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SheilaFest: A celebration of the life of a community activist

Gary Hart July 16, 2015

An evening of live music and laughs to celebrate the life of Sheila McWattie.

Sheila McWattie
Sheila McWattie

The former organisers of the Women’s Performance Tent at Brighton Pride are organising a Pride Eve night of live music and laughs to celebrate the life of Sheila McWattie.

Sheila, the much-loved Brighton based journalist, community activist and passionate supporter of the Brighton Women’s Centre, died in February this year.

Organiser Al Start, said: “For so many years, Sheila was a huge driving force behind staging excellent live music on the park, so it seems natural to get together and reminisce, chuckle and shed a tear or two as we remember happy times with a wonderful friend at this time of year.”

SheilaFest will feature performances from some of Sheila’s favourite performers and friends including:

♦ Greymatter – all-girl British pop rock band delivering beautiful vocal harmonies and rich melodies

♦ Heads Hearts – electronic soul like you’ve never heard before, with sassy vocals and a headstrong attitude

♦ Al Start Band – uppy, quirky queer folk

♦ Nicky Mitchell – jazz, blues, and cheeky banter…  “warm, funny and immensely talented!” The Guardian

♦ Qukulele – loud women, little guitars… “the ukulele band who bring a smile to everyone’s face”

♦ Ronnie Rialto – croon-a-licious swingin’ sensation

♦ DJ Lonesome – Frockabilly’s own retro revival DJ, spinning ‘til closing time
plus tributes to Sheila from friends and loved ones

Georgey Payne
Georgey Payne

Georgey Payne from Greymatter said: “Sheila loved our band and we loved how Sheila took a chance on us playing our very first Pride 10 years ago without even hearing us play… We continued to play Brighton Pride every year after that. She was simply adorable and always had the biggest warmest smile.”

Sheila’s presence will also be very much felt at Brighton Pride in the Park, with organisers naming the Sheila McWattie Women’s Performance Stage in her honour.

This popular feature of Brighton Pride provides women with a unique and welcoming space to meet up, chill out and enjoy their Pride day with an eclectic and diverse selection of acoustic women’s performances.


Event: SheilaFest 

Where: Otherplace @ The Basement,  24 Kensington St, Brighton BN1 4AJ

When: Friday, July 31, 2015

Time: Doors open 7.30pm, show 8-11pm, bar til 12

Tickets: £10/£8.50 concessions

To book online, click here:

Or telephone: 01273 987516

 

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