WAMFest 2024 is here
A wonderful array of musicians, artists, makers and more are being lined up for Felixstowe’s fabulous WAMfest 2024.
WAMFest, which celebrates Women in Art and Music, will spread joy in venues across the town by providing numerous concerts and workshops as well as literary events and plenty of chances to have a go yourself.
On 10th October EMPOWER Exhibitions launches at 142 Hamilton Road Felixstowe. Visual artists will also have their chance to shine at a week-long exhibition.
Then the WAMfest Launch Party kicks off with an evening of music at The Alex Brasserie on Friday, October 11th. Returning from last year is Bollywood singer Nazneen Molu who will be accompanied by pianist Jo Clements. Hannah Maddison. All women Jazz band Birdland and rock band Flair plus a brand new rock band launched for specially WAMfest Sundowners is announced.
On Saturday, October 12 the action switches to the beautiful surroundings of Harvest House when literary lovers can enjoy interactive author sessions, poetry, performance and music in the Conservatory. The Palm Court will be filled with music and dancing – think harmonies, and multicultural dance including Moldovian, Indian, salsa, flamenco, and djembe drumming!
The Art Bazaar which proved so popular at last year’s event will be back with a host of beautiful hand-crafted treasures – perfect if you are thinking of starting your Christmas shopping.
On Saturday night WAMfest heads for The Grosvenor when the tempo and the volume will be up for a night of live music in the surrounds of this great town centre pub.
Sunday is different again with a variety of workshops taking place at the Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley. Ever fancied having a go at writing or taking a gong bath? Looking for a chance to sing with a group or watch the art of stone carving? Look no further. We even have a burlesque workshop so there really is something for everyone.
Organiser Laura Locke and her team have been hard at work curating the fourth
annual WAMFest and have once again agreed a stunning line up.
“Multiculturalism has become the focus for this year’s WAMFest and we are thrilled that so many talented women are joining us for this wonderful festival."
“We have always aimed to be inclusive and to offer a platform for breakthrough acts as well as those who have become established local treasures, and I think this year’s festival will deliver that and much more.”
Tickets for the events are available on Ticket Source or by clicking on the link on this site.
Full weekend, day and half day tickets for Harvest House and Two Sisters are available.
To indulge in a weekend of fabulous female inspired entertainment just be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
MEET THE TEAM
LAURA LOCKE
Laura Locke has worked in tourism and the media, and has been a course leader and senior lecturer in Events and Tourism Management at the University of Suffolk for over 20 years. She now works part-time and enjoys being a radio presenter for Felixstowe Radio.
Ever passionate about women’s issues and the arts, she worked with her students of event management to create women’s events at the University. On taking a break from full time work, she decided to run women’s networking events in Felixstowe – Cocktails and Conversations. From that sprung the idea of an International Women’s Day Celebration of women in art and music. LAura is a presenter for Felixstowe Radio and works for Menta as a Community Coo-ordinator at @inc Felixstowe
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Laura is excited that WAMfest no 4 is coming up in October 2023 and is thinking about 2024!
CATALINA CARVAJAL
Colombian illustrator and visual artist based in Suffolk, England.
Catalina works in digital and mixed media and enjoys drawing objects, plants, landscapes, animals and anthropomorphic figures.
Catalina has painted our wonderful murals opposite The Orwell Hotel and has produced all of our marketing material! She is an ultimate WAM Women!
To find out more about Catalina: www.catalinacarvajal.co.uk
SHELINE GLEDHILL
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Sheline joins the WAMfest crew for their second year to help look after the website and social media.
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She has been a journalist for most of her career and spent 12 happy years at the East Anglian Daily Times where she edited their monthly business magazine.
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More recently she worked at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Felixstowe BID and Visit Felixstowe.
MIKAELA RACKHAM
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Mikaela is a local photographic artist who has recently launched her own business, Illuminate, at Brightwell Barns in Suffolk.
After 8 years in teaching and 10 years running a photography business part time, Mikaela has followed her dream to create a space for all to learn, develop and experiment with their creative mediums.
Mikaela developed the WAM website and hosts the exhibitions at 142 Gallery in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, she also snaps away as our photographer and will be hosting an all woman exhibition Illuminate in October as part of WAMfest!
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To find out more about Mikaela: https://www.illuminatestudio.co.uk
KATE WHITE
Kate decided to get involved with WAMfest 2023 having been an active participant and audience member in previous years! She thinks it's a great local festival to showcase local female talent and thinks that Laura brings out the best in everybody, and loves her enthusiasm and energy, so she was keen to get involved this year!
Kate helped to organise ‘Hachfest” (a 3 day festival in Hacheston near Woodbridge) which ran for several years back in the early 2010s and set up her own plant-based business The Greenhouse Cafe in Orwell Road, Felixstowe in 2018.
CHANDRA GROVER
Chandra is a local musician and arranger and teaches clarinet and piano from her home studio in Trimley. In addition to running two choirs and a clarinet group, she also sings with Stellar Acapella and plays clarinet in Essentially Swing.
Having performed at WAMfest in previous years with her choir Felixstowe Harmonies, she was so impressed by the passion and vitality of the organising team that she was keen to be involved to support such a wonderful and unique festival, celebrating and showcasing the wealth of talent we have in the area.
