Photo: Ludus © Kevin Cummins, 1979.

We are happy to announce that our Woman: Breaking The Rules project celebrating women in Manchester music is underway. The project, which comprises 5 short films, a pop-up exhibition and several events, is part of our HLF-funded Rebel Music programme and is led by MDMA co-founder Alison Surtees.

Through our online networks we held a vote to determine which 5 inspiring women in Manchester music we approach to feature in our 5 short films. A whopping 718 people voted. The winners were:

Category: Technical
Yvonne Ellis (music producer)

Category: Image Maker
Elspeth Mary Moore (photographer)

Category: Management
Kate Mountain (Venue - The Roadhouse)

Category: Writer
Melanie Williams (Songwriter)

Category: Performer
Denise Johnson (Singer)

The aim of the films is to give encouragement and inspiration to other women to share their stories and artefacts on our site, so these vital histories are not lost.

We have now also secured a slot as part of this year's Louder Than Words festival in November - more news to follow in a couple of weeks on this subject, so stay tuned.

Finally, we have secured The Refuge for the final exhibition for this project in February 2018. The exhibition will reflect key women from the music industry and their influence. The exhibition will open with a launch featuring live DJs and a PA performance. There will be a social screening of a longer documentary we are in process of securing further funds and access for, as well as our shorts.

As the short films are produced, we will share them through our website, and social media, and keep you up to date as they are ready to go. Anyone wanting to add names to our long list of key women, feel free to email alison@mdmarchive.co.uk with your ideas. 

Keep in touch with the project via our  dedicated Facebook page.

Our Twitter hashtags are:
@MDMarchive

#RebelMusicMCR
#MCRWomeninMusic

FUNDED BY HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND