It's no secret that the music industry at large is dominated by men (just take a look at a typical summer music festival lineup for proof), but the underrepresentation of female-identifying and non-binary artists is especially acute within the electronic music community. That's why, three years ago, Smart Bar talent buyers decided to found the Daphne series, devoting the entire month of March to showcasing DJs and producers who are not cis males.
While Smart Bar has traditionally been a place where diversity is reflected both in the types of acts being booked and the audiences that fill the club itself, Daphne serves an acknowledgment that there is still progress to be made. “The ultimate goal of the series, at least for me, is to render Daphne redundant because inclusivity and representation will be an everyday thing,” Smart Bar talent buyer Jason Garden said in a statement. “We’re getting there—I’m getting there—but, for now, Daphne endures.”
This year, the Daphne lineup features plenty of recognizable names, including local DJ Hiroko Yamamura, New York twin selectors Analog Soul and former Smart Bar talent buyer (and Daphne co-creator) the Black Madonna. Daphne programming also includes a series of free workshops, highlighting topics like the history of women in experimental electronic music, and a DJ workshop for female-identifying and non-binary music fans.
Check out the complete Daphne lineup below and cop tickets via the Smart Bar website.
Thursday, March 1
Hiroko Yamamura + M. Sylvia
Free, 10pm.
Friday, March 2
Women in Experimental Electronic Composition from Past to Present
Free, 8pm.
Friday, March 2
Nkisi + Ariel Zetina + Imp Queen
$18, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Saturday, March 3
Maayan Nidam + CCL
$20, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Thursday, March 8
More than a Party: Rave Culture, Archaic Shamanism and States of Ecstacy with Eris Drew
Free, 8pm.
Thursday, March 8
Visceral Anatomy [LIVE] + Cultergeist + Goad Deimos + Jenna Max
Free, 10pm.
Friday, March 9
DJ Holographic + LA Spacer + Eva Young
$18, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Saturday, March 10
Analog Soul + Mister Wallace [LIVE] + Audio Jack
$18, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Friday, March 16
DJ Minx + DJ Heather + Samone
$18, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Saturday, March 17
Volvox + Ciel + Juana
$20, before midnight $15, advance $13, 10pm.
Sunday, March 18
Honey Dijon + Michael Serafini + Garrett David
$20, before midnight $15, advance $13, 10pm.
Friday, March 23
Miss Kittin + Resom + Sassmouth
$20, advance $15, 10pm.
Saturday, March 24
Russell E.L. Butler [LIVE] + Eris Drew + Sold
$18, before midnight $15, advance $12, 10pm.
Thursday, March 29
Hijo Pródigo + Miss Twink USA + CDVR
$5, 10pm.
Friday, March 30
Walking and Falling: A DJ Workshop and Mentor Program for Women-Identifying and Non-Binary Music Enthusiasts
Free, 6:30pm.
Saturday, March 31
The Black Madonna
$20, advance $15, 10pm.
