Between Winter Music Conference, Ultra, Miami Music Week, and the Miami International Film Festival, you might have forgotten that March is also Women's History Month. Luckily, there's still time to celebrate -- and you don't even have to bust out your corset. There's no better way to close out the epoch than by attending the SWAN Spoken Soul Showcase and celebrating SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day.
Part of the three-day Spoken Soul Festival, the free showcase (which -- attention, boozehounds -- comes complete with free open bar) will feature 15 female artists -- five poets, five visual artists, two singers, two designers, and one DJ.
Cultist spoke with the founder and organizer of the event, Deborah Magdalena, about what the showcase offers for Miami residents.
"Locals always complain about a lack of cultural events featuring local artists," she says. "This showcase scratches that itch -- it is all about local artists."
This year's lineup
includes visual artist Katia Danilova, whose work has shown at the
Lyceum of the Fine Arts, the National Museum, and the Frost Museum;
singer Antonia Jenaé, who has shared the stage and performed background
vocals for Joss Stone and Jeff Beck; and cult sensation, Elena
Santayana, of Hialeah Haikus (winner of New Times' Best of Miami Best Poetry Book 2011).
The artists price their works with the intention of spreading culture in mind, so you can pick up enough artwork to decorate your space and impress your exes without having to sell a kidney. "Pieces range from $40 to $500. There is something for everyone, whether you're just starting out as a collector or you've been doing it for years," Magdalena says.
Magdalena created the annual showcase five years ago as a way to help local female artists get their names and their work out to the public. "I wanted to provide something for women artists that did not exist for me. The first year I just put out a call to my friends and it has grown exponentially and organically ever since."
Even though the event has grown from an intimate gathering to a hip happening, she insists on keeping the event free. Artists do not pay to exhibit their work and they keep all the money from their sales. There is no admission charge to the public and there will even be an open (read: free) wine bar provided by Santos Sangria which will be serving sangria, wine, and Choco Noir, a new chocolate wine. (That last beverage sounds questionable, but hey -- free is free.)
"If you want to do some community service, this can be your community service. Support local women artists from your own community. If you're serious about your community and the arts, you should come out," urges Magdalena. "Expect the unexpected. This is not your typical women's event. There is no male bashing. We love men, both men gay & straight, and everyone is always welcome."
We say that if an event features talented 305 women, free alcohol, and no cover charge, we are so there.
Spoken Soul Festival at the Moore Building, 4040 NE Second Avenue, Miami. Saturday, March 31, 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.
