Ani DiFranco Brings Her Politics to P-Town for Babefest

Legendary singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco will take some time out of her Binary album tour to headline the upcoming Babefest.

The event is a grassroots organizing workshop and concert featuring all females and musicians on Sunday, October 8 in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Begun in Buffalo in 2016, Babefest is a mixture of an advocacy workshop called Activist University — a project dedicated to women’s empowerment, grassroots activism and the power of civic engagement through community organizing and the arts.

DiFranco explains. “We are living in a political moment with limitless potential,” the singer/songwriter says. “There has never been a more better time to be the change you want to see. Let’s take the time to turn away from the glowing screens and face each other. Let’s face this challenge arm in arm! We can transform this.”

The event, hosted at the Provincetown Town Hall, will feature a live musical performance featuring DiFranco and a selection of feminist musicians including poet Andrea Gibson, comedian Rae Sanni and musicians Gracie and Rachel. DiFranco is bringing het full band, including Todd Sickafoose, Terence Higgins, Ivan Neville and Jenny Scheinman.

Activist University is a step-by-step guide to grassroots organizing in a collaborative 60-minute session designed to bring activists together and focusing on using local activism to make a difference.

Featured panelists will include Chelsea Beyer, Karen Capotto and Kelly Wright. Beyer, an activist out of California is on the frontlines of lobbying states to abolish the statute of limitations for sexual assault and rape. Cappotto is a local Provincetown artist and activist who convinced the city to turn a community center into a year-round shared space for artists and small businesses. Wright is a trans rights activist from Washington, D.C. who successfully convinced city leaders there to create permanent rainbow pride and trans pride crosswalks.

Activist University kicks off Babefest at Fishermen Hall (12 Winslow Street, Provincetown) followed by the 7:30pm performances at Town Hall (260 Commercial Street, Provincetown). For tickets and more information visit thebabefest.com.

For more information about Ani DiFranco, visit anidifranco.com