Eight artistic women creating a scene

Turning out to be an XX-traordinary year

By Justin Jacobs
Special to Metromix

When the Lilith Fair debuted around the country in 1997, it was a bit of a novel concept: Sure, women can rock, but a whole festival of them?

In the wake of a decade filled with largely dude-centric festivals like Lollapalooza, H.O.R.D.E. and Warped Tour, Lilith Fair, famously organized by Sarah McLachlan, was a chance for female rockers to say, “Yes, a whole festival of us.”

And their fans answered en masse — from 1997 to 1999, more than 1.5 million people showed up, raising about $10 million for charity. This year, a full decade later, the festival is back on the road.

Even without Lilith’s influence, it’s been a good year for female entertainers in Indianapolis.

In the first six months, there have been female-only playwright, jazz, DJ and poet exhibitions. Just this month, local musicians helped launch the first Girls Rock! Indianapolis, a music-empowerment program for girls ages 9 to 16.

In light of Lilith, and this year’s healthy dose of girl power, we talked to eight of Indy’s most talented and artistic women.