Events

Black Female Voices panel at Louder Than Words Festival, 2017.
(L-R) Ruby Ann Patterson, Henrietta Smith-Rolla, Karan Gabay, Yvonne Shelton, Melanie Williams
Photo: Shay Rowan

 

Manchester District Music Archive 
Dec 2003

Manchester District Music Archive became a constituted group led by Alison Surtees, Mat Norman, Abigail Ward, Dave Rofe and CP Lee.

Manchester District Music Archive official launch
Sep 2004

September 2004 saw the official launch of MDMArchive at Urbis as part of the 2004 In The City convention. The seminar was attended by over 300 people and was led by a panel including Mark Radcliffe, Jon Savage and Guy Garvey. The launch was covered by Radio One, Radio Four, The Independent, NME, MEN and GMR.

Funded by: Manchester City Council, In The City, Creative Industry in Salford, Urbis

MDMarchive seminar at the Town Hall
Nov 2004

The MDMarchive board delivered a seminar in November at Manchester Town Hall for local councillors, MPs and archivists. This formed part of the archive’s early campaign for a physical space dedicated to Greater Manchester’s music history.

Funded by Manchester City Council, supported by Museum of Science and Industry

John Cooper Clarke event at the King’s Arms
Dec 2004

MDMarchive hosted a special performance of the critically acclaimed play 36 Hours: The John Cooper Clarke Story, which took place at the King’s Arms, Salford.

Supported by Studio Salford

The Nosebleeds – lost punk film premiere at the King’s Arms
Mar 2005

MDMarchive showed John Crumpton’s lost 1977 punk documentary to a packed audience at The King’s Arms, Salford. The event was covered by Metro, City Life, MEN and the Regional Film and Video Site. The night raised £300 for the Disasters Emergency Committee and was attended by 120 people.

MDMArchive curates Manchester punk exhibition, Urbis
May 2005

The Manchester room of the Urbis punk exhibition, ‘Sex, Seditionaries and the Sex Pistols' opened to widespread acclaim. MDMArchive sourced the artefacts and footage, including Joy Division, Buzzcocks and Slaughter and the Dogs memorabilia.

Supported by Urbis

Blues and gospel train film night at Chorlton Irish Club
Feb 2006

On Februray 17th 2006, MDMArchive put on their second film night, this time at Chorlton Irish Club. Victor Brox kicked off the evening with a classic blues set, which was followed by the film The Blues and Gospel Train, first broadcast in 1964. The film follows Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee’s visit to Manchester. The blues stars performed on the platform of Chorlton Train Station. The producer of the programme, Johnny Hamp, spoke at the event, which raised £300 for MDMArchive.

Hacienda event at Urbis
Nov 2006

MDMarchive hosted an informal panel discussion chaired by archive co-founder Alison Surtees. This lively discussion looked at the world's most famous club and discussed memories, myths and the different phases of the club’s life.

Supported by Urbis

MDMArchive new online archive and website launched
Nov 2006

MDMarchive launched the world’s first user-led online community music ephemera archive. The project was developed by MDMArchive co-founder Abigail Ward and web designer Ashley Kennerley (Go Bang Design). The launch was covered by the BBC website, Manchester Evening News, Salford Advertiser, Metro, XFM and BBC Radio Manchester.

Funded by Manchester City Council & Manchester Digital Development Agency

MDMArchive wins best not-for-profit award at annual Big Chip awards
May 2007

MDMarchive scooped their first award for their newly launched second website and online archive. What really impressed the judges was the organisation's intention of using the site to ‘give everyone the opportunity to take ownership of the project’. One of the judges described it as being ‘perfectly Web 2.0’ in its thinking, and overall the judges loved the way it ‘let the objects speak for themselves, as well as the way the site conveyed the enthusiasm of its creators for the subject.’ ‘It does everything it needed to do and no more, and as a result leaves plenty of room for a community to spring up around it’. The MDMArchive website was developed by Abigail Ward and Ashley Kennerley of Go Bang Design.

Electrospective: Manchester Pre-rave '82 - '88 event at Islington Mill
Aug 2008

Manchester District Music Archive teamed up with DJ Greg Wilson to bring a marathon celebration of Manchester's 1980s Electro-Funk and B-Boy scene to Islington Mill, Salford. The event explored the impact of this seminal underground movement through films, talks and music. The event was managed by MDMArchive co-founder Matthew Norman.

Funded by: Creative Industry in Salford
Supported by Greg Wilson

‘1 Top Class Manager’ – Rob Gretton’s diaries published
Oct 2008

October 2008 saw the release of ‘1 Top Class Manager’ – The Notebooks of Joy Division’s Manager 1978-1980, published by Lesley Gilbert, Rob’s former partner, in association with Manchester District Music Archive. The book was edited by Abigail Ward.

"...the idealism and generosity of spirit encoded within the endless minutiae of to-do lists, PA companies, phone numbers and draft letters to van-hire companies render this lovingly realised tribute an essential purchase, not just for fans of the band, but for anyone with big dreams involving music." The Independent

‘1 Top Class Manager’ book launch
Oct 2008

The ‘1 Top Class Manager’ book launch, hosted by MDMArchive, was held at One Central Street and featured a talk by cultural historian, writer and broadcaster Jon Savage and MDMArchive co-founder Abigail Ward.

Queer Noise LGBT+ music in Manchester event at the Deaf Institute
Jan 2009

MDMarchive hosted a one-off event to celebrate and explore the history of Greater Manchester's LGBTQ music culture at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, curated by Abigail Ward.

The night was compered by cultural commentator Jon Savage and brought together some of the leading lights from the scene for a night of talks, film, music and of course, dancing.

Panel:

• Liz Naylor (City Fun)
• Kath McDermott (Flesh/Homo Electric)
• Gerry Potter (Performance Poet)
• Jayne Compton (Club Brenda)

Chair: Jon Savage

A Q&A session hosted by Jon was followed by an exclusive showing of 'Flesh at The Hacienda' - a 30-minute 1994 documentary on the legendary club.

The Manchester Lesbian and Gay Choir performed, along with all-girl punk three-piece Hooker.

The event culminated in a club night featuring DJs:

• Dave Kendrick (Paradise Factory/Flesh)
• Jayne Compton (Club Brenda)
• Philippa Jarman (Homo Electric/Piccadilly Records)

It was attended by over 400 people.

Funded by Forever Manchester

Queer Noise online exhibition launched
Feb 2011

February 2011 saw MDMArchive launch 'Queer Noise' – a groundbreaking, permanent online exhibition that explores LGBT music and club culture in Greater Manchester. The exhibition contains scores of artefacts from 1962 to the present day, including oral histories, videos, streamed mp3s, press articles, posters, flyers and photos, all displayed in a gallery format and is curated by Abigail Ward. Introduction and exclusive essay by Jon Savage.

Funded by Forever Manchester

MDMArchive fanzines panel event
Mar 2012

Manchester Histories Festival: Fanzines event at the Town Hall March 2012

Manchester District Music Archive (in association with Manchester Histories Festival) hosted a panel discussing the history and legacy of Manchester’s alternative music publications. The discussion was chaired by Dave Haslam.

Panel:

• Mike Don (Mole Express)
• Bob Dickinson (City Fun)
• Liz Naylor (City Fun)
• Dan Russell (Things Happen)

Moss Side Stories online exhibition launched
Feb 2012

2012 saw MDMArchive launch Moss Side Stories – the second permanent online exhibition, this time that exploring black music and club culture in Moss Side and Hulme. The exhibition contains scores of artefacts from 1950 to the present day, including oral histories, videos, streamed mp3s, press articles, posters, flyers and photos, curated by Abigail Ward.

Funded By Commonword/Arts Council England

Roger Eagle book launch at the Twisted Wheel
Jul 2012

MDMarchive hosted the launch for Bill Sykes’ book 'Sit Down! Listen To This! The Roger Eagle Story' at The Twisted Wheel, just weeks before its closure. Guest speakers included: CP Lee, Elliot Rashman and Bill Sykes. The event was managed by MDMArchive co-founders Dave Rofe and CP Lee.

City Fun online exhibition launched
Dec 2012

City Fun - The Hidden History of Manchester's Post-Punk Fanzines went live in December 2012. The fanzine was published between 1978 and 1984 and is a remarkable eye-witness account of one of the most fertile periods in Manchester’s music history. The exhibition was co-curated by Abigail Ward and Dave Haslam.

Funded by Manchester Histories Festival/Arts Council England

MDMArchive receives £42k investment from Heritage Lottery Fund
Aug 2013

HLF-funded programme:

Defining Me – Musical adventures in Manchester exhibition launched at the Lowry
Sep 2013

In 2013, following investment from Heritage Lottery Fund, MDMArchive held the 'Defining Me: Musical Adventures in Manchester' exhibition at The Lowry, a 5-month-long show co-curated by members of MDMArchive's online community. The exhibition attracted 32,000 visitors. From the Hallé Orchestra’s first performance in 1858, to the diverse musical character of the present day, the exhibition celebrated Greater Manchester’s musical heritage as told by a wide variety of participants from the archive’s online community. Through key artefacts such as photography, posters, ticket stubs and video footage, the exhibition explored the emotional, life-changing and inspirational experiences we all have with music; charting the cultural significance of Manchester within music history told by the people that know.

Play/Record event at the Lowry
Oct 2013

Play/Record was a Sunday afternoon session of live DJs, music, personal stories and talks to celebrate MDMArchive’s music history-led exhibition at The Lowry. It featured a scanning session and a special presentation from exhibition designers, PIN. The afternoon featured a live set from DJ and author John McCready and an MDMArchive show-and-tell where music fans brought in music and nightclub ephemera and stories.

Louder than words festival panel: Bigmouth strikes again - Music writing in the digital age at the Palace Hotel
Nov 2013

Manchester District Music Archive & Louder Than Words Festival hosted a Sunday breakfast time panel discussion on music writing in the internet age.

Panel:

• Tony Fletcher (A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of The Smiths)
• Phill Young (Tru Luv)
• Shell Zenner (Amazing Radio, Louder Than War)
• Abigail Ward (Manchester District Music Archive)
• John McCready (NME, The Face, ID, Mojo)
• Charlotte Davies (Hooting And Howling')

Chair: Luke Bainbridge (Observer Music Monthly, The Guardian)

Noise Annoys – Kevin Cummins night & punk panel event at Kraak
Nov 2013

MDMarchive hosted 'Noise Annoys' - a punk film night & panel discussion hosted by photographer Kevin Cummins, curated by Alison Surtees.

Panel:

• Kevin Cummins
• Denise Shaw
• Dawn Bradbury
• Steve Shy

Film: Brass Tacks

Band: Kill Pretty (feat ex-members of The Fall & The Hamsters and current members of Blue Orchids)

Photographer Kevin Cummins documented the punk explosion with finesse, picking out from the crowds two young fans who personified the feeling and passion: Denise Shaw and Dawn Bradbury. Denise would go on to star in BBC punk documentary 'Brass Tacks'. The spirit of the time was also captured in print through fanzines, and none more influential than 'Shy Talk' - a labour of love for Steve Shy, whose efforts helped to shape Manchester's much-celebrated DIY ethic.

'Noise Annoys – Early Punk in Manchester' brought all these characters together giving insight into the madness and intensity of the era, whilst presenting some of Kevin’s most evocative punk and post-punk photographs.

Richard Boon in conversation with Dave Haslam at Gorilla
Feb 2014

The Buzzcocks manager who set-up the UK’s first punk/post-punk independent record label - New Hormones - talked to Dave Haslam about early Sex Pistols gigs; working with Malcolm McLaren, Buzzcocks, and Linder Sterling; and plotting and planning with Mark E Smith, Jon Savage and Morrissey.

Barney Doodlebug in conversation at the Lowry
Feb 2014

MDMarchive presented an intimate evening of talk, image, music and conversation with Michael Anthony Barnes-Wynters AKA Barney Doodlebug. As an artist, designer, curator, remixer and more, Michael delved into his art, design and promoted nights , providing a special treat for fans of Sankey's, BuggedOut!, Electric Chair and more.

Musical adventures in Manchester – community concert at Band on the wall feat: Graham Massey
Feb 2014

Bands: The Prospectors feat: Graham Massey
Nice Touch, Bernie Shaw, Cool Hand Uke, Jo Bangles, Ladies In Red, Banjojo
Compere: Longfella (Tony Walsh)
DJs: Vicky Richardson (ALL FM)

The Prospectors - a band of disabled musicians from Stockport - were joined by Manchester rave pioneer Graham Massey (808 State/Massonix/Toolshed) for a set of tracks that have inspired Graham’s life in music. The collective covered A Guy Called Gerald, John Coltrane, Hawkwind and more, making this an ambitious community showcase with a difference. This event was supported by: Stockport Cerebral Palsy Society, Drake Music and Manchester College.

Barry Adamson in conversation with Dave Haslam at the Town Hall as part of Manchester Histories Festival
Mar 2014

Manchester District Music Archive (and Manchester Histories Festival) brought legendary musician, composer and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds bass player Barry Adamson back to his home city for an onstage interview with writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam. Barry spoke about his history bands like Magazine and Visage, and what is was like growing up as a person of dual heritage in Moss Side during the 60s and 70s. Supported by MHF.

This was the final event in the HLF-funded programme

MDMArchive wins best not-for-profit award at annual Big Chip awards
Jul 2014

The Big Chips are the biggest digital awards outside London and the longest running in the UK. They are run by and for the industry, not for profit - by trade association, Manchester Digital. The judges 'simply loved' the redesigned MDMArchive website. They described it 'as exactly what the internet was made for, a labour of love that couldn’t exist in any other medium'.

Louder than Words: Manchester lyrics panel
Nov 2014

‘Hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly' was a panel event exploring the art of song lyricism, Manchester-style. The guest lyricists were:

• Jaheda Choudhury-Potter (Ajah UK)
• Jonathan Higgs from (Everything Everthing)
• Guy Garvey of (Elbow)

It was a fascinating discussion revealing contrasting processes, backgrounds and styles. The event was chaired and organised by Abigail Ward.

MDMArchive present Queer Noise at first national LGBT festival at Central Library
Feb 2015

Queer Noise was a presentation by Abigail Ward exploring how LGBT music-making and club culture in Manchester helped to change attitudes to sexuality, not just in the UK, but on the global stage.

MDMArchive presentation at connecting communities
Mar 2015

Storytelling and the Digital Archive Conference at the University of Leeds.

Co-founders Alison Surtees and Abigail Ward discussed the rise of MDMArchive; the difficulties encountered; and how these challenges, such as who 'owns' heritage and who 'decides' what is shown, were overcome through user-generated content. Their talk was called Multiple Histories - The Democratisation of Manchester's Music Heritage.

MDMArchive becomes a registered charity
Nov 2015

Thanks to continued support from the MDMArchive board & volunteers, the organisation became a registered charity in November 2015.

Registered Charity Number 1164179.

Archiving women’s performance practice – MDMArchive presentation at home
Jan 2016

Co-founder Abigail Ward and trustee Sarah Feinstein spoke at this event about how this relates to women's performance through Manchester District Music Archive. Drawing from select artefact in the user-generated collection, Abigail showcased women's agency in the history of music, politics and protest in Greater Manchester. Sarah discussed how a previous online exhibition curated by Abigail led her to a conversation with ground-breaking feminist artist Linder Sterling.

Brix Smith – Start book launch
May 2016

Ex-The Fall guitarist Brix Smith Start in conversation with Abigail Ward at The Ruby Lounge.

Electric 50 concert
Bob Dylan at the Free Trade Hall 50 Year Judas Redux
A fundraiser for Manchester District Music Archive
May 2016

2016 marked the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s incendiary ‘Judas’ gig at Manchester Free Trade Hall - a gig that has been hailed as one of the twenty most important moments in rock history. Manchester District Music Archive celebrated this outstanding event with a fundraising concert of its own.

The evening saw Dylan’s set list from that night performed by a collection of Manchester’s finest musicians, with each group or performer playing one song from the original 1966 concert.

Raised £2,400 for MDMArchive 

Queer Noise presentation 
Jun 2016

Abigail Ward gave a one-hour presentation of artefacts from her Queer Noise exhibition as part of the A Queer Revue! night at Band on the Wall.

Supported by Manchester Histories Festival

Activist / Archivist
Jun 2016

An event exploring music, politics and community archiving in Greater Manchester held at People's History Museum led by MDMArchive's Researchers in Residence. Part of Manchester Histories Festival

• Scanning session
• Gig by A Quiet Loner – the museum’s songwriter in residence
• Show & Tell

Panel:

• Jayne Compton (Club Brenda/Switchflicker)
• Heather Roberts (Royal Northern College of Music)
• Bob Dickinson (City Fun fanzine/BBC/Vocal Harum)
• Claud Cunningham (Black Angel)
• Susan O’Shea (Ladyfest/MMU)
• Andy Martin (Star and Garter)

Funded by the University of Manchester's Researchers In Residence programme

Discovering Collections, Discovering Communities conference
Oct 2016

MDMArchive delivered the opening workshop and panel at this year's DCDC conference, held across People's History Museum and The Lowry. Organised by The National Archives.

Panel:

• Abigail Ward (Co-founder)
• Alison Surtees (Co-founder)
• Matthew Norman (Co-founder)

Chair: Dave Carter

MDMArchive awarded Heritage Lottery investment
Apr 2017

Manchester District Music Archive received investment from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a groundbreaking digital and physical music heritage project in Manchester. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, Rebel Music: The Sound of Politics and Protest in Manchester explores the intertwined histories of music and political activism across the ten boroughs of the city. The project will focus in particular on the achievements of two under-represented groups: women and the LGBT+ community.

Name Change: Manchester Digital Music Archive
Jun 2017

Manchester District Music Archive changed its name to Manchester Digital Music Archive.

It’s Alright: A Celebration of Manchester’s Rave Heritage 1985-1995 
Jun 2017

A community mapping event with with curated spaces dedicated to celebrating different aspects of the rave scene. In partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, this event documented memories of the places, the music and the moments that meant the most to the rave community in Manchester. 
DJs:

Hewan Clarke (Hacienda/Gallery/Berlin/Reno)
Andy Harris (Havoc)
Rob Fletcher (Herbal Tea Party)

Panel:

Kath McDermott (Flesh/Paradise Factory)
Hewan Clarke (Hacienda/Gallery/Berlin/Reno)
DJ/record seller Russ Marland (Spin Inn/Hacienda/Vinyl Exchange)
Aniff Akinola (Chapter & The Verse, Voodoo Ray) 

Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund

Free training with Manchester Digital Music Archive
Sep 2017

In September 2017 we held two (identical) training days on how to curate online exhibitions within our website/archive led by Abigail Ward.

The events were part of our Heritage Lottery-funded project Rebel Music: The Sound of Politics and Protest in Manchester, which targets and celebrates women and members of the LGBT+ community, and their musical achievements.

Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund
 

Black Female Voices: shaping the sound of Manchester music
Nov 2017

The Principal Manchester
Oxford Street
Manchester
M60 7HA

At the 2018 LOUDER THAN WORDS FESTIVAL, Manchester Digital Music Archive presented a panel focusing on the voices of black female artists, and their impact on music in Greater Manchester.

The panel discussed the challenges of black women face in getting their voices heard, and share stories that highlight their influence on the sound and words of Manchester music across the decades.

Chair of the panel was TV producer, radio presenter and documentarian KAREN GABAY (BBC/ITV).

Panel

HENRIETTA SMITH-ROLLA - DJ, Producer, Performer (AfroDeutsche, Sisters of Transistors)
MELANIE WILLIAMS - writer and performer (Sub Sub, Butterfly Jam)
RUBY-ANN PATTERSON - singer, writer, activist (Mancnubian)
YVONNE SHELTON - vocalist/entrpreneur (Urban Voice, Simply Red, George Michael, The Beautiful South)

Suffragette City exhibition opening party
Feb 2018

The Refuge
Principal Hotel
Oxford Road
Manchester
M60 7HA

Suffragette City was the culmination of a period of activity aimed at recognising and celebrating women's achievements in the music industry. In the year we celebrated 100 years of Suffrage in the UK, we wanted to pause and highlight the roles women have played, bringing their voices to the fore. We set out to show just how vibrant, brilliant and influential women in music have been and continue to be.

This exhibition, curated by Manchester Digital Music Archive co-founder Alison Surtees, featured photographic portraits of 25 key women in Greater Manchester music, including venue owners, sound engineers, record label managers, DJs and musicians.

The women featured were chosen via a community vote from a long list of 270.

DJs were Abigail Ward, Kath McDermott and Paulette.

Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund

Suffragette City closing party
March 2018

The Refuge
Principal Hotel
Oxford Road
Manchester
M60 7HA

As part of the Suffragette City - Portraits of women in Manchester music exhibition, curated by Alison Surtees (MDMA), The Refuge hosted a FREE all day and night-into-early morning charity music event both to celebrate International Women's Day and to close off the exhibition's two-week installation in the public bar.

Music across two floors from an all-star female DJ line up.:

Love Is The Message
In the Refuge Public Bar
3pm - 1am
feat.

* Blasha & Allatt (Meat Free)
* Corinne Drewery (Swing Out Sister)
* Dance Lady Dance
* Abigail Ward (Manchester Digital Music Archive)
* Nongi Oliphant
* Claud Cunningham
* Kirby Leanne Halliday
* Justine Alderman

Move Ya Body
In The Refuge Basement hosted by The Social Service
10pm - 4am
feat.
* Rina Ladybeige
* DJ Paulette
* Gina Breeze
* Kath McDermott
* Disco Mums

Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and The Refuge, Manchester

We Are Dynamite! exhibition

Mon 3 September - Saturday 22 September 2018
MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS
10am-7pm
Niamos (former Nia Centre)
Chichester Road
Manchester
M15 5UP

*FREE*

The Northern Carnival against the Nazis, a rally and concert held on 15 July 1978 in Moss Side, Manchester, was a defining moment in establishing anti-racism in the city and beyond.

Dubbed ‘the day it became cool to be anti-racist’, the Carnival galvanised North West communities against racist groups, including the National Front. A rally of 15,000 people marched all the way from Strangeways prison to Alexandra Park joining a further 25,000 for an afternoon of music, dancing and unity.

Co-organised by Geoff Brown of the Anti-Nazi League (ANL) and Bernie Wilcox of Rock Against Racism (RAR), the Carnival featured incendiary live performances by pop-punk superstars Buzzcocks and Steel Pulse, the UK's leading reggae band of the period. Support came from Moss Side reggae band Exodus (later X-O-Dus) and China Street from Lancaster, who had released a single on EMI called ‘Rock Against Racism’.

We Are Dynamite! - an exhibition of unseen photos and ephemera curated by Abigail Ward - aims to highlight the passion and excitement of the day whilst inspiring visitors to reflect upon a new era of challenge for people opposing messages of racism and division across the world.

The exhibition will run from:
Mon Sep 3rd-Sat Sep 22nd (Mondays to Saturdays) 10am-7pm and is FREE.

Suffragette City
March 2019

After the resounding success of our Suffragette City exhibition and party in 2018, which paid homage to women’s achievements in Manchester music, The Refuge will host Suffragette City, The Sequel, on Saturday 9th March 2019, the day after International Women’s Day.

Suffragette City will feature a collection of spectacular talent, with female DJs taking over two floors for an unforgettable party. Curated by Manchester Digital Music Archive co-founder Abigail Ward, The Social Service head honcho Rina Ladybeige, BBC 6 Music's Kath McDermott and Electrik’s resident Chris Massey, the party will showcase a line-up of established and emerging female musical souls, playing multi-genre party starters in the basement and public bar.

Co-founder of MDMA, Abigail Ward said: “We want to build on the phenomenal success of last year’s Suffragette City party by putting together a fresh line-up of female DJ talent, whilst raising awareness of the barriers women can face in the music industry. We are also fundraising for Women’s Aid, because we are keenly aware of the dwindling number of women’s refuges in the UK”.

The Refuge Public Bar will host Love Is The Message, from 2pm until 1am, with free entry and no tickets required. Dance the weekend away with powerful sets from Denise Johnson (ACR), DJ Paulette, SNO, BB (Supernature Disco), Reeshy, Kirby, Emma Joyce (Disco Mums), Abigail Ward (Manchester Digital Music Archive), Marley Reid and Alex Zalewska.

The Refuge Basement will host Move Ya Body, presented by The Social Service from 10pm until 4am. Proudly supporting Women’s Aid, the admission will be by donation only, with a minimum of £2 at the door, no tickets required.

The sound will be provided by legendary disco queens Danielle Moore (Crazy P), Kath McDermott (Flesh/Homo Electric), Rina Ladybeige, Julie Wills (Disco Mums) and Kim Lana.

For more information, please visit: mdmarchive.co.uk, refugemcr.co.uk and https://www.facebook.com/events/726359174412446/

Suffragette City
March 2020

Saturday March 7th sees the return of Suffragette City – the women-led all-day music event at The Refuge, which raises money for Greater Manchester women’s charities.

At a time when refuges are suffering deep cuts and many women’s groups have to rely on self-organisation to fundraise, coming together to make a difference is more important than ever.

Last year the event raised over £3k and we hope to smash that record and enjoy coming together in the same atmosphere of love, defiance and celebration.

Curated by Rina Ladybeige (The Social Service), Chris Massey (Electriks/Sprechen), Abigail Ward (Manchester Digital Music Archive) and Kath McDermott (BBC 6 Music), the day and night event will feature the usual array of female DJ talent playing cross-genre party music for discerning dancers.

*BUY TICKETS* https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/suffragette-city-2020-the-refuge-tickets/10320955

BASEMENT (£5 tickets) 10pm-3am

Philippa Jarman (Homo Electric)
Disco Mums
Ladybeige (The Social Service)
Lil’ Fee and Veba
Kim Lana

PUBLIC BAR (Free) 2pm-1am

Andrea Trout
Paulette
Mix-Stress (Rebecca Never Becky)
BB (Supernature Disco)
Zoë & Leila (LIINES)
Reeshy vs Rinny
Soo Wilkinson
Alison Bell
Justine Alderman (Across The Tracks)
Abigail Ward (Manchester Digital Music Archive)

Artwork is by celebrated Manchester designer Stan Chow.

A limited run of t-shirts and posters featuring Stan’s artwork will be sold to raise money. T-shirts are by Applique Apparel.

The public bar will be free to enter and the basement club night will be ticketed, with all proceeds going to:

Women Asylum Seekers Together in Greater Manchester (WAST)
Emmeline’s Pantry
Keeping our Girls Safe (KOGS)
Contact Hostel