Estrojam

"Lilith, Schmilith: Estrogen & Rock Unite in Chicago" - Spin Magazine
"Estrojam Rocks Chicago" - Curve Magazine
"There was a remarkable breadth, depth and diversity of talent, even among virtually unknown acts. The lineup of nearly four dozen acts was refreshingly dynamic and individualistic." - Los Angeles Times
“A decade later, gender bias is alive and well in the music industry. It's the reason we still see annual Women Who Rock specials in magazines, the fuel for breathless coverage of Kelly Clarkson's showdown over creative control with her male handlers, and the subtext of events like last week's Estrojam in Chicago - whose mission to break down stereotypes and foster bold expression is not something men have ever needed to organize around.” ~ THE BOSTON GLOBE
“Margaret Cho rocked the mic - and her burleque bone - at Estrojam in Chicago--An estimated 15,000 attendees flocked to venues around Chicago last week, Sept. 18-23, for the fifth annual Estrojam Music and Culture Festival to see women doing what they do best. --Edgy and inspired, Estrojam 2007 offered a whiff of what creative women world-round have been up to. Festival organizers are going to have a difficult time topping this year's festivities.” ~ SAN FRANCISCO BAY GARDIAN
“Estrojam fest fills vital, rockin' role--Women-centric celebration is still edgy and diverse--By Moira McCormick…“Estrojam, which revels in its well-deserved rep as the anti-Lilith Fair, comes roaring back Tuesday.--Now in its fifth year, [ESTROJAM] proffers a diverse, leading-edge music lineup of all-female and female-led acts -- with nary a wispy folk-rocker in the bunch -- joined by solo artists, DJs, the Cinejam Film Festival, visual art and photography exhibits, workshops, panels and for the first time, a prominent standup comedian.”~CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“[Estrojam] featured knockout performances from new Domino family members Yo Majesty, pioneering MC Bahamadia, and Rhymesayers spitfire Psalm One.” ~PITCHFORK
“Female voices ring out loud, clear at EstroJam--"Make some noise for the female voice in hip-hop," intoned Philadelphia MC Bahamadia midway through Friday's EstroJam at Abbey Pub. The event, part of a series scheduled at venues throughout the city, brought together three decades of female musicians, and featured swaggering rhythms, sporadic displays of public nudity and one legendary group, ESG, performing its final show together.” ~CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“All the Ladies in the House ... Silly me: I thought crotch- grabbing was a hip-hop move relegated only to the male contingent. I was proved wrong time and time again as the performers of Friday night's girl-centric Estrojam installment at the Abbey Pub grabbed said crotches, got sweaty and shirtless, and owned the stage as much any man. ~GAPERS BLOCK
KOT IN THE ACT: SHOWS YOU CAN'T MISS--By Greg Kot “#1 Estrojam: For those who found Lilith Fair a little too mild, here's the antidote. The fifth annual celebration of womankind includes a rare performance by ESG, the groundbreaking New York City group whose '80s singles remain cornerstones of dance-punk”
“Big-name tours, bands at smaller venues take spotlight--By Greg Kot--Estrojam returns for it’s fifth year, and even without big- name performers to rival those at Lollapalooza or Pitchfork, they exemplify what's so attractive about the smaller, more intimate performances that the fall concert schedule inevitably presents.” ~CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“With 'Woman,' there's no business like Cho business--Estrojam, an annual women-positive music and art festival, celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. And Margaret Cho isn't one to miss that kind of party--Yo Majesty and local Rhymesayers artist Psalm One are known for forceful live performances, and the chance to leave the male-dominated hip-hop world behind for a night should be an even greater inspiration.”~CHICAGO SUN TIMES
“While not a man-hating affair (the penis-growing set is more than welcome and invited to attend the festivities), Estrojam serves as an annual celebration of women's contribution to music, art and filmmaking. So get on out there and celebrate the ladies, already.” ~THE CHICAGOIST
“[At Estrojam] you’ll discover there’s a hell of a lot to get excited about if you’re in Chicago at the end of September for the Estrojam Festival--Commendable social responsibility aside, the festival also features a killer music lineup, which includes Yo Majesty, The Noisettes, Bettye Lavette, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Psalm One, and many others joining the aforementioned ESG.”~XLR8R
“EstroJam is coming, and on the bill is an entire night of great indie and underground hip-hop-- Then there's the (quite frankly amazing) billing of Friday's installment of Estrojam.” ~GAPERS BLOCK
“ESTROJAM 5.0--In five years, some festivals barely get going before collapsing in mismanagement or lack of interest. But Estrojam, the Chicago-based music/arts festival run by and showcasing women, is celebrating half a decade of continuous growth and influence. Attendance has doubled to 12,000 people since its inception; last year, men and women came from more than 20 states and seven countries. Among many accomplishments, the festival promotes lesbian and transgendered artists to thousands of people. To celebrate their success, the organizers are packing concerts, Margaret Cho's "The Sensuous Woman" burlesque show, art exhibits, a film festival, workshops and panels into just six days-- Mixing artistic expression with social responsibility, Estrojam is a Chicago festival that becomes a microcosm of how art transcends gender, sexuality, race and culture throughout the world.”~Don Baiocchi UR CHICAGO MAGAZINE
“The fifth annual Estrojam Music and Culture Festival is music to our ears, even without Dolly Parton--If she knew how culturally powerful [ESTROJAM HAS] become, she might be tempted.~TIME OUT CHICAGO
“The fifth installment of Estrojam is this year, and while I've repeatedly gone on record as not being a big fan of things with the perfumy reek of the pink-collar ghetto, this festival is an exception.” ~MONICA KENDRICK THE CHICAGO READER
“This fest seriously deserves a spot on your calendar--ESG, the Noisettes, Yo Majesty, Marnie Stern, Bahamania, Pit Er Pat, Rita J, Cordero, Nicky Click and the gravity-defying antics of “aerial burlesque” star, Brandy Dew, are all scheduled at the five-day celebration of sass.”~CURVE MAGAZINE
“Going for gold--ESG never was able to achieve its goal of big- time success, but after its final Chicago show, the legendary sister act will be remembered as a major influencer of hip-hop beats-- The audience was already sweaty, smeared, and sort of drunk from a long day of Estro-jamming. Most of us couldn’t keep nearly as cool as the members of ESG, but then again, most of us don’t typically witness history on our weekends out socializing in Chicago.” ~VENUS ZINE
"[Estrojam] has been growing in momentum each year." "The overall feeling of the weekend was celebratory, combining a sense of community with great music." -Venus Zine
"Estrojam offers place to party with a purpose" -Chicago Tribune
"On its 4th year, and with a mission that goes beyond the promotion of emerging artists and musicians, Estrojam and has a strong focus on education, social awareness, and to help building a supportive art community aiming to encourage creative expression." - Lumino Magazine
"[Estrojam has] the right idea for this thing," Fannypack's Matt Goias says. A New York deejay who co-writes and co-produces Fannypack's brash, breezy music, Goias says Estrojam's architects "get their message across, but keep their sense of humor." -Chicago Tribune
“Estrojam was awesome…it has to be one of the best music festivals i’ve ever been to.” -Gina Young
“You Estrojammers really know how to throw a festival. you are a total inspiration. not only do you know how to run a tight ship, you also know how to have a good time while doing it. thank you so much for showing us how much fun chicago is.” -Team Dresch
I'm a MUSIC and CULTURE FESTIVAL based in Chicago (which also holds benefits in places like Boulder, Colorado) that showcases female artists! Concerts, art, films, exhibitions, DJ's, installations and culture festival by and about girls!SEE THIS YEARS IMAGES....