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And that means gender parity in professional music is not where it should be, says Walkden. “It’s still an industry where it’s not equal,” she said. “Musicians from Toronto do note [the all-women team] when they come here to play a show, because it is uncommon. I don’t deal with women very often in what I do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it, simply because we’re women.” A concert set for Hermann’s on Sunday will illuminate the point. Timed to recognize International Women’s Day, which falls on Monday this year, the event was conceived by local singer Maria Manna as a showcase by, for and about the women who make a lot of their living playing music professionally in Victoria.
“We are rocking it,” said manager Nichola Walkden. “When we look at other venues, and what’s being done, we’re really proud.” Hermann’s has been raising money through its online and socially-distanced YouTube concerts since March 30, the most consistent run of any live music venue in the city. To celebrate the year that was, the club is offering a free four-hour concert featuring more than 50 artists, including Pablo Cardenas, David Vest, and Maureen Washington for those who have supported its efforts over the past several months. “This is, ‘Thank you.’ This is not, ‘We need more,’ because our supporters have already given so much,” Walkden said.