The third Cootie Club showcase featuring women-identified and non-binary performers is back this month with an incredible group of musicians, poets, and improv artists. The showcase aims to promote performers and create a safe environment to address sexual assault and barriers in the music scene while having a blast.
Having their first show in October of 2014, Cootie Club represents what Kara Passey, one of the organizers and members of the band Ghost Hole, describes as the first baby steps to challenging “the boys’ club of Winnipeg’s music scene.” Speaking about their previous experience promoting women performers, Passey said they were involved with the now-defunct collectively-run venue NGTVSPC (Negative Space) that implemented a policy of including at least one female-identified performer at every show.
“It was a very small step towards addressing the issue [. . . ] and didn’t do anything to address the inclusion of non-binary, queer, or people of colour,” they said. “But it was big enough to ruffle feathers.” However, after NGTVSPC closed in 2013, Passey said the interest in actively including women in shows disappeared. Cootie Club facilitated these conversations again.
Wanda Wilson, another organizer, and member of the Help Wanteds, said Cootie Club is a community movement and support group for people looking to make a positive change. She described it as “a safe place that can create a bridge to teach youth, friends, and families, and even communities of [ . . . ] people and to be able to embrace and accept that is important.”
One visible way Cootie Club works to create a welcoming environment is with a group called the Pink Bandanas – identified by the pink bandanas they wear. Passey said their job is “to be present and actively ensuring that the space is safe and accountable,” and added, “any attendee at the event should feel comfortable voicing any concerns to the people wearing pink bandanas.” The venue also has a ramp and washrooms that fit wheelchairs, which Wilson believes to help bring together “good people, great local performances, and music.”
In addition to music and artistic performances, Cootie Club also serves as a platform for community discussion on issues faced by women-identified and non-binary performers; previous discussions have focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault and addressing barriers in the Winnipeg music scene.
This month’s showcase features four performers – opening with Ladybug the Rambler, a vocal performance artist who mixes folk, soul, blues, and jazz influenced vocals with spoken word and beat-boxing. The spoken word poet Queen Tite will also perform, followed by the storytelling improv group the Psychics. ATLAAS, an electronic indie pop duo who made waves at JUNOfest last year, will finish the night. FJ Jackson will be providing music throughout the evening as DJ.
This month’s showcase will be held in the Purple Room at Frame Arts Warehouse on Feb. 13, starting at 8 p.m. Wilson encourages any women or non-binary performers interested in joining Cootie Club to get in touch through email at cootieclub666@gmail.com, or to find them on Facebook.
