upstairs and on patio)
FemFest Makers Market: Day 1
Vendors include Peach Beast, Ceci Tejeda, Conxa Apparel, Emily Bury, Xeroine Illustration, Kiersten Darling, Kenzie Huckabay, and many more.
2 p.m. to 10 p.m., no cover.
Saturday, June 1 @ Company Brewing (downstairs)
2:00 p.m. — Kati Katchever
2:30 p.m. — Kendra Swanson
3:00 p.m. — Ghost In The Good Thing
3:30 p.m. — DUZT
4:00 p.m. — Worm
4:30 p.m. — crimesXnature
5:30 p.m. — Auti Marie
6:00 p.m. — Kaylee Crossfire
6:30 p.m. — Wavy V
7:00 p.m. — Gentle Brontosaurus
7:30 p.m. — Amanda Huff (full band)
9:00 p.m. — Motes
10:00 p.m. — L’Resorts
11:00 p.m. — Saebra & Carlyle
12:00 a.m. — Plague Walker
12:30 a.m. — DJ Dripsweat
$10 cover.
Sunday, June 2 @ Company Brewing (upstairs and on patio)
FemFest Makers Market: Day 2
Vendors include Peach Beast, Ceci Tejeda, Conxa Apparel, Emily Bury, Xeroine Illustration, Kiersten Darling, Kenzie Huckabay, and many more.
12 p.m. to 6 p.m., no cover.
Sunday, June 2 @ Company Brewing (downstairs)
12:00 p.m. — Wise Jennings
1:00 p.m. — Nomad Quartet
2:00 p.m. — MRS. FUN
2:30 p.m. — Abby Fae
3:00 p.m. — Kelli Frances Corrado
3:30 p.m. — ANDII
4:00 p.m. — Natalijia
4:30 p.m. — Atheists & Airplanes
5:00 p.m. — RuthB8r Ginsburg
5:30 p.m. — Betazoid
6:00 p.m. — Tiny Hands
6:30 p.m. — FSFL Kay Kay
7:00 p.m. — Large Print
7:30 p.m. — Warhola Cats
(Music Moves inside at 8 p.m.)
8:00 p.m. — Sypher Lady X
9:00 p.m. — Fox Face
$10 cover.
Sunday, June 2 @ High Dive
Official FemFest After Party
10:00 p.m. — Duckling
10:50 p.m. — Cream Vellum
11:30 p.m. — Habitat For Insanity
No cover.
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FemFest will also be hosting a series of pre-fest shows and workshops throughout the month of May. All workshops are completely free, though donations are both accepted and appreciated. Info on individual workshops and pre-fest concerts below.
FemFest 2019 Fundraiser with Christopher Porterfield + Peshtigo, and Vanity Plates
Sunday, May 5 at Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Workshop: Self Defense Seminar
Saturday, May 11, 3 p.m. at the Pink House Studio, 601 E. Wright St.
Workshop: Journaling As Radical Self-Care
Saturday, May 18, 12 p.m. at the Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.
Workshop: Mind, Body, Spirit Connection: Energy Tools for Living Your Best Balanced Life
Sunday, May 19, 5 p.m. at Company Brewing (upstairs), 735 E. Center St.
Workshop: Intersectionality and the Failures of White Feminism, Presented by SURJ MKE
Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m. at First Unitarian Society, 1342 N. Astor St.
Workshop: Storytelling Through Poetry and How To Be An Ally
Sunday May 19, 12 p.m., location TBA
Workshop: Get Behind the Board: Audio 101
Sunday, May 26, 3 p.m. at Bremen Cafe, 901 E. Clarke St.
Workshop: LUNA (Latinas Unidas en las Artes)
Thursday, May 30, 6 p.m. at First Unitarian Society, 1342 N. Astor St.
Workshop: Alternative Tarot 101, Using The Elements and The Astrological Signs as an Introduction to The Tarot
Saturday, June 1, 12 p.m. at Yours Truly, 833 E. Center St.