Sheila Autonomista is an independent, non-corporate, non-profit, women's art, cultural, political, activist festival held in Sydney. First established in 2002, Sheilafest was set up as an easily accessible alternative for chicks looking for something to do, that they could afford to go to and identify with, devoid of advertising and corporate cock.

Sheila is the initiative of a group of women active in Sydney's queer feminist anarchic inner edge. Members of the organising collective come from a diverse range of established groups including Scooter and Slit mag, with experience and interest in music, performance, theatre, art, queer theory, social politics and direct action. The Sheila collective is a web of already existing networks that broadens the base and range of skills available to women in Sydney and makes a space for lots of interbreeding of culture, politics, art and action. The events of the festival provide a showcase, a platform and an entry point for new connections, skills and the celebration of all things girly. It's been inspired by the best of the fests - ladyfest, queeruption, electrofringe, etc.

Download workshop program (40 kb word doc)

Wednesday 25 April

Opening Night – Scabaret – 'Welcome to PUNsville' cabaret event
7:00 PM
34B, upstairs 34 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
where all manner of queer specimens are on show for one night only!  roll up, roll up - cum see the egg with an identity crisis,  fanny the bearded lady (if your lucky) plus much more. Sideshow sounds by the blush foundation. Hosted by WIFE. Prize for best dressed PUNter.
$10

Thursday 26 April

Acrobalance (workshop)
1.00-3:00 PM
ACON, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
“Find those light globes hard to change? Have hard-to-reach objects in the back of your garage? Ladders don't reach? Chairs too small? ACROBALANCE is the answer for you! A workshop of partner-balancing circus skills. No finess level or partner required. Workshop tutors: Madeleine Donovan and Natalie Woodlock. BYO Yoga mat”
Free
 
Sex Worker Protest – Making Noise! (workshop)
3.00-5:00 PM
Albion St Centre, Cnr Albion st & Crown Sts, Surry Hills
"Sex workers and supporters protested outside local councils in the lead up to the NSW State Election. Why? What for? What happened? This workshop debriefs from three protests that occured in early 2007, and invites sex workers and supporters to get creative for the next one, which will be held during the International Whores Day events, first week of June. Think costumes, themes, dramatic staged protest and You-Tube. Come and support your local sex workers as they make some noise!"
Free
 
Matracidal Tendency – Art Exhibition 
7:00 PM
22 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Curated by REid
$ Donation

Friday 27 April

Mental Health and Radical Communities – enjoy your madness! (workshop)
2.00 - 3:30 PM
22 Enmore Rd, Enmore
Come and discuss creating peer based mental health support , so we as a >community and as individuals can empower ourselves and help each other. Its about encouraging informed self determination, crisis response, options of support , and feeling connected instead of alienated. Its about rejecting the patholigization of yer politics, sexuality, and eccentricities and asserting your rights when seeking support. Its about NO judgement. Skills stories rescources and discussion. Its so we all remember the world needs the mad ones. Important if your a friend, lover, family or going thru stuff yerself. With KK NoPantZ
Free
 
Fun with Rubber and Latex (workshop)
4.00 - 6:00 PM
22 Enmore Rd, Enmore
“This is a hands on workshop. Come and get your hands dirty, learn some skills and go home with new toys. Latex dipping will provide a smooth, flexible, washable surface to any shape you can construct, while recycled bike inner tubes, studs and eyelets can make belts and cuffs, and harnesses for your new latex goodies. Tools and materials are provided, but bring along anything that just looks like it needs some latex...”
 
Academy Broads - Film Night
7:00 PM
Lan Franchis, Lvl 2, 144 Cleveland St, Chippendale
Short films by women for women. Curated by Pizazz, Mr T., Lady P., and Rooty Rita

Saturday 28 April

Vegan Baking for Everybody (workshop)
11.00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Redfern Community Centre, 29 Hugo Street, Redfern
"In this workshop, we will learn first-hand the hows and whys of animal-free treats, including a hands on demo of baking cookies, cakes, and maybe even some extra-special treats. Vegan baking queen Pike from San Francisco will show you how to replace all those pesky animal ingredients with plant ones, as well as explaining easy ways to make your favorite recipes cheaper and healthier (usually!)!
There is a $7 "materials" fee per person, and everyone will go home with some goodies to share- also, please come in clothes you can get flour on, and bring an apron and a friend if you want!!! RSVP requested so we know how much to get...Also, please email any allergies/ food sensitivities that are relevant so I can try to accomodate. RSVP: veganpike@gmail.com"

Enviro-nappies (workshop)
11.00 AM - 12:00 PM
22 Enmore Rd, Enmore
"show your bub how much you love them and the world: put your baby's bum in hemp! bamboo! organic cotton! disposable nappies are the pits. this workshop shows you how easy, cheap and cool it is to use non-disposable nappies. we'll go through the benefits of cloth and compostable, as well as some of the really bad things about conventional disposable nappies. we'll also talk a bit about natural nappy and baby care."
             
Scooter Gig
4.00 - 8:00 PM
Lan Franchis, Lvl 2, 144 Cleveland St, Chippendale
Chixentric gig featuring: Girl with Cake (Bris) + Orasa + Presseject + The Scowlers (Melb)       
$5

Sunday 29 April

Filmaking 2.0 (workshop)
12.00 - 5:00 PM
22 Enmore Rd, Enmore
"We can assume that everyone knows how to turn on a DV camera and shoot. This workshop however will introduce newcomers to the art of creating effective visual and aural productions that will help tell meaningful and dynamic stories. This 5 hour workshop will cover all the basics and beyond. ...from scripting, storyboarding, shot composition, shooting techniques, lighting, sound, and even editing. Both Final Cut Pro and Premier platforms will be made available to you for download (if you have a laptop that can handle it) prior to the workshop. Please bring your video camera and/or laptop (or borrow from a friend). Come prepared to form small groups and share your equipment. RSVP ali: 0438 043 928 or annie: annie.lecavalier@gmail.com"
 
Girls on da Mic (workshop)
1.00 - 3:00 PM
ACON, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
"An interactive and supportive workshop for all girlz that dig hip hop music. Whether you write rhymes already, are just starting out, or just want to have fun, come and spit some of your soul- or wit, or just be whole and sit, behold some other like-minded chicks, and get into it! Yo! We'll do lots of exersizers and games to get your mouths moving and your words flowing. We'll talk about production basics and have time for questions. Most of all we will have fun."      
 
Live Sound Mixing (workshop)
3.00 - 6:00 PM     
ACON, 9 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
"Intro to SOUND for sheilas who'd like to get their hands dirty on an audio desk. Set up a basic PA, learn about signal flow theory and find yourself mixing at the next scooter gig! Bring your instrument if you play one, a mic if you own one, and get your fingers ready to plug and twiddle. RSVP: frankensezz@hotmail.com if you could be bothered- otherwise just turn up. ROCK"
 
Lady Licks n Rhymes HIP HOP Event
7:00 PM
Sandringham Hotel, King St, Newtown
w/MC PHREAZ(of the Urban Prophetz),DRAMA CLUB, JAKALENE XTREME,GABI & LOU LOU,MISS BEE MC, MISSKIP Hosted by LADY Z
$10

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All sheilas everywhere are welcome to help organise, participate and / or attend events, visit our myspace or join the mailing list for more info.