Photos from the fifth annual Femifest

What began as a high school benefit concert in Des Moines, Iowa, is now a two-day celebration of marginalized artists and fans in Chicago.

Femifest, a DIY music and art fest hosted by Bad Witch Club, started as a high school benefit concert in Des Moines, Iowa, before moving to Chicago in 2018. Now in its fifth year, the sold-out fest strives to stay true to its original intention of “promoting the safety and liberation of marginalized artists and fans.”

Friday night performers packed Auxiliary Art Center in Avondale for a raucous dance party littered with Pixy Stix and doughnuts. Hostel Earphoria, a Logan Square-based communal art, music, and gardening space founded in 2011, hosted a more intimate showcase the second night.

“I don’t just want this to be a college party,” said Femifest founder Zoey Wagner, “I want all people to feel welcome.” v

Femifest February 16, 2019

Cold Beaches performs at Hostel Earphoria during the second night of Femifest. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Cold Beaches Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Cold Beaches Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Cold Beaches Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Sophia Nadia of Cold Beaches thanks the crowd after their set during the second night of Femifest. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Each Femifest attendee received a fest lineup, venue accessibility details, and a pack of Cosmos Flower seeds. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Femifest performers Molly Soda, left, and Felix Walworth of Told Slant, check out Hostel Earphoria’s front room. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Lily Garcia-Daly doodles quick portraits of friends between sets during the second night of Femifest. Garcia-Daly, a recent Chicago transplant, said she found Femifest when a friend invited her to the Facebook event, which received almost 4,000 “going” replies. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Ellie Kim, who performs as Superknova Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Ellie Kim, who performs as Superknova Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Ellie Kim, who performs as Superknova Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Ellie Kim, who performs as Superknova Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Ellie Kim, who performs as Superknova Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Elma Husetovic is one-third of Bad Witch Club, the creators of Femifest. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Molly Soda Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Molly Soda Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Felix Walworth of Told Slant Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Felix Walworth of Told Slant Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Attendees watch Told Slant perform. Credit: Brittany Sowacke
Sophia Nadia of Cold Beaches takes a drag from her cigarette while smashing a “The Patriarchy” themed piñata at the close of night two of Femifest. Credit: Brittany Sowacke