Name: DOLL FEST VOL II PRE PARTY! w/ SKIP THE NEEDLE
Start: 2026-03-27T19:00:00
End: 2026-03-28T01:45:00
Location: Ivy Room

<p><em>DOLL FEST PRESENTS</em></p><p><strong>FRIDAY MARCH 27TH</strong></p><p>—</p><h2>SKIP THE NEEDLE</h2><h2>LAST MINET</h2><h2>BENEATH YOU</h2><h2>WONDERLAND REJECTS</h2><p>—</p><p>6:30 pm doors / 7:00 pm show</p><p>ADV TIX AVAILABLE / $25 DOOR</p><p>—</p><p><strong>IVY ROOM</strong></p><p>860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany • 21+</p><h2><em><br></em><strong>DOLL FEST VOL II PRE PARTY!</strong></h2><p></p><p style="text-align: start"><strong>Doll Fest 2026 kicks off with a pre-show of Bay Area femme-fronted bands.</strong></p><p style="text-align: start">—</p><p>Doll Fest is a celebration of the feminine energy, friendship, and gathering together of a community in support of one another. We recognize that femme-dom is a powerhouse feeling, emotion, and revolution in action. Following the footsteps of previous incarnations of feminine fests such as Lilith Fair and She Shreds, Doll Fest aims to be the next femme music and arts festival, showcasing two full days of all femme-fronted bands and artists, including pioneering bands that brought the Riot Grrl movement to life and active bands today that are paving the legacy of grrl power.</p><p></p><p>We are still battling for true equality against the archaic non-values of patriarchy, still fighting for the power over our own bodies, and still proving our worth as voices to be heard. Doll Fest intends to bring together like-minded folx who embody the true spirit of Doll Fest - through empowerment, resilience, and nurturing of communities. We are anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, anti-racist, anti-police violence and strictly anti-fascist. Let’s rise up the dolls every March!</p><p></p><h2>SKIP THE NEEDLE</h2><p>—</p><p>Skip The Needle is an Oakland-based queer female quartet made up of Bay Area superstars; Vicki Randle, Shelley Doty, Kofy Brown and Katie Cash who fashion punk, funk and soul influenced rock they like to call black dyke rock. As the name implies, they are musically diverse and bring a biting, socially conscious message, delivered with radical joy. Formed in 2014, Skip The Needle has released two full-length albums and an EP - Octavia Of Earth, Volume 2, inspired by black feminist icon Octavia E. Butler, released by Soulectric - A division of Little Village Foundation and digitally released by Side Hustle Records in July of 2024. They are honored to have received the Local Sirens Residency grant from Women’s Audio Mission, writing and producing their upcoming EP.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: start">Though playfulness and exuberance are an integral part of Skip The Needle’s performances, reflections on issues of justice and equity, especially black, queer and women’s rights are the driving force behind much of their collective writing. The songs on Wake Up Wake Up Wake Up reflect the idea that socially conscious music can edify, inspire and rejuvenate. Four distinctly different voices and musical styles coming together as one spawned the name Skip The Needle and their messages of hope and inspiration, delivered with driving, infectious funk, rock and soul.</p><p></p><h2>LAST MINET</h2><p>—</p><p>Last Minet is an all-female alternative rock band from CA/NJ/NY that has been commanding attention since 2006 with their bold, high-energy sound and unique fusion of power-driven rock. Known for their raw intensity and captivating stage presence, the band has carved out a distinct musical identity that blends unique riffs, emotional vocals, and dynamic rhythms.</p><p></p><p>Currently performing as a trio, Last Minet is fronted by Zuri Fadul (vocals/guitar), whose powerful and evocative performance is backed by the relentless rhythms of Jovanna Cedeno (drums) and the driving bass lines of Lola Vieira-Sullivan (bass/vocals). Together, they delivers an unmissable live experience, pushing the boundaries of alternative rock with every performance.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>BENEATH YOU</h2><p>—</p><p>Forged in 2021 during the COVID-19 shutdown, Beneath You started when the bassist Serge Verkhovsky (Limp, Year Of The Fist) met the singer Mary Diridon (Mary Diri, Bitter Pearl). What started as a casual conversation about their mutual love of songwriting quickly turned into a collaboration blending Serge's pop punk sensibilities and Mary's melodic vocals.</p><p></p><p>In true pandemic style, they recorded in their Bay Area home studios and worked remotely with session musicians around the world on their debut EP Unhinged and follow-up singles Better Days and Misunderstood.</p><p></p><p>When the world opened back up, Mary and Serge enlisted the Hammon brothers of Dance Hall Crashers, with Gavin on drums and Jason on guitar. Gavin and Jason each brought their own kind of punk, plus touches of ska and alt-rock to mix in with Beneath You's pop-punk/emo sound. The result is an eclectic and ever-changing sound paired with thoughtful and complex lyrics.</p><p></p><h2>WONDERLAND REJECTS</h2><p>—</p><p>Queercore riot girl punk trio from Oakland</p>