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SkirtsAfire Festival
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Starts: Friday, March 11
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Ends: Friday, March 11
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Founded by a volunteer board of artists and arts enthusiasts in 2013, SkirtsAfire HerArts Festival is one of the newest multidisciplinary festivals in Edmonton, Alberta. Unique in its mission to support the development and feature the work of women, SkirtsAfire provides quality paid opportunities to female artists dedicated to pursuing a professional career in the arts.
The festival was created in response to the severe underrepresentation of female artists at the professional level, and works to celebrate and elevate the profile of women artists in Edmonton, Alberta, across Canada and beyond. No other festival in Edmonton currently focuses its efforts solely on supporting the work of women artists.
Running in conjunction with International Women's Day in early March each year, and embracing Edmonton's winter city spirit, the festival began as a four-day celebration featuring the work of 70 local artists. Nearly 600 people came out in support, exceeding expectations of a first year festival. There was an excitement and a buzz about the festival that first year that has since fuelled its growth. In the three years following, and with a vision toward supporting continued growth, we have exponentially expanded our programming, more than doubled audience attendance, and have created opportunity to showcase artists and develop audience outside the festival at our annual fall fundraiser, SkirtOberfest.
Festival programming has increased to include bands, singer/songwriters, dance, spoken word, theatre, readings, magic, drumming, story circles, comedy, performances for young audiences, film, yoga and variety/cabaret shows. Programming reflects the true diversity of the thriving arts community in Alberta and Canada, and is adaptive in its approach in order to remain responsive to the needs of artists and audience.
Event Location
Various Locations
Edmonton, Alberta