International Women’s Day is coming up quick, on March 8, and we’re raring to shine a light on the most inspirational women to come out of the city. As such, Manchester’s street food haven GRUB will be celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 with four days of special events across three venues for their biggest Lass Fest yet.
You can expect food, drinks, music, art, shopping, comedy, cabaret, games, film and more celebrating amazing women in Manchester and beyond as the event takes over Fairfield Social Club, Cultplex and GRUB itself from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 March. All week long you’ll also be able to grab grub from local female-owned street food businesses including No Meat No Cry, Desert Island Dumplings, Rio Mex, Tiny Beast Bakes and Munchie Mummy’s.
Things kick off on Thursday 7 March at the Every Month Manchester’s International Women’s Day Pub Quiz. Test your wits, enjoy a themed cocktail and stand a chance to win prizes in the Every Month raffle. Your ticket supports the important work the charity does in the fight against period poverty.
On the day itself, Friday 8 March, GRUB will be getting creative with Noelle, founder of Manchester Macrame Co, and Hannah, from French aperitif company Lillet, for a unique celebration on International Women’s Day in GRUB’s Dining Room. Start with a guided tasting featuring Lillet Blanc and Rose, then, sip on a Lillet spritz as you enjoy the mindful craft of macramé, creating your own macramé boobies wall hanging using popular knots like the Larks Head and Square Knot.
If wall hangings aren’t your thing, but you still want to indulge your creative side, immerse yourself in creativity at GRUBs Sip & Paint With Music event in the basement bar – a unique synesthesia-inspired painting night. This International Women’s Day, £5 from every ticket will support Refuge charity, supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
That night, GRUB will be letting letting their hair down a little more with a Girl Power special edition of Disco Bingo in GRUB’s main hall, singing and dancing along to tunes from all your favourite female icons.
Friday 8 March will also see Ember Travixen at Cultplex, bringing a circus-infused twist, featuring live music, burlesque and more. Hosted by Selina Helliwell, this lavish show celebrates female empowerment and promises a night of liberation and top-notch entertainment.
Saturday 9 March will offer something a little different, as GRUB welcomes Women Who D&D for a beginner’s workshop in Grub’s Dining Room. Explore the world of Dungeons & Dragons and join a welcoming community where women, femmes and non-binary individuals can learn character creation, gameplay and storytelling basics.
Meanwhile at Fairfield Social Club, Girl Gang MCR will be hosting one of their popular Speed Mate-ing events. Making friends as an adult can be challenging, but fear not – Girl Gang is here to facilitate new connections – open to all ages, genders, sexualities, races, and backgrounds. Later on Saturday night FSC plays host to comedy show A Lovely Time, where host Amy Gledhill (Would I Lie To You?; 8 Out Of 10 Cats; Hypothetical) will be joined by award winning comedians Josie Long and Lucy Pearman.
At Cultplex on Saturday 9 March there’s a full day of female fronted films, kicking off with a Music Videos Watch Party celebrating feminist pop icons such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Janelle Monáe, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, The Spice Girls, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and many more. Later, there’s a double bill of alternative ‘girl’ movies with 2014’s Gone Girl and vampire feminist allegory A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night.
On Sunday 10 March, Lass Fest’s Feminist Market takes over GRUB. Explore unique creations from independent local makers and artists, showcasing handcrafted items and designs that embody empowerment and creativity.
There will also be Japanese Painting in a vibrant workshop led by artist Ula Fung in Floating Art’s O’Keefe’s Flowers Painting Workshop. Using traditional materials like bamboo brushes, sumi ink, Gansai Tambi, and gold leaves on rice paper, create art inspired by O’Keeffe’s Flowers and other female artists.
Finishing off the epic Lass Fest, GRUB will be screening a singalong Mamma Mia presentation in Cultplex, and Fairfield Social Club will be showing the now iconic Barbie. The teams at both venues will be keeping bottomless drinks topped up as you enjoy two of the most empowering movies of recent years – and both have absolutely banging soundtracks!
If you fancy any of these female-themed events at GRUB, find Lass Fest tickets here.
You can find GRUB at 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF.