AROUND TOWN

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AUDACIOUS WOMEN FESTIVAL A celebration of historical and contemporary risk-takers

Aiming to break personal, political or institutional barriers, and to celebrate audacious women everywhere, the Audacious Women Festival returns for a third year offering risk-taking women a week-long programme of workshops, talks and performances at locations across Edinburgh. ‘My own audacious act last year was to have a singing lesson after a lifetime of not opening my mouth,’ says organiser Sally Wainwright. ‘It was so successful that I carried on with the lessons, and this year I’ve signed up for the Witches Reel flashmob!’

Alongside this blazing candlelit choral highlight are opportunities to don goggles for a stonemasonry workshop, try zine-making with new indie publishers 404 Ink or pick up a stitch

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with Gilmerton Libraries knitters-in-residence the Purly Queens. For a less hands-on approach, you might

fancy the Revolution on Roller Skates exhibition with Auld Reekie Roller Girls (pictured), heading to the Scottish Parliament to hear MSPs reflect on the women who’ve inspired them, author Sara Sheridan discussing the historical feminist inspiration behind her work or poet and playwright Liz Lochhead on painter Joan Eardley.

With its collaborative and encouraging vibe, celebrating personal victories alongside historical groundbreakers, the Audacious Women Festival makes it easy to try something new. (Laura Waddell) Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 18–Sun 26 Feb.

1 Feb–31 Mar 2017 THE LIST 47