International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day

International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day

Mothers of Invention: March is all about Women

This month is book–ended by two dates, and both of them celebrate the female of the species: International Women’s Day on March 8th, and Mother’s Day (in the UK) on Sunday 27th March.

Our American friends find it confusing that British offspring have to check the date for Mother’s Day every year. That’s because back in the 16th century when Mothering Sunday became a “thing” it was a moveable event tied to the 40 days of Lent, and consequently as hard to spot as a fish in bright water.

In any case, it was less about mother’s day presents than making sure you turned out for your local parish priest.

On the plus side Mothering Sunday was the day when Lent rules on fasting were relaxed. Gradually the church theme gave way to family reunions and eating cake. Frankly, you can never have too many reasons for eating cake.

The arrival of International Women’s Day in our calendars is a more recent (sometimes grudging) recognition that half the world’s population had an active and positive part to play in human history. Perhaps to make amends for aeons of denial, the whole of March also happens to be Women’s History Month.

So you’re not limited to just one day of events to acknowledge the lives of women, girls, non-binary and female-identifying people.

But whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it! As always, there are plenty of things to do in London, and with the arrival of Spring those London hotels are looking spruce, especially with the lengthening hours of daylight.

“The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud.”

Coco Chanel

 

Rebel Women and Female Pirates

Royal Museums of Greenwich

2nd – 25th March

The untold histories of female pirates and other rebels. There are talks about “the most successful pirate in history,” Zheng Yi Sao (Ching Shih). Also William Brown who was the first Black woman in the Navy. And a screening of “Matriarchs,” a film about the day that Grace O’Malley (known as Ireland’s Pirate Queen) came face–to–face with Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace in 1593. By the way, Elizabeth died on 24th March 1603, so that’s another date attached to an awesome woman.

International Women’s Day Bike Ride

6th March

A special IBikeLondon event. Meet outside the National Theatre and cycle at a leisurely pace; suitable for all ages and cycling abilities. The theme is #BreakTheBias, aiming for a gender equal world.

See Facebook: International Women’s Day: Together We Ride

Lost and Found

8th March, 11am–6pm

St Pancras Station

Celebrating International Women’s Day, The Royal Opera House presents a day of pop up performances. Micro operas written by all–female teams of librettists and composers, and based on stories submitted by commuters. Chamber opera from the Eurostar platform to the departure boards.

Across St Pancras Station. Free

The Night Woman

11th – 13th March

The Other Palace

Palace St. SW1

Theatre. One woman show from Julene Robinson, inspired by the writer’s grandmother who was shunned for her African spiritualist beliefs. Caribbean folktales, music and dance. £15.

Arab Women Artists Now

3rd – 12th March

Shoreditch

Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts this showcase of music, performance, spoken word, film and talks from Arab women artists. AWAN Festival on Facebook. Full programme.

Bloody Difficult Women

2nd – 26th March

Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

Tim Walker’s new play about the historic clash that was Gina Miller vs Theresa May. Revealing and often funny, as well as “intensely human” this is probably the perfect play for Women’s History Month. Both of the main characters, from their different standpoints, faced the same misogynist world.

Women’s History Month Walks: Look Up London

5th – 20th March

Various locations

Tour organisation Look Up London has a series of Women’s History Month walks. Popular tours that tend to book up fast.

Women of the World Festival 2022 (WOW)

11th – 13th March

The Southbank Centre is the main London venue for International Women’s Day. WOW is a three day festival for women, girls and non-binary people. Discussions, performances and topics ranging from sex to politics, childlessness to career changes. With BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullers, novelist Marian Keyes, and political activist Angela Davis. And much more.

Sarah Parker Remond: Plaque Unveiling

25th March

UCL, Russell Square

Unveiling of permanent plaque dedicated to 19th Century African American abolitionist Sarah Parker Remond, close to Russell Square tube station. Parker Remond travelled to Britain on the eve of the Civil War to counter British sympathies with the Confederate South, whose cotton supplied many British mills. She lectured throughout the UK and attended London’s Bedford College for Women. She went on to live in Italy, and died there.

Women in the Parks: Protest and Power.

8th March

Hyde Park

Royal Parks guided tour of Hyde Park on International Women’s Day. Includes stories of suffragettes Emmeline Pankhurst and Flora Drummond and pickpocket Jenny Diver. £12.

A Man’s World

13th March at 10.30am

St James

Footprints of London guide Michael Duncan leads a walk through St James’s; the haunt of many gentlemen’s clubs is the backdrop for stories of the women who made St James’s their own. £12.  

Post-war Modern: New Art in Britain 1945–1965

March 3rd – 26th June 2022

Barbican Centre

War certainly changes things. And while we continue to wrestle with the division of Europe after WWII, here are the works of 50 painters, sculptors and photographers from that time. Most tellingly, as well as Frank Auerbach and Lucian Freud, there are representative from the “distaff” side of art via Gilliam Ayres (b.1930) and Helen Chadwick (b.1953). £18.

Wild at Heart

Flowers for Mother’s Day

Luxury hand–tied bouquets, with a flower for every occasion and every mood. Look up the new Spring Hedgerow creation; watch out for workshops via Facebook (Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart) or see the flowers for yourself in Liberty, Great Marlborough St. W1, or in the original Turquoise Island shop (Notting Hill), designed by Piers Gough. Great online service too.

La Dame de Pic

Trinity Square, EC3

There ain’t nothing like a Dame, and La Dame de Pic (“impressive pedigree and intense flavours” says the FT) is both a restaurant (ground floor) and club (upstairs). Both menus have the inventive stamp of Anne–Sophie Pic (of Maison Pic in France). That is quite a lineage. Pic is up there with the royalty of the restaurant world. The building sits close by the Tower of London, and the mirrored interior would go down well in a Hollywood movie. The Dame de Pic way? “To create dishes that have been generationally recognised as spectacular.” (GQ). 

City Social

Old Broad St, EC2

Modern British menu from Michelin star chef Jason Atherton, up on the 24th floor of Tower 42, so you can enjoy the lofty views while you chew, without worrying about altitude sickness or a nosebleed. The restaurant soothes you with its dark wood interiors, and the seating is on different levels, providing optimum viewing from the widely spaced tables. Thoughtful, fun, glam.

Bob Bob Ricard City

Leadenhall Street, EC3

This is the City version of the Soho favourite, complete with the original ‘Press for Champagne’ buttons (it’s one of those details that people never tire of). The restaurant itself suggests all the glitz and drama of The Orient Express (without the risk of getting stuck in the snow with Hercule Poirot). It’s also a big vote of confidence for London’s rediscovery of life beyond Fleet Street – a place that combines deep history with plenty of excitement and glamour.

Afternoon Tea at Tower Suites

100 Minories, EC3

For some of us, the great British tradition of Afternoon Tea is probably the apex of human happiness. We’re all familiar with the conventional offering of miniature sandwiches and exquisite cakes, overseen by formidable matriarchs; but in a London first, Blue Orchid has come up with a delicious alternative, the nutritional afternoon tea. Cashew curd quinoa, candied hazelnuts, sweet potato and orange or cocoa chia with cayenne pudding. A unique luxury treat close by the Tower of London, and a charitable donation with every mouthful. 

Adamo Spa

100 Minories, EC3

Hot stones massage? Luxury manicure? Or a specialist body care therapy and oxygen facial? Nestled inside Tower Suites, with its apartment views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, is Adamo Spa. Its expert beauticians and trained therapists offer warmth, tranquillity and the kind of pampering that soothes away stress and lays the foundations for improved wellbeing. If you haven’t tried a massage spa yet, take a look at a Tower Suites’ overnight stay for two, with its classic Swedish full body or deep tissue massage per person. Perhaps a thoughtful Adamo Spa gift for your mother?

Retail Therapy

When it comes to the best place to shop for Mothers Day presents, there’s little to rival the “golden trail” that is Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. Walkable, entertaining and historic, these famous streets have plenty of restaurants, cafes and pubs where you can take a break. From the boutiques of Soho and Carnaby, to landmark stores like Selfridges and Liberty, there is so much to explore, either with the family, or on a girls’ day out.

Shopping Guide to the West End.

And finally, remember

 

“Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.”

Coco Chanel