An event eyeing to create “more inclusive spaces for female and queer artists in the Philippines” is scheduled on March 9, from 6:00PM at 123Block in Mandala Park in Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila. Dubbed GRRRLS’ NIGHT OUT, and held as the country marks National Women’s Month, this is said to be “about putting them center stage so we can make some proper noise for them in the name of inclusion,” said co-organizer Fran Ayala-Rock, brand strategist and stand-up comedian.
For Ayala-Rock, it is important to showcase the full spectrum of what being a woman looks like, and “in Manila, many International Women’s Day events are still skewed towards corporate professionals (so) there’s still more work to be done when it comes to intersectionality and representation in this space.”
With GRRRLS’ NIGHT OUT particularly focusing on women and queer women in the alternative arts sectors, as well as female and ally-led business, “(we) highlight the great work being done by these people. When we invest in women and queer women, we inspire others to do the same and uplift communities in the process.”
Added event co-organizer Veronica Litton, a writer and stand-up comedian: “Simply put, we need more spaces for female and queer artists to freely perform. There’s been so many great changes in the last decade when it comes to spaces for alternative forms of entertainment in the Philippines. But many of these spaces are still dominated by cisgender male performers. While there are amazing allies out there that have been incredibly supportive, there are spaces that can still be very hostile towards female and queer acts. We want to change that by providing artists with a safe space they can perform, and prove that we can still be entertaining, insightful, and relevant without being needlessly offensive to anyone.”
As Manila’s “first-ever variety show showcasing an all-female and queer roster of performers from across Manila’s thriving alternative arts scene”, the event will feature a lineup of up-and-coming performers, including Faye Yu (music), Super P (music), DJ Honey (music), Lady Boses (stand-up comedy) and Burlesque PH (performance art).
Others may see this as “commercializing” a still-political event (i.e. Women’s Month), but for Ayala-Rock, “commercialization is important when the beneficiaries are female/queer artists and businesses that at times may get overlooked when it comes to professional opportunities because of their identities. It’s important to us that these performers and businesses are recognized and paid their dues for the great work they’re doing in their respective fields, and that they’re seen as profitable so that more people will invest in them moving forward.”
Presented by Shoryuken Events and Kitty Litter Entertainment, GRRRLS’ NIGHT OUT is supported by female-led and ally businesses including sanitary products Nala Woman, pleasure brand Ilya, Miss Pokes Tattoo, Bao Artisan Candles, and Crazy Carabao Beer.
“Events like International Women’s Month and GRRRLS’ NIGHT OUT help give visibility to issues that don’t necessarily have the proper platforms to facilitate these important conversations about diversity, representation and inclusivity. We need more spaces in Manila where it’s safe to congregate and have these dialogues about what we can do – together – to close the gender gap,” Ayala-Rock said.
Everyone is welcome to attend GRRRLS’ NIGHT OUT, with the organizers stressing that “it’s not exclusive to women because addressing the gender gap and uplifting women is everyone’s job, not just women’s.”
Get more information from Instagram (@Those90sChicks). Tickets are available at https://ticket2me.net/event/21715.
