Guide to IWD in Kingston 2016
Today, March 8th, marks the worldwide celebration of International Women’s Day, which has existed in some capacity for the last 105 years. In Kingston, many groups come together to promote gender parity and to celebrate not just today, but through the end of the month. We Don’t Stop Kingston is a coalition of local organizations that have been organizing many events for the week. On Saturday, they kicked things off with “She Creates,” an arts and crafts fair that promoted the work of more than 75 of Kingston’s women artists. Here are a few of the other events you can catch in the next two weeks. Make sure to check out the full list of events at www.wedontstopkingston.com. You can also use and follow the hashtag #IWWYGK.
9 March 2016: Women’s Voices of Resilience concert, hosted by the Kingston Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Listen to such musical stylings as those of the Kingston Afternoon Shout Sister choir at Lady of Fatima Parish Hall. There will also be guest speakers, poetry, a silent auction, and refreshments.
10 March 2016 : Get Pampered at Kingston’s HIV and AIDS Regional Services (HARS) office. The organization will offer free haircuts and nail painting, a tea room, door prizes, and child care for the 6th year in a row. All women welcome, sponsored by Sex Workers Action Group.
11 March 2016: Meet and Greet with Dr. Bonita Lawrence and Faith Nolan. Earlier in the week, these two Indigenous activists and artists host a “Prison for Women Solidarity” teaching. On the 11th, get a chance to meet them both and interact with other members of the community at Four Directions Aboriginal Students’ Centre.
12 March 2016: “Queerness of Another Colour”: Queen’s Pride hosts this series of film screenings that examine racial diversity and queerness in cinema. This screening will be the third film, Fire, from director Deepa Mehta, and it focuses on women-women relationships in India.
And later this month…
16 March 2016: Gender and Sexual Diversity Fair, 1-4 pm in the JDUC.
18 March 2016: Food Share at the Grey House (51 Bader Lane).
19 March 2016: Film 5 from the “Queerness of Another Colour Series” hosted by Queen’s Pride.
20-27 March 2016: International Women’s Week display at Novel Idea bookstore, which will present various materials and literature related to IWD.
For more events, specific times and locations, as well as admission prices, visit the calendar online here.