Festivals: Ladies nights

From casual-wear folk singers to glammed-out drag stars, Ladyfest South gives voice to a wealth of diverse female artists and points of view. Held Oct. 10-13 at venues throughout Atlanta, Ladyfest is a multidisciplinary women’s arts festival, with proceeds going to two domestic violence programs, Project Safe in Athens and Refuge House in Tallahassee, Fla.

The festival features more than 50 musicians performing at different venues, with the highest profile belonging to Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, who plays with The Butchies at The Echo Lounge Oct. 11. (See Vibes, p. 99.)

Fans of both folk-rock and independent film will want to check out Ani DiFranco’s Render at the Fountainhead Lounge Oct. 11. Spanning the past five years of the alt-rocker’s career, the two-hour biopic focuses on the music of her 2000 and 2001 tours. The Fountainhead also features an evening of short films Oct. 12, including a pair from Samantha Farinella titled “Somewhere Along the Way” and “Cocksucker.”

The theatrical events include several one-woman shows from Atlanta playwrights. On Oct. 11 at Dad’s Garage Theatre, A Prayer by Suehyla El-Attar depicts the inner life of an Arab-American Moslem woman, and despite its contemporary relevance, El-Attar says the piece was begun before the events of 9-11. On Oct. 13, Laura Mina assumes the voice of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in The Two Fridas, a one-woman show that draws on the artist’s diaries, letters and interviews. Jamie Smith’s Empire Burlesque combines satirical spoken word and the naughtiness of vaudeville in vignettes that address the excesses of U.S. capitalism.

Kt Kilborn’s Underground TRANSit, an autobiographical inquiry into gender rules, serves as the “opening act” for the band Hedwig for Hope Oct. 12 at the First Existentialist Congregation. Approved by Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator John Cameron Mitchell, the Decatur-based band performs cover versions of songs from the film and stage play.

Of the many spoken word events held at LadyFest, would-be poets should seek out “Slam Bam” at the Tower Lounge Oct. 10. The evening combines an open-mic night with the second anniversary of Cliterati, the local poetry slams created by Erin Oh and Karen Gabarrant. Ladyfest South concludes Oct. 13 at My Sister’s Room with the “Drag King Show” closing party, featuring drag troupes the Atlanta Kings and Orlando’s Darla and the Rascals.

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Ladyfest South is Oct. 10-13 at venues throughout Atlanta, Decatur and Athens. $55-$75 for four-day pass. www.ladyfestsouth.org.??