Preview: Sex Worker Open University @ Arcola Theatre

Jemma
By Jemma Last edited 149 months ago
Preview: Sex Worker Open University @ Arcola Theatre

The Sex Worker Open University throws open its doors once again after a successful first run last year. Most happenings take place in Dalston's Arcola Theatre, with events spilt between those for everyone, and those tailored for sex workers only. The aim is to enable sex workers and their allies to meet, share experiences and learn from each other, using film, dance, art and academia to help explore ideas and issues prevalent in the industry.

Offerings include over 50 talks, practical workshops and discussions by sex workers, activists, academics and artists, as well as a wide variety of performances and films. Meanwhile, a demo outside parliament will call for the decriminalisation of sex work in the UK.

Some highlights available to the general public include:

7-11pm, Friday 14 October @ Arcola: Presentations from leading international sex worker rights’ activists from around the world including Turkey, Japan, Bangladesh, Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, Netherlands, USA and UK.

8-11pm, Saturday 15 October @ Arcola: A packed evening of performances and short films, including:

  • Sex-worker storytelling from New York with Audacia Ray and her Red Umbrella sessions
  • Anna Peak’s "Between the Sessions", which explores the space in between clients
  • A DAY IN HER LIFE (Netherlands 2010) A compilation of six short movies made by sex workers in Amsterdam’s Red Light District

For information on joining the demo please see Facebook.
For full programme listings, including the events for sex workers only can be found here.

The Sex Worker Open University 2011 runs 12-16 October at Arcola Theatre in Dalston.

Image from the SWOU Flickr group by Vera Rodriguez.

Last Updated 10 October 2011