Matrescence festival

21/22 June 2024

EXETER

Claire Tonti and Lizzy Humber present

MATRESCENCE FESTIVAL

21 & 22 June 10am-3.30pm

SOLD OUT

Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall, Exeter EX4 1EJ

Over two days we will weave together a composition of expert speakers, vibrant discussion, deep feeling poetry and songs, art making, workshops, singing with lots of breaks and good food. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about matrescence. This is space for village thinking, support and creativity, where children are welcome too.

Header Artwork: Laxmi Hussain

During pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis.
— Lucy Jones, Author of Matrescence

the flow of the day:

Friday

MORNING SESSION

10am-12.30pm

talks, discussion, poetry

Lucy Jones

Author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood

Laxmi Hussain

Artist in Residence

Sonah Paton

Co-Founder Black Mothers Matter

Em Snape

Neurodivergent full spectrum doula & part of the leadership team at Nest

Amy Taylor-Kabbaz

Author of Mama Rising and Matrescence Activist

Helen Sheppard

Poet, Fontenelle

Friday

AFTERNOON SESSION

1-3pm

songs, discussion, reflection

Claire Tonti

Singer/songwriter Album Matrescence

Ruth Janssen

Founder of Thula Mama Exeter and Exe Movement

Holly Ebony

Singer/songwriter- Album Born For These Times

Relaxed gig with Claire Tonti and friends

Songs and discussion exploring stories of matrescence, nature and self. There will be opportunities to sing together too, or bath in the sounds as we come together to connect, reflect and energise.  

M/Other Circle held by Amy Taylor-Kabbaz from Mama Rising

An interactive and deeply healing workshop with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, we will explore our 'Inner Mean Mama' - that inner voice that we all carry about how we should show up as a m/other - and redefine our own understanding of m/otherhood and womanhood. Including meditations, reflections, group work and journaling, this workshop will be grounded in kindness and compassion, and leave you with a feeling of connection with other m/other's stories, and your own.

Drawing with visual artist Laxmi Hussain

A playful and relaxed drawing workshop inviting you to make marks and feel inspired to draw from the body. Laxmi will guide you through her own journey with drawing the line and how this can evolve into shapes informed by the body. You are also welcome to explore the materials Laxmi will be providing to just spend your own time exploring marks.

SATURDAY

MORNING SESSION

10am-12.30pm

talks, discussion, poetry, music

Lucy Jones

Author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood

Penny Wincer

Author of Tender: The Imperfect Art of Caring

Dr Pragya Agrawal

Dr Pragya Agarwal

Author of (M)otherhood: On The Choices of Being a Woman

Liz Berry

Poet, The Republic of Motherhood

Lily Redwood

Poet, You Make me think of Swifts

Dr Kate Massey Chase

Academic in Art and Health and Poet

SATURDAY

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

1-3pm

reflect, connect, play, create

Matre-Zine

Step into the vibrant world of DIY expression with the art of zine making with multidiplinary artist Scotty Gillespie. This is a space for anyone who would enjoy some creative time or space to reflect on themes of Matrescence. Zine making invites you to blend words, images, and ideas in a personal, tangible form. Unleash your creativity, thoughts, and unique voice onto the pages of your own handmade publication.

Try A Little Tenderness

Join Liz Berry to explore allowing tenderness into your poems can make them soar. We'll read beautiful poems about mothering, discuss the many ways we can be tender in our work (and why we’re so afraid of being sentimental!) and share writing activities to help us sow the seeds of new poems. Writers of all stages welcome. 

Stitch

A textile workshop with Katie Villa (The Birth Project). A relaxed, informal and creative space to reflect on your Matrescence experience while making a personal, textile based artwork that you can take home! Everyone is welcome and you don't need any sewing skills to take part- Katie says, “I like to think of it as doodling but with fabric and thread instead of a pen”.

Mother Me

Explore Matrescence through a short nature walk, breathwork and songs with with Claire Tonti and Lily Redwood. We will be answering the question - how can I Mother myself amongst the mess and the magic of it all? We will explore ways to fill your cup amidst the daily chaos through breathwork, nature connection, mantra and songs. We will be going for a short nature walk to sit under a tree & learn some simple techniques to calm our nervous system to help us move through our Matrescence journey with more ease. There will be space for children to stretch their legs and run around on the grass or sit and relax in the shade. Please wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen. The route is suitable for buggies.

Drawing

A playful and relaxed drawing workshop inviting you to make marks and feel inspired to draw from the body. Our Artist in Residence Laxmi Hussain will guide you through her own journey with drawing the line and how this can evolve into shapes informed by the body. You are also welcome to explore the materials Laxmi will be providing to just spend your own time exploring marks.

Also at the festival

Morning Yoga

Join yoga teacher Nikkie Huddart between 9-10am for some gentle stretching each morning to wake up your body and connect to yourself before the festival sessions begin.

Festival Bookshop

Local indie bookshop Bookbag will join us both days of the festival. They have made a special Matrescence Festival Reading List so you can order books of guest authors and poets who will be able to sign copies at the festival. Use the code Matrescence to receive a 10% discount.

Wireless Headphones

Headsets borrowed from our friends at The Hall Exeter will be offered to all adults for the morning sessions,. This gives you the flexibility to walk about, sit outside, visit the rest room, change a nappy - you don’t need to miss a thing. It also means you can always hear the speaker and we don’t need to turn the mics up too loudly.

CREATED & HOSTED BY

ABOUT

Claire Tonti is an Australian singer, storyteller and mother of two. Her debut album  ‘Matrescence’ was released in 2023. Claire is also CEO & co-founder of Planet Broadcasting and is the host of ‘TONTS.’ podcast where she speaks to deeply feeling humans about their lives

Lizzy Humber is a British art and culture producer, consultant, community arts facilitator and is a mother of two. Lizzy creates parent-accessible art and culture, her projects include M/Others on the Mic, The Daylight Collective a network for creative parents and Daylight Session - daytime gigs with kids.

OUR FESTIVAL PRINCIPLES

Open to everyone interested to learn about matrescence

Children of all ages welcome and free to play, make noise, sleep, need to leave

Freedom for everyone to move around, lie down, come/go

Space to talk, connect, reflect, create

Comfy nooks to rest and take breaks

A place of support and kindness for each other

No apologises for being ‘late’ - come when you can

Our speakers and performers are also participants

Kindness for the environment

Quiet Places and Play Spaces

We have comfy nooks around the venue if you would like some space to be quieter. In all spaces will be mats and toys. Many of our toys have been borrowed from the local Merry Go Round Toy Library. We have been supported by Catriona Smith and Kirsteen McNish to support neurodivergent parents, carers and children to attend the festival.

Community Banners

Our Matrescence Festival banners are designed by artist and facilitator Sophie Blinstrub aka Sophie Doodles and made with local mothers. They are inspired by the beautiful featured artwork by Laxmi Hussain. All materials have been gathered from the local Scrap Store from surplus stock and offcuts that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

Keeping it Green

We want Matrescence Festival to be respectful of the planet. We ask that everyone try to bring a keep cup for hot drinks, and water bottles to fill up. 95% of the food is plant-based and provided by local indie businesses less than 2 miles away. We are working with The Daily Bowl and How on Earth Deli. We have also been supported by local play cafe Nook. We have also borrowed equipment from Exeter Phoenix and The Library of Things Exeter to share resources locally.

Ticket S

Festival pass

Adult Ticket for both days

£30 Full Price / £20 Concession

Includes Lunch

FRIDAY / SATURDAY

Adult Ticket for one day

£15 Full Price

Includes Lunch

Festival & one day

Accompanying Children

Free

Includes Lunch

FAQs

For any access needs or questions please get in touch for support. 

We want to lift barriers, so please be encouraged to ask for what you need.