From Sept. 14 to Sept. 21, an auspicious event will take place in Manhattan. “WordRock&Sword: A Musical Celebration of Women’s Lives” will feature a number of beautiful and talented performers, including Toshi Reagon, Tamar-kali, Hanifah Walidah, Morley, Alsarah, Be Steadwell, Women of the World, Ganessa James, Alex Nolan, Allison Miller, Nona Hendryx, Climbing Poetree, Adaku Utah, Patreese Johnson and Juliette Jones.
Reagon, a revered singer, songwriter and performer, created this event to highlight and build a searing ambiance of activism, vision and truthful portrayal of women’s lives through art and song. Reagon has performed consistently at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House and Madison Square Garden. She is bringing her incredibly successful career to Manhattan to share her perspective and ideals with the world.
The festival will take place at a number of locations around the city, such as an evening of fundraising for global LGBTI rights at the Gershwin Theatre with Sting and Patti LuPone, Sept. 15; a talkback on formerly incarcerated women’s reproductive rights and health at the Brooklyn Museum, Sept. 20, featuring representatives from the Coalition for Women Prisoners, Correctional Association of New York, and the National Advocates for Pregnant; and a screening of “Out in the Night,” Sept. 19.
This city-wide women’s event will be capped by a concert, “La Poisson Rogue,” on the Lower East Side, where more than 20 musicians and artists will come together to share their gifts and celebrate women’s lives. Artists confirmed to perform include Reagon herself, Martha Redbone, PoeTree, Joan As a Police Woman and Nona Hendryx.
Don’t miss this festival. It may change the face of women’s rights and affect the lives of women all over the world. Support independent artists and the ability for New York City to create change and powerful statements through peace and art.