Get To The Gig; The Ladybug Music Festival celebrates a decade of Women in Music
(Larkin Poe in 2017; Photo by Joe del Tufo)
Founded in 2012, The Ladybug Festival set out with a mission to create a space where women could be celebrated as a main event and not a commodity in music. A decade later it continues to be the largest celebration of women in music in the country, with a 100% female-fronted lineup, proudly empowering and giving platforms to women in all areas of music event production. After moving to a digital platform in 2020 due to the pandemic gathering restrictions and teasing festival goers in 2021 with a smaller-scale event, The Ladybug Music Festival is finally back with two dates, one for its Wilmington, and one for its Milford locations, and its original and popular block party atmosphere.
Photo sourced from Sweet Lizzy Project
This year's Wilmington festival headliner is Cuban-born, Nashville-based quintet Sweet Lizzy Project. Sweet Lizzy Project defected to the U.S. from Cuba in late 2017, just as the border doors were set to close once again. In addition to family and friends, the quintet left behind a creatively hostile environment. With their new found freedom of expression they’ve been sharpening their skills and winning over thousands of fans with their freedom rock and roll musical stylings. The full festival lineup has 40 musical acts spanning a multitude of genres and performers coming from Portland, Oregon, Nashville, Tennessee, New York, Maryland and more..
(Festival creator Gayle Dillman; Photo credit Joe del Tufo)
“All of these performers, the vendors, and the venues are small businesses. Ladybug is considered to help revitalize the creative economy through creating this FREE community event which supports small business. We also are proud to be the largest, free event that is all about women. Being able to offer a platform for women to be front and center is extremely gratifying. We are proud that through our celebration of women in music, we continue to work to empower and uplift female/women musicians. Collaboratively, we rise and celebrate who we are and the creativity we bring to the world of music”
- Gayle Dillman, CEO and Creator of The Ladybug Music Festival
The Wilmington Ladybug Music Festival, presented by Chase Bank, will be held Friday, May 20, between 4th and 2nd streets on Market Street, with over 40 musical performances from 5pm-10pm. Bring a tote bag to carry around goods from over 40 vendors lining the streets and a photo ID to purchase adult libations provided by The Wilmington Whiskey Club. There will be picnic tables on site to sit and enjoy provisions from the many food options, but festival goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for an extra comfortable experience. With 10 years in the game and more passion than ever, The Ladybug Music Festival is looking to be the event of the season.
The Milford Ladybug Music Festival, presented by Beebe Healthcare, is slated for Saturday, July 30 in beautiful downtown Milford, Delaware. More information to be released!
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