Girls Can Do and Will
On 1 September 2018, the Barbican welcomed over 200 Girl Guides and their group leaders from across London and the South East to take part in a special event, Girls Can Do and Will.
Inspired by Girlguiding’s annual Girls’ Attitudes Survey (flagship research asking girls and young women how they feel about their everyday lives), the day was a safe space for the girls to express themselves by harnessing the power of music and creativity.
Trying their hand at everything from beatboxing to synths, each Girl Guide took part in a number of DIY inspired musical workshops; they explored and performed protest music through group singing on the Barbican Theatre stage; and got to write their own slogans for change. All the work that was produced throughout the day was weaved together to create the day’s ‘anthem for change’, which was sung en masse in the foyers of the Barbican Centre.
The girls were treated to empowering performances from a range of female artists throughout the day; as well as a surprise appearance from singer-songwriter, Kate Nash that kicked of the day. Nash sang her hit song ‘Foundations’ and gave the Girl Guides a rousing talk about realising and harnessing their own power and using their voices to speak up about injustices.
Next up, Grace Savage, a four times UK Beatboxing champion and one of ELLE’s ‘100 Most Inspiring Women’, gave a phenomenal beatboxing performance Grace talked about being female in the traditionally male-dominated beatboxing scene, and showed the Girl Guides that it’s possible to achieve things others might not expect you to when you put your mind to it.
Barbican Young Poet alumni, Michelle Tiwo recited her poem This is for the Brown Girls. An uplifting poem for young girls from different backgrounds, empowering them to shine and love their differences. Finally, musician Amy Fitz Doyley and band performed an original protest song.
Amy Fitz Doyley performing. Photo: Bob Butler
Amy Fitz Doyley performing. Photo: Bob Butler
The day was devised with, and led by Jessie Maryon Davies, Musical Director of Lips Choir, and co-founder of Girls Rock London - a music project for girls and women in London, giving girls a chance to make music regardless of previous musical experience. A band of young adult musicians (GRL Band) who’ve come through that programme came along and performed a set that included the hits ‘You’ve Got the Love’ and ‘Born this Way’ which got the whole room singing along.
Photo: Bob Butler
Photo: Bob Butler
To commemorate the day, all participants received a specially commissioned Barbican & Girlguiding LaSER badge, designed by artist and educator Soofiya. The badge aims to act as a reminder for the Girl Guides to keep using their voices to create the change they’d like to see in the world.
Take a look at what the Girl Guides had to say during the day:
About the project
During the recent world-wide women’s marches, many young girls had their first experience of campaigning and protest, some of them learning for the first time about the continued fight for gender equality, how it is relevant to their lives, and that it's not something relegated to the past.
Given this, and inspired by the annual Girlguiding Girls Attitudes survey, Girls can, do and will was a participatory event for girls. A space for them to explore how creativity can help them influence, affect and enact the change they’d like to see in the world.
Part of The Art of Change.
In partnership with Girlguiding London and South East England.
