It's like a perfect marriage, without the trip to the chapel.
The sixth annual Muse Women's Conference, beginning March 1, serves this year to kick off the inaugural Bend Women's March, a month-long program of events to coincide with both Women's History Month and International Women's Day.
If you've attended in the past, then you already know that the four-day conference, a collaboration between World Muse and Visit Bend, brings internationally-recognized artists, authors, athletes and other women in leadership roles together with local women and teens, with the aim to inspire participants to create positive change in their lives and communities.
A launch event on Jan. 11 featured a special Night Light Show by comedian Shanan Kelley and her Magnificent Guests. Other 2018 Bend Women's March events include:
Muse Women's Conference - March 1-4
Expect art installations, panel discussions, keynotes, performances and breakout workshops designed to explore women's individual and collective stories and deepen their sense of belonging to each other and the world.
"We offer an interactive workshop on Sunday," World Muse Director Amanda Stuermer says. "It integrates the whole experience. The main part of the conference is Saturday, when we bring in 30-plus presenters throughout the day – performers, artists, front-line activists, a wide array of people who are creating positive change for women and girls, around the world and here locally. The workshop at the Liberty Theater includes journaling, yoga, group dialogue and exercises to help people integrate the whole experience."
theworldmuse.org/muse-conference
First Friday Women's March Art Walk - March 2
An event featuring women in the arts. A brochure and map will be provided by Bend Women's March, available March 1 at locations to be determined.
Wilder Retreat - March 9-11
Inspired by local champion track and field athlete Lauren Fleshman, Wilder retreats utilize running, writing, storytelling, yoga and other activities designed to fuel confidence and purpose.
Bend Design Event - March 16-18
A celebration of design culture featuring conversations, tours, exhibits and interactive workshops to celebrate design as a way of thinking.
Cotapaxi Questival - March 23-24
A 24-hour challenge competition in which teams choose from a list of challenges, earning a number of points for each one completed in the time frame. Challenges include catching a fish in a natural body of water with a fly rod for nine points, or videotaping a 15-second scary story at your campsite, at night, for three points.
Women's Outdoor Fest - March 30-31
REI and BendFilm will present a series of activities including outdoor clinics on ski jumps, biking, mountain biking clinics and climbing, all with emphasis on female athletes. The film, "No Man's Land," screens Saturday night at the Tower Theater.
A website for Bend Women's March will be coming soon at bendwomensmarch.com, or email [email protected].
Muse Conference
Thurs., March 1- Sun., March 4
Related events:
International Women's Day
Thurs., March 8
