Celebrating Women’s Power: WOW - Women of the World Festival in Rotherham

WOW - Women of the World Festival in Rotherham – full 2023 programme released. Photo by James Mulkeen.

WOW - Women of the World Festival is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return to Rotherham for its second year.

Taking place on Saturday June 10, this year's festival promises to be even more extraordinary, captivating audiences with a full programme of workshops, talks, performances, film screenings and exciting pop-ups at various sites in the town.

FIND OUT MORE: For full details of the festival check out the official website at wow.fluxrotherham.org.uk/2023-programme.

Celebrating women, girls, and non-binary people, WOW will bring together a diverse community in a free event held across All Saint's Square, Minster Gardens, various venues on High Street, and Imperial Buildings.

The idea of the festival this year is about enticing folk around the town centre businesses and venues, such as Hygge @ Rise community cafe, Three Cranes Inn, Platinum Lounge, Rotherham Minster, Holy Ghost Tattoo Collective, Riverside Records, Broadway Diner and Society hair salon.

This year’s festival will feature a powerful dance performance that highlights important issues of gender and self-esteem for young people attending.

It’s an idea that’s been brought to life by a young team of WOWsers from Rotherham: four trainees who are involved in making Rotherham the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, and who have joined up with local arts charity and hip-hop theatre group Rationale Arts to create the empowering dance which reflects their lived experiences and the issues that affect them as young women living in Rotherham.

The festival's upcoming schedule has just been released, and it is filled with exciting activities that will inspire and uplift guests of all ages. Engaging talks will cover multiple topics such as gender equality, parenting and childcare, work and skills, diversity and a warm welcome, body positivity, safety, gender identity and sexuality, mental health and wellbeing.

Do not miss a conversation with Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin, an award-winning founder of the groundbreaking menstrual equity charity, Bloody Good Period.

As well as a talk by Lindsy James, Director of Active Fusion, the charity that helps every child to develop a love for being active by unlocking potential and creating positive habits for life.

Also taking part is Dana Abdulkarim, physical education teacher, former England Rounders player, coach and the first ever Muslim woman to compete for England internationally, as part of the England Rounders team.

Prepare to be captivated by a wide array of performances.

The world’s first mobile poetry in a burger van, Poetry Takeaway will deliver poetry workshops to whet anyone’s creative writing appetite.

In Mimbre acrobatic theatre female performers will explore what it means when one body is carried by another in their touring show, Lifted. Compact Disco dances into town with their oversized disco ball made entirely from old CDs and will be allowing requests for any song.

Another wonderful event by Bootworks Theatre Company presents The JukeBoxes, featuring slapstick versions of famous singers re-creating classic pop music videos in a lip-syncing musical medley. And a dance performance from WOWsers, a group of young people from across Rotherham whose voices are helping to shape the programme for the forward-thinking festival.

Naturally, no festival experience would be complete without an incredibly diverse music line-up. The selection is bound to cater to every individual taste, offering soulful melodies by Rumbi Tauro, captivating folk tunes by Maddie Morris, and an electrifying DJ set by Kavita. As well as remarkable performances by Aziza Jaye, Rhiannon Scutt, and numerous other talented artists. Prepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary musical performance of the Sunrit Culture Group, in which rich Indian Vedic tradition meets modern life.

WOWsers - l-r Abi, Maria, Sophie and Lottie

Even more interactive and exciting activities are awaiting visitors to the festival. The program is brimming with a range of completely free workshops that are open to all.

Audiences will have the opportunity to participate in relaxing pursuits such as life drawing, making exploding rainbows, getting festival-inspired temporary tattoos, and even exploring the creative world of zine making. Additionally, anyone can partake in yoga sessions catered to various skill levels, try aerial hoops, and join the contagious energy of a silent disco.

Speaking about the festival, Helen Jones from Flux Rotherham said: “We are thrilled to announce the full programme of this year's WOW Rotherham festival. Get ready for insightful talks with incredible speakers, a variety of performances and activities that will create an immersive and inspiring experience for everyone. We believe there is something for every guest to enjoy and feel a part of the global WOW community."

Jude Kelly CBE, CEO and Founder of The WOW Foundation said: "Rotherham has already become an important part of the WOW global movement. WOW in Rotherham is so special because of the talent, creativity, and resilience of the women, girls, and non-binary individuals in this vibrant town. We are thrilled that Rotherham is part of a global movement that celebrates achievement and the potential of everyone.”

For more information about WOW Festival, please visit their website at wow.fluxrotherham.org.uk.

LINKS: