Event celebrates International Women’s Day in Dartmouth, N.S., with musical showcase

The organizers of the upcoming Li'l Affair fundraising concert share a sneak peak of the Dartmouth, N.S., event in support of Adsum House.

Funk Island Labs, a musical nonprofit organization, is returning to the Sanctuary Arts Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., Saturday and Sunday with a musical showcase in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The event, “A Li’l Affair,” is a tribute to Lilith Fair, the all-female music festival founded by Sarah McLachlan, said Victoria Howse, one of the organizers.

“We have some new artists, some emerging artists,” Howse said. “Some students that have attended our songwriting camps and some more experienced artists.”

Every musician will perform two songs that were performed by artists at Lilith Fair.

“Your peak, female hits from the late ‘90s,” said Howse.

Soul artist Adina from North Preston, N.S., said the arts centre is a beautiful venue to perform in.

“The acoustics really carry your voice,” she said. “So it almost does the job a bit for you.”

The event will raise money to support music education through Funk Island Labs, an organization that provides songwriting and music production opportunities for youth and emerging artists with professional musicians and producers, said Howse.

“During the event we’ll also be collecting monetary and wishlist items for Adsum for Women and Children,” she said.

Initial ticket sales for A Li’L Affair were good enough to add second night.

“It’s going to be amazing,” said Adina. “There’s so many genres going. So many powerful musicians. It is always a great chance to support our women and our singers and instrumentalists here.”

The featured performers include:

• Adina
• Ali Enriquez
• Claira Blanchard
• Freya Milliken
• Kim Wempe
• LXV NDR
• Roxanne Potvin
• Yvette Lorraine

Lilith Fair toured North America from 1997 to 1999 with a revival in 2010.

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