Craft & Coven Session 1

Join us across the Autumn and Girl Gang's "Season of The Witch" to explore our theme and co-create decor for our immersive screening of The Craft!

We'll be using India Rakusen's excellent podcast series WITCH to undertake a wholistic exploration of witches and witch craft; their history, legacy and current iterations, looking at 3 episodes per gathering and focusing on a different bit of practical making for our Halloween event at the end of October. 

WITCH PODCAST SERIES OVERVIEW: The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out.

These are casual, discussion based community sessions with some light crafting and wholesome feminist cosy creative community vibes. We recomend listening to the episodes before hand, but this is not essential, just come with curiosity and an eagerness to connect, contribute, listen and learn. Each session stands alone, so you're welcome to come for as many or as few as you fancy! 

Craft & Coven Session 1: We will discuss WITCH episodes 1-3: The Spark in the Fire, Natural Magic and The Witches Well and make witchy twig star decorations! 

We're thrilled to be partnering with Cloudwater Brewery Taproom to host these sessions, so grab yourself a pint or drink of your choice before coming downstairs to join the coven.

Check out more Craft & Coven sessions and other events including hikes, immersive screenings, drag workshops, rituals and more as part of our Season of the Witch here!

GIRL GANG'S "SEASON OF THE WITCH" Witches, Women, Magic, Misogyny

Journey through Autumn with Girl Gang across hillsides, cityscapes, storytelling and screenings, to explore how most of modern misogyny can be traced back to the figure of the witch. In their first ever thematic season the collective continues to celebrate a decade of feminist creativity, collaboration and community with crafts, pop culture, rituals and rebellion. Inspired by the horrific histories and curious present manifestations of witchcraft which are both political and ethereal, the work explores resistance, autonomy, collectivity and care, Season of the Witch showcases drag, discussion, dancing and nature, proudly presented with Girl Gang's signature blend of theatricality, softness, resilience building and reflection.


EPISODE THEMES OVERVIEW

Episode 1: THE SPARK IN THE FIRE We find out what it means to call yourself a witch today. India joins a Beltane ritual in Nottingham, where two sisters tell us what it means to them and when they first knew they were witches. They talk about the infamous "teen-witch" phase and explore why that sense of magic we have as children so often fades away. And how we might start to get it back.

Reclaiming Modern Identity & Power: Reframing the "witch" away from historical caricatures (warts, broomsticks, and cauldrons) and positioning witchcraft as a deliberate choice about female autonomy, agency, choice, and safety.  / The Loss and Recovery of Magic: The "teen-witch" phase and why the deep sense of magic humans inherently experience as young children often fades during adulthood. / Intentionality and Everyday Rituals: How ancient practices translate to contemporary lives, focusing on the pagan spring festival of Beltane. / Universal Belief vs. "Magic": Linking witchcraft to mundane, socially accepted habits e.g blow out candles on a birthday cake to make a wish, touch wood for luck, or kiss a grazed knee to make it better, highlighting a universal human impulse toward magic. / The Witch as a Mirror for Social Issues: The archetype of the witch directly impacts contemporary systemic issues inc challenges regarding reproductive rights, healthcare, ageism, and female friendships

Episode 2: NATURAL MAGIC In episode 2, we explore ancient connections between the natural world around us and the idea of magic and examine why witches today are so drawn to the wild.

Communing with the earth and how modern witchcraft acts as a framework for living by the laws of the earth, celebrating its cycles and finding inherent magic within the wild. / The Politics of Environmental Rebellion: The political nature of a witch's bond with the wild being positioned as a radical, rebellious act against modern systems of societal control, urban isolation, and industrialization. / Historical & Folklore Connections: The ancient, deeply embedded connections between folklore and reality and how traditional beliefs surrounding spirits, fairies, and untamed spaces historically shaped public anxiety.

Episode 3: THE WITCHES WELL In Scotland, a campaign is underway for an official pardon for the women burned as witches centuries ago. India heads to Edinburgh to discuss the deeply embedded misconceptions that still surround the witch hunts.

This episode centers on the historical trauma, misconceptions, and the legal campaign surrounding the early modern witch trials and dismantling historical misconceptions. / The Reality of Victims: The people executed during the historical witch hunts were completely ordinary human beings, predominantly innocent women, who did not actually practice magic. They were regular neighbors scapegoated for natural misfortunes, like animal deaths or bad weather. / The Scale of Historical Injustice & Institutional Cruelty: The episode examines the institutional mechanisms of the state and high courts that carried out these executions and addresses how a massive historical tragedy resulting in thousands of deaths across Europe is often minimized or transformed into a commercialized "cheap thrill" for tourists. / Modern Legal Accountability and Pardons: The campaign to secure an official posthumous pardon for the thousands of women executed under the historic Witchcraft Acts and how clearing the names of these victims is a vital step toward recognizing historical misogyny and correcting the legal record

THE VENUE & ACCESSIBILITY

- The venue has both an elevator and an accessible toilet, our sessions will be on the ground floor, the main bar is upstairs.

- Cloudwater Brewery Taproom is located at Piccadilly Trading Estate in Manchester, right next to the main Cloudwater Brew Co brewery. 

- Cloudwater Brewery Taproom is based behind Piccadilly Train Station, just an 8 minute walk from the station. The nearest tram is New Islington (8 minute walk away) and the buses 192, 216, 250, 42B, 76 all pass near the venue.  

- We happily offer free tickets for personal assistants, please email us at hello@girlgangmcr.com to arrange this. Registered assistance dogs are also welcome!

- The room will feature dim lighting and we will play background music during the party part of the night.

- We won't be using strobe lighting at this event.

- As we all know, Covid still exists (especially in winter!) and we ask that people act responsibily in the care of our community - please DO NOT come to the event if you are feeling unwell, or have knowingly had contact with a positive case.

- A Girl Gang Manchester team member will greet you as you enter the event space and will be your point of contact through the night if you require anything.

If you have any other access requests or worries, please contact us at hello@girlgangmcr.com

We are super proud that our events and club nights are welcoming and that there are always people who feel comfortable to attend on their own.

GIRL GANG MANCHESTER is a collective of artists, activists, academics and party instigators who put on events and create projects building connection, community, collaboration, confidence and creativity. Find out more about our previous projects on our website or social media here! 

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This year we are celebrating 10 years of Girl Gang Manchester and have updated our Manifesto please take a look to learn more about us and what we stand for here!

Refund policy: Paying for a ticket funds freelance artists, creatives and facilitators and helps support Girl Gang Manchester in continuing to run events. All tickets are non refundable and non transferable.