Ladyfest, the rocking annual Oak Bluffs street festival that puts some of the Island’s most talented female artists center stage, is set to take place this Saturday evening on Circuit avenue.
The festival, now three years old, raises money for the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services program Connect to End Domestic Violence, which aims to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault on the Vineyard. According to Ladyfest’s coordinator Rose Guerin, the confluence of female empowerment through on stage performance and on-the-ground domestic violence advocacy made perfect sense from the get-go.
“More than anything, it’s just a celebration of something that is beautiful,” Ms. Guerin said. “This is a celebration of the feminine spirit.”
The festival began as a collaborative event with the Ritz, a bar and performance venue that has long welcomed female Island artists and voices.
The first year there was a lineup of six bands, including performers like Jemima James, Nina Violet, Space Invaders and Ms. Guerin herself.
“We set up inside and we had a line around the block,” Ms. Guerin said.
“It was great, the place was jam-packed,” Jemima James added. “Next year we moved outside...it’s growing.”
This year, Ladyfest will have two outdoor stages, one located outside the Ritz, and the other just off Post Office Square. Ms. Guerin aimed to add more diversity to the lineup this year, inviting Brazilian duo Jhon Lucas and Carol, who have been playing together for approximately four months.
“I found them playing at the Golden Bull steakhouse and thought they were lovely and wanted to engage the Brazilian community more,” Ms. Guerin said. “We’re definitely seeking diversity. And we’re always looking for more talent and folks that aren’t often down near the Circuit avenue way.”
Also performing will be the pan-Latin ensemble Sol y Canto, consisting of Rosie and Brian Amadour, as well as their daughter Alisa. And closing out the night will be Nneka “Baby Girl” Grimes with a more EDM and hip-hop focused act, who was introduced to Ms. Guerin through record label producer Gary Jenkins. Ms. Grimes hails from D.C.
LadyFest stalwarts like Ms. James, Ms. Guerin, Lucy Mayhew, Missis Biskis and Auntie Em and the Bedspins will also be on stage.
Ms. Guerin said she is working to get food truck vendors for the event, hoping to give it more of a street-fair vibe. Although she said plans could still change, she currently has commitments from Frankie’s Flatbreads, the Midnight Train food truck that sets up outside Jim’s Package Store, and Cinnamon Starship.
“Starship is going to have a weiner stand, which we think is hysterical,” Ms. Guerin said.
Ms. James said that the event remained crucially important, especially as domestic violence remains a difficult issue both on the Island and elsewhere.
“It is a really good celebration of the joining of the community,” Ms. James said. “This is for all of us. I love the empowerment of this event to the people who are suffering on the Island now from this issue. It is empowering for them, too, to see women pulling together.”
Music begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. There is a $10 suggested donation.
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