Mark your calendars friends, because the “mother ship” of feminist/ queer/trans activism is landing in San Diego on July 14! That’s right – I’m talking about Ladyfest San Diego, a fiercely independent, four-day festival of women and trans music, film/video, photography, spoken word and more. 2005 marks the first year that Ladyfest’s DIY spirit will descend on sunny S.D., giving our community yet another reason to look forward to the summer months ahead. If you’ve never attended a Ladyfest before, here’s a little background to get you energized, informed and ready for the festival…

Ladyfest was born out of the riot grrl movement of the early 1990s, which aimed to add feminist flavor to the flourishing indie/punk music scene of the time. The first Ladyfest was a six-day festival held in Olympia, Wash., in August 2000. Since that festival, Ladyfest has grown into a worldwide movement of expression. In 2004, over 20 Ladyfests were held in locations such as Sao Paolo, Brazil; Denton, Texas; Toronto, Canada; Atlanta, Ga.; and Dublin, Ireland.

Ladyfests are being organized for 2005 in Denver, Co.; Napoli, Italy; Arcata, Calif.; and the ladies in Olympia, Wash. are celebrating their fifth anniversary with a Ladyfest at the end of July.

A non-profit, community-based festival organized entirely by volunteers, Ladyfest San Diego is designed to showcase the artistic and political achievement of women and trans folk. Events scheduled for July 14-17 already include a Ladyfest Film Festival at The Center with a “not your mother’s bake sale” in the lobby before the show; a T.M.I. Reading Series performance (hosted by Anna Joy Springer and Jenny Donovan) at the Arts and Entertainment Center in North Park; a Sunday outdoor music festival; and many more screenings, workshops and activities.

Simply said, there is something for everyone at Ladyfest S.D. Whether you want to seek out feminist spoken word or a new lady-made, vegan wallet, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find what you’re looking for! And best of all, all the proceeds go to Shakti Rising, a local outreach, educational, healing and recovery program for young women.

“We hope to strengthen, promote, and celebrate a feminist community in San Diego,” said festival coordinator Kim Manchester during our recent phone conversation. “Here in San Diego, it’s really easy for [feminists] to become isolated from one another. It seems like you have to really make the effort in order to engage with people. In putting together Ladyfest, we all felt really strongly about planning something that would engage everybody.”

Of course, Ladyfests do not just spontaneously appear in cities like ours. A tremendous amount of time and effort goes into booking venues, artists, musicians, craft-junkies, etc., and all the work is done by volunteers.

“We need volunteers and we need money,” Manchester added. “We need people to come to fundraisers and planning meetings, and we need visual-arts submissions.”

Planning meetings take place every Monday evening at 7:30 pm at Gelato Vero (3753 India St.), so why not swing by? Also make sure to check out the Ladyfest San Diego’s Web site (visit this column at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link), as well as the Ladyfest group on Yahoo. And understand that there are many ways that you can contribute; if you can’t get to the meetings, check out the wish list that the organizers have posted online and donate something! Or volunteer to help on the day of the event. Participating in events like these is a great way to meet other strong women, as well as make a difference in the growing underground artistic scene in San Diego.

For more information on Ladyfest S.D., e-mail organizer Kim Manchester at kmanchester@ucsd.edu.

It’s time for the Wild Jammin’ Women Music Camp again, May 20-22. This annual retreat takes place at Camp de Benneville Pines in the San Bernardino National Forest, and includes singing games, song circles, rounds singing, voice-care information, and a capella harmonies for all. Campers are encouraged to bring guitars, mandolins, fiddles, harmonicas, drums, dulcimers, spoons and kazoos. There’ll be tai chi for the early morning risers and late-night song circles for the night owls. Camp fee is $255, which includes all activities, lodging and delicious meals. For additional information about the program, contact Wild Jammin’ Women Music Camp coordinator Masa Goetz at (858) 270-7922.

T.M.I., the feminist/queer/trans reading series, takes place again on Saturday, May 21, although a location has not been finalized. To get more information on T.M.I. or to donate a supportive space to the event, contact Anna Joy Springer at annajoyx@aol.com.

Also on Saturday, May 21, enjoy a rejuvenating “spa experience,” dedicated to the well-being of women, at the Women’s Wellness Fair, taking place at The Center. Join The Women’s Resource Center and Comprehensive Health Center for a full day of healthy workshops and services, including mammograms and breast exams, healthy cooking classes, a women’s wellness panel, free yoga, a partners massage workshop and more. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is free for all who attend. American Sign-Language, Spanish translation and child care will be provided with seven-day advance notice. Space is limited. To sign up, contact Claudia Lucero at clucero@thecentersd.org or (619) 692-2077 ext. 206.

Mark your calendars for Thursday May 26, and come eat heartily at the Siren Open Mic Fundraiser at the Big Kitchen (3003 Grape St.), from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. $10 gets you a heaping plate of spaghetti, dessert and more, with the proceeds benefiting Siren! If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of Big Kitchen owner Judy “the beauty on duty,” one of the feminist movement’s local foremothers! For more information on Siren and volunteer opportunities at the fundraiser, e-mail sheslams@bust.com.

The next Siren show is set for Thursday, June 2, at Korova Coffee Bar (4496 Park Blvd.) and will feature Long Beach performer Angie Evans. Siren Open Mic for Women’s mission is to provide a safe space in which female artists may inspire and support one another via the expression of the creative arts. Each show includes open mic portions, as well as a 30-minute featured performance. The mic is reserved for women. All are welcome to attend and support! Sign-up for the open mic begins at 7:30 p.m.; showtime at 8:00 p.m.!

Friday: Friday night between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. is Ladies Night at Bourbon Street. Ashley Matte performs at 7:00 p.m. Bad Kitties is held every Friday night at Numbers.

Saturday: Candy at The Flame. DJ Tova spins.

Sunday: Six Degrees has $1 Bloody Marys and mimosas from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and 50-cent Bud Light drafts from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., as well as a barbecue on the patio.