This Friday 8 March, round up your allies and join in on the wide range of events and celebrations for International Women's Day to help break the gender bias.
From hospitality events to public speaking panels, all the way to limited-edition nibbles, there is a way for you to be a part of the world-renowned women's rights movement this year. Keep on reading:
Boozy High Tea At Bouvier Bar
There’s a boozy party at Bouvier Bar, and you’re invited. The Brunswick cocktail bar is getting around International Women’s Day with endless prosecco, themed cocktails inspired by some of the world’s most fierce women—Madame Curie, Frida Kahlo, Marilyn Monroe, and Beyonce, just to name a few—and several plates to enjoy including freshly shucked oysters, divine lobster rolls, and swanky prawn cocktails.
THE DETAILS:
When: Friday 8 March, 4pm – 10pm
Where: Bouvier Bar | 159 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Book tickets here.
Women Of Soul At Cherry Bar
The all-female collective of songwriters and performers, Women Of Soul, are hitting up the iconic music destination Cherry Bar for a special IWD show. Candice Monique, Carla Troiano, Chelsea Wilson and Alzzy will grace the stage with doors opening from 8pm, belting their tunes that stand to highlight visibility of women in the Australian music industry. You’ll be treated to songs from the collective’s acclaimed album released last year, entirely performed and produced by women.
The Details:
When: Friday 8 March, from 8pm
Where: Cherry Bar | 68 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
More information this way.
In Conversation With Carla Wilshire And Nyadol Nyuon
Carla Wilshire, author of Time to Reboot: Feminism in the Algorithm Age, is sitting down with Australian lawyer and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon at Readings bookshop in Carlton to unpack her recently published essay. Time to Reboot discusses the uncomfortable parallels between digital culture and the decline of gender equality, asking whether our digital society is killing feminism. This one is completely free to attend, but you will need to make a reservation to secure your spot.
THE DETAILS:
When: Wednesday 6 March, 6:30pm
Where: Readings Carlton | 309 Lygon Street, Carlton
Reserve your free spot over here.
Kimba Thompson’s IWD Performance
Over at Counihan Gallery as part of the Brunswick Music Festival, immerse yourself in powerful performances curated by Kimba Thompson in celebration of International Women’s Day and as a response to the Future River: When The Past Flows exhibition. The night is an immersive experience at the intersection of art, performance, and Indigenous narratives, kicking off with music by SOVBLKPSSY and MaggZ and concluding the night at Brunswick Mechanics Institute Courtyard for a captivating music performance.
THE DETAILS:
When: Friday 8 March, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Counihan Gallery | 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Reserve your free spot over here.
Paint Your Feminist Icon Workshop
If you’re looking for something fun to do on the weekend of International Women’s Day, artist Camila Paz—whose art has whizzed through the city adorning Melbourne’s Yarra Trams—is leading a two-hour workshop where you can whip out your artistic skills to paint your favourite feminist icon. There are two sessions to book at Queen Women’s Centre Victoria on Lonsdale Street, and all you need to bring is your creative juices.
THE DETAILS
When: Saturday 9 March, 12pm – 2pm, and 3pm – 5pm
Where: Queen Women’s Centre Victoria | 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Reserve your free spot over here.
Princess Diana Exhibition
Told through the lens of her official royal photographer, Anwar Hussein, Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition unveils unmatched insights into the international icon’s world—from Diana’s activism, relationships, and vulnerable moments, to her iconic fashion. After collectively photographing the royal family for over four decades, the Hussein family narrate the exhibition’s in-depth audio guide, led by Anwar Hussein, and his sons Samir and Zak, who are also multi-award-winning photographers. Along the immersive journey, expect bespoke art installations by renowned artist, Pauline Loctin, and various photo opportunities.
THE DETAILS
When: Monday 4 March – Sunday 10 March
Where: 28/34 Clarendon Street, Southbank
Book tickets over here.
Celebrating Women In Design At NGV
Over at Melbourne’s NGV, MECCA and NGV Women in Design Commission are hosting a series of free discussion panels, hands-on workshops and live DJs across Saturday 9 March for International Women’s Day. The huge ongoing NGV collection stands to champion equality and elevate women in art and design. Later this year, Christien Meindertsma will take to NGV with her large-scale work—a world-first robotic technology and technique making it possible to build structural, three-dimensional objects from wool that would be otherwise disposed of wastefully.
THE DETAILS:
When: Saturday 9 March, 10am – 3:30pm
Where: NGV International Great Hall | 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
More information this way.
Comedy Show At La Mama Theatre
Catch the hilarious one-woman solo comedy show at La Mama with Shine My Light by Taku Mbudzi—an empowering performance celebrating womanhood as Taku takes on motherhood, entrepreneurship, online dating and societal norms.
TH DETAILS:
When: Tuesday 5 March – Sunday 10 March
Where: La Mama | 205 Faraday Street, Carlton
Book tickets over here.
A Celebration Of Olivia Newton-John With MSO
For International Women’s Day 2024, the renowned Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is performing some of the greatest hits from the late Oliva Newton-John. Each session is hosted by Olivia’s niece and Goodwill Ambassador of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre, Tottie Goldsmith, as the night celebrates Oliva’s profound impact on music, film and advocacy.
THE DETAILS:
When: Thursday 7 March – Sunday 9 March
Where: Hammer Hall | 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank
More information this way.
Dine At Mister Bianco For IWD
Gather the gals and head into the cool Italian diner Mister Bianco for a celebratory dinner for International Women’s Day. For $115 per person, enjoy a cocktail on arrival from their swanky new cocktail bar Bianchetto, before digging into the main event—potato rosti with salted cod, poached calamari with paprika emulsion, saffron pasta with scallops and Yarra Valley caviar, slow cooked veal cheek, and the infamous Mister Bianco tiramisu trolley.
THE DETAILS:
When: Friday 8 March, 7pm
Where: Mister Bianco | 26 – 28 Cotham Road, Kew
More information this way.
You can find a ton more IWD events over here.
Looking for what else is on in and around Melbourne? Right this way.
Image credit: Urban List | Supplied